Tag: Reps

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, have condemned the growing spate of child labour and sexual assault on children in the country.

While the speaker also decried the high rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria, his deputy spoke of the need to educate the girl child, saying doing so will encourage the Girl-child and open them up to more opportunities in the social space.

In a statement signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the speaker said it would be to the benefit of the nation for the governments at all levels to make education, especially at the elementary level free and compulsory for children.

The speaker said as the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child today, all stakeholders have a role to play in their education, growth, and welfare.

While noting that the responsibility of educating the girl child starts with the parents, especially with the moral upbringing of the girl child, Speaker Abbas said the society must collectively ensure their safety and education.

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The speaker said further that the educational, religious, and traditional institutions, as well as the government, have their complementary roles in the protection, nurturing, and mental development of the girl child, and all children alike.

He restated the readiness of the 10th House to give legislative backing to any programme or policy designed towards the wellbeing of not just the girl child but all children across the country.

On his part, the deputy speaker called for investment in the girl-child, saying that it would increase the visibility of the female gender in the political space and aid Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

In a statement by his special assistant on press affairs, Udora Orizu, the deputy speaker, said the day is designated to eliminate gender-based challenges that girls face around the world, such as child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination.

According to him, this year’s day of the Girl-child theme, “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our leadership, our well-being” is apt and timely as investment in girls upholds their rights and assures a more equitable and successful future.

Kalu recalled a recent visit from the Female Student Vanguard for Girl Child Education in Nigeria from Kano State, during which he expressed concern over the rising number of uneducated girl-child and pledged his support to reduce the issue to the barest minimum.

While urging the global community and relevant stakeholders to invest in the actions needed to make changes that could empower girls, the Deputy Speaker said education for the girl-child is education for the society.

He assured that the parliament will use legislative instruments to ensure that the resources necessary to invest in girls are provided for.

The House of Representatives (Reps) has asked the federal government (FG) to carry out a forensic audit of its staff to address the problem of ghost workers with a view to saving money and reduce the increasing wage bill. 

In its resolution following a motion on notice sponsored by Hon. Ademorin Kuye, the House also asked the government to embark on cost-cutting measures to reduce other non-debt recurrent expenditures in the nation’s budget. 

Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Kuye disclosed that the federal government (FG) personnel expenses, pensions and other non-debt recurrent expenditures has increased by 241% in 13 years from N2.4trillion in 2011 to N8,27trillion in 2023.

According to him, that the total non-debt expenditure of the government from 2011 to 2023 stood at N51.97 trillion, with N42.24 trillion of this amount expended from 2015 till date, representing 81.8% of the total expenditures of the period under review. 

The Lagos lawmaker atressed that the country’s revenue within the period received massive hits from debt servicing obligations, while the government have little or nothing left for the recurrent expenditures and has resorted to borrowing. 

He said further that the country’s debt servicing obligations gulped 97 per cent of the total revenue of the N3.42 trillion generated in 2011 with the government expending N3.34 trillion on debt servicing. 

He said this meant that all Federal Government’s salaries, overhead and Capital Expenditure within the period was financed with loans and Central Bank of Nigerian support. 

He maintained that the country’s revenues of N3.42trillion in 2020, N4.39trillion in 2021 and N7trillion in 2022 could hardly fund the wage bill of N5.7trillion, N5.76trillion and N7.1 trillion in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. 

He expressed concern that the Federal Government wage bill, pension obligations and other non-debt recurrent expenditures has continue to grow significantly, despite the marginal increases in revenues and apparent increases in debt servicing pressure. 

He said the sharp difference in the wage bill from N2.4 trillion in 2011 and N8.7 trillion in 2023 in a country of 113 million people living in multidimensional poverty is alarming and unjustifiable. 

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He said that despite the present administration economic restructuring policies, revenues cannot continue to pay salaries and other recurrent expenditures when there are still humongous debt servicing obligations to be taken care of. 

Contributing to the motion, Hon. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) said the motion was an indictment on the National Assembly because it has failed to carry out due diligence on the annual budget as enshrined in the Constitution. 

He said the parliament has not paid much attention to the personnel and over head cost of the government as contained in the annual budget during budget defence. 

He recalled the issue of the reported issue of fraud in the Integrated Personnel Payroll ans Information System (IPPIS) for which some staff were punished. 

He said the leadership of the House should allow robust scrutiny of the overhead and personnel estimate in the 2024 budget that will soon be presented to the National Assembly by the president. 

The House of Representatives (Reps) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Oshodi-Isolo that led to the death of about six persons on Tuesday, October 3.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance, the House condemned in the strongest terms the violence, killings, further ransacking, restriction of movement, and attacks by the Police on the people of Oshodi Isolo.

The House asked relevant security agencies to provide adequate security measures and personnel to safeguard while asking the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to provide relief and support to the victims of the violence.

Sponsor of the motion, Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi told the House that the police and officials of LASTMA unleashed mayhem on residents of Ago Road and its axis on Tuesday, October 3.

He said the people of Oshodi Isolo II Federal Constituency have been living in constant fear and anguish for too long, adding that the recent spate of violence and attacks by the Police and LASMA officers have created a state of insecurity that threatens not only their lives but also their livelihoods.

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He said: “Our communities have become battlegrounds, and our children who should be safe on their way to schools have become victims of this ongoing turmoil”.

According to him, these officers who unleashed mayhem on the people were chasing a car and dragging the steering with a moving car, and in the process, the vehicle lost control and wrecked the damage.

He said further that available reports paint a harrowing picture of a community under siege, with Police brutality and extrajudicial killings being a recurring nightmare, saying, “it is our duty as representatives of the people to protect their lives, rights, and well-being, and I stand before you today to seek your support in this endeavour.”

The House of Representatives (Reps) has asked the federal government through the Ministry of Health and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to establish counseling centres across the country where people with mental health issues can receive counseling.

The House also asked the Federal Ministry of Health to collaborate with relevant Health Institutions to ensure that research on mental health is put into practice to ensure evidence-based care to Nigerian citizens.

In a resolution following a motion on the need to prioritize and implement the provisions of the Mental Health Act, 2021 to tackle suicide and suicidality in Nigeria, the House mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to evaluate the implementation of the content of the Mental Health Act and conduct a needs assessment of the full implementation of the Act.

Leading a debate on the motion, its sponsor, Uchenna Clement Nwachukwu said the responsibility of the government is to protect and safeguard the lives of Nigerians as outlined by Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which provides that the security, safety, and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of the government.

He disclosed that on 12 July 2023, a teenager took her life after being raped in Oyo State, adding that many cases of suicide are underreported and mostly unreported in Nigeria due to social stigmatization.

He recalled that media report on the alarming rise in suicide deaths between 2022 and March

2023, adding that suicide is seen as a taboo in most parts of the country and hidden by families due to cultural factors.

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He expressed concern about fresh cases of suicide published in the print media have a greater proportion of youth as victims, saying, “in January 2023, Joseph Olona, a 300-level student at FUTA, and 50-year-old Ojo Ogundeji both committed suicide on January 14 and 23, respectively.”

According to him, the risk factors for suicide such as mental health conditions, substance use, access to lethal means, prolonged stress, unemployment, financial crisis, and child abuse and neglect pose huge threats to Nigerians.

He alleged that there has not been adequate sensitization of the provisions of the Act and guidelines on how people struggling with mental health problems can receive help.

He said that the awareness campaigns should reduce stigma and ensure the acceptability of the regulations to protect the dignity of people struggling with mental health.

The House of Representatives is planning to investigate the failure of the performance of the N6.5 billion shoreline protection contract awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2006.

Adopting a motion on notice sponsored by Donald Kimikanoh Ojogo (APC, Ondo), the House called the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently provide temporary relief materials to cushion the immediate impact of the ravaging sea incursion on the latest victims in Ayetoro community in llaje Local Government Area of Ondo state.

Leading a debate on the motion, Ojogo informed the House that the oil-producing Ayetoro community is not just a major revenue source of the nation, but a phenomenal historical and cultural settlement along the coastal stretch of llaje Local Government Area of Ondo state.

According to him, the Ayetoro community and its environs account for 5.4 percent of the 60,000 Barrel Per Day (BPD) of Ondo State’s crude oil production output amounting to about 3.7 percent of Nigeria’s total oil production ranking Ondo State 5th among Nigeria’s oil-producing states as captured by the NDDC law.

He said the devastating sea incursions and ocean surges have been the albatross of the Ayetoro community for over two decades destroying properties and displacement of indigenes, thus disrupting the oil-exploration activities owing to varied reactions by indigenes of the area.

He said the surge has become an annual occurrence and an alarming rate that successive administrations in Ondo State appear overwhelmed, thus helpless.

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He disclosed that Also the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2004 attempted to stem the slide by awarding the contract for the construction of a shoreline protective wall designed with a tube technology in Ayetoro to Gallet Nigeria Limited at an original contract sum of N6.4 billion, of which 25 percent was reportedly paid.

He said further that the contract was revoked in 2009 for alleged lack of capacity and re-awarded to Dredging Atlantic Limited at an undisclosed cost and sixteen years after the contract was first awarded, there is nothing to show any intervention by the government.

He said that owing to this pitiable level of no action by the mobilised contractor(s), a particular surge that happened towards the end of the year 2022 reportedly caused the displacement of nearly 2,000 people, 13 deaths, and the destruction of over 200 homes.

He disclosed that the situation has generated tension in the oil-producing communities as restive youths have reportedly commenced mobilising themselves to disrupt the lawful activities of oil-producing companies, thereby creating a state of unease and seeming insecurity.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 3, commended organised labour led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their decision to suspend the planned strike by Nigerian workers.

Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu said that the decision to suspend the strike was in the best interest of the Nigerian people and the economy.

Kalu said if organised Labour had embarked on the planned strike, the Nigerian economy would have been given a rude shock, adding that dialogue between the government and labour was part of ways of finding a solution to the challenge facing the country.

The deputy speaker also commended all those who played a role in the agreement reached by both the government and organised labour, pointing out that it showed that dialogue will always lead to positive results.

He said: “We have come to a place where reasoning and dialogue to resolve issues is the ultimate.”

Kalu also commended the federal government for budgeting N100 million to procure CNG-powered buses and for making provision for the procurement of CNG kits to kick-start the process of conversion in the country.

Read Also: Labour suspends strike for 30 days

He expressed confidence in the ability of the President to engage the productive sector in the country not help drive the economic recovery process.

According to him, the third quarter microeconomic report states that oil production moved from 1.2 million barrels per day to 1.45 million barrels per day.

He said that even though there has been an improvement, more still needs to be done while there is a need to work in synergy to optimise oil production.

Kalu said the conversation of the Parliament should be focused on how to move the country forward.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, says the lower chamber plans to unveil its legislative agenda on resumption from recess.

Tajudeen said this at the opening of a two-day retreat for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom on Friday.

The retreat which was declared open by the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, was organised by the National Institute for Democratic Legislative Studies.

” At the House of Representatives, we have prepared a legislative agenda which will be unveiled on resumption. The agenda is bold, ambitious and draws its strength from the people.

“It reflects our belief that citizens’ engagement is the fulcrum of representative democracy. It will drive progress, wealth creation and inclusivity in our country.

“The Strategic Legislative Objectives espoused in the agenda underscores the determination, commitment and single minded dedication of the house in driving ideas and policies that meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people,” he said.

Read Also: House of Reps fixes date for resumption after weeks of vacation

The Speaker said that the House had taken steps toward improving the outcome of legislative governance to contribute to national development.

“Through our committees, we have continued to engage with labour and trade unions to address the challenges they face.

“This engagement has also been extended to other sectors of the economy, such as education, health, and other concerns that seek to enhance the welfare of youth, women, excluded persons, and other vulnerable groups.

“There is, however, room for more innovative engagement in the 10th House of Representatives. This is particularly important as most committee chairs are new, and even more so for the membership of these committees,” he said.

He said that the lower chamber had created committees on monitoring and evaluation with a view to demonstrate its commitment to ensure an efficient and vibrant legislature.

“The first committee on monitoring and evaluation will supervise the implementation of the legislative agenda of the House which is an internal mechanism of making sure that the agenda is meticulously followed.

“The second committee is to supervise the activities of the standing committees in their oversight activities to ensure timely reports and compliance to the rules and standard legislative practice,” he said.

 Meanwhile, spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi Jnr., says the lawmakers will resume plenary on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from their two- month annual recess.

 In a statement in Abuja, Rotimi said the notice of resumption from the annual recess which started on July 27 was conveyed to members by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria. 

Rotimi said that the 10th Assembly had been very prolific, adding that in about 100 days since inauguration, it had passed about 470 bills for First Reading, while four of them had passed Second Reading.

He said further that about 175 motions on notice had been considered by the House. 

According to him, despite the recess, the Green Chamber continued to function as various ad-hoc committees continued to carry out their crucial mandates which had generated significant positive public interest. Honourable members also continued to carry out various constituency outreaches across the country.

 He said further that “Some of the key early developments expected on resumption are the conclusion of the work of all ad-hoc committees and the submission of their reports for the consideration of the House, in line with the directive of the Rt. Honourable Speaker.

“It is also expected that the final draft of the Legislative Agenda developed by the ad-hoc committee led by House Leader, Hon. Prof. Julius Inhonvbere, will be considered and adopted by the House. The draft agenda was developed following extensive consultations with critical stakeholders.

“In the same vein, soon after resumption, it is anticipated that the membership of the standing committees would be announced and fully constituted.”

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the sale of public property by some government agencies on Wednesday, September 20, uncovered how the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) sold 16 vessels/crafts for a paltry N156,233,966.75 in 2019.

The ad hoc committee headed by the House leader also discovered how the NPA sold some items it quantified as 45 million for N45 million at the Lagos Port Complex and another 10.8 million for N10. 8 million at the NPA Dockyard, Apapa for N10. 8 million.

At the resumed investigative hearing on Wednesday, the committee resolved to adjourn the investigation till Monday, September 25, due to the uncoordinated manner the General Manager, Procurement of the NPA, Kawu Suleiman made his presentation before the committee.

The ad-hoc committee was mandated by the House to investigate the disposal of public property by the Agencies between 2010 and 2022 and find out the extent of illegal auctioning of public property, and non-remittance of revenue realized into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

The vessels are: ML Pategi sold at N3,250,892.50; ML Misau sold at N1,056,142.50; PB Kabba sold at N5,355,892.50; SPB 3 sold at N53,396.25; PC Shelleng sold at N48,142.50; ML Sakwa sold at N531,142.50; Floating Dock V sold at N107,500,913.00; ML Tangeli sold at N538,413.74; while ML Tandama was sold at N538,474.75.

In the same vein, MT Bajima was sold at N8,437,642.40; PC Owatoloyo sold at N3,780,892.50; PC Umuahia sold at N2,688,413.75; MT Ibeto sold at N3,150,892.50; MT Owerri sold at N2,150,161.25; MT Bansara sold at N8,662,657.50 and MT Bashar sold at N8,882,657.50.

The 16 vessels and crafts termed unserviceable by the NPA were located in the Lagos Pilotage District, Delta Pilotage District, Port Harcourt Pilotage District, and Calabar Pilotage District.

They form part of the 20 “wrecked vessels/ crafts disposed of by the NPA in four Pilotage districts of Lagos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Calabar in 2019.

The rest that is either not sold or pending are SV Argungu (N21, 500,913.75- PENDING), ML Kaoje (N30, 000,000-nit sold), and Line Boat 3 (N100, 000.00-Not sold), while the MT Adamawa was sold for an amount that is not clearly spelt out in the document.

Some stakeholders privy to the auctioning process who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed that some of the vessels and other office items described as unserviceable are still in good condition.

A close look at the document presented to the Committee revealed that the NPA sold 44 exotic vehicles including Ranger Pick Up, Toyota Coaster Buses, Toyota Corolla cars, Toyota Hiace cars, Toyota Camry Salon Cars, Toyota Hilux Pick Up cars, Isuzu Pick Up cars, Mitsubishi Jeeps, Mercedes Benz Truck, Land Rover Mini Fire Van, among others at total sum of N31,848,948.

The documents further revealed that Land Rover Mini Fire Truck was sold at N20,000; Toyota Hilux Van sold at N50,000; Isuzu Pick Up Van sold at N30,000; Peugeot 504 Salon car sold at N20,000; another Toyota Hilux Van sold at N60,000; Mitsubishi Pick Up Van sold at N53,000; Ford Ranger sold at N60,000; another Isuzu Pick Up sold at N55,000;

The Agency also sold various office equipment such as generators and tanks, batteries, fuel tanks, Craner, masts, vans, welding machines, motorcycles and bicycles at N22,721,754 in 2019.

In the same year, NPA sold 44 series of vehicles including Mitsubishi Pick Up Van at N21,735; Toyota Hilux Van at N50,000; and Ford Ranger Pick Up Van at N60,000; among others.

Speaking at the hearing, the House leader directed the NPA delegation to go back and put their House in order and come back on Monday, along with the list of properties slated for auctioning, evaluation reports, and names of registered Valuers involved in the transactions; including their reports, government approval from the office of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Federal Executive Council; including Certificate of No Objection where necessary, evidence of remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, bidding procedures, newspaper publications, selection and every other documents that will assist the ad-hoc committee.

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He also chided the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi for consistently ignoring summons from the committee, warning that the Customs boss should not push the committee to go the extra mile to use its legal powers to compel him to appear.

Hon. Ihonbvere argued that even after public funds were spent from its scarce resources to publish the summons in newspapers, the committee only got a reply of an apology from the Service for their inability to appear before the committee due to some operations outside Abuja.

While issuing a final warning to the newly appointed NCS Comptroller General, the Majority Leader noted that the arrogance of power and indiscipline in the public service can have negative consequences and, hence should be addressed.

He said: “I guess the Customs people think that they can use delay tactics to frustrate the work of this committee. We will not allow that to happen, not under leadership. They must appear before the committee and this committee must write a report.”