The Nation Newspaper

Tag: raises

  • FG raises N12bn for flood victims

    FG raises N12bn for flood victims

    THE Federal Government has mobilised N12 billion through the Presidential Committee on Flood headed by Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the settlement of flood victims across the country.

    Vice President Namadi Sambo stated this in Batsari local government area of Katsina State yesterday during his nationwide visit to condole with victims of the recent flood disaster.

    The VP stated that the sum of N800m has also been released by President Goodluck Jonathan for the reconstruction of bridges destroyed in Katsina State.

    He assured the Minister of Agriculture will soon visit Katsina to commission 3,000 hectares of land and distribute improved hybrid seedlings for irrigation to farmers to cushion their losses during the flood disaster.

    The Health Minister, he added, has also been detailed to visit the flood- ravaged states for reconstruction of damaged hospitals and provide drugs to affected communities.

    Kastina State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, said the state lost seven lives to the disaster.

    While commending the Federal Government for prompt donation of N300m to assist the victims, he appealed for more assistance to victims and the farmers who lost some lives and property worth over N1 billion to the disaster.

     

  • Govt raises panels on Ribadu report, others

    Govt raises panels on Ribadu report, others

    The Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force’s report may not be dead after all.

    The government yesterday gave a ray of hope that in spite of the controversy that greeted the report, it might still see the light of the day.

    President Goodluck Jonathan raised three committee to prepare draft White Papers on the report of the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu Committee and two others on the oil industry.

    The committees are to work for two weeks.

    Also yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Communication Dr. Doyin Okupe, said the report would not be swept under the carpet.

    A statement by presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “In furtherance of his declared commitment to doing all within his powers to ensure greater accountability, probity and transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today (yesterday) established three committees to prepare draft White Papers on the reports of the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, the National Refineries Special Task Force and the Governance and Controls Special Task Force.

    “The Committees are to study the reports, review the issues raised, and prepare draft White Papers for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council within two weeks.

    “The White Paper Committee on the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force Report will be chaired by the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, with the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II: Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed as members.

    “The White Paper Committee on the report of the Governance and Controls Special Task Force will be chaired by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple. Other members of the committee are Minister of State, Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mallam Bukar Tijani.

    “The White Paper Committee on the report of the National Refineries Special Task Force has Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Mohammed Sada as Chairman, and Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Pate and Minister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyeson Wike as members.

    “The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will provide secretariat for the Committees.

    A statement by Okupe yesterday said at no time did he or any official of government suggest that the report would be dumped even though the data were yet to be verified.

    “There are several issues raised by the committee that would never be swept under the carpet by the Jonathan administration. Anyone found wanting shall be punished and all loopholes for corruption blocked.

    “An obvious disclaimer issued by the committee on the entire report makes it impossible under our laws to indict or punish anybody except and until the Federal Government fully verifies and reconciles the facts as recommended by the committee in its submission to the government”.

    Okupe stated because the report was hurriedly put together and submitted, the government would have to waste a lot of time and money putting together machinery to verify the document before a white paper would be issued.

    “I must assure Nigerians that this administration is serious about fighting corruption through the prosecution and institutional reforms. Any person or organization found wanting by the report after verification would be made to face the law”, he added.

  • Excess Crude Account: Fed Govt raises peace team

    Excess Crude Account: Fed Govt raises peace team

    Ahead of the November 22 date for the submission of the report of settlement of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) or the taking of motions, the Federal Government has raised a team to study terms for out of court settlement on the dispute between it and the states.

    The Nation learnt that the Federal Government might not be able to refund the deducted cash being demanded by the states, rather it wants to rely on judicial pronouncement to resolve the matter following what it considers as ‘huge’claims from the states.

    The states are insisting on the refund of the money illegally deducted from the Federation Account to fund the Excess Crude Account, having submitted their demands, upon which they can settle out of court.

    “We have forwarded the terms we thought could serve as the roadmaps for the resolution of the dispute on the illegality of the ECA.

    “First of all, the Federal Government should own up to the fact that the Account is illegal. The Federal Government cannot deduct any money from the Federation Account. The establishment and operation of and its unilateral deductions from the Excess Crude Account during the period between 2004 -2007 were inconsistent with the provisions of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution.

    “The states are also asking for full refund of the funds illegally deducted or diverted to fund the illegal Excess Crude Account. No state has less than N30 billion to collect if the out of court settlement sails through.

    “We have facts, based on oil price and budget benchmark, to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the Federal Government can effect refund of the outstanding sum.

    “We also have issues concerning signature bonuses and JV.”

    They are asking the Federal Government to bear the legal costs and the professional fees of the lawyers for a the parties. The amount is to be paid within seven days of the execution of the Terms of Settlement, directly to the Plaintiff’s lead counsel.

    “The states are demanding equitable shares corresponding to each state and local government council monetary values in the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), Railway Modernisation Deductions and Ibom Power Plant Project Deductions.

    “To start with, they want a the assets, including contracts of the NIPP, which was paid for using about $8.425 billion from the Federation Account to be clearly identified, inventoried and valued by a competent and reputable Nigerian accounting firm.”

    A source in the government said: “We have got a copy of the terms of settlement and a team headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice is looking into these conditions.

    “But some of the conditions are spurious and untenable. For instance, why will they ask the Federal Government to bear the legal costs and the professional fees of the lawyers for all the parties?”

  • ACN raises alarm over LP’s plot to kill chieftains

    group on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),the Independent Campaign Network (ICN), yesterday raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Labour Party (LP) government to kill some chieftains of the ACN in Owo Local Government.

    The group also alleged that some of the governor’s aides, who hail from the community, had imported arms for the attack.

    A statement signed by ICN’s Director, Communication and Strategy Bureau, Mr. Bosun Oladimeji, said some of the weapons imported included 36 AK 47 rifles, six pistols and motorcycles.

    He alleged that the arms would be distributed to the party’s thugs who are to attack at night.

    Oladimeji said: “Information reaching us has proved that the arms and ammunition were imported into the community by Governor Mimiko’s aides last night (Wednesday night) and kept in the campaign office of a commissioner in Mimiko’s exco, who is from the town.

    “We warn members of the Amalgamated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) not to allow some desperate politicians to tarnish the image of the association.

    “We urge security agencies to investigate this matter, because our party leaders are not animals. Is it a crime for someone to be a member of the ACN in Ondo State? It is now clear to the world that Mimiko is jittery over the rising profile of the ACN.

    “It is unfortunate that the security operatives have failed to guarantee the safety of members of the opposition parties. But no amount of intimidation or harassment will stop the electorate from voting out the LP government.”