Tag: Reps

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, July 31, asked the federal government to prioritise and provide funding for the procurement of additional air ambulances and helicopters equipped with advanced medical facilities and search and rescue capabilities for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The facilities are to be deployed to key locations across the country, enabling swift mobilisation to disaster-stricken areas.

In a resolution following an urgent motion by Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, the House calls for a review and increase in the budgetary provision of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to enable the Agency to invest in the training of its personnel to operate and maintain the equipment.

The training, according to the House is to ensure that our emergency responders are well-prepared to utilize these resources effectively.

Read Also; Onyeka Onwenu’s last moment before her death

In moving the motion, Wase expressed concern over the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies in Nigeria, which pose a significant threat to human life, livelihoods, and national security.

He said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has a critical role to play in responding to emergencies and disasters across our nation and acknowledges the need to enhance NEMA’s capacity to effectively respond to these increasing challenges.

According to him, the agency is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and implementing efficient disaster response and relief measures, ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens during the crisis.

He said recent incidents have highlighted a significant gap in our emergency response capabilities, particularly in search and rescue and medical evacuation.

He said the current fleet of air ambulances and helicopters is inadequate to cover our country’s vast and diverse terrain.

This limitation hampers the agency’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.

He expressed concern about the rise in natural and man-made disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and industrial accidents, the demand for rapid response and medical evacuation has surged. Our current capabilities are stretched thin, leaving many vulnerable citizens without timely assistance.

He said: “In emergencies, time is of the essence. Delays in search and rescue operations or medical evacuations can result in increased fatalities and injuries. Enhancing NEMA’s air capabilities will significantly reduce response times, thereby saving lives and mitigating the impact of disasters.

“There is an urgent need for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to acquire additional air ambulances and helicopters to enhance its capacity for search and rescue operations, as well as medical evacuations as NEMA currently has one Air ambulance and one Bell 429 Helicopter which were procured since 2014 from funds appropriated by the 7th  Assembly.

“The negative consequences of the Nigerian Airforce and the Nigeria Police taking over the Air ambulance and Helicopter from NEMA, which has further depleted the Agency’s assets and compromised its ability to respond effectively to emergencies.”

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday, July 30 asked the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to immediately commence Automation of Foreign Currency Collection in all the country’s foreign missions.

The Committee gave the directive at an investigative hearing on the status of the Automation of Foreign Currency Collection in Nigeria’s foreign missions whose contract was awarded in 2021.

The Automation of Foreign Currency Collection portal is to enable the Federal Government of Nigeria to have adequate and total control over the revenue generated in foreign currency and ascertain inflow from Foreign missions to enthrone accountability and transparency.

Addressing the Committee, Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein said the contract for the automation of foreign currency collection at Nigeria’s foreign missions worldwide was awarded at the contract sum of N83.6m on April 28th, 2021 for 5 years to Files Solutions Limited in addition to the commission of 1%-5% depending on the amount the company can collect.

According to her, 90 per cent of the contract sum amounting to N75.2m has been paid to the contractor.

According to her, the terms of the contract with the contractor is to ensure that the collection of revenue from all Nigerian foreign missions is done online in real-time, as well as a multi-currency conversion web portal and multi-language web portal.

She said “the Automation of Foreign Currency Collection portal was launched on May 25th, 2023, by the immediate past Minister of Finance but was never put into use as of 5th June, 2024.

“Our office is in the process of obtaining approval from the Ministry of Finance to deploy the software which has been tested. Discussion is ongoing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide a list of Foreign Mission for pilot purposes” she explained”.

Managing Director of File Solutions Limited, Prince Nekan Olateru said the company concluded all the processes on the technology in the last three years

Read Also: Reps’ Speaker urges African nations to work in unity

However, a member of the Committee, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe, alleged lack of transparency in foreign revenue collection, which the automation of foreign currency collection will correct.

The Committee headed by Hon. Bamidele Salam expressed displeasure over the Ministry of Finance, Accountant General, and other actors’ negligence towards the technology that will improve the Country’s Revenue. 

The Committee unanimously ordered the commencement of Automation of Foreign Currency Collection and Nigeria’s foreign missions revenue using the automated platform within 60 days without an option of extension.

The Public Accounts Committee also ordered the Accountant General to submit records of the gross revenue generated for all foreign missions in the last 5 years.

The House of Representatives is to hold an emergency session on Wednesday, July 31, the spokesman of the House, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi has said.

In a statement on Monday, July 29, Rotimi said the plenary is pursuant to the directive of the speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.

He said: “Members have been duly summoned from their respective constituencies to attend this crucial session. This directive was communicated through an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Esq., on Sunday.

“The House had commenced its annual recess on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The Annual Recess provides Honourable Members with the opportunity to engage extensively with their constituencies, ensuring that the legislative process remains attuned to public input. This period also allows for in-depth engagements at the grassroots, facilitating a deeper understanding of the constituents’ needs and priorities.

“It is, however, customary for the House to reconvene from recess to address pressing national issues. The forthcoming session will focus on critical matters requiring immediate legislative attention. Honourable Members are expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure their presence.

“Additionally, the reconvening will facilitate a significant engagement with young Nigerians through a town hall meeting hosted by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Wednesday at the National Assembly. Organised in collaboration with YIAGA Africa and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), the town hall will bring together youth leaders, students from tertiary institutions, young professionals, and representatives from various youth organisations and civil society groups.

“This town hall is a key component of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House, which emphasises sustained youth engagement and the promotion of youth political participation. It is designed to provide a platform for young Nigerians to voice their concerns, share their ideas, and engage directly with legislative leaders on issues impacting their lives and futures.

Read Also: Reps commend Wike, Tamuno over AICL improved revenue, infrastructure 

“This initiative aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and the younger generation, ensuring that policies and laws are inclusive and address the specific needs of the youth.

“The 10th House of Representatives remains steadfast in its commitment to representing the interests of the Nigerian people and advancing the nation’s development.”

The statement was however silent on the reason for recalling members to attend the session, but may not be unconnected with the planned nationwide protest scheduled for Thursday.

The House of Representatives has said that it would investigate the ongoing spat between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The investigation would also include the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL).

Rep. Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson of the House, said this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the investigation is coming amid the biting fuel crisis across the country and the allegations that Dangote’s fuel is of low in quality.

Agbese said the investigation conformed to the House commitment to protect all national assets and critical economic infrastructure like the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

He said: “We have been seeing a lot by way of demarketing campaigns to discredit the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and given the negative impact of this, which has caused panic in the country.

This, according to him, has resulted to uncertainties that had led to fuel queue resurfacing, adding that is totally condemnable.

“Unfortunately, what we have learnt is that the NNPC and NMDPRA play major role in these plots to discredit the refinery, which is unacceptable.

“The bigger aspect of our concern is that there are concerns that false narratives are being peddled by certain interests that are bent on importing dirty fuels into the country’’, he said.

“As a proactive institution, committed to the wellbeing of the nation and Nigerians, the position of the House is to investigate the allegations’’, he told newsmen

Agbese said the House would bring closure to the matter so that there would be a direction towards economic stability.

“It is on record that the House had directed the President to sack NMDPRA, so the House will also not hesitate to call for the sack of Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Chief executive officer of NNPCL if need be’’, he said.

He added that the demand for Kyari ‘s sack would happen if there was evidence of an attempt to destroy Dangote refinery.

He added that the leadership of NMDPRA must be sacked, adding that both agencies had confirmed they were interested in destroying the Dangote Refinery.

According to him, many Nigerians have called off the proposed hardship protest, but they want to see Kyari’s sack if that will guarantee that the country will function smoothly.

Read Also: Reps hail Wike, Tamuno over AICL’s improved revenue, infrastructure

It would be recalled that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, had earlier led a delegation of the House on a visit to the Dangote refinery and Petrochemicals Company in Lagos

This was part of the ongoing efforts to understand and support the nation’s key industries.

Abbas said the visit provided valuable insights that would guide the House’s legislative measures and decisions.

He said the House was working to create a more business-friendly environment to make Nigeria an attractive destination for local and international investors.

(NAN)

The House of Representatives has been urged to desist from further initiating investigation into cases already pending before the court.

This request is contained in a letter written to the House of Reps by a senior lawyer, Babs Akinwumi in response to an invitation to his client, Oxford International Group Limited.

The House of Reps, through its Committee on Public Petitions claimed, in its invitation, dated July 4 that it was investing Oxford and its subsidiaries “for criminal conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, fraudulent practices, among others, contained in a petition by some of its investors.

Oxford, in its response, dated July 23, denied being involved in unlawful activities but blamed the current downturn in the nation’s economy for its inability to meet its investors’ expectations.

It said the case the House of Reps seeks to investigate, had been investigated by the police and found that it relates purely to commercial transactions, without criminal element.

Read Also: Top seven countries with most educated population

The firm added that the matter was currently the subject of a pending case before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/3237/2024.

It argued that the House of Reps lacks the power to investigate a matter pending in court, adding that its oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution did not extend to a private entity not publicly funded.

Part of the letter reads: “Our client is a genuine business entity with no intention of any criminality as listed in the subject of your summons

“The inclement business environment pervading the country was what took its unfortunate toll on our client and its subsidiaries.

“This fact that our client has no criminal intention has been established by the police in the course of its investigation of our client on the same subject you are seeking to investigate now.

“We also wish to inform you that the subject of summons is also sub judice in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/3237/2024

“Therefore, and without doubt, the extended invitations to our clients and the purported investigations built around the subject are now sub judice.

“For clarity’s sake, when a matter is sub judice, it means that there is an end to the discussion, such matter cannot be discussed in either the press or the public and parties thereto are expected to stay all actions and anticipate its determination by the court.

“Thus, carrying out further actions whether in the guise of investigation or for any other non-judicial purpose is forbidden as the matter is sub judice.

“We therefore beseech you to stay all actions on our client pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

“In any event, we are of the firm opinion that the House of Representatives lacks the vires to exercise its oversight functions pursuant to Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution over our client as being stretched in your summons.

“The powers donated to the National Assembly in Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution only relate to matters on which they exercise their powers of appropriation. Our client is a private entity without government funding.

“We are also in doubt that the National Assembly has the vires to investigate criminality of the nature inventoried in the subject under any law in Nigeria.

“We, therefore, urge the committee to stay all actions on this purported hearing pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed by our client; not to take actions that would be contemptuous and force a fait accompli on the court.”

A caucus in the  House of Representatives has appealed to youths to reconsider their plan to embark on a 10-day protest from August 1.

The 170-member group known as  “New Dawn Caucus – 10th Assembly, acknowledged the youth’s right to peaceful protest but advised them to embrace dialogue with the government.

 The group also  passed a vote of confidence in  Speaker  Tajudeen Abass. “for his sound leadership and proven ability to unite members of the House for the greater good.”

Also yesterday, Minister of Youth Development Minister  Jamila Bio–Ibrahim said what the country needed most now was peace and stability and not demonstration.

In a communique at the end of their  1st Session Dinner  in  Abuja yesterday, the caucus members  reaffirmed  the  commitment  of the House of Representatives ‘’to addressing the pressing issues facing the nation and its citizens.’’

They also  pledged to ‘’continue working collaboratively with all stakeholders to foster a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria.’’

The communiqué which was signed by Marcus Onobun,   Leko Jafaru Gambo,   Jeremiah Umaru,   Martins Esin, and   Ojema Ojotu, showed that the lawmakers also deliberated on the new national minimum wage and security.

On the  “Planned Hardship Protest, they said:  ‘’While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, Caucus appeals to Nigerians, particularly the youth, to reconsider the planned hardship protest and instead engage in dialogue with the Federal Government to address the economic challenges faced by the populace.’’

The 170  lawmakers also commended both the National Assembly ‘’for the expeditious passage of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act and are pleased with the reduction in the review period for the minimum wage from five to three years.

Read Also: Reps probe persistent food scarcity despite interventions

 On security, they   urged ‘’all security chiefs and agencies to take decisive action to curb the insecurity in the country.’’

They also lauded members of the 10th House ‘’for demonstrating empathy by deciding to forgo 50 percent of their salaries for six months in light of the economic hardships faced by citizens.

The communiqué also quoted members of the caucus as expressing confidence in Speaker   Abass ‘’for his sound leadership and proven ability to unite members of the House for the greater good.’’

The members  called  on all Nigerians to unite in making   unity and dialogue  ‘’our strongest tools in overcoming challenges and achieving our collective goals.”

  Minister urges youths to stand in solidarity with Nigeria

Also in Abuja,    Youth Development Minister Bio–Ibrahim, who advised youths not to engage in any activity that would breach the peace of the country, said she shares with Nigerians the current economic hardships and high-cost food items.

She spoke when members of the newly constituted National Students Management Council, which has  Senior Special Assistant to the President, Sunday Asefon as the chairman, visited her.

Members of the South East caucus of the House of Representatives have asked Ndigbo to shun the planned nationwide protest, expressing optimism that the SEDC Act will address the effects of the Nigeria civil war.

While celebrating the presidential assent to the law establishing a development commission for the area, the lawmakers expressed gratitude to the President for signing into law, the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Establishment Bill.

When established, the commission will receive and manage funds from the allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war after 54 years.

At a gathering to celebrate the signing of the Bill, the lawmakers took turns to thank the President for signing the Bill into law while commending the Deputy Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu for sponsoring the bill.

They, however, call for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021.

Deputy leader of the caucus, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji said: “We thank our own Deputy Speaker, you’re leading us well. We are also thankful for our brother, Speaker Tajudeen Abass and the entire leadership of the National Assembly.  We are grateful for our Deputy Speaker, we will continue to support and pray for you. We thank you, please continue the good work. We are optimistic that our needs will be met.

“We are grateful to Mr President for signing this bill into law. As we got this one, let God through you help us to get more for our people. We are hopeful that as this bill is signed into law, we are also optimistic that our brother Nnamdi Kanu will be released soon.

“We are aware of your efforts in ensuring that this happens, including your initiative for the peace in the southeast project. To bring about peace and harmony in our region. God will bless all of us, God bless Mr President.”

Hon. Ginger Onwusibe commended Mr President and the Deputy Speaker, saying that Ndi Igbo are grateful and happy.

He said: “On Tuesday we received good news, good news for the Igbos. We are very happy to hear that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the South East Development Commission, SEDC bill. A bill sponsored by our brother who God has blessed, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr President signed this bill into law to rehabilitate Igbo land. We are here to celebrate this historic feat. We are very happy and grateful to Mr President.”

Also, Hon. Chike Okafor said: “We are happy and grateful to Mr President. We commend our brother, the Deputy Speaker for all his efforts. With this, I believe much more will come before the end of the tenth assembly. We will always stand by your side. We are optimistic much more is coming our way.”

In his remarks, the deputy speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu appreciated Mr President and all his colleagues for their support in ensuring that the bill becomes law.

Read Also: NEMSA to Reps: stop states from technical enforcement

He reiterated his call on Nigerians not to participate in the planned nationwide protests against the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

He stressed that the SEDC Act is a testament to the President Tinubu administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumours of the “marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone,” and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio-cultural renewal.

Thanking the Governors of the 5 southeast states for their support, Kalu appealed to all citizens to continue to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The managing director of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Aliyu Tahir, on Thursday, July 25, appealed to the House of Representatives to stop state electricity boards from carrying out technical enforcement in their franchise areas.

He made the call to the members of the House Committee on Power, who were in the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for their oversight function.

Recall that owing to the 2023 Electricity Act, which empowers states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, Enugu, Imo, Ondo, and Ekiti states have gotten approval for regulation of power activities in their states.

But the NEMSA boss said when it comes to inspection, technical enforcement, especially interconnections between states with different frequencies it will be difficult or impossible to accomplish.

Tahir who is also the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, noted that there will be conflicting technical standards and codes.

NEMSA boss said: “We also want the committee to look at the possible infringement in the NEMSA authority by the states agencies. Some of the state agencies government have already established their agencies that have to do with inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations.

“So we are already interfacing with them. Honourable committee, once we allow that, different standards specifications, and technical codes will come up.

“And if we have that, to connect between one state and the other you find it difficult to do. For example, if the frequencies are not the same there is no way you can have that connection. So, I want to appeal to the committee to also look at that.”

Tahir sought the support of the committee for the establishment of a meter recertification fund.

He sought the lawmakers’ support for the establishment of the Electricity Offenses Tribunal for the dispensation of justice in the industry.

He revealed that the agency is still occupying rented accommodation in Abuja. He added that NEMSA has requested any of the recovered property for its office.

He described inadequate funding as one of the challenges of the agency.

The Managing Director also noted that NEMSA is in shortage of technical staff since it has not gotten approval for fresh employment.

Read Also: Reps query reintroduced park, pay policy in FCT

Responding, the committee chairman, Hon. Victor Nwokolo said it is better to have a faulty law than no law at all.

 He urged the legal department of the different agencies to sort out the grey areas in the law for the committee’s action.

Nwokolo said the law only made provision for the punishment of electricity theft without prescribing any punishment for the buyers of the stolen assets.

He alluded to the vandals of power installation in Kebbi State that cost the nation billion Naira losses, adding that the three-year imprisonment prescribed in the Act is a part of the backends

The House of Representatives committee on the Federal Capital Territory has faulted the reintroduced park and pay policy in the FCT.

In an interactive session without the Transportation Secretariat of the FCT, the committee expressed concern that residents and motorists in the nation’s capital are being harassed by those employed to enforce the policy.

The pack and pay policy was reintroduced in the FCT IN August 2023 after the signing of an agreement with two concessionaires after being suspended in 2014 following a Hugh Court judgment that declared it illegal.

The policy is reportedly aimed at decongesting the city and making motoring a more pleasant experience.

Speaking at the interactive session, the chairman of the committee, Aliyu Muktar Betara demanded details on how the reintroduced park and pay arrangement was brought back, who authorised it, and how remittances are made to the coffers of the FCDA.

Betara queried the process of awarding the contract process, saying, “How was the contract established? In appointing your concessionaires, what procedure did you follow? How much has been remitted to the FCDA from January to date who gave you the approval?

“The way they (concessionaires) operate in Abuja, they harass people on the streets. I would have advised you people to have given the VIO this concessionaire. Let them take up this so that the whole revenue would go to FCT. Why are you personalizing this for an individual”.

The committee frowned at the concession of 60 percent of revenue from the arrangement to concessionaires while the government receives only 40 percent, demanding clarification on what infrastructure the concessionaires are providing or are expected to provide.

A member of the committee, Hon. Pascal Agbodike questioned the abandonment of major motor parks in the nation’s capital with specific concerns over the condition of Nyanya Park.

“When motorists don’t have parks, they operate anyhow. We noticed that the Nyanya Park has been abandoned. When are you going to address this, and what caused its abandonment?

Responding, the Mandate Secretary of the Transportation Secretariat said the policy is regulated and supported by a legal framework with designated areas serving as parking zones.

He said: “The park and pay is by regulation. We have a legal framework. It is part of the ways of controlling traffic. So, under the part and pay, designated areas are meant to be parks. So, it is legal.

“The revenue is paid through concessionaires. There is usually a ratio between the concessionaires and the FCT. So, for areas where we have the concessionaires, there is a percentage that goes to the concessionaires. It is 60 percent and 40 percent goes to FCT. The infrastructure for the work is usually provided by the concessionaire. It (revenue) goes straight to the revenue account of the FCT, not transportation.”

He said the Motor parks across the territory have not been abandoned, adding that the government is taking one project at a time, with an initial focus on rails.

Read Also: Reps minority caucus seeks political solution to end IPOB leader’s detention

“Nyanya Park is not abandoned. We cannot do everything at the same time. When we came on board, the rail was a priority, but now our attention has shifted to the development of parks. We are currently focusing fully on the bus terminal,” he said.

Also speaking, the director of Legal Services of the FCT Transport Secretariat, Hussaina Olayemi, explained that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Abuja Investment Company (AIC) are involved in the process.

“After their involvement, the concession was submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval. So, we have the FEC approval,” Olayemi stated.