The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Reps

  • Anti-Jega plot crashes as Presidency hits dead end

    Anti-Jega plot crashes as Presidency hits dead end

    LEGAL experts have told the Presidency the bitter truth about Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega — he cannot be sent on terminal leave.

    There are two reasons for the legal opinion. They are that:

    •no law or regulation compels political appointees to proceed on terminal leave; and

    •the timing is “inauspicious and not strategic”.

    Faced with the legal obstacle, the Presidency may have dumped the option of asking Jega to go on leave.

    Besides, President Goodluck Jonathan has said although he has the power to remove Jega, the INEC chief has not done anything to warrant his removal.

    A top government official yesterday said Jega will not be removed or asked to go on leave.

    But the comment of the supervising Minister of Information, Mr. Edem Duke, has caused disquiet in the cabinet.

    Some ministers believe that Duke’s “inexplicit response to questions on Jega’s fate” last Friday has been heating up the polity.

    Duke said although the President has no plan to sack Jega, ‘’this is not to say that, if it is time for INEC chairman to naturally exit his office, then the natural course of public service rule will not take place when he has reached the age of retirement or exhausted his tenure.”

    According to a source, the legal advice emphatically said “political appointees are not subject to terminal leave”.

    The source added: “I think we have been having this apprehension on Jega’s fate because of the politics which beclouded non-renewal of the tenure of ex-INEC Chairman Prof. Maurice Iwu.

    “I think in managing Iwu’s exit, those behind it did not look at the legality of the process in asking him to proceed on leave.”

    The source also said the Presidency was advised against allowing Jega to go on terminal leave because the “timing of the agitation is inauspicious and non-strategic”.

    A top government official said: “President Goodluck Jonathan will not remove or ask Jega to proceed on terminal leave. He has told the nation of his position and he will stand by his words.”

    At INEC, however, a woman National Commissioner is still feeling bad that she was linked to the plot against Jega.

    “The National Commissioner has been psychologically disturbed that she is being associated with treachery.

    “Were it not for pressure, she would have addressed the press with some commissioners on why they are standing by Jega,” a source said.

    Duke’s comment is said to have caused disquiet in the cabinet.

    “Everyone is disturbed that Edem Duke was not circumspect enough because as a Minister of Information, he ought to know that the press will take note of what is said, intended or unsaid,” a source said, adding:

    “No one is happy that the story about Jega has been bordering on alleged plot to remove or ask him to go on terminal leave by the President. We believe as cabinet members, we should also not heat up the polity or create an image crisis for this administration. If you have noticed, the debate on Jega’s fate heightened after Duke’s briefing last Friday.

    “Not all members of the cabinet approved of Duke’s comments, which left a few things hanging.”

    Jega has shelved today’s meeting with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC).

    Instead, the INEC chairman has deployed all National Commissioners and the 37 REC in 12 states for the mock election taking place on Saturday.

    The states selected are: Ekiti and Lagos(South-West); Anambra and Ebonyi(South-East); Delta and Rivers(South-South); Kano and Kebbi(North-West); Bauchi and Taraba(North-East); and Niger and Nasarawa(North-Central).

    The mock election will be used for “field testing of the functionality of the Smart Card Readers”.

    A National Commissioner said: “All National Commissioners and RECs are going to take part in the mock election which we are using to measure our preparation for the general election.

    “The session between INEC chairman and RECs  will now hold next week to enable the commission to consider the report on the mock election.”

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said we cannot play the ostrich with the plot to scuttle the elections.“It is clear that some people are not interested in a free and fair election.”

    Tambuwal, who spoke when he received a delegation from the Situation Room Advocacy also condemned any move to install an interim government which he said will amount to a coup because it has no place in the constitution.

    Also yesterday, the House of Representatives  sounded a note of warning to President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration on the danger of removing the INEC chairman before the general elections.

    To show its seriousness, the threatened to initiate court action within the country and at the International Criminal Court (ICC), over supposed plots to remove Jega and shift the March 28th and April 11th elections.

    The resolution of the House followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Hon. Ali Ahmad, Chairman House Committee on Justice,

    The “Motion on threat to further tamper with the status quo arrangements for the 2015 general elections” was seconded by Hon. Goni Bukar

    The House urged “the political class, government of the federation and of states and security agencies to heed the warning of imminent and present danger associated with any interference with the existing schedules of the general elections”.

    It said it will “hold personally accountable at domestic judicial forum or at the International Criminal Court “ any person or Organisation that foists on INEC any decision or action whatsoever, including unconstitutional attempt to remove the current INEC chairman, that has the effect of making it impracticable for the elections to hold on 28th March and 11th April, 2015”.

    Arguing the motion, Ahmad  said the initial postponement of the general elections for six weeks due to security concerns related to the Boko Haram insurgency has further heightened the tempo for pre-election violence.

    He expressed concern on the possibility, threat and insinuation to precipitate actions that would cause further alteration to the status quo arrangement and regulation of the general elections

    Ahmad said: “That such threats to tamper with the status quo may take several forms including , but not limited to, illegal removal of the current INEC Chairman.

    “That there is already documented evidence from several sources that any change in status quo arrangements, especially removal of the INEC chairman, presents a possibility of violence and would occasion the sowing of seeds of a major crisis,” he said.

    The lawmaker said civil society organisations and lawyers, including usually reticent Senior Advocates of Nigeria have sounded “a note of warning” and threatened a “showdown”.

    According to him, such removal will be unconstitutional, “given the decision of the Supreme Court that removal of the chairman or members of such an independent electoral body as INEC pursuant to S.157 (1) of the Constitution can only be achieved when two things happen, viz: (a) for his inability to discharge the functions of the office, or ( b) for misconduct, as determined by 2/3 majority of the Senate ( Governor of Kwara State v. Ojiabor. 2007).”

    Ahmad said such deliberately induced violence “ may snowball as it did in 2011 post-election period into widespread or systematic attack, persecution, arson, murder, thereby amounting to serious crimes of concern to the international community, as contained in Article 5 of the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

    However, the Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, objected to the motion, saying that it was “totally speculative” at best and should not even be entertained, not to mention being passed.

    His objection was overruled by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who  called for a voice vote. It was unanimously passed by members.

  • Reps warn on alleged plots to remove Jega

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday warned President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration on the danger of removing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, before the general election.

    Sequel to the adoption of a motion by Hon. Ali Ahmad, Chairman, House Committee on Justice, the House urged the political class, Federal Government and security agencies “to be wary of the imminent danger in the attempts to interfere with the electoral process.”

    The House said it will personally hold accountable at domestic judicial forum or at the International Criminal Court ” any person or organization that foists on INEC, any action whatsoever, including unconstitutional attempt to remove the commission chairman, that will make it impossible for elections to hold on March 28 and April 11 respectively.”

    While arguing the motion titled: “Motion on threat to further tamper with the status quo arrangements for the 2015 general elections,” Ahmad said the initial postponement of the general election for six weeks due to the security concerns has further heightened the tempo for pre- election violence.

     

  • Reps to probe NNPC for $14.9bn NLNG profit

    Reps to probe NNPC for $14.9bn NLNG profit

    •Corporation heads for court to stop lawmakers

    The House of Representatives is set to probe the whereabouts of $14.9 billion (about N3 trillion) profit the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas  (NLNG) Company paid to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The amount represents dividends accruing from the sales of liquefied gas from 2004 to 2014 and which the NLNG Company said it paid into the corporation’s accounts.

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who said this at the weekend, added that the committee would move a motion of urgent national importance at plenary tomorrow to compel the NNPC to bring relevant documents.

    But, the NNPC has moved to stop the House from getting the documents as its lawyer, Mike Ozekhome & Co Chambers, wrote the House Committee last Friday saying it has no right to request for the LNG accounts.

    Speaking at the weekend, Adeola said: “Just about a month ago, we invited the NLNG to appear before the committee on Public Accounts. They came and told us that Federal Government has 51 per cent holding in the LNG while 41 per cent is owned by Shell and others in the private sector.

    “Yes, if we have 51 per cent, how much of these funds have returned to the Federal Government as dividend? They said they have it. And between 2004 and 2014, they remitted to the NNPC coffers in form of dividends $14.9 billion.

    “We wrote to NNPC asking for an evidence for the sources of revenue, the bank statements, and if there is any expenditure for that account and any other item they can furnish us with.

    “We received a letter from their lawyer, Mike Ozekhome & Co, quoting Section 88 and other relevant sections of the constitution as to why they cannot and will not come before the committee with these particular documents.”

    The lawmaker said Ozekhome’s chamber was a private law firm and did not represent the law courts and that NNPC’s action showed  “that there is more to what we’re seeing.”

    He stated that the committee made a simple request on transactions that concern the generality of Nigerians, “and the next line of action is to go to your lawyer to start writing us and from there move to court to seek injunction preventing us from that document.

    “This tells you the extent to which they have used the judiciary to stall a lot of investigations we are carrying out as a House.

    “And on Tuesday (tomorrow), I want to come by a motion of urgent national importance so that the House can know what is in the offing as far as NLNG is concerned,” the committee chair said.

    He noted that a similar fate befell the investigation of the N10 billion allegedly used by the Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison- Madueke, for chartered flights for private travels.

    A court injunction truncated the probe by the same House Committee.

  • Reps to probe Stallion Group, two others for alleged N43b duty evasion

    Reps to probe Stallion Group, two others for alleged N43b duty evasion

    The House of Representatives is to  investigate  all investor companies involved in rice importation under the new policy to determine, it emerged yesterday.

    The investigation was prompted by the violation of the policy by  three major companies found to have exceeded their approved quota.

    The three companies were also alleged to have evaded payment of import duties to the Federal government to the tune of about N43 billion.

    The investigation is expected to ascertain the exact amount owed government by the affected companies.

    In addition, the investigation would ascertain the approved quota for each importer against their excess imports in metric tons.

    Appropriate measures for recovering the debt would also be recommended by the investigation panel.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Simon Arabo (PDP, Kaduna) who accused major importers of conniving with foreign investors to undermine the nation’s economy.

    He said: “Stallion Group, Popular Foods and Olam Nig Ltd in collusion with their foreign investors have imported rice exceeding their approved quota and thus owe the Federal government about N28,399b.

    “Stallion Group and Popular Foods with an unpaid outstanding import duty of over N15b has imported another 85,000mts of rice into the country.

    “The actions of the companies are capable of scuttling the country’s self-sufficiency drive in rice production and act and also deny the Federal government the needed revenue on import duties”.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to voice vote by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.

    When The Nation contacted the Director, Corporate and Government Relations, Olams Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ade Adefeko, he said his firm has not been contacted formally, hence, there is nothing to say for now. “We have only heard it in the news like every other person; We, as a company, have not received any official communication on this matter. If we are officially notified, then we will respond either orally, or in writing and if need be, we are willing to appear before the honourable House physically,” Adefeko said.

    The report on the investigation is expected to be turned in three weeks.

  • Reps to security agents: don’t take sides in Rivers politics

    Reps to security agents: don’t take sides in Rivers politics

    •Violence major threat to democracy, says Peterside

    A delegation of the House of Representatives on a visit to All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, yesterday, urged security agencies not to take sides in the political contest in the state.

    They also urged politicians to play politics by the rules and campaign on issues.

    The delegation, led by Pally Iriase (Edo State), condemned last Tuesday’s violence in Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, during Peterside’s campaign, where gunmen killed a police corporal, Ifeanyi Okorie, 33, and injured about 50 people including Channels television reporter Charles Eruka. 

    Peterside described the situation in the state as horrible and terrible, which he said should be unacceptable to well-meaning people. He described it as a major threat to democracy and the electoral process.

    The Rivers APC’s governorship candidate, also a member of the House of Representatives, received the visitors along with his running mate, Okorie Honourable Asita, a lawyer and also a member of the House of Representatives; a member of the Board of Trustees of the APC, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; the Director-General of Peterside’s Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Giadom; the leader of the APC in Obio/Akpor Local Government, Chief Tony Okocha; and Dr. Dawari George, a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers state, among other eminent personalities.

    The leader of delegation said: “We have come to commiserate with our colleague. We have come to also, by extension, commiserate with the people of Rivers State. We have come to commiserate with the Nigeria Police Force, because apart from the many wounded persons, during the ugly incident in Okrika, a policeman lost his life. We have been watching the events that have culminated in the loss of lives, but now a serving police officer was cut down at the prime of his age. As these events were developing, we had been quietly watching, but seriously disturbed that no serious action had been taken by the law enforcement agencies, to nip the ugly trend in the bud. Had that been done, we will not be here today to be paying condolence on the death of the policeman.

    “It is so painful and we will take it a little further eventually, but this is the first step, to signpost our abhorence for this dastardliness in our body polity. We do not need to waste human lives over political contest. We all are asking to be given the mandate to serve. We are applicants for servanthood. Where is the room for killing and maiming people, if you are genuinely asking to be given the opportunity to serve people?

    “We came in order to let the world know that the House of Representatives, as presently constituted, is totally unhappy with the violent trend that is now unfolding in the political arena. We feel particularly saddened because we know you (Peterside) as a fine gentleman. We have been together for many years. We know your antecedents. We know your Christian inclination. You are a born again Christian and you will not want to be associated with anything devilish. Our hearts bleed, when we know that it is somebody of your standing, who is being prevented from campaigning in your environment and people went to the extent of taking lives.

    “We are using this opportunity to send this message across to every nook and cranny of Nigeria that we should play this game (politics) by the rules. We should campaign based on issues. We should ask people to vote for us, based on what we will want to do, whom we are and there should be no room any further for violence.

    “We are also using this opportunity to call on the security agencies to be up and doing, to be independent and not to take sides in this political contest. Our constitution does not allow them to take sides with any political party whatsoever. That imbues them with the independence and the authority to deal with whoever is attempting to perpetrate violence. From what has happened in Rivers State, it is now obvious that when you fail to do the right thing, you may even be the worst for it.”

    Peterside lauded the lawmakers for finding time to be with Rivers people, in spite their busy schedules, since most of them are busy with campaign programmes.

    The Rivers APC’s governorship candidate also expressed displeasure on yesterday’s kidnap of Freddy Ndigbara in his Kaani-Ogoni hometown in Khana LGA of Rivers state, while on ward campaign.

    Peterside said: “Two days ago, a member of the APC was shot in Ogu (headquarters of Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State), a sister community to Okrika. About 8 p.m., he was in his house, two young men just stepped into his house, shot him dead and left, and nothing happened. We have always had military station in Bolo, but about three days ago, the military station was momentarily withdrawn and within that short period they were withdrawn, our people in Bolo were attacked severely. After the attack, the military station was restored.

    “We signed a peace accord in January, facilitated by the American government. US Ambassador was physically present. Shortly after signing the peace accord, APC’s secretariats in Okrika and Andoni, my federal constituency, were bombed. We went further to sign another accord, facilitated by the Inspector-General of Police (Suleiman Abba). He was represented by the AIG, Zone 6, Calabar, Tunde Ogunsakin. After the signing of the second peace accord, APC’s rally venue in Okrika was bombed on January 24, 2015. On a single day, eleven members of APC were killed in Omoku, among other attacks and killings across the 23 LGAs of Rivers State. We have always reported to the police. To our chagrin, till date, not one person has been arrested to our knowledge.

    “We are glad to hear that after the last incident in Okrika, which drew national attention, that the IGP has enpanelled the AIG, Zone 6, to lead investigations to issues of political violence in Rivers State. Like the House of Representatives condemned the development in Rivers State, all men of goodwill must rise up and condemn the emerging trend of political violence in Rivers State. It does no one any good. It is a potential danger to all people and to all Nigerians, but most importantly, to our fledging democracy. Our democracy is still at its fragile stage. It also affects the integrity of the electoral process. In the face of intimidation and harassment, people cannot come out and freely cast their votes. Even when we conduct elections, they will not reflect the will of the people. If results of the elections do not reflect the will of the people, that will be an invitation to anarchy, chaos and crisis. That is not what we are bargaining for. I do not think we are ready for that.”

  • Polls: Reps deplore calls for use of TVC

    Polls: Reps deplore calls for use of TVC

    •Tenure elongation will fail

    The House of Representatives condemned yesterday calls for the use of Temporary Voter card (TVC) for next month’s general elections.

    The lawmakers have also assured Nigerians that tenure elongation in any guise would not get the backing of the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

    House Spokesman Zakari Mohammed spoke during a media chat yesterday said it was regrettable that some people could call for the use of Temporary Voter Card (TVC) for the election at a time so much progress had been recorded with the Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

    According to him, opposition to the use of card reader machines smacks of attempt to manipulate the election.

    “We are in support of the use of the card readers in the general elections since it was in line with global best practices to ensure a free and fair poll. We have to grow, we are not in the Stone Age,” he said.

    Besides, Mohammeed noted that based on the successes so far recorded by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the distribution of the PVCs, every Nigerian should support the effort aimed at conducting a free and credible election.

    On insinuation of attempt to perpetuate the incumbent government in power, Mohammed said tenure elongation would not get the support of the lawmakers.

    He allayed fears that most Federal lawmakers that failed to secure return tickets of their parties may support attempt to extend President Jonathan’s tenure.

    He denied allegation that tenure elongation caused sharp division in the House during the Wednesday closed session, saying, “”Tenure elongation is not constitutional and it is not within the ambit of the law.

    “We have sworn to uphold the constitution. We are a creation of the constitution but of course people are entitled to their opinion because it is something we cannot control.

    “So, it was not a matter tabled before us but people are entitled to their opinions. For us in the 7th Assembly, our tenure ends in June and we know that the President’s tenure ends in May 29.

    “Even the President himself said May 29 is sacrosanct. So even the idea of tenure elongation is against good conscience. Everybody contemplating that is not fair to Nigerians.

    “We owe this country that duty to uphold the constitution so that Nigerians would not shout to high heavens when they see breaches happening. We want democracy to thrive and we want to enthrone good governance in the country”.

  • 2015 budget: Reps reject $65 benchmark

    2015 budget: Reps reject $65 benchmark

    The House of Representatives has rejected the $65 oil benchmark proposed in the 2015 budget by the executive.

    It said the 2015 proposed budget was based on certain policy thrusts, instruments and assumptions that were flawed and needed to be “critically looked  at.”

    The House seems to be sticking to a benchmark of between $53 to $56 benchmark.

    The Green Chamber described the benchmark for 2015 budget as “unrealistic” and “ a problem”. “The budget cannot fly,” it said.

    It has also faulted another parameter in the budget, which is the 2.278 million barrels per day crude oil production estimate in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), saying it does not also reflect realities.

    A meeting held yesterday between the Executive and the House on the budget at the National Assembly was stalemated. The 25-member special committee headed by John Enoh, chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Director General, Budget Office, could not resolve the issue.

    The bone of contention, a source told The Nation, was the parameters. The two parties could not agree on the benchmark. While the Federal Government wanted a benchmark of $50 per barrel, the House insisted on between $53 and $56 per barrel.

    According to the source, the over five hours closed door meeting also featured differences in exchange rates between the two parties.

    A member of the committee rejected N165 to a dollar proposed by Dr. Okonjo- Iweala’s team and insisted on $180 to a dollar.

    The Nation also learnt that capital expenditure dominated the discussion as the lawmakers insisted that the proposed 17 per cent of the budget allocated to capital project was meagre and that it should be upped to about 25 percent to give Nigerians some benefits.

    In an earlier interview, shortly before plenary, the Chairman, National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO), Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, decried the parameters in the 2015 budget, especially the oil benchmark and the oil production estimates

    Of the oil benchmark, he said: “Definitely, this is a wrong assumption. Its a problem. It’s part of why the budget cannot fly and it’s not flying.

    “Going by what is happening in the international crude oil market, it’s wrong. It’s unrealistic for the Executive arm of government to have proposed a $65 per barrel benchmark.”

    The lawmaker said his committee did some comparative analysis on the issue and that it is evident that the executive is not forward looking.

    “Iraq pegged its benchmark at $60 per barrel; Saudi Arabia pegged its own at $60 and Venezuela $60. These are countries that don’t even have the kind of challenges that we have, and they are countries with better macro-economic fundamentals. But based on foresight, they chose $60 as their oil benchmark.”

    Bamidele said the budgets of these three countries had been passed in 2014 before the price of oil fell.

    “Here we are in Nigeria, we’re already in the middle of it and today, they (executive) are still talking about $65. Where is the foresight?”

    Bamidele also criticized the 2.278 million barrel per day estimate of the executive, saying it’s not a true reflection of current realities.

    House spokesman Zakari Mohammed expressed confidence that the 25-member committee headed by the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, John Enoh, which had been mandated to meet with the Minister of Finance on realistic parameters for the 2015 budget, will come out with a benchmark that reflects the true position of Nigeria’s oil earnings, as against the $65 proposed in the budget.

  • 2015 budget: Reps reject $65 benchmark

    2015 budget: Reps reject $65 benchmark

    The House of Representatives has rejected the $65 benchmark proposed in the 2015 budget by the executive.

    It said the 2015 proposed budget was based on certain policy thrusts, instruments and assumptions that were flawed and must be “critically” addressed.

    From all indications, the House will stick to a $50 benchmark or something slightly above that figure.

    The Green Chamber described the benchmark for 2015 budget as “unrealistic and problematic,” saying “the budget cannot fly.”

    It has also faulted another parameter in the budget which is the 2.278 million barrels per day crude oil production estimate in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), saying it does not also reflect current realities.

    This disclosure comes even as a 17-member special committee meets with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, on Thursday.

    This disclosure on the position of the House was made by the Chairman, National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO), Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
    “Definitely, this is a wrong assumption. It’s a problem and part of the reasons the budget cannot fly.

    “Going by what is happening in the international crude oil market, it’s wrong and unrealistic for the executive arm of government to have proposed a $65 per barrel benchmark,” he stated.

     

  • Reps seek revival of railway

    The House of Representatives would repeal the Nigerian Railways Corporation Act of 1955, The Nation has learnt.

    It is to be replaced by the Nigerian Railways Authority Act.

    The draft bill made provision for a 25-year development plan that would ensure the sustenance of the development programme.

    According to the lawmakers, the extant law is a hindrance to the economic develolment rail transport could bring to bear on the Nigerian economy.

    Speaking in Abuja at the opening of a two-day National conference on rail transportation organised by House Committee on Land Transportation, Chairman of the Committee, Musa Sarkin-Adar, said it is expedient for the country to have a functional world class rail transport system capable of driving the economy.

    He said: “Although the rail sector in recent times has attracted the federal government’s attention but permit me to say that the current intervention in the sector is a far cry considering the level of infrastructural development in the rail transport system in Nigeria, a nation estimated to inhabit over 150 million people.

    “Our rail development must never be considered a destination but rather a stepping stone for the actualisation of Nigeria of our dream with a world class rail transport system.”

    The Committee opined that it is the legislation that would institutionalise the sustenance of the development plan of the rail sector.

    Sarkin-Adar, who was represented by his Deputy, Sokonte Davies, assured that work would be expedited on the bill as soon as it is transmitted to the National Assembly.

    However, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Adeseyi Sijuwade, said it is the private sector that can take the rail system to the next level.

    He said it is impossible for the government to provide the required fund to actualise the transformation of the once moribund sector.

    According to him, the corporation has embarked on a number of rehabilitation and modernisation agreements with some foreign companies.

    This, he said, has resulted in the achievement so far recorded in the rehabilitation and construction of narrow and standard rails across the country, in addition to a number of coaches, wagons and locomotives.

    He, however, warned that the sector may not be able to go further without an active private secret participation.

    Akin Fatunke, Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, assured NRC of support from major oil companies and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN).

  • Reps: we ‘ll not consider police budget until Tambuwal’s security aides are restored

    Reps: we ‘ll not consider police budget until Tambuwal’s security aides are restored

    The House of Representatives may not consider the 2015 budget for the Nigeria Police Force unless the withdrawn police details of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal are restored.

    But the police force was yet to restore the Speaker’s police security as at press time.

    It was learnt that Tambuwal uses ad hoc security arrangement, including the sergeant-at-arms from the National Assembly and members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    About N312.7billion was voted for formations and commands in the 2015 Appropriation Bill.

    Investigation by our correspondent, however, revealed that most members of the House were annoyed that in spite of the new rapprochement between the Executive and the National Assembly on 2015 budget, the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has refused to recognize Tambuwal as Speaker.

    It was gathered that before the House adjourned sitting on Wednesday, many members made representation to the House leadership not to consider police budget until the Speaker’s police aides are restored.

    They said the IGP ought to have waited for the decision of the court on Tambuwal’s defection before taking such a stand.

    They queried the rationale behind the withdrawal of the police aides since the All Progressives Congress (APC) now controls the majority in the House.

    The members also detested a situation whereby the Speaker will be driving himself without any form of protection.

    A principal officer of the House said: “We have told our leaders that we will adopt a tit-for-tat approach. As long as the police details of the Speaker are not restored, we will also not treat their budget.

    “This is not the first time we are doing this. When we had a face-off with the former Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on accountability, we decided to withhold the commission’s budget

    “We have bent backwards to mend fences with the Executive in the interest of the nation’s development, but the IGP is adamant on his non-recognition of the Speaker. Why will the President be doing one thing and his officers turning the other way?”

    Another source said: “Section 80 of the 1999 Constitution gives us the power to appropriate, but in passing the 2015 Appropriation Act, we can put a clause to stop the police from accessing its funds.

    “We will not tolerate impunity in whatever form because we are in a democratic era.”

    A source in the Office of the Speaker said: “Well, it is true that the police aides, including escorts, have not returned back.

    “The Speaker is still relying on ad hoc security arrangement from the sergeant-at-arms and NSCDC personnel. Now that he is on his campaign tour in Sokoto, he is protected by Governor Aliyu Wammakko’s security. You can see the risk he is being exposed to.”

    When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, said: “I will find out the status of the Speaker’s police aides from the DIG Operations, and I will get back to you.”

    His response was unavailable as at the time of filing this report.

    The IGP, through the Force spokesman, on October 30, 2014 said: “In view of the recent defection by the Rt. Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from the PDP to the APC, and having regard to the clear provision of Section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the Nigeria Police Force has redeployed its personnel attached to his office.”