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Tag: Senate president

  • IPOB, devolution of powers, others top Senate discussion

    IPOB, devolution of powers, others top Senate discussion

    The Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives resumed on Monday after over two months recess. The national lawmakers are resuming at a time the that country has pressing national issues to address.

    Divergent views have been expressed on various issues by stakeholders including the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers were scheduled to resume on September 19 but the massive repair work going on at the Assembly complex forced the management to extend the resumption date by one week. Members of the two chambers of the National Assembly proceeded on annual vacation on July 27.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, is expected to deliver an address to welcome his colleagues back to chamber for legislative business.

    Saraki’s address, no doubt, will touch on some burning issues and ex-ray how far the Senate has complied with its legislative agenda.

    The caucuses of various zones are also expected to meet to articulate issues dear to them.

    Some of the burning issues that are likely to dominate discussions in the upper chamber include the agitation for devolution of powers to states also tagged restructuring.

    The activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) the proscription of the group and its classification as a terrorist organization by the Federal Government are expected to be discussed by the lawmakers.

    Senate President has already set the tone of discussion of IPOB when he described that proscription and the classification of IPOB as a terrorist organization as a terrorist organization as unconstitutional.

    Some of the lawmakers seem uncomfortable with the position of Saraki and are ready to state their positions.

    However, those close to Saraki said that the position the Senate President took on the proscription and classification of IPOB as a terrorist organization remained his personal opinion which informed why he personally signed the statement conveying his position.

    Following the fire and fury that attended National Assembly rejection of the proposal for devolution of powers to states, Saraki promised that the issue would be re-visited.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, also said that an avenue could be created to reconsider the power devolution clause.

    That majority of Nigerians are anxiously waiting to see the controversial clause would be re-visited is not in doubt. What is in doubt, however, is how the proponents of devolution of powers will win over senators and House of Representative members who are bent to ensure that the power devolution clause did not see the light of the day.

    The 2018 budget is another issue that expected to dominate discussion in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    The Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) that will outline the revenue outlay and financial projections for the 2018 Fiscal year is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly immediately the lawmakers resume.

    The consideration of the MTEF and FSP has in the past formed a source of friction and disagreement between the Presidency and the Legislature.

    The performance of the 2017 budget will also be x-rayed by the two chambers.

    Some outstanding issue including the approval of virement to complete important projects as requested by the Presidency, will also be considered and approved by the lawmakers especially when some road projects are said to have been abandoned by contractors due to lack of funds.

    Before commencement of recess in July, Saraki hinted of the need to reshuffle standing committees to make them effective and functional. It is expected that rearrangement of the committees will be one of the issues lined up by the Senate President.

    The resumption of suspended former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, is another issue before the Senate.

    Ndume was suspended for six months for raising issues concerning alleged certificate forgery against Senator Dino Melaye and purchase of exotic car by Saraki without investigation.

    The Borno South lawmaker has served out his suspension and appears to be ready to resume his legislative duties.

    Ndume is, however challenging his suspension in court.

  • Abdulsalami, Tambuwal, Mark others canvass unity, love for country

    Abdulsalami, Tambuwal, Mark others canvass unity, love for country

    Eminent Nigerians including former Head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal and the immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark, took stock of the emerging challenges of nation hood and submitted that the peace, unity and security of the country must not be compromised.

    The former Head of State,  Tambuwal , Mark, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),  General Gabriel  Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) , General Tukur Bruratai and  former COAS , General Alwali Kazir  said at the weekend  in Kaduna that every strategic step must be taken to protect and preserve the corporate entity of Nigeria.

    A statement by the Media Assistant to Senator Mark, Paul Mumeh, said that the leaders spoke separately against the back drop of incessant agitations by some sections of the country at the 50th anniversary of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 3rd Regular Course of 1967.

    It said that General Abubakar who was the special guest of honour at the golden jubilee dinner, told the Military officers that in or out of office, they must make the security, unity and peace of Nigeria the corner stone of all their endeavours.

    The former head of state was quoted to have said that the country has made enough sacrifice in the past to keep the nation one saying “Whatever needs to be done to ensure peace, good neighborliness, unity, equity and justice to all must be done”.

    On his part, Senator Mark wassaid to have recalled their conviction on entering into the  foremost Nigeria military institution  in  September 1967 to include  but not limited to patriotism to defend and protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria .

    That conviction, Senator Mark stated, still binds them even after their retirement, insisting  “We promised to be patriotic and continue to put the love of country above self at all times”.

    Governor Tambuwal, the statement said, expressed appreciation to members of the Armed forces for their tireless war against insurgents especially in the North East “where they are daily giving their lives to secure freedom for our people “.

    He urged them to remain steadfast and a shining example of patriotism and unity in diversity.

    It said that General Olonisakin thanked the retired officers for making their professional experiences available to the younger generation in its noble task of safeguarding the territorial integrity of our country and in responding to contemporary  threats to national security .

    General Kazir maintained that leaders must be fair and firm to ensure that no group or individual would feel a sense of neglect in the scheme of things.

    In the anniversary lecture titled: “the role of the military in a democracy,” Col.  Paul Ogbebor , a former commanding officer 3 ,  Signal Regiment of the Nigerian Army  advocated for continuos training of the Armed forces in line with modern trend in order to be able to protect  the nation.

    Highlight of the anniversary was the unanimous reelection of Senator Mark as the Chairman of the NDA 3rd Regular Course Alumni Association for the next two years.

  • 2017 budget over bloated, says NILS DG

    2017 budget over bloated, says NILS DG

    Director General, National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), Dr. Ladi Hamalai, Wednesday faulted the over N7 trillion national budget of the Federal Government for the 2017 fiscal year.

    The NILS boss said that there was no reason why the budget should be as high as N7 trillion when the revenue projection was a little N4 trillion.

    The Federal Government ear marked N7.44 trillion for the 2017 fiscal year.

    Hamalai who spoke at a media interaction on “Reforming the budget process in Nigeria” noted that the 2017 budget should have been at most N5 trillion in line with revenue projection for the fiscal year.

    The DG wondered the logic that informed adopting a budget of over N7 trillion when the revenue projection did not support the figure.

    Over bloated budget, she said, is the reason capital budget is hardly implemented.

    The DG said that over the years the implementation of the capital budget had remained at about 8.1 per cent.

    She insisted that it is obvious that the gap between the amount appropriated to be spent and the projected revenue too large to be bridged.   

    Lamenting that the country still has a long way to go in perfecting its budget process, the DG said that there is too wide gap between budget projection and available resources.

    The DG also faulted the consideration of budget as a political tool rather than an instrument for development.

    She said, “Although government budget is very important tool of economic management and promoting growth and development, it has not generally met the expectations of improved service delivery and development in Nigeria unlike in most other countries.

    The situation has given rise to the compelling need for a comprehensive reform of the budget process to address the various flaws and challenges bedeviling the nation’s budgeting system in tandem with the current dynamics.

    In line with this, the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki inaugurated a technical committee on budget reforms to produce a budget reform strategy and draft reform bill.”

     She listed weak revenue base, late enactment of budget, limited realism of the budget, untimely and irregular release of funds, preponderance of unplanned projects, weak implementation capacity on the part of MDAs and weak budget monitoring by the executive and poor legislative oversight, as part of the problems hindering capital budget implementation.

    She noted that stakeholders have expressed concerns about oversight performance by the National Assembly.

    Speaking specifically about the 2017, she said that the late submission of the 2017 budget did not help matters.

    She also identified weak linkage between the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the 2017 budget.

    According to Hamalai, “Despite being a recession budget, the content of the budget does not differ from previous budgets-; it is characterized by opaqueness, frivolous spending, inadequate prioritization to mobilize resources to critical sectors such as health, education and infrastructure.

    “In some countries all non-essential spending and third party contracts were completely done away with.”

    The NILS DG also highlighted lack of continuity segmentation in capital projects which leads to opaqueness

    She said that Nigeria could adopt 25 per cent annually for heavy projects while light projects could be budgeted for within one year.

    The NILS DG who said that the fragmentation resources continue in the 2017 budget said that resources should be aggregated to key projects rather than diffused.

    The problem, she said, will persist as long as the current budget template subsists.

    The NILS DG acknowledged that undoubtedly the 2017 budget is a significant improvement on the 2016 budget with drastic cuts on wasteful spending.

     “However, more can be done to limit spending on controllable expenditure particularly during recession. This underscores the need for economic frugality as espoused by the APC led government of President Muhammadu Buhari.”  

  • Eid-El-Kabir: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Mark seek rededication to nation building

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and former Senate President, David Mark, have expressed felicitation to Muslim faithful on the occasion of celebration of Eid-El-Kabir.

    While Saraki, called on all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the dreams and aspirations of building a strong, united, economically sound and politically stable country, Ekweremadu called for sacrifice and unity.

    Senator Mark on his part, sought for peace and justice in the country.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, felicitated with Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid- El-Kabir, while urging all Nigerians irrespective of religion to use the occasion to pray for the greater glory of the country.

    He stated that the Muslim festival which falls on Jummat day (Friday) is unique as it carries a dual promise that all prayers offered during the Eid and Jummat have a double assurance of bringing Allah’s blessing to Muslim faithful and their country.

    “It is significant that the Eid-El-Kabir and Jummat will be celebrated in one day,” Saraki said. “This tells us that all prayers offered during this solemn day will no doubt command double mercies of Allah towards us all.”

    He called on all Muslims to seek Allah’s grace for the peace, unity, security and economic development of the country.

    He equally enjoined Nigerians to pray for the good health of President Muhammadu Buhari and God’s guidance for all persons in positions of authority – from the Presidency to the wards – as well as all those directing affairs in the private sector of the economy.

    “This is a time we must be our brothers’ keeper by sharing our worldly goods with them. This is a time we must pray for our leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari and all those saddled with the responsibilities of leadership at all levels in our country.

    “With prayers, I have no doubt that God will inspire and guide our leaders to initiate and sustain policies and programmes that would guarantee peace, security, economic growth, political stability and social cohesion in our nation,” the President of the Senate stated.

    Saraki said he has no doubt that this year would witness the strong rebound of the nation’s economy and that the positive effects will trickle down to individual homes and help citizens to realize their goals and aspirations.

    “Therefore, I call on all our brothers and sisters, fellow Nigerians, to be law abiding and support the present administration in its bid to tackle the problems of insecurity, unemployment, corruption and underperforming economy. I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters a peaceful, rewarding and blessed Eid-El-Kabir. May Allah accept our supplications”, he stated.

    Ekweremadu enjoined Nigerians to eschew all forms of recrimination and imbibe self-sacrifice, forgiveness and other higher virtues that promote national unity and development.

    Ekweremadu said: “I congratulate our Muslim brethren on this occasion of Eid el-Kabir. This season of conviviality presents another opportunity to reflect on our national challenges and the way forward.

    “No nation realises its full potentials without equity, justice, unity, and peaceful co-existence. I enjoin the Muslim Umah and indeed all of us to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, and love that the season represents in order to move the nation forward”.

    While also enjoining the Muslim Umah to cease the opportunity of the Sallah to recommit the nation into God’s hand, the Deputy President of the Senate wished the Muslim Umah a merry and hitch-free Eid el-Kabir celebration.

    Mark once again canvassed for justice, righteousness and peaceful coexistence between and among Nigerians.

    Senator Mark in a goodwill message to Nigerians on the celebration of this year’s Sallah said only a harmonious and peaceful coexistence could guarantee meaningful development.

    Apparently concerned about recent out burst from different regions agitating for self-independence within the existing geopolitical entity, Sen. Mark cautioned against any action or utterances capable of threatening the indivisibility of Nigeria.

    He said Nigeria as a nation has over the years weathered the storm of socio-economic and political challenges pointing out that it will be unnecessary and ridiculous to ignite another storm.

    Sen. Mark however admitted that the current political and constitutional arrangement may not be perfect but “with collective will and understanding of all stakeholders, we can gradually address the perceived imbalances without spilling the beans”

    He therefore tasked authorities at all levels to begin forthwith a peace building mechanism between and among various groups so that the present misconceptions in some quarters would not snow ball into a bigger crises.

    He reminded aggrieved persons that there are existing legitimate channels including the judiciary and the national assembly where groups or individuals could leverage on to seek redress of perceived wrong doings instead of resort to self-help.

    For Sen. Mark, Nigeria is a big brother in Africa and a respectable player in the world affairs and cannot be seen to be doing things in the opposite direction.

    The former Senate president craved for a just and egalitarian society where every citizen is free to pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country without fear of intimidation or molestation.

     

  • ACTDF’S ‘Unleash Your Talent 2017’ to hold grand finale on Sept 8

    ACTDF’S ‘Unleash Your Talent 2017’ to hold grand finale on Sept 8

    The stage is finally set for the grand finale of the ‘Unleash Your Talent 2017’ of African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF)’s Unleash Your Talent 2017, an initiative that seeks to discover talents in singing, dancing and acting.

    The event has been scheduled for September 8, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, president of the foundation, Noah Dallaji, said the show will give hope to young Nigerians in despair; while integrating them for the purpose of nation building.

    He expressed optimism that the grand finale would afford participants the chance to celebrate life and enjoy it to the fullest.

    “When we see our efforts impact positively on the needy and watch them, in turn, use their God given talents to influence the larger society positively, we become satisfied,” he said.

    He explained that the foundation had continued through thick and thin to uplift human lives in a most spectacular and humane way across the nation and beyond the shores of Africa.

    He added that while the foundation scouts for talents and help in developing same, it believes that harnessing human resources could help improve all aspects of tourism.

    Dallaji said the foundation would use its participation at the summit to showcase the potentials in Nigerian youths to the world.

    He said the winners would also join the foundation on a trip to New York for the United Nations (UN) summit later in September.

    Dallaji said the first and second runners up at the grand finale would get varied contracts in their respective fields worth millions of naira and cash prizes.

    Some of the celebrities expected at the event include ACTDF’s ambassadors- Ejike Asiegbu, Emeka Rollas, Tonto Dikeh, Thelma Okoduwa Ojiji, Lilian Esoro, Alex Usifo, Kate Henshaw, Marvelous Benji, Black Solo, Faze, Yemi Blaq and Sound Sultan among others.

    Also expected at the occasion is the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike who is going to host the massive guests expected in the state on the said date.

  • Saraki, Ben Murray-Bruce, others grace Gbenga Makanjuola’s 50th birthday

    Saraki, Ben Murray-Bruce, others grace Gbenga Makanjuola’s 50th birthday

    In soccer circles, everyone is dazzled by the magical feats of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. But without the trainers and coaches to grease the wheels, so to speak, and without the teammates who provide the platform for these super athletes to excel, there would be no Messi or Ronaldo. The same situation applies to politics.

    A politician of the stature of Senate President Bukola Saraki is dependent on his backroom staff to keep things running smoothly. One of them is his Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Gbenga Makanjuola, who recently turned 50. It is a measure of his importance to the Senate President that he dragged some principal officers of the Senate, like Ben Murray-Bruce and Dino Melaye, among others, to the venue of Makanjuola’s birthday celebration.

    Although it was a modest affair, Hon Makanjuola was undoubtedly delighted to host to such big names on a landmark occasion in his life. Amid the cutting of the birthday cake and exultant refrains of “Happy Birthday”, he was the very picture of ecstasy as he profusely thanked all the guests for gracing him with their presence.

  • N40bn double pay: SERAP asks Saraki to return pension to state treasury

    N40bn double pay: SERAP asks Saraki to return pension to state treasury

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has also urged the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to publicly donate to charities of his choice all pensions and allowances collected from the Kwara state government.

    Alternatively, the organisation urged him to refund such emoluments received as former governor of the state to public treasury.

    The organization also asked the Senate President to initiate the process of such refund to the treasury by putting pressure on the governor of Kwara state Mr Abdulfatah Ahmed and the state house of assembly to move swiftly to abolish the law that has facilitated the payment of the unjust pensions in the first place.

    In a statement issued yesterday, SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni said the organization welcomed  Saraki’s decision to stop receiving pensions from Kwara state, where he was the governor between 2003 and 2011.

    It urged him to join the campaign to end the unjust, unfair and discriminatory practice of providing life pensions to former governors and to abolish laws that make this possible.

    Saraki had told a forum in Abuja on Tuesday, that he wrote a letter to the state government to stop the payment of the pension “the moment I saw that SERAP allegation.”

    He said, “No, I’m not collecting pension; the moment I saw that allegation, I wrote to my state to stop my pension.”

    The organization, in its reaction to the development said; “It’s good news that Dr Saraki has publicly made known that he has stopped drawing pensions from Kwara state.

    “We hope that other public officials still receiving double emoluments will follow Dr Saraki’s example and renounce such practice.

    “We also urge the Senate President to publicly commit to donating to charities of his choice all pensions and allowances he has so far collected or to such emoluments to the public treasury.”

    SERAP therefore asked the Senate President to use his leadership position to urgently facilitate a resolution by the National Assembly condemning the practice and laws on double pay and life pensions for former governors now serving public officials; urging state assemblies to abolish such laws; and calling on those that have received such emoluments to return them to the public treasury.

    SERAP urged him to work with the organization to put meaningful pressure on other states to abolish their unfair and discriminatory life pension’s laws as well as on serving senators and ministers who continue to receive double emoluments to end the practice and return all the emoluments they have so far received to the public treasury.

    It would be recalled that SERAP had last week in an open letter called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to within seven dayschallenge the legality of states’ laws allowing former governors to draw life pensions from their states.

    The letter dated  July 14, 2017 read in part: “Public interest is not well served when government officials such as former governors, deputies supplement their emoluments in their current positions with life pensions and emoluments drawn from their states’ meagre resources, and thereby prioritising their private or personal interests over and above the greatest happiness of the greatest number.”

    “By signing such double emoluments and large benefits laws which they knew or ought to know that they would be beneficiaries, these former governors have abused their entrusted public functions and positions, and thereby obtained an undue advantage, contrary to article 19 of the UN Convention against Corruption.

    “These states’ laws allowing former governors to receive life pensions either now or in the future have a discriminatory purpose that involves intent to discriminate against ordinary workers and pensioners. Such laws enhance the economic status of public officials and their families at the expense of the citizens that they are elected to serve, have no legitimacy at all, and cannot be justified either on legal or moral grounds.

    “SERAP is concerned that such laws have either the purpose or the effect of denying the citizens their right to the enjoyment of their commonwealth, and as such, prolonging the existing and entrenched poverty-gaps across the country. The implementation of these laws will continue to lock the citizens, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable groups, into lives of deprivation and hopelessness.

    “SERAP holds the firm view that there are clear casual and consequential links between implementation of unfair life pensions’ laws for former governors and violation of human dignity of citizens. Such laws deprive citizens of resources, capabilities, freedoms and choices necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living and sustainable livelihood.

    “The abolition of such laws therefore is a necessary first step towards delivering on the constitutional promise of equal protection and equal benefit of the law for a distressingly large number of Nigerians. Otherwise, public officials will remain seriously out of touch with a major source of poverty and discrimination in the country,” it added.

     

  • Senators to fast-track NFIU

    Senators to fast-track NFIU

    A bill which aims to separate the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) scaled first reading in the Senate yesterday.

    This is coming less than 24 hours after the upper chamber raised the alarm over the suspension of Nigeria by the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Unit.

    The Bill, sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North), seeks to create autonomous NFIU, which will not be domiciled in the EFCC.

    The move to create an independent NFIU is line with the demand of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Unit which had given the country December 2017 deadline to comply or risk expulsion from the group.

    The Senate had on Wednesday debated the suspension of Nigeria from the Egmont Group for failing to grant autonomy to the NFIU.

    The upper chamber declared its intention to give an accelerated hearing to the Bill to ensure that the NFIU becomes independent before the December 2017 deadline given by Egmont Group.

    Shortly after the Bill scaled first reading, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, directed the Business and Rules Committee to ensure that the Bill was scheduled for Second Reading on Tuesday next week.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi told reporters that the Senate does not want anybody to doubt the supportive role of the upper chamber to the fight against corruption in the country.

    The Senate Abdullahi said, has its own input to make to ensure the success of the anti-graft war.

    He noted that for any anti-graft agency to succeed in its task, it must share intelligence report with sister agencies in the world.

    He said: “Our worry is that Nigeria was suspended from the Egmont Group basically because NFIU has not been granted autonomy and still domiciled in EFCC. The essence of it is that in sharing intelligence, there are protocols that must be respected. The Senate is committed to ensuring that the right thing is always done. We must be proactive. If you strengthen the NFIU you are strengthening other intelligence units in the country.”

  • Multi-national firms in breach of local content law, says Senate

    Multi-national firms in breach of local content law, says Senate

    The Senate said Tuesday that most multi-national companies operating in the country have failed to substantially comply with the provisions of the Local Content Act.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, stated this as upper chamber began the investigation of the implementation of local content in the country’s oil and gas industry.

    Senate joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Gas Resources was saddled with the responsibility of the probe.

    Saraki,  who inaugurated the investigation said that the National Assembly was concerned with the poor level of implementation of local content in the country.

    Represented by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Saraki said that “most multi nationals are yet to substantially comply with the provisions of the law.’’

    The Senate President noted that under the Nigeria oil and gas Industry Content Development Act, investors were mandated to consider Nigerian companies as an important element in their project development and management.

    He said, “The Nigeria content in this context refers to firms registered in Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of the Companies and other Allied Matters Act.

    “The National Assembly is challenged to ensure that the oil and gas industry provides an avenue where more jobs and opportunities are given to qualified local experts in the industry.

    “We are here to discuss to know where we are today in the implementation of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act since it was enacted in 2010.

    “We are also here to know where we have made progress and identify the gaps and where we need help to up the game.’’

    Saraki said that it was obvious a rich local content was one of the most efficient ways to stimulate the economy for a multiplier effect in different sectors.

    He noted that to achieve that, a full implementation of the act was necessary, stressing that it would help in creating employment among other benefits.

    Chairman, Senate on Petroleum (Upstream) Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, assured that the joint committee was determined to finding a lasting solution to the problem.

    Alasoadura said that the Senate at its sitting on September 27, 2016, mandated the joint committee to carry out an extensive investigation into the level of compliance by multi- national companies in the industry.

    He said, “The senate arising from a debate on the need to ascertain the degree of local content in Nigeria oil and gas industry, mandated the committee to determine compliance with the  Act by industry operators.’’

    Engr. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, told the committee that the board had made tremendous progress since enactment of the Act in 2010.

    Wabote said the board was currently implementing a 10 year strategic roadmap anchored on delivering five pillars of sustainable local content.

    He noted that the board had a target of achieving 70 per cent local content in the next ten years.

    He said, “A lot has been achieved in terms of local content development. It is a key pillar for our nation’s development. A lot has also been done to get the agency to its enviable position.

    “Part of it is to develop the required technical capability and also to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of the provisions of the act.

    “The other pillar is to enable business environment in order that investors will be attracted to Nigeria to invest.

    `”Then most importantly is to enhance the organisational capability of the board to carry out its mandate and ultimately create sectorial and regional market,’’ he said.

    He added that the board has set up the Nigeria Content Development Fund Account and has mobilised stakeholders towards remittance of one per cent of contracts awarded.

    He said that the agency monitored Nigeria content compliance and applied sanctions to defaulting companies in line with Section 68 of the Act, among other achievements.

    “Nigeria content has recorded 6 million training man hours since the inception of the act.

    `”Out of 20 billion dollars spent in the industry from five percent participation, we have been able get back 5 billion dollars into the country and we desire to increase sales to 15 billion dollars in 2027.

    “Before the act, all marine activities in the industry were in the hands of experts outside this country.

    “Today we have been able to get back 36 per cent of those marine activities for equitable participation of Nigerians and established about six world class fabrication facilities.

    “So, today Nigeria is able to handle 60,000 metric tonnes of fabrication capacity in the country. This was at zero level before the enactment of the act.

    “All electrical cables used in the oil and gas operations are manufactured in Nigeria and we are able to manufacture 670,000 of metric tonnes of pipes today,’’ he said.

    The executive secretary said before the act came into being seven years ago, all fabrications, engineering and procurement activities were done outside the country.

    He further said the development had resulted in a capital flight of 380 billion dollars from Nigeria in the past fifty years.

    He added that the capital flight necessitated the exporting of jobs that would have been made available for Nigerians, leading to loss of 2 million jobs.

    “There was high unemployment rate due to the dearth of skills and the total local content utilisation before the enactment of the act was put at just five per cent.

    “That was when the government decided to intervene seeing the way the industry was going and it culminated in putting in place the Nigerian Content Act of 2010.

    “The main goal of the act is to develop the capacity of local supply chain for effective and efficient service within the oil and gas industry without compromising standards.

    “It is also aimed at enhancing development and inclusion of Nigerian services and manpower,’’ he said.

     

  • Senate, Customs settle rift

    Senate, Customs settle rift

    • Smuggling our greatest undoing, says Saraki

    The lingering crisis of confidence between the Senate and the leadership of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) may have been laid to rest.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Monday gave the Comptroller General of NCS. Col. Hameed Ali, the leeway to “jeans and T-Shirt” to office if that would enable him to tackle and end massive smuggling of goods into the country.

    The Senate had insisted on Ali wearing of Customs’ uniform before he could be accepted in any of its committees.

    Saraki who spoke at an investigative hearing on smuggling in the country, vowed that the Senate would stop at nothing to stamp out all forms of smuggling from Nigeria.

    Talking about the role of the NCS in the battle against smugglers Saraki said, “For the Comptroller General of Customs, let me say on a lighter note, that once you end smuggling, even if you want to wear jeans and T-Shirt, I will move the motion that you should wear jeans and T-Shirt. But on a serious note, this issue is very important. Let us all work towards ending this menace once and for all.”

    Saraki who said that NCS must do whatever it takes to stop smuggling insisted that smugglers must be checked at all cost.

    He described smugglers as the largest economic saboteurs that are ruining the country’s economy who must be identified.

    Underscoring the necessity for the investigative public hearing, Saraki noted that his personal presence along with Senate leader is to underscore the importance that the Senate places on the issue of smuggling.

    He said, “For me personally, it is my view that the singular greatest threat to our economy is this issue of smuggling. The singular greatest threat to the success of our government is this issue of smuggling. The singular greatest threat to the deliverance of the promises made by President Muhammadu Buhari on the diversification of the economy is this issue of smuggling.

    “The level of smuggling that we are seeing cannot continue because they will definitely rubbish all the policies of government if allowed to go on. I am saying that with all sincerity and all level of responsibility and I tell you why.

    “Today, the greatest threat to smallholder farmers is smuggling. Today farmers who have gone to take loans either from the CBN or from commercial banks are being threatened by rice coming in from across the borders which at subsidized rate. The meaning of that is that the imported rice will always be cheaper than those produced by our local farmers.

    “A time will come, if we do not do anything that these farmers will not be able to pay their loans to the banks and these will result in serious crisis. For the banks that have given loans to these farmers, will also have crisis in their hands. And for the Central that has intervened with billions of Naira, again will not be able to recoup their money. The processors who have invested in rice mills at the beginning of this administration will also be threatened if we do not address the issue of rice smuggling. As a country we have invested over $7billion over the last 10 years in stimulating local production.

    “If we do not address the area of smuggling, this investment will go to waste. This is the severity of the issue before us today. There is no institution, whether it is the National Assembly any other institution, in order to support the success of our President we must join to stop smuggling, without it, we should just forget the issue of diversification or agricultural production. We will only pay lip service to issue of agricultural production if we do not address the issue of smuggling and that is why I made it a point to come here personally to drive this message.”

    Saraki also said that individuals behind smuggling of goods into the country must be exposed.

    He said, “There is no government, any serious government that will render itself helpless because we must know the individuals who are doing this smuggling. We must be able to know who they are. Is it that they are larger and bigger than government? Is it that we cannot stop them? Or is it that we don’t want to stop them? Or is that we lack the competence to stop them? These are the questions that we put before us today. We must stop them.”

    He said that the country should sanction officers who are aiding and abating smuggling and as well as reward officers who prevent smuggling.

    On the connection of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Saraki noted that although Nigeria is part of the regional body, “no serious country will allow anything that will ruin its economy at the benefit of its neighboring countries.”