The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Reps

  • Reps set up committee on economic recession

    • ‘Poor people resorting to suicide, divorce’

    The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc “Tactical Committee on Economic Recession” to monitor the various steps and policies of the Federal Government with a view to alleviating the pains and hardship unleashed on Nigerians by the economic recession,

    The committee will also interact with the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) relevant to overcoming the challenges. It will also  liaise with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN),  Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), civil society organisations and any other body that is considered relevant in the bid to arrest the recession and return the economy to the path of growth and stability.

    The lawmakers lamented that the effects of all these unstable economic climate, include the “continuous loss of jobs by Nigerians which is inflicting pains and suffering on the old, the young and even the rich, some of whom had to practically abandon their bases during the Yuletide season due to the pressures for assistance from dependent relatives and the less privileged in the society who are increasingly resorting to suicide and divorce as a way out of their financial constraints.”

    The committee is to report back to the House on quarterly basis for further legislative action.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the passage of a motion sponsored by two member, Hon. Orker-Jev Emmanuel and Hon. Segun Alexander Adekola.

    The lawmakers noted that the “Federal Government, of which the National Assembly is a most important segment, has declared that Nigeria is experiencing economic recession.

    “House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly is charged with the functions of representing the people, making laws for the order and good governance of the country, checking the actions of the executive arm and its MDAs and controlling the finances of the state;

    “In carrying out these functions, members cannot claim to be oblivious of the hardships Nigerians currently face as a result of the sky rocketing prices of foodstuff, transportation, petroleum products and other essential commodities, which have left children, women and the common man worse hit.”

    The lawmakers expressed concern that as a result of the economic recession, commercial banks recently reviewed upwards the interest paid on loans, to the effect that  people pay between 27 per cent and 30per cent while the exchange rate between the naira and the dollar has not only been unstable, but highly polarised and progressively depreciating against the dollar.

    The lawmakers said Nigerians expect the House to voice their concerns by pushing for measures that would alleviate their sufferings; despite the fact that the executive arm of government appears to be taking various steps and formulating fresh policies to abate the economic recession and return the economy to the path of recovery and development.

    The motion was passed when the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara asked for a voice vote.

  • Reps probe PHCN’s non-core assets sale

    Reps probe PHCN’s non-core assets sale

    The House of Representatives has vowed to  expose all unethical transactions in the tranfer of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN’s) non-core assets to the Nigerian Electricity Management Company (NELMCO).

    The tranfer was executed by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) acting under the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act when PHCN was liquidated.

    Speaking during the inauguration of a sub-committee of the joint committee of Power, Public Procurement and Privatisation and Commercialisation that was mandated to carry out the investigation, Wole Oke (PDP, Osun) said it was the determination of the joint committee to comprehensively investigate the status and sale of all non-core assets under the PHCN regime.

  • Reps order ministry, pharmacists body to eradicate quackery

    • Society advises members on registration renewal

    The House of Representatives has  mandated the Federal Ministry of Health and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to close all unregistered pharmaceutical shops and prosecute their owners.

    There is anxiety over quacks’infiltration of the value chain of pharmacy.This has resulted in increased fake drugs.

    In a statement, the House said it acknowledged the various pharmaceutical shops and the scope of their practice as well as the peculiar needs of each in terms of manpower, equipment and premises specification, expressing concern that some chemist shops are in some locations and buildings which lack basic facilities and, in many cases, are manned by laymen.

    “It is also common in cities and villages to see drugs displayed for sales in public places. Such public places include motor parks, open drug markets among others,” the House noted.

    Expressing worry that some “spiritual and healing homes masquerading as worship centres or charity homes operate freely as drugs and medicines dispensaries, while some local manufacturers of drugs and medicines use all sorts of rickety vehicles to advertise and sell their drugs and medicines”, the House noted that these unprofessional ways of warehousing, distributing and dispensing of drugs and medicines serve as channels for the infiltration of quacks into the pharmacy profession and a major challenge to public health.

    “The infiltration of the pharmaceutical practice by unqualified persons and the attendant unprofessional services being rendered by these people have resulted to the death of countless number of innocent Nigerians, not counting the economic losses due to the supply and purchase of fake, expired and unwholesome drugs and medicine”, the House lamented.

    The House mandated the committees on health institutions, and healthcare services headed by Hon Abbas Tajudeen, representing Zaria Federal Constituency to ensure compliance.

    PCN Registrar, Elijah Mohammed expressed gratitude to the House, saying the resolution came at a time the Council stepped up its enforcement. He acknowledged that the House’s position would strengthen the Council’s resolve to flush out the quacks and help to restore normalcy to pharmacy practice.

    Also, the PSN has urged its members to renew their yearly registration with the PCN.

    According to its President, Alhaji Ahmed I. Yakasai, PSN and PCN have put in place a  system to quicken the process.

    He said the procedures would entail all pharmacists and pharmaceutical firms fulfilling the requirements of regularising their documents, before they were issued their Clearance Certificates by their state branches.

    ‘’The Clearance Certificates will subsequently be used to obtain Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) scratch cards to proceed with registration formalities,’’ he added.

    He said they would pay a building fee of N5, 000 as ordered by PSN.

    He noted that at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PSN, the National Executive Council NEC directed that the the body should claim its Pharmacy House in Victoria Island, Lagos State and all its properties in Lagos and Abuja.

    Yakasai enjoined pharmacists to pay their practicing fees, warning: “No registered person shall practise as a pharmacist in any year unless he has paid to the Council in respect of that year, the appropriate practising fee which shall be due every January.”

    He said it was important to inform members of the consequences of defaulting.

  • Reps, IMF meet over recession, 2017 budget

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the members of the House of Representatives meet on Thursday over the biting economic recession and the 2017 budget.

    The IMF team led by Mr. Amine Mati, Senior Resident Representative, African Department, during an interactive session with the joint House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and Aids, Loans and Debt Management, expressed its readiness to provide necessary support for the ailing Nigerian economy.

    Mati said the IMF conducts annual economic assessment for all member countries to look at the challenges and assess the economic situation.

    He said: “We discuss with the governments what are their policy initiatives. We actually discuss with all stakeholders, which is why it is  important to come and talk to you, the Senate, civil societies, private entities, banks, financial and non-financial entities to try to get a sense of what is happening in the economy and try to assess the situation, discuss the outlook and then have some policy recommendations for discussion.

    “This is an assessment that is done every year. We are trying to finish this mission next week and then hopefully present the report to our board on March 24 and then the report will become public.”

     

     

  • Reps to probe sale of PHCN’s non-core assets

    The House of Representatives has vowed to expose all unethical transactions in the transfer of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria’s (PHCN) non-core assets to the Nigerian Electricity Management Company (NELMCO).

    The transfer was executed by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) acting under the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) when PHCN was liquidated.

    Speaking at the inauguration of a sub Committee of the joint Committee of Power, Public Procurement and Privatization and Commercialization that was mandated to carry out the investigation, Wole Oke (PDP, Osun), said it was the determination of the joint committee to comprehensively investigate the status and sale of all non-core assets under the PHCN regime.

    Oke, who is also Chairman, Committee on Public Procurement said, “it is the determination of the joint committee to ascertain the methodology that was used for liquidation whether such property were valued.

    “It is also our responsibility to ensure that full compliance in the sale of assets that have not been sold and such funds transferred to the Federal Government because Nigerians have the right to know.

    “We are aware that there are thousands of properties under the former PHCN scattered across the length and breadth of this country which we need to look at how they were liquidated.

    “Although, the task ahead of us to achieve a greater result in this regard, is enormous but with your cooperation, we can achieve a lot on this assignment.”

     

  • Reps probe NPA for alleged financial iregularities

    The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committees on Ports, Harbours, Waterways and Privatisation to investigate alleged operational and financial irregularities by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

    The committees are to specifically probe the extent of the observance of all operations, obligations and remittances arising from agreements, understandings, contracts  and related financial relationships between of and between the NPA and its concessionaires/service providers with regard to their compliance with extant financial laws, circulars/regulations.

    The committees are to report back to the House within 12 weeks for further legislative action. The resolution of the House was sequel to the passage of a motion by a member, Linus Okorie on the need for such a probe.

  • Reps begin probe of Jonathan’s N9b ‘Clean Stove Project’

    Reps begin probe of Jonathan’s N9b ‘Clean Stove Project’

    The House of Representatives, yesterday, gave its Committees on Anti-Corruption, Environment and Habitat six weeks to investigate former President Gooodluck Jonathan’s “Clean Stove For Rural Women scheme”, contract of about N9.287 billion.
    The resolution followed a motion by Abiodun Faleke (APC-Lagos), which was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.
    Faleke noted that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved a contract for the supply of 20 million units of clean stove and wonder bags under the clean stove scheme for rural women.
    He added that the contract was at a unit cost of N464.00, amounting to about N9.287 billion.
    The lawmaker said following the approval of FEC, the Federal Ministry of Finance released N5 billion to the Federal Ministry of Environment for the project.
    Integra Energy Renewable Services Limited was awarded the contract for the supply of the 20 million units.
    Faleke also said the company was paid N1.3 billion of the N5 billion released by the Ministry of Environment as mobilisation fee without due process.
    The lawmaker expressed concern that less than 750,000 units were said to have been assembled and delivered at the velodrome of the National Stadium, Abuja, which was launched by former Vice President, Namadi Sambo.
    He noted that there was no beneficiary at the launching nor was anyone given the stove to achieve its intended purpose.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the mandate of the committee will be to find out details of the contract, number of units supplied, their mode of distribution and names of beneficiaries on a state by state basis.
    The committees will also determine the status of the balance of N952 million with the contractor, since 750,000 units of the clean stoves were supplied at a unit cost of N464 at the value of N348 million of the N1.3 billion paid out.
    The status of the balance of N3.7 billion, which was outstanding from the initial payment to the Federal Ministry of Environment will also be confirmed by the committee.
    The committees will also determine whether or not the clean stoves and wonder bags project had assisted in eradicating desertification in Nigeria.

  • Reps to probe Jonathan’s N9.2b clean stove project

    Reps to probe Jonathan’s N9.2b clean stove project

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday said it will investigate the N9.2b clean stove project initiated by ex- President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    The lawmakers said the terms of the contract  aimed at mitigating effects of climate change were not met by the contractors.

    Consequently, the House Committees on Anti-Corruption and Environment and Habitat were mandated to ascertain the details of the contract, the number of units supplied, their mode of distribution and names of beneficiaries on a state-by-state basis.

    The joint committee was also expected to determine the status of the balance of N952, 000,000 that is with the contractor since 750,000 units of the clean stoves were supplied at a unit cost of N464 at the value of N348, 000,000 out of the N1.3 Billion paid out by the government.

    In addition, the joint committee is to find out whether or not the clean stoves and wonder bags projects have, in any exceptional way, assisted in eradicating desertification in Nigeria.

    The committee is also expected to confirm the status of the balance of N3.7bn which was outstanding from the initial payment to the Federal Ministry of Environment.

    Mover of the motion, James Faleke (APC, Lagos) noted that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a contract for the supply of 20 million units of clean stove and wonder bags under the clean stove scheme for rural women at the unit cost of N464.00 at a total of N9, 287, 250,000.

    He said: “We are aware that following the approval of the FEC, the Federal Ministry of Finance released the sum of N5bn to the Federal Ministry of Environment for the execution of the project.

    “It is on record that Messrs. Integra Energy Renewable Services Limited was awarded the contract for the supply of the 20 million units and was paid the sum of N1.3bn out of the N5bn released by the Federal Ministry of Environment as mobilization fee without due process.”

     

     

  • Reps, stakeholders bicker over petrol pump prices

    Reps, stakeholders bicker over petrol pump prices

    •Marketers  ask NPA, NIMASA to stop charging in dollars
    •Labour unions: Nigerians ’ll not accept another increase

    THE House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the review of the pump price of petrol and stakeholders in the sector yesterday bickered on the high price of petrol.
    At the first leg of a two-day hearing, the committee headed by Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe accused a number of government agencies of contributing to the astronomical price of petrol.
    The lawmakers said the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was not doing enough to justify the 84 kobo/litre collected from importers.
    According to the lawmakers, NPA would have justified the amount being collected if the seas were dredged and vessels did not have to endure ship-to-ship discharging of products, “which adds to the costs of products and loss of revenue for the country”.
    The committee’s chairman insisted that the Acting General Manager of the NPA, Mr. Ephraim Okoro, did not have the capacity to answer the prodding questions of the committee.
    He said the NPA Managing Director must be at today’s session of the hearing to answer relevant questions on the issue.
    On the part of the Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), which was represented by its Executive Secretary, Victor Shidok, the agency told the committee that the 30 kobo administrative charge on petrol was for services like data capturing and monitoring by workers deployed to depots across the country.
    The committee, however, insisted that the agency must present its list of inspectors engaged from 2012 till date, amounts paid, copies of agreements entered into with them and proof of payment.
    The agency was ordered to provide proof of total amount received as administrative charges from 2012 to date.
    The Executive Secretary, Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Obafemi Olawore, said the fact that importers pay Nigeria Maritime Safety Administration (NIMASA) and the NPA in dollar was pulling “a great strain on the Naira”.
    He said though “NPA’s 84 kobo/litre and NIMASA’s 22 kobo/litre Harbour and Wharfage charges are statutory; they are high”.
    According to Olawore, NPA’s port charges “is the highest in the West Africa sub region”.
    He complained over multiple levies by government agencies and state government and pleaded with the committee to intervene.
    Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) President Igwe Achese, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) President Francis Johnson and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Comrade Bobboi Kaigama insisted that Nigerians would not accept another increase in petrol price.
    They noted that if refineries were working, the country would not need to import products with the attendant exorbitant costs.
    They noted that pump price of petrol has been increased 22 times in the past.
    “For us as labour, we will not accept any increase,” they said.
    The chairman of the ad hoc committee, in his opening address, noted that the people were concerned about the general increase in prices of goods and services partly due to the increase of petrol to N145 per litre.
    “Can Nigerians be paying the cost of capital by importers and dealers? Can Nigerians be paying for lathering services when there are agencies, whose duties are to dredge our sea? How effective and transparent is the bridging claims?” he queried.
    Igbokwe said though the increase was said to eliminate payment of subsidy by government and the attendant fraud, justification have to be given on the N145 being charged and if Nigerians were getting value from the agencies, who earn income from the price template of petrol.

  • Reps seek stricter sanctions for erring foreign companies

    Reps seek stricter sanctions for erring foreign companies

    A bill seeking stricter regulations for erring foreign companies passed second reading at the House of Representatives yesterday.
    Members supported the legislation which seeks compulsory registration and sanction against erring foreign companies operating across the country and to ensure job security for Nigerians in the public and private sector.
    Titled “ A bill for an Act to amend the Labour Act, Cap L1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make further provisions for the compulsory registration of all foreign employers of Labour in Nigeria by Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and a bill for an Act to amend the Labour Act, Cap L1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to strengthen, review the fines and punishment stipulated in the Act, and for other related matters,” it was referred to the Committee on Labour Employment and Productivity.
    The bill was co-sponsored by House Leader Femi
    Gbajabiamila and Edward Pwajok (PDP-Plateau).
    Gbajabiamila said the influx of foreigners into the country under the guise of expatriates, especially in the construction industry, had worsened the unemployment situation in the country.
    According to him, most of the noted jobs that Nigerians ought to have been gainfully employed in have been taken by foreigners.
    The proposed bill, the lawmaker said, provides for compulsory registration of all foreign employers of labour and effective supervision by the regulatory agencies.
    He also noted that the law when passed would review the fines and punishment stipulated in the Act to make it more effective.
    Many members supported the passage of the bill. They include the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, Deputy Speaker, Rotimi Agunsoye (APC-Lagos) and  Nkiruka Onyejeocha.
    In his submission, Yussuff Lasun (APC-Osun) like the other members emphasised the need for overhaul of existing labour laws with the view to protect artisans and the informal sector from undue exploitation.
    He said the bill is one of the most important legislative frameworks adding that the bill when passed into law will help in bringing the country out of the current recession.
    A member, Rotimi Agunsoye, said the ongoing move to check the excesses of foreign employers of labour operating across the
    country is a positive development.
    Nkiruka Onyejeocha said the documentation of foreign workers will help to reduce the level of job losses to foreigners as well as reduce the unemployment crisis in the country.
    The bill was referred to the House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara for further legislative action after its passage.