The Nation Newspaper

Tag: reforms

  • Commissioners call for health reforms, financing

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris, and his  Ogun and Kwara state’s counterparts, Dr Babatunde Ipaye and Mr Abolaji Alege, have canvassed proper financing, capacity building and health reform to move the sector forward.

    According to Idris, stakeholders need to pressure the government to fund healthcare and ensure the sector is reformed.

    Idris spoke in Lagos during PharmAccess Strategy Day on Nigeria. The theme was Making health markets work for low-income people in Nigeria.

    The major problem, Idris said, lies with those who run the country’s health system, stressing that many lacked the capacity to function effectively.

    “Many of them are not computer literate. This was disturbing as it did not allow for improvement in the use technology in the hospitals,” he said.

    He said the reality of poor funding of the sector came to the fore during the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the country.

    “When Ebola struck, we saw issues of logistics coming up. But we the government what we need and the money came,” he said.

    Idris whose topic centred on health delivery and sustainability, said technology has a role to play in improving access to healthcare delivery system.

    Dr Ipaye identified poor funding of healthcare as the primary issue affecting the growth of the sector.

    He advised the Federal Government to invest in the sector, adding: “Nobody can give what he does not have”.

    The Ogun State Health commissioner said the present three percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to healthcare was poor, stressing that more fund should be invested in the sector.

    Ipaye said the country’s per capita income has bearing on the state of health.

    The Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria, Njide Ndili said her organisation was interested in increasing access to inclusive quality health care for low income communities in Nigeria.

    According to her, lack of access to inclusive quality health care is one of the primary challenges facing Nigeria.

    This, she said, was in spite of the efforts being undertaken by stakeholders in the industry.

    She said the programme was organised to facilitate discuss among key players to get response from stakeholders, long standing partners, new and potential partners.

    The programme, she said, would enable the company find a way forward to advance access to quality healthcare to low income communities.

  • Bar leaders seek reforms to boost Africa’s economy

    Bar leaders seek reforms to boost Africa’s economy

    Bar leaders have called for fundamental reform of archaic laws in Africa as a way of promoting sustainable economic growth and political stability.

    They met in Lagos last week during the First African Bar Leaders’ Conference organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in collaboration with Bar Associations and Law Societies in Africa, with the theme: Reducing poverty and promoting sustainable economic growth in Africa through reforms in administration of justice.

    It was organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in collaboration with other Bar Associations and Law Societies in Africa.

    The four-day conference examined the living conditions of Africans, the economic and political challenges facing the continent and  how the existing legal frameworks and regimes have helped the continent to achieve meaningful development.

    The conferees also examined the role of legal institutions in developing the continent, such as the International Criminal Court.

    NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) said the theme was aimed at identifying key factors necessary to achieving reforms in the justice sector to boost foreign investment and economic development whilst reducing poverty in Africa.

    “As lawyers and stakeholders in the justice sector, we are duty bound to educate and advise our respective governments on the critical role the justice sector plays in sustaining economic growth and development.

    “There is no gainsaying the fact that foreign investors are more inclined to do business in economies with functioning legal systems and low crime rate. The theme of this Conference is most appropriate at this point of our development as a continent,” he said.

    According to Alegeh, there is the need for African countries to embark on massive reforms in the justice sector.

    “Conversely, the failure of governments in Africa to address this issue of judicial reforms at all levels erodes public confidence in the judicial system and encourages the resort to self-help and extra-judicial means of dispute resolution thereby occasioning a state of total chaos and economic regression.

    “The task before Bar Associations and Law Societies in Africa, therefore, is to lead the discourse on judicial reforms and highlight its critical role in fostering economic growth and development,” he said.

    Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Hague, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, was the Keynote Speaker.

    Alegeh added: “As Africans, there is a dire need for us to work harmoniously develop our continent and foster economic ties across borders irrespective of cultural diversity and religious affiliation.”

    Chairman of the organising committee, former Ekiti Satte Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, said the conference was designed to facilitate a process that leads to a  better understanding of challenges facing Africa.

    High Commissioner, Rwanda High Commission to Nigeria,  Ambassador Stantilas Kamanzi, said the problem of genocide which his country faced lingered for many years.

    “It was a terrible nightmare and an emotional crisis for the country of Rwanda. However, solutions were proffered, one of which was the introduction of the Traditional Community Court System.

    “The effect of the Rwanda experience is that perpetrators must be held to account and brought to book, and justice in the long run cannot be denied,” he said.

    Alegeh and a Bar leader, Mr. Dauda  Soumana led discussion on the situation of the administration of justice in Africa.

    It was noted that one of the major problems in Africa’s judicial system is the lack of independence.

    Corruption  was also identied as a serious menace in Africa, which some lawyers said to contributed to the problem.

    “The slowness of the justice system cannot be overemphasised. The judiciary is slow in its delivery of justice and many judges do not respect the timeline for delivery of judgments and trial completion and this affects the credibility of the judiciary,” a speaker said.

    Chairperson of the International  Federation of Female Lawyers ( FIDA)  in Cameroon, Mbuyah Friepse Luku Gladys said a special court for corrup-tion was created in Cameroon  to deal with embezzlement and money laundering, resulting in several top officials landing in jail.

    She said: “In an attempt to harmonise our laws, a new Criminal [Procedure Code (CPC)  was introduced, which repealed the old law that made  it more inquisitorial rather than being acquisitorial.

    “The challenges faced in the justice system in Cameroon includes insufficient man power, lack of infrastructure as sometimes a court has to rise for another to come in, customary laws are uncodified and unwritten, which poses the problem of uniformity across board.

    “The existence of a higher judicial council headed by the head of state  weakens  the independence of the judiciary. The  procedure for legal aid is cumbersome, the new CPC provides that proof is by any means, which leads to denial of justice.”

    Presentations were made by  Bar leaders from almost all the African Countries including  the President, Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) Mr. Elisha Banda; President East African Law Society Mr. Nasso Khamis Mohamed; President, SADC Law Society, Mr. Gilberto Caldeira Correia; Deputy General Secretary, West African Bar Association (WABA), Aboubacar Sidik Camara and the President,  African Bar Association (AFBA), Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo.

  • ICAN visits Adeosun, supports Public Finance Reforms

    The ongoing reforms in the nation’s public finance sector received a boost on Thursday when the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) endorsed the measures being undertaken. It passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Finance in Abuja.

    The leader of the delegation and President of the Institute, Otunba Olufemi Deru, commended the efforts of the Minister and her team thus far, said ICAN is solidly behind the Federal Government in its efforts to rid the civil service of grafts and other fraudulent activities.

    He lauded the effort of the Minister to achieve cost savings and eliminate ghost workers, saying money recovered from these exercises could be invested for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

    He disclosed that in a bid to key into the government’s programme, ICAN is training its members on forensic investigation so as to assist the Federal Government to trace illicit funds in Nigeria and abroad.

    Mrs. Adeosun said the present administration is resolute on its resolve to plug all loopholes and ensure judicious use of the nation’s resources.

    She explained that the Federal Government is committed to reforming the public finance of the country as one of the levers to unlock the nation’s economic prosperity. She stated that the government plans to introduce a risk-based internal audit system and implement adequate controls.

    She said efforts are being made to present a bill to the National Assembly so as to pass the proposed internal audit into law.

    Mrs. Adeosun also spoke about efforts being made to strengthen the capacity of small and medium enterprises, explaining that the Federal Government is introducing a programme that will mandate big accounting firms to partner with small firms as a condition to be eligible for government business.

    Mrs. said the programme would yield significant benefits including the desired knowledge of the local context that small scale accounting firms would bring to bear across the country, as well as the capacity enhancement that the small scale firms would gain from partnering with their more established counterparts.

  • Lagos to implement public service reforms

    The Lagos State government will continue to develop institutional framework and implement reforms to enhance the capacity of its public service, Director-General, Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo, has said.

    This, she said, is to deliver quality service through effective people management and synergy at the state and local government levels.

    She spoke last weekend at a sensitisation forum aimed at deepening the understanding of human resource reforms in the public service for human resource officers and council clerks, on the Centre’s premises.

    Fabamwo reiterated the primacy of deepening the human resource capabilities of practitioners in the promotion of public service excellence and in broadening the capacity of government to satisfy the yearnings and expectations of citizens.

    She told participants, from the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state, that as leaders in the third tier of government, their understanding and commitment to the human resource management reform agenda would go a long way to promote service delivery, which will ensure uniformity in people management across the board.

    Also speaking, the Director-General, State Office of Transformation Creativity and Innovation (OTCI), Mr. Toba Otusanya, said the human resource reform would boost governance by building a professional public service managed by professional human resource managers.

  • Financial reforms saves Lagos N3bn monthly- Ambode

    Financial reforms saves Lagos N3bn monthly- Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday rendered his account of stewardship revealing that ‎efforts geared towards stabilising the finances of the state has saved about N3billion monthly.

    Addressing residents, party chieftains, traditional rulers and top government officials at the maiden edition of the quarterly Town Hall meeting at Abesan Mini Stadium, Lagos, Governor Ambode said one of his first key tasks on assumption of office was to stabilize the finances of the State.

    He said his administration embarked on financial re-engineering and reviewed the revenue and expenditure framework of the State coupled with the realignment of Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    “This has provided us with more funds to inject into capital projects and the initial funds to establish the Employment Trust Fund which we promised our youths,”, he said.

    Governor Ambode who reiterated his vision to make the state globally competitive in all sectors, said that his administration has mapped out long-term plans and programmes that will lead Lagos on the path to becoming a truly competitive city-state.

    Highlighting some of his administration’s strides in the last four months, the Governor said that aside using the period to set up an institutional framework to pilot the programmes and policies of government, remarkable interventions and reforms have been made in the areas of road rehabilitation, health care, security, service delivery, transportation and education.

    On road rehabilitation, Governor Ambode said about N1.3billion have been ploughed towards the construction and rehabilitation of over 190 roads across the state, most of which were not catered for in the 2015 budget.

    He listed some of the roads to include Agege Motor Road, Herbert Macauley Way, Yaba, Murtala Mohammed Way, Isolo, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Dopemu Road, Agege, Akowonjo Road, Akowonjo, Obalende Bridge, Obalende, Isaac John Road, GRA and Apapa Road, Ebute Meta.

    Other roads, he mentioned include Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Toyota-Charity Axis, Olufemi Street, Shomolu, Billy Street, Epe, Aswani Road, Isolo, Yekini Street, Shogunle, Oshodi, Isawo Road, Ikorodu, some of which he said are federal roads.

    “As I speak, work has commenced on the Ago Palace Way-Okota Road. The State, in conjunction with your Local Governments and Local Council Development Area, are coming to your neighborhood soon”.

    “The Ejigbo–Ikotun Road, Okota-Cele Road, Metalbox Road and Acme Road in Ikeja are currently being rehabilitated, while work has started on Brown Street, Oshodi, Ladipo Street as well as Mushin Road”.

    “Till date, we have committed N1.386billion to road construction and rehabilitation. We will pump more funds into road infrastructure in this present quarter”, the Governor said.

    On transportation, Governor Ambode said he was not unmindful of the challenges Lagosians face daily, noting that in recent times, the menace of trucks on the roads have caused untold hardships and loss of man hours and revenue for residents.

    He however restated his commitment to ensure that residents commute within the state with less congestion on the road.

    “This administration will stop at nothing to find a lasting solution to this challenge and ensure our people can move from one part of the state to another with less traffic impediment”.

    He said the Apapa traffic gridlock was most worrisome as it affects other parts of the state and slowing down businesses, noting that he has met with various stakeholders to find solutions to the persistent traffic.

  • ‘Buhari’s reforms ’ll make money available for capital projects’

    ‘Buhari’s reforms ’ll make money available for capital projects’

    The Federal Government said yesterday that ongoing institutional reforms are aimed at make additional resources available for the implementation of capital projects for improved service delivery and transformation of the Nigerian economy.

    The government also said it remained committed to the economic development of the country and was determined to hold people accountable and ensure that business activities in both the public and private sectors are carried out effectively and transparently in line with global best practices.

    The Secretary to the National Planning Commission, Bassey Akpanyung, who disclosed this at a news conference to announce activities lined up for the 21st Nigeria Economic Summit, said some of the reforms include the adoption of a zero-based budgetary system with effect from the 2016 financial year.

    Other reforms, according to him, include the introduction of the Treasury Single Account system, the restructuring of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and blocking of financial leakages in the Federal MDAs, among others

    He said this year’s economic summit had been designed to elicit deeper dialogue on how best to make tough choices, considering the present global economic realities which the government needs to deal with.

    He said the continuous decline in oil prices, resulting in reduction in government revenues, insurgency in some parts of the country and rising unemployment rate, especially among the youth, has made it imperative for government to start thinking outside the box on a post-oil economy.

    While announcing the 21st Nigerian Economic Summit will hold between October 13 and 15 in Abuja, Akpanyung said  the summit had become “an  annual dialogue event which is jointly organized by the National Planning Commission representing the public sector and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group representing the private sector.”

    He said further: “It is the most enduring public private dialogue process that has been sustained over the past 21 years since it started in 1993. The NES has provided a credible and widely recognised platform for forging understanding and consensus on our national economic policy direction and economic growth strategies.

    “Over the years, stakeholders in Nigeria and abroad have come to acknowledge the NES as the premier platform for policy dialogue in Nigeria. The NES has indeed become the largest and most prestigious annual economic forum for policy makers and the private sector, the academic and development partners and civil society organisations

    “The summit has over the years contributed immensely to strengthening the relationship between the public and private sectors and the transformation of the Nigerian economy. It is also reassuring to note that the key outcome of the summit has helped in influencing policies since the inception of the summit arrangement.

    “The theme of the summit this year is ‘Tough Choices: Achieving Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability’. This is consistent with the aspiration of the present administration’s change agenda and the medium term successor strategic plan 2016 to 2020 which focuses on fighting corruption, addressing unemployment, insecurity, institutional reforms, economic growth and development.

    “Experience worldwide has shown that issues of unemployment, insecurity, corruption and inclusive growth cannot be tackled effectively without addressing the competitiveness of the economy.

    “Indeed, the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015 indicated that Nigeria fell seven places to 127th out of 144 countries, largely on account of weakened public finances, as a result of lower oil export and prices, weak institution, corruption, dire security situation, weak infrastructure and high youth unemployment rate. We expect that the summit will come up with measureable outcomes on how best to achieve competitiveness and inclusive growth in a sustainable way”.

    He further said: “One has observed that we are talking about issues of inclusiveness, competitiveness and sustainability. There is no way you can discuss these issues without looking at the policies that relate to making our economy competitive. To this, I will say at the summit, we will discuss everything, including the TSA. The essence is to open up discussion and then see the pros and cons and when the public sector meets the private, we jointly look at the pros and cons and advise better on what is there.

    “We are also aware that there are various schools of thought. These issues need to be taken in the contest in which they are. We have to look at those policies and why they happened in the first place.”

  • China needs economic reforms, says EU

    China needs economic reforms, says EU

    The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China has said China needs to accelerate its reforms to stop the slide in its economic growth.

    “The economy is slowing, and promised reforms are taking too long to implement,” the chamber’s president, Joerg Wuttke said.

    The yearly increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has slowed to around 7 per cent, cooling the enthusiasm of many foreign investing companies.

    “It’s not the end of the world for us,” Wuttke said, ahead of the release of the chamber’s annual position paper, European Business in China.

    “One of the most urgent problems was the high level of China’s debt,” he said.

    The country’s total debt is estimated at 282 per cent of GDP, according to financial consultants McKinsey.

    “Around a fifth of the debt is held by government bodies, and nearly a quarter by financial institutions, with 44 per cent by non-financial corporations, and the remaining 13 per cent by households, ‘’Wuttke said.

  • Obienu backs NFF’s reforms

    A one –time Vice Chairman of then Nigeria Football Association (NFF), Richard Nwabufor Obienu has thrown his weight behind the plans and programmes of the present NFF administration, headed by Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

    The fiery administrator showered praises on the Amaju Pinnick –led NFF for the on-going reforms that have restored the credibility of the domestic League, improved Nigeria’s reckoning in the international football community and registered a rebirth in the various National Teams, among other groundbreaking feats.

    “I must say that I am truly impressed by the moves being made by the Amaju Pinnick –led NFF. I have been in the United States of America for some months but I have been following developments back home with keen interest.

    “I was here as vice chairman when the body was Nigeria Football Association (NFA), and I can tell you that it takes a courageous and focused team to initiate the reforms that we are witnessing.

    “Everyone knows Obienu says it as it is, without minding whose ox is gored. But when I see good moves, I recognise them,” Obienu said on a visit to the NFF Secretariat on Thursday, where he met with the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and a number of members of Management.

    “I am delighted at the way things are going: the commitment to transparency, accountability, integrity. The reforms are excellent, and I believe the choice of Sunday Oliseh as Super Eagles’ Head Coach is genuinely inspired,” the former vice chairman noted, recalling the events of 2002 Africa Cup of Nations where he stood by Oliseh despite the team captain’s castigation by top officials.

    Obienu, who was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and was successful, called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to support the efforts of the NFF Board and Management.

    “I appreciate that Nigerians are very passionate about sports, particularly football, and everyone has an opinion. But we must give a team that has shown focus and genuine intention the benefit of doubt. “They are not there yet, but with our support and prayers, they will take our football to a great level.”

  • Stakeholders advocate sustenance, modifications of agric reforms

    Stakeholders in the agric sector from the Southwest have expressed confidence on the ability of the reforms implemented by the former Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina to boost food production.

    The reforms, according to them, will ensure abundant food production.

    They urged the President Muham-madu Buhari-led administration to adopt, adapt and upgrade the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) blueprint of the former administration and sustain its gains.

    This was their resolution at the end of a one-day town hall meeting anchored by AgroNigeria, a media organisation promoting agriculture and its value chain. It held at the conference hall of the University of Ibadan.

    A stakeholder and Chief  Executive Officer (CEO), Agric House, Mr Kayode Ehindero, advised that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration should avoid policy summersaults in agriculture, refine and sustain good policies and frameworks put in place by the former agriculture minister.

    He advocated that migratory cattle herdsmen should be incorporated as an integral part of the policy and frameworks to be put in place by the new administration. This, he said, is to forestall needless clashes between crop producers and herdsmen, adding that all are working to ensure a food-secure Nigeria.

    Another stakeholder and Chief Executive Officer, Aquatech, Dr George Sheguna, identified challenges faced by farmers in Nigeria and other parts of developing world as finance, management and marketing.

    He said farmers should be able to show financiers what they need the money for and faithful in the implementation of financial proposal to engender trust in the industry.

    Sheguna also advocated that youths should be attracted into agriculture by making training in management, land and farm tools available at subsidised prices.

    A University of Ibadan (UI) post-graduate student, who  attended the conference, Miss Michele Opinache, said graduates of agriculture and allied disciplines were not interested in agriculture because they opted for such studies because they couldn’t secure admission into their chosen disciplines.

    Prof Rasheed Awodoyin, of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, UI, said public universities in Nigeria are overwhelmed with lopsided admission applications, with over 70 per cent applying to study popular programmes, such as Medicine, Law, Accounting, Economics, among others, while Agriculture and allied disciplines are usually not applied for.

    This, he said, informs giving candidates courses they do not apply for. He urged agricultural graduates and others to develop interest in agribusiness as their contributions would reduce unemployment, poverty and associated vices.

    Another participant, Chief Executive Officer of Fagna Consult, an agricultural service provider, Mr. Ajadi Bolade, while lamenting poor financing of youths in agriculture, encouraged them to ignore all odds, explore agriculture with passion, plans and determination to make a difference with quality products, good agricultural practices and cost-cutting strategies.

    Representative of Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP), Mr Akinola Dauda, said although youths should be incorporated into schemes of things in agriculture, most of them entrusted with facilities are not usually faithful based on experience.

  • US, IPMAN back NNPC’s reforms

    US, IPMAN back NNPC’s reforms

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is backing the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The association has for long been yearning for positive changes, such as the reforms by Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, the new NNPC boss.

    According to the association’s National Secretary,  Danladi Pasali, the downstream oil sector was almost dead before the rescue mission of the present administration.

    “No genuine investor was happy with the past situation of the oil sector. Several of our investments were ruined due to corruption at all levels, favoritism and impunity,” it said.

    The association continued: “With the appointment of Ibe Kachikwu as the new GMD NNPC by President Muhammadu Buhari, we are convinced that this administration is ready for business. Our members will ensure more investments in the downstream sector.

    “We have already begun to see positive signs just two weeks after his appointment. That is enough encouragements for us as investors to put our money back in the downstream sector.

    “We will continue to partner with NNPC management for the successful downstream oil sector.

    “We have the capacity and investments to flood this country with fuel if given the chance. It is important to note that more than 85 per cent of the petrol outlets belong to our members, therefore, we are closer to people as far as oil distribution is concern than any group or people.”

    The association thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment and assured that it will work with the new management to ensure troubled-free downstream oil sector.

    It also urged the new GMD to ignore all sponsored attacks on his style of leadership, saying that the interest of the nation supercedes that of an individual or group.

    IPMAN also called on the new GMD as a matter of urgency to encourage private investment in the areas of refining and petrochemicals, as its refinery discussion has already gone far with its partner.

    “With his background from the private sector, Dr Kachikwu is expected to give private business more priority, but not to continue relying on government as it was in the past NNPC.

    “We welcome the idea of running NNPC as a commercial entity not as cost house of government. Through these types of initiatives, the country will really benefits from its oil wealth,” it said.

    In another development, the United States (US) has pledged its readiness to work with the new Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC in achieving the government’s reform agenda in the oil and gas industry.

    NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe,  who made this known in a statement yesterday in Abuja, after a courtesy call by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James Entwistle on Dr. Kachikwu,  quoted the envoy as saying that the US was willing to provide all necessary support for the new management to realise its set goals and objectives.

    The US envoy noted that though the NNPC’s GMD’s job was about the most challenging in Nigeria, the US is convinced that he has the skills, training and requisite experience to lead the oil and gas industry through the path of growth and sustainable development.

    Commending the US  for the pledge to support, Dr. Kachikwu reiterated the determination of the new management to implement the spirit and letter of President Muhammadu Buhari’s reform agenda in the petroleum industry.