The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Reps

  • Reps approve Buhari’s request for 15 Special Advisers

    Reps approve Buhari’s request for 15 Special Advisers

    The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint 15 Special Advisers.

    The motion for the approval was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Mulikat Akande- Adeola.

    In the motion titled: ” Appointment, renumeration, etc. of Special Advisers to the President Pursuant to Section 151 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended,” the leader noted that Section 151 (1) of the 1999 Constitution enables the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appoint any person as Special Adviser to assist him in the discharge of his function.

    She added: “That section 151 (2) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to, either by law or by resolution, prescribe the number of such Special Advisers, their renumeration and allowances. The President has requested the National Assembly to approve 15 Special Advisers to assist him in the performance of his functions.

    Akande- Adeola noted that the National Assembly had previously approved renumeration and allowances for the Special Advisers of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    She therefore urged that the House “approve 15 Special Advisers for the President who shall be paid renumeration and allowances enjoyed by previous holders of the office.”

    The motion was passed without any debate after the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, called for a voice vote.

  • Don’t push Reps out of offices, says Ihedioha

    Don’t push Reps out of offices, says Ihedioha

    Acting Speaker Emeka Ihedioha has urged the management of the National Assembly not to stampede members of the 7th House out of their offices.

    In a memo to Senators and members, the management of the National Assembly asked them to vacate their offices by May 18 with the view to renovating all the offices ahead of the inauguration of the 8th Assembly.

    Speaking at plenary yesterday, Ihedioha urged the lawmakers to go about their legislative activities without intimidation, adding that he would meet with the Clerk of the National Assembly to find an amicable settlement to the problem brought about by the circular.

  • Reps put aside PIB over contentious clauses

    With just a few days  to the end of the 7th Assembly, members of the House of Representatives yesterday suspended further consideration of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) due to the sectional line the consideration of the report appeared  to have taken.

    Chairman, Committee of the Whole House, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha halted further consideration of the report when he discovered that the argument over some contentious clauses has taken on regional dimension.

    He mandated the ad hoc Committee to do further work on the contentious clauses to enable the House make informed decision when consecration resumes.

    Before then, members from the South and North were at variance over what percentage of national fund should go to certain projects in their areas.

    He said: “What  we  have seen on the floor is a political and emotional solution being put forward by members but what we need is a technical solution.

    “What we must realise is that the import of the PIB is very critical to every Nigerians because the National Assembly has been accused at various times for not passing the Bill.

    “So, we have to take our time to pass it and pass a bill that can stand the test of time. The committee should go back and involve technical people so that whatever we support at the end of the day will be in favour of Nigeria.

    “You have to come up with figures that can be defended by the House. If we go into voting now, it will only be political voting but we have to be technically guided to be able to do the best for Nigeria.”

    Also yesterday, members kicked against the consideration of a report clearing the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke of any wrong doing in an alleged shady sale of seven oil blocs.

    The report which was put together by an ad hoc committee headed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Muraino Ajibola cleared Alison-Madueke of any misdeed in the transaction.

    Specifically, the ad hoc committee was to investigate the alleged shady deal involving the Mrs. Alison-Madueke, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC), the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company ( SPDC), Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Ltd, Septa Energy Ltd, and any other entity with respect to the farm-out or allocation of a oil mining leases ( OMLs) 4, 26, 30, 34, 38, 41 and 42.

    The contentious report of the ad hoc committee was laid before the House  on the 13th of February last year and brought up for consideration yesterday. Though Muraino, the chairman of the committee was absent, the Acting Speaker,  Ihedioha brought the report forward for consideration by members.

    But members who were angry having read through the recommendations of the report refused to allow it be considered.

    Of the three recommendations, the one that irked members most was “that a clear bill of health be given to all parties involved in the transaction as the entire transaction conformed to all applicable laws.

    The other two recommendations read: “ that operators in the oil industry should deliberately encourage openness/ transparency in their operations.

    “That companies involved in the petroleum industry should be required to ensure timely dissemination of information regarding their transactions, especially those involving government agencies and corporations as this will forestall suspicion and sentiments of having been cheated that are always bound to arise in circumstances where a section of the relevant stakeholders in the industry are left in doubt as to transactions in the industry.”

     

  • Reps shut down PIB over contentious clauses

    Reps shut down PIB over contentious clauses

    With just a few days to the end of the 7th Assembly, members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday suspended further consideration of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) due to the sectional line the consideration of the report appeared to take.

    The Chairman Committee of the Whole House, Emeka Ihedioha, halted further consideration of the report when he discovered that argument over some contentious clauses has taken on regional dimension.

    Ihedioha, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, mandated the ad hoc Committee to do further work on the contentious clauses to enable the House make informed decision when consecration resumes.

    Before then, members from the South and North were at variance over what percentage of national fund should go to certain projects in their areas.

    He said: “What we have seen on the floor is a political and emotional solution being put forward by members, but what we need is a technical solution.

    “What we must realize is that the import of the PIB is very critical to Nigerians because the National Assembly has been accused at various times for not passing the Bill.

    “So, we have to take our time to pass it and pass a bill that can stand the text of time. The committee should go back and involved technical people so that whatever we support at the end of the day will be in favour of Nigeria.

    “You have to come up with figures that can be defended by the House. If we go into voting now, it will only be political voting, but we have to be technically guided to be able to do the best for Nigeria.”

    Also on Tuesday, members of the House kicked against the consideration of a report clearing the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke, of any wrong doing in an alleged shady sale of seven oil blocs.

    The report which was put together by an ad hoc committee headed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum, Upstream, Muraino Ajibola cleared Alison- Madueke of any misdeed in the transaction.

     

  • Reps repeal outdated Audit Law

    • Okay Federal Audit Service Commission

    Members of the House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill to repeal the Audit Act of 1958 through third reading and approved the establishment of the Federal Audit Service Commission Act.

    A Conference Committee chaired by Solomon Adeola, that will harmonise the bill passed by the Senate was set up by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Emeka Ihedioha who presided after the passage of the bill.

    The passage of the bill was sequel to a presentation of the Report of the joint Committee of Public Accounts and Justice by Hon. Adeola and the consideration of the report by a committee of the whole House.

    The new Audit bill, with the title  “An Act for the establishment of the Office of the Auditor For the Federation, Audit Service Commission, Additional Powers and Functions of Auditor General and For Matters Connected Therewith”

    Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Olamilekan- Adeola  while speaking on the merits of the bill noted  that the Bill would ensure effective oversight and strengthen the anti-corruption functions of the Auditor General.

    His words: “The passed bill will give more powers to the Auditor General as well as established an Audit Service Commission to take care of recruitment, training and other welfare issues of auditing staff of Auditor General’s Office.”

    The lawmaker said the new bill will give the Office of the Auditor- General autonomy and release it from the shackles and apron stings of the executive.

    According to Clause 1(4) of the bill, the Auditor General shall be assisted by two deputy Auditors-General who shall be of the same rank in public service with a permanent secretary and such other staff as may be appointed by the Federal Audit Service Commission on the recommendation of the Auditor General.

    Clause 4 which provides that the AGF shall take an oath administered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria before assuming office, as specified in Part A of the schedule 1 of the bill was deleted during the consideration.

     

  • Reps suspend PIB report over contentious clause

    Reps suspend PIB report over contentious clause

    Division among members of the House of Representatives over the provison of Clause 209 of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has led to the suspension of the consideration  of the report of the Ad-hoc Committee on PIB.

    The lawmakers were at variance over how much should accrue to the country from exploratory licences issued to prospective companies in the petroleum industry.

    The arguement degenerated into a North – South issue after the contentious clause was found missing in the report.

    This led to the suspension of the consideration of the report till a Committee saddled with the responsibility of examining the grey areas reports back to the House next week.

    The observation of Kyari Gujbahu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Borno, centered on the clause that deals with holders of exploratory licence to prospective operators in the industry and the monetary benefit therein.

    According to him, as contained in the draft report, revenue from activities of oil companies to be used for the take off of River Basins exploratory activities was pegged at $4 per barrel of gas and 20 cents for a barrel of crude.

    He said: “In the draft report which was referred for final compilation by committee, the sharing formula between government and oil companies for the development of River Basins across the country was $4 per barrel.

    “I now wonder why that has disappeared from this clause as contained in this report.”

    Abdurahman Terab (APC, Borno) supported him, saying, “This suggestion is not a new thing in play in countries where there is oil. It’s been in use in Chad, Niger and even Ghana.

    “This fund is not meant to develop the areas where the Basins are located but meant for the development of the Basins for the purpose of exploration of resources therein in furtherance of the nation’s economic growth”.

    On the other hand, Sokonte Davies (APC, Rivers) disagreed noting that it is impossible to peg it at $4 per barrel as it would have been too much to be used as a take off fund.

    “Even the 20 cent per barrel is a lot of money that can be used to kick start any exploration activity anywhere.

    “If we must do it, let’s leave it at 20 cents per barrel of gas and 2 cents per barrel of crude”.

     

  • Ihedioha insists on Wednesday for PIB debate

    Ihedioha insists on Wednesday for PIB debate

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has said debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) must commence Wednesday.

    Iheadioha, who presided over the House plenary Tuesday, urged his colleagues to prepare for clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.

    His insistence stemmed from complaints by some lawmakers who claimed they were not in possession document.

    There were fears that the Bill which has suffered several delays may not passed before the 7th Assembly completes its tenure next month.

    Ihedioha reminded his colleagues that announcement on the PIB debate was made last to enable members pick up their copies.

     

     

  • Reps’ probe into economy stalled

    Reps’ probe into economy stalled

    Two months after the House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on the State of Economy was constituted, the investigation is yet to begin even as the 7th House prepares to wind down its session.

    The Nation learnt that the ad-hoc committee, which is headed by the Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Opeyemi Bamidele, is yet to receive any terms of reference from the leadership of the House through the Clerk, Sanni Omolori.

    Efforts by the committee to begin investigation by obtaining the terms of reference from the leadership has met with promises that it would soon be transmitted to it through the clerk.

    On March 12, this year, the House resolved to probe into the state of the nation’s economy sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by Minority Whip, Samson Osagie.

    The decision was hinged on the fact that various figures were being bandied as the income of the country and that there was a need to reconcile the figures.

    The committee is to specifically investigate the earnings from crude oil exports and other revenue sources in 2014 fiscal year and make recommendations to the House within three weeks.

  • Reps reassign 2012 ‘roll over’ Budget bill

    Reps reassign 2012 ‘roll over’ Budget bill

    The House of Representatives has reassigned Capital Expenditure Budget roll-over Bill, 2012 to the Committee of the whole House.

    The development followed the failure of Committee on Finance, Chaired by Abdulmumin Jibrin, to attend to the bill three years after it was referred to the committee.

    Consequently, the bill was reassigned to the Committee of the whole House for reconsideration.

    The decision of the lawmakers to reassign the bill followed the adoption of a motion by Sunday Karimi (Kogi, PDP), who recalled that the said bill was read for the second time on July 3, 2013 and committed to the Committee on Finance for further legislative action.

    According to him, the Finance Committee flouted order XVII Rule 109 (g) of the Standing Orders of the House that provides a time limit of 30 days for a Committee to attend to any matter referred to it.

    As a result, Karimi implored the House to relief the committee of the responsibility of scrutinizing the document, saying, “The bill has been pending at the Committee on Finance for more than 60 days.

    “It is a sign of irresponsibility for a committee not to attend to issues of this nature. We have been following up the committee on finance but up till today (Thursday), they have done nothing.

    “Mr. Speaker this is unacceptable and I pray that the bill be reassigned”.

    Chairman House Committee on Public Petitions, Uzor Azubuike (Abia, PDP), in his contribution, said “The worst we can do is to indict the relevant committee for not doing its job.”

     

     

  • Reps seek comprehensive rehabilitation for rescued women

    Reps seek comprehensive rehabilitation for rescued women

    THE House of Representatives is seeking a deliberate policy backed by law that will ensure speedy rehabilitation of victims of insurgency.

    The policy will also ensure that the children of victims will be monitored with a view of molding their integration into the society.

    The lawmakers have, therefore, mandated the Committee on Disaster Management  to liaise with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure the speedy rehabilitation of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    The decision followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion of urgent national importance by Friday Itulah (APC, Edo), who regretted that the psychological trauma the rescued girls and women from Sambisa forest were going through could only be imagined.

    Itulah said the motion became necessary as a result of conflicting figures being thrown around about the number of the rescued victims and how the rehabilitation process was being handled.

    “There’s a need to know what steps have been taken so far in rehabilitating these women to know what else to do to alleviate their suffering. Their wellbeing should be of utmost importance to all,” he noted.

    In his contribution, Abdulrahman Terab (APC, Borno) said the timing of the motion was apt, noting that some of the pregnant women would soon start to give birth to children conceived during their sad ordeal.

    “What we have now is a time bomb because if care is not taken, this is an insurgence in waiting when these children start to grow without a deliberate plan to monitor their growth.

    “We have to adopt a deliberate strategy that will take accurate data of the victims and the children to be born and how to train them,” he added.

    The Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who supported Terab’s submission, said management of future occurrence should be a priority.

    He advocated for a bill that will spell out how to go about the rehabilitation of victims of insurgency.

    The Deputy Minority Leader, Leo Ogor stressed that the government should be able to monitor the progress of rehabilitating the rescued. Mohammad Monguno (APC, Borno) said the Northeast region needs a Marshal Plan.

    According to him, the N2 billion allocated to the region by the Federal Government for rehabilitation was inadequate. “What we need is a Marshal Plan that will address all issues raised by Boko Haram,” he said.

    Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), however, opposed the idea of a separate law to address the issue since NEMA was empowered by law to do what is required.

    The motion was unanimously adopted after an amendment to its prayers.

    The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, referred it to House Committee on Disaster Management for further legislative input.