THE House Committee on Finance is to probe the Federal Government waiver policy from 2011 to 2013, which has allegedly cost the nation over N1 trillion ($9b), it emerged yesterday. The Committee’s decision followed the response of the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on waivers to companies, individuals and corporate organisations for imported materials. The Abdulmumin Jibrinled Committee had in the 50 questions on the economy sought to know how much exactly has been the amount of money lost in government revenue as a result of import duty waivers in 2011, 2012 and 2013. In her response, the Minister stated that N170, 727,078,336 (($1,067,727,148 billion) was granted in waiver during the period under review. The Committee was however not in agreement with the Minister’s figures, going by documents available to it, which showed that about N1trillion was lost to waiver and concessions issued by the Ministry of Finance during the period. An online medium, SaharaReporters, stated that nearly nine times what the Minister quoted was actually granted as waiver, amounting to N1, 435,980,495,810 trillion ($8,975,998,164b). The medium claimed that its assertion was backed by documents it obtained from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Tag: Reps
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We’re under pressure to join APC, says Cross River Rep
The representative of Calabar-South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi in the Federal House of Representatives, Essien Ayi, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to put its house in order. He said he is under pressure to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking with reporters in Calabar, he said: “Well, it is true that, we have had a lot of defections in the house. It is also true that even some others are threatening to go, but all what I will advise my party, which I belong, is that they should sit up, if they don’t sit up, if we assume, if we take things for granted, it may be very difficult for us.
“Whatever they can do to put the party back in shape and bring everybody together they should try and do it. A lot of us have been under pressure to join these other political parties. ?
“I happen to be one of those who originally started the party. In Calabar south, we had a forum called Calabar South Forum, we merged with the Cross River Democratic forum led by the former and present governors of the state, which later transformed to the PDP in the state. Even the day that the G34 was inaugurated, I was at the Eagle Square; so I will say that I am one of the founding members of the party and within me, if they happen to allow the party go the way it is going now, it will pain me because I know how we suffered to make the party what it is today.
“So my advice to the gladiators, because, there are so many gladiators, who are trying to show their power, they say when two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers. They should tread carefully so that they should not destroy our party.”
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Okonjo- Iweala must answer 50 questions on economy – Reps
The House of Representatives on Monday said the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, must answer the 50 questions asked by its committee on Finance during the presentation of the 2014 budget minister on December 19 last year.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, had insisted that the 2014 budget would not be considered until the minister answers the 50 questions asked at the forum.
The committee had given Okonjo -Iweala two weeks to submit a written response to the questions which bordered on the economy, but she has requested for more time to respond.
Speaking at a pre- resumption press briefing on Monday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, said the Committee on Finance was acting under the mandate given to it by the House and as such, the minister should answer the 50 questions as it would aid the House in the consideration of the budget.
He said, “The Finance Committee has a mandate of the House and the Committee must report back to the House what it was asked to do.
“It is the House in its wisdom that will devise the next line of action, the Finance Committee has done the assignment given to it by the House and will have to go back to the House to take a decision.
“Definitely on resumption, the Finance Committee would brief the House and thereafter we draw conclusions and inferences. We must consider the budget because it’s a money bill but we will not be blackmailed or bamboozled to just assume it’s a case of garbage in, garbage out. Anybody who thinks it is going to be like that is just joking because we are going to ensure a sense of fairness in its consideration to the benefit of Nigerians who are our employers.”
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PDP sues Tambuwal, Ihedioha, others
In what looks like a preemptive move, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the House of Representatives from altering the composition of its leadership.
The PDP, in a suit filed on January 7 wants the court to among others, restrain House of Representatives’ Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, other principal officers of the House and its defecting members in the House from taking any step “to alter or change the leadership of the 1st defendant (PDP).”
The suit has the House of Reps, its Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, other principal officers of the House and its former members who defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) as defendants.
An officer of the PDP, Nanchang Ndam, stated in a supporting affidavit that while the defection of some of the defendants was still a subject of litigation before Justice Mohammed, the defendants, particularly the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila have issued threats to change the leadership of the House.
He stated that unless the defendants were restrained, they could carry out the threat and thereby prejudice the earlier suit, cause a breakdown of law and order and parallel the activities of the House.
The plaintiff, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2/2014 raised two questions for the court’s determination and sought for four reliefs.
The PDP wants the court to determine whether, in view of the mandatory provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, and in view of the pendency of an earlier suit by the defecting law makers, they (the defecting legislators) can participate in any proceedings to remove the House’ principal officers.
The party equally wants the court to determine whether, in view of the provision of Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution and the pending suit by the defecting legislators, they (the defecting law makers) can lawfully alter the composition or constitution of the House’s leadership.
It is praying the court to declare that in view of Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution and the pending case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/621/2013 the defecting lawmakers “cannot lawfully vote and contribute to any motion for the removal or change of any of the principal officers” of the House.
PDP also wants the court to declare that the defecting lawmakers, who are plaintiffs in the earlier suit before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same court, “are not competent to sponsor, contribute or vote on any motion calling for the removal or change in the leadership of the House or the removal of any principal officers of the House.”
It prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from “altering or changing the House’s leadership.
The PDP equally filed an application for interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from altering the leadership of the House pending the determination of the substantive suit.
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PDP governors, Reps pass vote of confidence on Tukur
The Peoples Democratic Party governors and House of Representatives members have passed a vote of confidence on the party`s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governors and the House members took the decision during series of meetings which ended in the early hours of Friday in Abuja.
NAN reports that Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom led PDP Governors Forum had earlier held a close-door meeting with Tukur.
The meeting, which took place at the Akwa Ibom government lodge, also had in attendance Tukur`s Deputy, Mr. Uche Secondus.
Tukur consequently moved from the meeting with the governors to meet with the party`s House of Representatives members at another venue.
However, journalists were not briefed on Tukur`s meeting with the governors.
Meanwhile, the Leader, House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande, told journalists that the meeting with Tukur was at the instance of the House.
She added that it was meant to create a synergy between the House leader, PDP House of Representatives members and the party leadership.
She further said the decision to pass a vote of confidence on Tukur was to show that PDP was one strong family.
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Fireworks at Reps’, minister’s meeting
An interactive session between the House of Representatives Committee on Finance and the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, went awry yesterday as it ended in a heated exchange of words.
The minister, in her introductory remarks at about 3pm, told the committee that she was “not well” and had not slept well in the last five days due to official engagements.
She said she would try and respond to the committee’s questions, adding that if she could not answer any question, her colleagues – the Accountant General of the Federation, Jonah Otunla, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Bright Okogwu – would step in.
Chairman of the Committee Jibrin Abdulmumin said the panel would not want to stress her further and would rather present her with 50 questions that she should respond to within two weeks.
He said the committee would scrutinise her response before she would be called again when she has recovered.
The minister said she would respond to the questions, adding: “I am not a slacker and I assure you that the response would not be given haphazardly.”
She tried to persuade the lawmakers to continue with the session, but the chairman said they were not under her control and she could not make decisions for them.
Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said: “I want the committee to continue to treat us with the courtesy we have been enjoying from it before now and, as ministers, we should be treated with respect. We have our rights too.”
Abdulmumin said: “You said you are not well and we can see by ourselves and in order not to stress you further, we gave you the document to go home with and respond in two weeks. How does that amount to being harsh on you?”
In the query, the committee sought the minister’s opinion on the contentious oil benchmark.
It reads: “As crude oil continues to sell at $100-$110, how low will production have to fall for us to record a net loss or at what production level can we break even at a 2013 benchmark of $79?
“Why are we using the 10 to 15 years moving average to arrive at your 2014 proposed benchmark as against the traditional five to 10 years moving average we have always used? Is it because using the five-10 year average will not give you the benchmark price you desire?
“This time last year, you informed this committee that our external reserve position was about $48 billion and the balance on our excess crude account was about $9 billion. You also said the plan was to grow these balances to about $50 billion and $10 billion respectively. However, we are hearing that the balances have dropped to $43 billion and $3 billion respectively and you are saying all is well!
“Crude oil projection for 2013 was 2.53 million barrels per day while actual figures as supplied by the NNPC/DPR/MTEF have averaged about 2.3 million barrels per day, giving a shortfall of about nine percent. Could this alone have caused such a drastic reduction in our reserves and savings positions?
“Referring to the Pre-shipment Inspection of Exports Act of 1996 and the Federal Ministry of Finance Export Guidelines, if any good (oil, gas or non-oil) is exported from Nigeria, the exporter is compelled to repatriate these proceeds through the domiciliary account of a Nigerian bank. What has been the effectiveness of these laws? Is there full compliance?
“If there has not been compliance, would it not make it difficult for us to build up our foreign reserves? If so, what does the minister think it would do for the local banking industry, if the Pre-shipment Inspection Law and your Export Guidelines are enforced to the letter.
“The oil industry is worth about $50 billion per annum. If even $10 billion of this passes through our local banks, wouldn’t that give the economy a boost with banks now able to fund long term and bigger projects?
“What is your explanation for awarding MasterCard a multimillion dollar National Identity Smart Cards, when there are indigenous ICT companies that do not only have what it takes but would have done it cheaper and created local jobs?”
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Reps pass $77.5 oil bench mark
The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved $77.5 as crude oil benchmark.
Details later…
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Reps angry over ‘murder’ of Nigerian in Ghana
The House of Representatives has said it will demand a coroner’s inquest into the alleged murder of a 15-year-old student, Augustine Ogukwe, in Ghana.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said it was time to stop the embarrassment Nigeria was getting from Ghana.
She said her committee would request for a coroner’s inquest into the boy’s death to ascertain criminality or otherwise, particularly since another Nigerian student was killed about the same time Ogukwe died.
The father, Obioma Ogukwe, who works in The Sun, told the committee members how Augustine, an SS3 pupil of Ideal College, Community 5 in the port city of Tema, died mysteriously after spending just 12 days in the school.
He said: “The school authority and the proprietor said the boy drowned.
“But the wound marks were not consistent with drowning. He was 15 years old and was in SS3. He was in the place for 12 days.”
Ogukwe explained that though the school insisted that Augustine died by drowning, the stab marks on his body were inconsistent with the claim.
The bereaved father, who was at the National Assembly with the distraught mother , said there seemed to be an attempt to cover up the real cause of the death.
A member of the committee, Aminu Shehu-Shagari, said: “We must ask the House to look into the cause of the death.
“A coroner must check whether or not there is criminality in the death. Then, there is also the negligence of the school authority.
“We have about 700,000 students in Ghana and the school fees Nigerians pay in Ghana is N170 billion while Nigeria budget’s for Education is N150 billion.
“If we had made our education sector standardised we won’t be exposing our children to this kind of danger.”
The Chairman of the Diaspora Committee, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, faulted the manner the death was handled by the school and the Ghanaian authorities.
She said: “The way the college handled the death was not ideal. What we can do is ensure the truth about what killed your son.
“We will demand that all your rights be respected. We will take this up with the Ghanaian authority. This is one of several cases.
“This same Ghana has said Nigerians must deposit $1 million before commencing business in the country. This is a failure of leadership in this country.”
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Reps probe NPC over 2006 census
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives is to probe the National Population Commission (NPC) on the utilisation of funds for the 2006 national census.
Committee Chairman Solomon Adeola said NPC must account for funds released for the last census.
The lawmakers also seek to probe NPC’s inability to account for N2.2billion over a period of five years.
The Debt Management Office (DMO) made the releases through the Service Wide Vote to the NPC between 2005 and 2012 as captured by the queries of the auditor general’s report.
The auditor general financial queries showed that in 2005, N908,620,272.00 was released to the NPC; in 2006, it got N32,234,372.00, and N163,689,142.00 in 2009.
In 2011, NPC received N159,052,699.40, while it got N902,403,124.00 in 2012.
Adeola said the NPC had to be investigated, following the claim of its Acting Chairman, Emmanuel Attah, that N1.6 billion was received during the period.
Saying the balance of N400 million would be recovered by the committee, Adeola advised the commission to respond to the over 40 queries raised against it in the auditor general’s report.
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Reps to investigate telecom operators
The House of Representatives on Thursday mandated its Committee on Communications to investigate alleged unwholesome practices by telecommunication operators in Nigeria.
The committee is expected to submit its findings within four weeks.
The resolution is sequel to a motion jointly sponsored by Eddie Mbadiwe (PDP-Imo) and Frank Enokorogha (PDP-Delta) and adopted without debate.
According to Mbadiwe, the companies have raked in millions of naira as innocent citizens who have not subscribed to some of their sales promotions are being charged without authorization.
He said the companies had also refused such citizens credit refunds when demanded.
Mbadiwe said if the trend was not checked, Nigerians would continue to lose their hard earned money without hope of any redress.
The House also mandated its Committee on Information to intervene in the rift between the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN).
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the committee is expected to report its findings to the House within one month.