The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Princess Stella Oduah

  • Flying too high

    Flying too high

    The rot in Oduah’s handling of the aviation ministry is exposed 

    WHEN the beleaguered Princess Stella Oduah was finally reliev ed of her position as Minister of Aviation in February, some Nigerians thought she was a victim of political harassment by opposition parties who were determined to get rid of one of the Jonathan administration’s more effective performers. However, recent revelations by the aviation ministry’s supervising minister, Dr. Samuel Ortom, show that Oduah’s track record was not all it appeared to be.

    Ortom recently declared that the ministry was in the process of drastically cutting back on the projects embarked upon during Oduah’s tenure because of the financial quagmire that it had found itself in. To fund the construction of four cargo airports, the ministry had entered into loans requiring the payment of billions of naira in interest payments. Many of the other projects necessitated appropriations which far exceeded the Federal Government’s financial capabilities. Work on many projects has been suspended, and contractors are not getting paid. In all, the ministry has run up debts totalling an estimated N174.6 billion. The ministry has embarked upon an all-inclusive review of the projects in an effort to reduce its financial exposure. Some projects which are yet to commence may be halted, while debt-rescheduling negotiations are being proposed for others.

    It is ironic that this is the same Oduah who was touted as the government official whose efforts symbolised the so-called “Transformation Agenda” of the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Her rehabilitation of airport terminals across the nation, the construction of cargo airports and the ambitious policy of creating an aerotropolis or “airport city” were hailed as bold policy initiatives never before attempted in Nigeria.

    Many critics were dismissed as ethnic bigots who were enraged that the ministry had been “taken away” from their region. Respected voices within the aviation industry that raised concerns were shouted down as holding brief for corrupt elements who wanted to continue benefitting from the alleged status quo.

    Now that the truth has finally emerged, it is incumbent upon the Nigerian government and citizenry to reflect on exactly how the nation arrived at this pass. How was the aviation ministry able to enter into so many financial obligations that are cumulatively well beyond its capacity to service? What was the input of the Federal Ministry of Finance? Did the contracts pass through the Budget Management Office and the Debt Management Office?

    At the time these projects were embarked upon, there were criticisms that the rehabilitation of airports should not be Nigeria’s first priority. It was argued that a comprehensive overhaul of all aspects of aviation safety was much more urgent, and evidence for the validity of this argument abounded: pot-holed runways, frequent power outages, the ever-increasing cost of aviation fuel, and the very dubious aircraft-maintenance record of many indigenous airlines.

    As Oduah persisted in the execution of her own agenda, the contradictions became plain. Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for example, was undergoing extensive remodelling at a time when its approach roads and parking lots were virtually unusable and power outages were a common occurrence.

    The aviation ministry embarked on the simultaneous construction of multiple cargo airports at a time when many airports in the country were grossly under-utilised, and the associated infrastructure necessary to support them was lacking. Many of the foreign loans taken to finance the projects were obtained under conditions that were never made clear, such as the US $500 million secured from a Chinese company for airport remodelling which is now being reviewed.

    The Oduah debacle plainly shows that there can be no substitute for due process, no matter how glamorous the policies may appear to be. A comprehensive audit of all the other ministries must be undertaken in order to see whether they too have chosen to follow the path of financial recklessness. If they have, those deemed to be responsible for it should be held to account for their actions.

     

     

  • Stakeholders set agenda for would-be minister

    Stakeholders set agenda for would-be minister

    Stakeholders have set agenda for the would-be Minister of Aviation, asking that the remodelling of airports initiated by the former Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, be completed.

    The stakeholders, among whom are airline operators, aircraft engineers and concessionaires, told The Nation that damage would be done to the sector, if the projects are abandoned.

    The projects include the building of 11 terminals in the second phase of the airport remodelling; five international airport passenger terminals being built by Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and the construction of 11 perishable cargo terminals.

    An Airport Concessionaire with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Adeola Omikunle, said investors were worried over what would become of the infrastructure projects initiated by the former minister, if they were not sustained.

    She said: “The best thing that the next minister should do is to ensure the completion of on-going projects, including airport terminals, air navigation equipment upgrade, the aviation master plan, the organised template designed for airport concessions, the increased investor confidence and other projects initiated by Princess Oduah, adding that it is the best way the government could reposition the sector.

    An aircraft engineer, Fred Bulus, said the legacies of the former minister should be sustained by her successor, whom he said must ensure that the five modern international passenger terminals being constructed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu are completed.

    He said over 20,000 jobs have been created in the sector in the past two- and- a-half years as a result of the on-going construction works in the sector, stressing that these laudable programmes must be sustained in order not to retard the tremendous progress already recorded in the sector.

    The Executive Director, Centre for Aviation Safety and Research, Sheri Kyari also urged that whoever takes over from Princess Oduah should complete her projects.

  • Recipe for an efficient cabinet

    Recipe for an efficient cabinet

    Last week, President Goodluck Jonathan dropped four ministers, among them the controversial Princess Stella Oduah, who held the aviation portfolio. Some lawyers argue that more should have been sacked, giving their poor performances. To the lawyers, ministers cannot perform well, unless they are appointed on merit and insulated from the President’s whims. JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.

    How can Nigeria get an efficient cabinet? To some lawyers, it is by giving ministers a secure tenure. Others disagree, saying that would be against the grain of the presidential system. These arguments were ignited by President Goodluck Jonathan’s sack of four ministers last week.

    Gone are the controversial Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah, Police Affairs Minister Caleb Olubolade, Niger Delta Minister Godsday Orubebe and Minister of State, Finance Yerima Ngama.

    Last September 11, the President sacked nine ministers —Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai (Education); Okon Ewa-Bassey (Science and Techology); Olugbenga Ashiru (Foreign Affairs); Hadiza Mailafia (Environment); Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning); Ama Pepple (Housing, Lands and Urban Development); Olusola Obada (State, Defence); Alhaji Bukar Tijani (Agriculture), and Zainab Kuchi (Power).

    But with allegations of non-performance against Jonathan’s government rife, should more ministers have been fired last week? Some think so.

    Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution makes appointment of ministers the President’s exclusive decision.

    It says: There shall be such offices of ministers of the government of the federation as may be established by the President. The appointments, based on national character (at least one minister from a state), are subject to Senate confirmation.

    Ministers do not enjoy a secure tenure, and can be removed at the President’s whim.

    This, observers say, make them beholden to the President rather than the public whom they are to serve.

    The effect is that ministers who last the longest, analysts say, are those proud to defend the President whenever he is criticised.

    The idea has, therefore, been mooted that, like the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, minister should have a secure tenure.

    This, it is believed, would enhance their performances and enable them push through their ideas without fear of undue repercussions.

    But, according to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Joseph Nwobike, amending the Constitution to provide for a secure tenure for ministers would go against global practice of the presidential system.

    He said: “Ministers owe their appointment and tenure to the discretion of the President. That is how it should be. That is the practice in all the democracies in the world. They are accountable to the President and the people through the National Assembly. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

    “On the other hand, the office of CBN is a creation of the CBN Act. The same law prescribes the tenure of the office holder. There are, therefore, completely different considerations for the two offices.

    “I cannot dismiss the Jonathan cabinet. The cabinet has, to a reasonable extent, men and women who have dedicated themselves to the services of this country. There are also some of them who have not performed well. However, as in every human arrangement, there is always the reason and opportunity to improve.”

    How then can ministers be made to perform better? Lawyers said it would require courage on the President’s part to appoint technocrats who can deliver, and that how the President performs would rub off on his ministers.

    In the eye of some, Jonathan has not really led by example. “The non-performance of the Jonathan government has got nothing to do with his ministers. Jonathan himself has not shown that he was actually prepared for the job of presiding over Nigeria as President,” said Abayomi Omoyinmi, a member of the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission.

    “The job of governance is very enormous and what the cabinet consists of is what is called job for the boys. I’m afraid I’m not expecting anything from those coming in other than making the numbers and marking time in the remainder of this government,” he added.

    Lagos lawyer Omodara Samson said until parochial interests stop being the basis of appointments, ineptitude would remain.

    “Appointments here tend to be based on political patronage, godfatherism, favoritism and nepotism. It is not usually based on merit. There are a lot of Nigerian who are eminently qualified for positions in this country, but because they do not have connections, they will not be considered.

    “At the end, we have round pegs in square holes, and that has been the bane of development in this country. Until that is addressed, we might not be able to move forward positively,” Samson said, adding that political leaders must have a sincerity of purpose to make right choices, and must detach themselves from undue influences.

    At the root of executive non-performance is corruption and lack of transparency, analysts have said. If the head is corrupt-free, those under him would have no choice than to tow same path of rectitude.

    Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Adetokunbo Mumuni said if indeed the desired efficiency which will translate to transparency, accountability and good governance is to be achieved, a fundamental cabinet shake-up (not movement and mere reposting of ministers from one ministry to another) must take place.

    “My expectation from the Jonathan presidency still revolves around the issue of transparency, accountability and anti-corruption. It is because these issues are not being addressed with commitment that inefficiency and bad governance are evident in all spheres of life in Nigeria,” he said.

    A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch chairman Dave Ajetumobi said there been “a lot of motion without movement” in the cabinet.

    “You can’t really perform beyond the person who appointed you. If you are too eager to work, meaning may be read into it. They can only perform within the space available to them. For most of them, their appointments are based more on party patronage than on merit, making the person loyal to his constituency.

    “You see ministers crediting everything to the President, just because they want to be in his good books. The President is more or less a demi-god to them. As long as they can continue to bootlick, they remain in office. So, it doesn’t really make for good performance.

    “These days performance is also about how a minister attacks and deals with opponents ruthlessly. We remember a former Minister of Aviation who ‘performed’ because he was able to abuse and rubbish opponents, when he should be dealing exclusively with air safety issues.

    “We want to see more of merit. Party considerations cannot be ruled out, but they can’t say these are the best they can get in PDP. There are technocrats in the party who can deliver on the job effectively. Anybody in government should really consider the national interest,” Ajetumobi said.

    Asked to assess Jonathan’s cabinet, activist-lawyer Bamidele Aturu believes there is a general inefficiency, which he described as tragic.

    He said: “Non-performance is the defining characteristics of Nigerian governments at all levels. It is just that the higher the level the worse the performance. In other words, the rot at the Federal government is the worst. But generally the rot is everywhere.

    “So, my view is that none of our leaders really deserve the positions they hold, from local government councilors to the topmost level. Those coming in are being appointed on the basis of their connections to godfathers and not on the basis of competence. The appointments and removals are based on petty politicking. That is tragic.

    “Our people must get involved actively in directing our country by being organised to stop the organised rot.”

    Former NBA Ikeja Branch chairman Niyi Idowu said the antecedents of those to be appointed ministers should be taken into consideration.

    “Some of the ministers are just bench-warmers. A sizeable number of them are not really doing anything, or probably they don’t really know what it entails to be a minister. Some see it as compensation for their roles during campaigns. In my view, more of the current ministers should have been should have been shown the way out.

    “Individual background matters in such appointments. If a former Student Union leader a leader in a profession mismanaged the association’s funds, you should know such people are not qualified to hold public office because it’s in the blood. In fact, members of the public should be allowed to make suggestions,” Idowu said.

    However, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) said Jonathan should be given the benefit of the doubt.

    “The President is the one in charge, he is the one involved. So he is the one who knows that they are not performing and that the public is not satisfied with his own administration. So I am sure he must be looking for ways of improving his performance by removing those people that he thinks are not contributing to the success of his administration.

    “It is the President’s prerogative to appoint ministers, and to drop ministers and to keep ministers because he is the only one that is accountable to whole of Nigeria. So whoever he feels will make him happy, that would provide result and improve performance of his administration, he would appoint,” he said.

    He urged the new ministers to learn from others mistake, saying: “They should avoid those things that led to the pitfalls of their predecessors in office and led to their removal.”

     

  • Oduah: national carrier takes off soon

    Oduah: national carrier takes off soon

    Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah yesterday said there were certain hitches that have stopped the government from naming a national carrier.

    Oduah, who spoke after inspecting ongoing remodeling projects at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos explained that the hitches were being addressed and very soon the carrier will take off.

    Oduah said: “We are trying to rectify that challenge. I think we will do it very soon but the important thing is that we want to give Nigerians a national carrier that we all aspire to have; that will be a true representation of all of us, that can be bought from the market; that will be professionally and efficiently managed.”

    Speaking on the airport remodelling , Oduah assured that the airport would be commissioned before the end of the first quarter of 2014.

    She said: “We want to be able to start the usage of all these facilities by first quarter of next year. What is key is that travellers’ experience will be very very different.

    “It will be the way it should be; it means you have the comfort, you have the safety and you have the security and most importantly as you’ve seen we’ve increased the capacity which means you have ample space to really do what you are supposed to do.”

    She said government is embarking on expansion of airport facilities to promote safety and security as well as improve the travel experience of passengers.

    Oduah said the projects will run at airports nationwide, promising that the challenge of airport infrastructure will be a thing of the past when the projects are completed.

    The minister spoke of plans to reposition the Lagos Airport as a regional hub, with the provision of transit lounge and other facilities that will enhance the travel experience.

    She denied any recommendation of sack by the House of Representatives Committee that investigated the purchase of bullet proof cars by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), insisting that those who are misinterpreting the recommendations as sack did not quite understand what the issues are.

     

  • PDP won’t condone corruption

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday broke its silence on the N225 million armoured cars’ controversy for Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah.

    The party said it would not condone corruption.

    The PDP said it was worried by the scandal the car purchase had thrown up.

    The party promised that the matter would not be swept under the carpet.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the ruling party said the position of its national leadership on zero tolerance for corruption would not be compromised.

    Metuh recalled that the PDP had never prevented the trial of its chieftains for corruption.

    He assured that the position had not changed.

    Metuh said: “It is common knowledge that, at one time or the other, top leaders of our party or their relatives faced charges of corruption and never was the law restrained from taking its full course.

    “To us as a party, the accusation of corruption in the Aviation Ministry is a big worry. It is for this reason that the President and the leader of our party has set up a panel to investigate the matter while the National Assembly, which we also lead, has stepped in. We commend the President and the National Assembly for doing what is appropriate in the circumstance.”

    The party spokesman cautioned critics against making unfounded statements on the matter, in the interest of due process and fairness.

    He urged Nigerians to desist from convicting those involved in the saga before their trial.

    According to him, the intimidation of aviation officials before the trial could be counter-productive.

    Metuh added: “It is a fundamental rule of due process and fairness that these investigations be allowed a full course so that those at the centre of the saga would be availed an opportunity to offer their own side and avoid a case of conviction before trial.

    “We, however, wish to assure Nigerians that whoever is found culpable shall reap in full, the bitter consequences of corruption and disservice to our dear nation. If otherwise established, the aviation officials should not be intimidated but remain focused in the outstanding transformation that Nigerians have witnessed in the sector.”

  • Stellagate: It’s a familiar tale

    SIR: Like previous high profile corruption cases, the raging scandal involving Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah and officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) would go the way of others. It will fizzle out pretty soon and life will go on smoothly as if nothing happened.

    Yes, this is Nigeria, where we are good at barking at every evil act, but lack the guts to attempt a bite.

    Hardly does a day pass that the world is not dished a portion of Nigeria’s abursidity, courtesy of the funny characters masquerading as leaders. No-one, including our so-called elder statesmen and clergymen seems bothered by Nigeria’s fast drift to anarchy and failure. Amidst allegations of rising malfeasance, which now define our system, we are so relaxed with an affirmation that all is well. We are at a crossroad. We continue to delude ourselves that the myriad of human-induced challenges staring would fizzle out pretty soon.

    Princess Stella Oduah’s show of obscene taste and display of extravagance as revealed in the purchase of armoured BMW cars valued at N255 Million provides an insight into the reckless manner our collective resources are being plundered by the elites.This is a sin against God and crime against humanity. This is the height of wickedness and irresponsibility. It beats one’s imagination to discover that a serving public official sees nothing morally or legally wrong in acquiring cars with such a huge amount in a country where thousands go to bed daily on flat empty stomachs.

    This amount is enough to pay the annual salaries of 50 professors in our beleagured public universities. The humongous sum is enough to build 100 healthcare centres across villages in Nigeria.

    Without pre-empting the outcome, this abuse of office will no doubt go the way of others. Frankly speaking, the panels amounts to huge waste of time and resources. Such time and resources should be channeled into productive ventures.

    Where is the report of the oil subsidy probe panel that indicted some lawmakers? What about the Malabo Oil deal involving the top echelon of the justice ministry? What about the corruption case against former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and his deputy, Usman Bayero Nafada? Undoubtedly, this particular high profile corruption case will go the way of others.

     

    Abdullahi Yunusa

  • Policy inimical to aviation’s interest, say airline owners

    Policy inimical to aviation’s interest, say airline owners

    Why was the aviation policy reviewed last week by the Federal Government? It is because it has become outdated or does it have political undertone?

    These were some of the posers raised by the public amid reactions to the government’s action.

    The respondents are: Aviation Roundtable (ART) President, Captain Dele Ore, and Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Seceretary- General, Captain Mohammed Joji.

    Ore described the policy as a setback and unnecessary

    He said the Minster of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah should focus on the challenges of the industry, instead of revising the old 2006 aviation policy that has been adjudged by many international bodies, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as a valid document.

    Ore said the minister should not pursue shadows, as the implementation of the policy may take the industry over two decades back, because the issues raised in it have been adequately addressed in the 2006 civil aviation policy.

    He said: “The new policy for some of us is uncalled for. It is the least of the problems the aviation industry is going through. There are myriad of challenges confronting the industry, not a review of the civil aviation policy. There is nothing wrong with the old policy to warrant this urgent review. It will rock the foundation of aviation in Nigeria. What they have done is taking us back to the 1995 era. It will eventually become a setback for the industry. I am convinced that when the implementation fails, the government will have no choice but to call on experts to address the mess the new arrangement will create.”

    Joji said the new policy would move the industry back in the global aviation community.

    What the policy has done, he said, is to hijack the responsibility of economic regulation of airlines from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and give it to the body to be established by the Ministry of Aviation.

    “The Aviation Roundtable will continue to watch developments to see how the implementation will work. I am confident it is going to cause confusion. When we have consistently said nothing is wrong with the old 2006 civil aviation policy,” he added.

    Joji said: “It is better to move the industry forward than to seek its regression. It is my humble opinion that nothing is wrong with the 2006 civil aviation policy.“

    Another industry player, who asked not to be named, described the new policy as another attempt to reduce the powers of the NCAA, as the sole regulator of civil aviation.

    He described it as a great disservice to the growth of civil aviation.

    The policy, which takes effect this week, will address gaps in operations by private jet and charter operators, Princess Oduah, said.

    Under the revised 2013 Civil Aviation Policy, she said a directorate has been created to take care of specialised operations, including private and charter jets, which she categorised as general aviation.

    The revised regulation is a follow up to the 2009 edition, which came from the 2006 Civil Aviation Act, which granted autonomy to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). She alleged that operators were exploiting the weaknesses in the previous policy to shortchange the system.

    The policy is expected to be reviewed in 2018.

  • Oduah lists priorities of 2013 budget

    Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has said the ministry will next year focus on improving and consolidating on going efforts at infrastructure upgrade as well as the certification of airports in the country in accordance with the standards of international civil aviation organisation (ICAO).

    Oduah, who spoke during her presentation of the 2013 budget to the senate committee on aviation, said it is unacceptable that some airports in the country are certified.

    To achieve certification for the nation’s airports, the Minister said their effort at reconstruction and remodelling of the airports would be consolidated and improved upon in the 2013 fiscal year, especially with regard to the provision of safety critical infrastructure.

    Areas that would receive priority attention include Landing instruments, security and communication infrastructure, water hydrants, fire fighting vehicles, airfield lighting and interrupted, 24-hour electricity supply.

    Others include equipment for the control and prevention of bird strikes, conveyor belts, functional air-conditioning systems for the remodelled terminals, Avio bridges, sufficient apron buses to halt the risky practice whereby passengers walk through the tarmacs to board aircraft, Welfare buses for aviation workers to alleviate their hardship in terms of transportation to and from work, amongst others.

    She stated that the infrastructure upgrade is beside the construction of five new international airport terminals and several perishable and cargo terminals in the nation’s airport.

    “The aim of all these projects is to modernise our airports, gradually phase out all obsolete equipment and infrastructure and bring our airports to international standards and best practices. This is the only way we can get our airports to be certified”, Oduah declared.

    Also Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said it is “very sad that most of our airports are not certified in accordance with ICAO standards. We must, therefore, do everything possible to get them certified.”

    He said other areas which deserve serious attention; and upon which the government must find a way to fund in the 2013 budget is capacity building and training of professionals/experts by the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), airfield lighting as well the maintenance of the runways.

  • ‘GAT does not belong to Bi-Courtney’

    ‘GAT does not belong to Bi-Courtney’

    • Fed Govt assures on air safety

    The remodelled General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in the old domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) does not belong to Bi-Courtney, the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, has said.

    Princess Oduah,who spoke yesterday through her Special Assistant on Media, Joe Obi, explained that the location of GAT has never been concessioned to Bi-Courtney, adding that the agreement with Bi-courtney has a survey plan clearly marked in square metres.

    Oduah said: “Information at our disposal indicates that Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, the Concessionaire to MM2, apparently threatened by the imminent opening of the newly reconstructed and remodelled GAT, Lagos, is mounting a media campaign in an attempt to blur, or diminish the unprecedented achievement of the Aviation Minister, in giving Nigerian airports a major face-lift and dignified ambience.

    “To be sure, the area where GAT is located has never been part of the area concessioned to Bi-Courtney Limited.

    “The agreement with Bi-courtney has a Survey Plan clearly marked in Square metres and the area of the GAT was never contemplated to be part of the area leased to Bi-Courtney.

    “Nigerians can vividly recall the dilapidated and decrepit state of the nation’s airports, including GAT prior to the assumption of office of the current Minister. Today, 11 airports, including the GAT are an elegant testimony of the desire and determination of the Minister to give Nigerians what they truly deserve – airports of their dreams that compares to any such facility anywhere around the world,” the statement said.

    “It is inconceivable that anyone would not only contemplate, but also hold fast to the jaundiced belief that a nation as big and great as Nigeria ought not to progress beyond having a terminal like MM2,” it added.

    On allegations that there are court orders restraining anybody, including FAAN, the agency in charge of federal airports from developing GAT, the minister said the court cases were still on-going.

    Meanwhile, Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said in Lagos yesterday that the Federal Government will continue to place high priority on the safety, security and comfort of travelling public across the nation’s airports as part of it’s transformation agenda.

    Anyim said this while inaugurating the remodelled General Aviation Terminal(GAT) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport built at a cost of N648 million.

    He assured passengers that the Federal Government is not only interested in remodelling the nation’s airports, but also in building new ones across the country, adding that the safety and comfort of the passengers are “uppermost in our minds.”

    Anyim said the business of aviation is an international one and we would like to follow international best practices in Nigeria. He implored the private sector to collaborate with Federal Government so that they can replicate in other airports what has been done here in Lagos.