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Tag: Senate president

  • Saraki orders staff audit in National Assembly

    Saraki orders staff audit in National Assembly

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has directed management of the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive staff audit in the National Assembly.
    Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Isa Galaudu in a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, said the measure is aimed at “verifying the skills, efficiency and motivation of the employees of the National Assembly.”
    The letter dated December 16, 2016, entitled, “Carrying out a comprehensive human resource audit in the National Assembly” reads in part: “We have made commendable strides in our continuous endeavour to attain the goals set out in the legislative agenda of the 8th National Assembly.
    “We, however, must continue to deploy clear strategies that meet the challenges facing this institution and capitalise on the strengths that we possess.
    “Even the best strategy will ultimately fail without the right people in the right places to execute it. Thus, it has become apparent that at this juncture one of the true challenges of the National Assembly is human capital.
    “I hereby convey the decision of the President of the Senate that you carry out comprehensive Human Resource audit.
    “You should kindly, therefore engage the services of a reputable consulting firm with adequate Human Resources expertise to carry out a complete review and produce a report verifying the skills, efficiency and motivation of the employees of the National Assembly.
    “Expected outcome of this engagement is a detailed assessment of the nominal roll, succession plan and furthermore to identify possible vacancies, duplications, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, limitations, and developmental needs of the existing organisational structure of the National Assembly.
    “The President of the Senate expects the assessment to be completed within 90 days and progress reports be submitted regularly until completion.”
    The Clerk of the National Assembly in a letter noted that a Committee has already been set up.
    Sani-Omolori said that a “tested and trusted” consultant has been appointed to work closely with the Committee.
    The Clerk added that the committee has been inaugurated with the following terms of reference:
    * To verify and ascertain the actual staff strength of the National Assembly;
    * To determine the current structure and distribution of staff in terms of cadre, spread, etc,;
    * To establish skill gaps or excess capacity (if any) within the workforce;
    * Determine the structure and distribution of staff required for an ideal legislative management system, align it with the current staff status of the National Assembly and  determine an accurate personnel cost thereof;
    * Recommend all such other actions as it deems necessary to ensure an efficient and highly motivated workforce.
    Sani-Omolori said that it was also agreed between the consultant and the Committee that the process should be completed by the end of first quarter of 2017 with the submission of the final report.
  • Saraki pays tribute to late Kure

    Saraki pays tribute to late Kure

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has expressed shock over the death of the former Governor of Niger State, Abdulkadir Kure.

    In a statement signed by Bamikole Omisore, Special Assistant (New Media) to the Senate President,  Saraki described Kure as a man who sacrificed all he had for nation building.

    He said that the death of Kure had left a vacuum that could not be easily filled.

    “I received the shocking news of the demise of a political Icon, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, his demise no doubt leaves a vacuum that cannot be easily filled, “he said.

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    He said that the late Kure was an inspiration for many, especially the downtrodden, adding that his memory and legacy would linger on till eternity.

    The Senate President also commiserated with the family of the late Kure, most especially his Wife, Sen. Zainab Kure, who had also served the country as a Senator.

    Saraki urged the former Senator to take heart and accept the will of God over the shocking death of her husband.

    He prayed Allah to grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus (the best abode in Paradise).

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  • How DSS operatives arrested Saraki’s aide to avert pro-Wike rally

    How DSS operatives arrested Saraki’s aide to avert pro-Wike rally

    Operatives of Department of State Service (DSS) on Thursday arrested the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Youth Matters, Mr. Ikenga Ugochinyere.
     
     The DSS operatives were said to have stormed the Abuja office of Ugochinyere to prevent him from leading a protest rally against the manner the December 10, 2016 legislative rerun election in Rivers State was conducted.
     
    The DSS operatives were said to have broken into Ugochinyere’s office and carted away documents.

    The security operatives who arrived the office in four unmarked Hilux trucks at around 2 am on Thursday allegedly broke into the office.
     
     Ugochinyere who is also the National President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, was reportedly  arrested in the process.

    Competent source noted that the DSS operatives acting on tip off, stormed the office “to stop a protest rally earlier fixed yesterday (Thursday)  by Lawyers in Defence of Democracy.
     
    The source noted that the “operatives came with four Hilux trucks with inscription DSS, SARs.”
     
    He said that the operatives who left in the early hours of Thursday “ left a stern warning that no body should enter the premises.”

    There was also heavy presence of security operatives in some designated areas where the protesting lawyers had indicated interest to visit on Thursday.

     Barrister Ohazuruike Tochukwu, a member of the group claimed that “armed security men suspected to be from DSS in the wee hours of Thursday invaded the office at Suit 29 Shaki plaza area 11 Garki and whisked away Barrister Ugochinyere, his driver and Secretary to unknown destination.”

    Barrister Tochukwu added “This is the private law firm of National President of NYCN. This place was invaded by DSS by 2:am this morning, while the National President and some staff were inside this place.
     
    “The security men guiding this place called us that some DSS men were here and they broke the place and took away the National President, his driver and secretary, one Oguchukwu.
     
    “The security men guiding the plaza said men wearing SARS uniform also came by 6 am after the DSS had left and warned them that no one should enter the office.”

    Asked how he was certain that it was DSS operatives that invaded the office and arrested Ugochinyere, he said” I spoke with Ugochinyere through his driver and they confirmed it was DSS that arrested him.”

    Ugochinyere, a special adviser to Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Youth Affairs was in May  this year arrested and detained by DSS for one month and later released without any charge.

    An Abuja High Court later awarded N20 million compensation to Ugochinyere for wrongful detention and damages, a ruling the DSS had appealed.

    Ugochinyere and his group were to stage a protest rally yesterday at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarter in connection with investigation into the violence in the River rerun election.
  • 2017 Budget will be passed in good time – Saraki

    2017 Budget will be passed in good time – Saraki

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Thursday promised that the 2017 Budget will be passed in good time, unlike the experiences with past budgets.

    President Mohammadu Buhari is expected to lay the proposal before the joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Saraki said that much consultations have been carried out on the soon to be presented 2017 Budget proposals.

    According to him, the National Assembly is ready to receive the President as soon as communication is received from the Executive.

    He also said that the issues concerning the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) will soon be resolved.

    He said: “We are ready. Once the document comes to us, we are ready. I think this time around, a lot of work has taken place behind the scene, there is a lot of more collaboration and you will see the result of that in the time frame it will take after the president will have presented it.

    “I came for consultation with the President on a number of national issues. We are all getting towards the end of the year, getting the budget. Just regular consultation,” he stated.

    On MTEF, he said: “That is still a work in progress. I am sure that very soon, that matter will be concluded. But I am very optimistic that this year’s budget will be passed much more sooner than what we saw in the past.”

    Asked if he can give details about the budget, he said: “Well, I haven’t seen the details until the president lays it. I am sure within the next ten days, it will be presented

    He maintained that the decamping of a lawmaker on the floor of the Senate was democracy at work.

    “It is democracy at work. The opposition party has its views about the defection of a senator to the APC. Normalcy has been restored to the house and we are one family again,” he said.

  • Senate President removed my name, says Buhari’s NCC nominee

    A row has broken over the Senate’s decision to drop Mr. Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla, nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari as a Non-Executive Commissioner to represent the Southsouth in the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).
    Obla claims that Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki unilaterally overturned his confirmation. But the Senate says he was never confirmed.
    On August 3, Obla was nominated by the President as a Non-Executive Commissioner to represent the Southsouth in the NCC.
    His name and others’ were sent to the Senate.
    Obono-Obla blamed his travails on two senators from his Cross River State, Senators John Enoh (Cross River Central) and Gershom Bassey (Cross River South).
    Obla is also a Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution attached to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
    The Senate, which felt uncomfortable with the insinuation that Obla’s confirmation was upturned, urged “those peddling these half truths to avail themselves of the proceedings to confirm if the nominee was rightly cleared by the Senate or not”.
    Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi gave the clarification in a statement in Abuja.
    He said: “The attention of the Senate has been drawn to reports to the effect that the Senate has dropped a nominee of Mr. President, Mr. Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla, as a non-executive commissioner on the Governing Board of the NCC after he was purportedly cleared by the Senate.
    “For the avoidance of doubt, the nomination of Mr. Obla was never confirmed or voted for since no decision of the Senate is said to be approved if not adopted during the consideration of the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate at the next legislative day.
    “The Senate also wishes to note that the business of the Senate can only be binding when the votes and proceedings have been adopted and approved without any objection.
    “The implication of the directive by the Senate President to the Secretariat is that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai’s observation or correction was correct and therefore the Votes and Proceedings should be amended to reflect the true situation.
    “On that fateful day, November 22, 2016, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, objected to the alleged confirmation of the nominee, saying, “My name is Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai representing Borno Central Senatorial District. Mr. President, what is actually reported in the Votes and Proceedings is not a true reflection of what transpired on Thursday with regards to the confirmation of one of the commissioners under NCC, Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla. The decision then was a resounding nay. So, because of that, it was a mistake. ”
    “Responding to the observation made by Senator Garbai, the Senate President said, ‘secretariat, take note’.
    “The Senate hereby calls on those who are peddling these half-truths to avail themselves of the proceedings of the Senate on the above stated dates to confirm if the nominee was rightly cleared by the Senate or not.”
    The popular thinking is that Obla’s travails may not be unconnected with his appearance before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on July 30, 2016, where he represented the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami.
    Malami was invited by the Senate to explain why he filed charges against Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, over the alleged forgery of the Senate Rules book.
    Obla told members of the committee headed by Senator David Umaru that the Senate lacked the power to summon the minister.
    Obono-Obla was later walked out of the hearing room. He went outside to insist that the Senate had no power to summon any minister.
    The altercation between members of the committee and Obla did not go down well with the Senate in plenary.
    Obono-Obla asked: “Can the Senate President unilaterally overrule the confirmation of a nominee by the Senate?”
    He claimed that he was “successfully screened by the Senate Committee on Communications on the October 19, 2016”.
    He added: “On the November 17, 2016, the report of the Senate Committee was presented before the Plenary Session of the Senate by the Chair, Senator Gilbert Emeka Nnaji.
    “In the report, the committee cleared Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (Chairman); Sunday Dare (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management); Clement Omeiza Baiye (Non-Executive Commissioner); Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (Non-Executive Commissioner) and Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla (Non-Executive Commissioner).
    “The committee rejected the nominations of Aliyu Saidu Abubakar and Pastor Ezekiel Yissa and elaborately gave reasons why.
    “Consequently, the Senate unanimously confirmed the following thus: Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (Chairman); Sunday Dare (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management); Clement Omeiza Baiye (Non-Executive Commissioner); Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (Non-Executive Commissioner) and Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla (Non-Executive Commissioner). This was graphically captured in the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in pages 880-891 of Thursday November 17, 2016.
    “In the same vein, the Senate rejected the nominations of Aliyiu Saidu Abubakar and Pastor Ezekiel Yissa.
    “The entire major electronic and print media organs in the country on November 17th & 18th , 2016, carried the confirmation by the Senate of the Board of NCC.
    “Surprisingly and curiously, the Senate President , in a letter dated November 22, 2016 to President Muhammadu Buhari titled:
    “Confirmation of Appointments) falsely stated that the Senate did not confirm the following nominees thus: Aliyu Saidu Abubakar; Pastor Ezekiel Yissa and Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla.
    “It was reliably gathered after the confirmation of Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla; the Senate President was put under intense pressure by two PDP Senators from Cross River State; John Owan Eno (Cross River Central) and Gershom Bassey (Cross River South), which the Senate President balked.
    “The two senators from Cross River blackmailed and fed the Senate President with lies concerning Chief Obono-Obla, who is from Cross River State. The duo told the Senate President that Obono-Obla is behind his legal travails.”

  • Senate position on $29.9bn loan sacrosanct, says Saraki

    Senate position on $29.9bn loan sacrosanct, says Saraki

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Thursday said that the position of the Senate not to approve the $29.960 billion loan request made by President Muhammad Buhari, remained sacrosanct.

    Saraki said that the National Assembly which he heads as Senate President has taken a position on the issue as required of it by the laws of the land and legislative conventions.

    The Senate President advised politicians and the media to “stop peddling empty speculations about his recent visits to the Presidential Villa and linking such visits to the request by the Buhari administration for approval of the National Assembly to get $29.9bn loan from foreign sources.”

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, noted that in all his recent meetings with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the issue of the proposed loan did not come up for discussion.

    He described as “unfortunate” the comments by some politicians on the loan issue without any factual basis.

    “Like I once told the media, these politically-motivated commentaries are trivialising a serious national issue and presenting it as if it is a personal matter that can be decided at meetings between  Saraki and President Muhammadu Buhari,” Saraki said.

    He added, “The National Assembly which I head as Senate President has taken a position on the issue as required of it by the laws of the land and legislative conventions.

    “At every point, the present National Assembly will make decisions based on national interest and we have vowed that we will always act in the interest of our people. That is why despite the fact that members belong to different parties, when national issues come to the floor we forget about party affiliations and act as Nigerians elected to protect the interest of Nigeria.

    “A visit to the Presidency by the Senate President is a normal thing because we need to consult, discuss, exchange ideas and make suggestions to each other from time to time. More importantly, at this time, when the nation is facing economic crisis, there is need for frequent engagements by the Presidency and the National Assembly.

    “It is in fact very unfortunate that these empty speculations by the media are now forming the basis for commentaries by some politicians who are in a position to be better informed. Politicians should stop playing to the gallery or drawing political capital from all issues.

    “When serious national issues are on ground, we should refrain from making statements based on mere sentiments. Similarly, the media should exercise restraint in their reportage and commentaries in order to properly serve our people.

    “At a time when we are about to prepare a budget which is aimed at responding to the current recession and our plan is to ensure all issues concerning the budget are ironed out before the budget comes to the floor so that we will have a less tedious process than that of last year, the media should be ready to witness more of these engagements between the Presidency and the National Assembly.”

  • Court strikes out suit challenging Saraki’s trial at CCT 

    Court strikes out suit challenging Saraki’s trial at CCT 

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit challenging the propriety of the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole struck out the suit following an oral application by Mrs. H. M. Eken, lawyer to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    At the commencement of proceedings, Mrs. Eken noted that the applicant – Timipa Jenkins Okponipere – was absent in court. She argued that the applicant’s absence was an indication the lack of diligence on his part to prosecute the case.

    Mrs. Eken urged the court not only to strike out the suit, but to also award N20, 000 cost against the applicant.

    Ruling, Justice Kolawole noted that on the previous adjourned date of September 29, 2016 neither the applicant nor the two respondents were in court.

    He noted that although the hearing notices ordered by the court were not served on parties, the fact that the 2nd respondent was in court showed more diligence on the AGF’s part.

    Relying on the provision of Order 19 Rule 15 of the court’s Civil Procedure Rules, the judge struck out the suit.

    He declined to award any cost against the applicant on the ground that there was no evidence that hearing notice was served on the applicant.

    The applicant, who claimed to be “suing as attorney to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki,” listed the CCT and the AGF as respondents in the suit, in which he sought among others, to restrain the respondents from proceeding with Saraki’s trial.

    Okponipere had prayed the court’s declaration that “the plan to resume the trial of Senator Abubakar Saraki at the CCT is a breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    He also prayed for an order compelling the CCT and AGF to suspend indefinitely, any plan to resume the trial at the CCT.

    Among the grounds relied on by the applicant, include that the trial at CCT was commenced at the wrong time; four years after Saraki allegedly committed the offences.

    “Having regard to the aims and objectives of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and its functions in sections 2 and 3 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCBT) Act, Senator Saraki ought to have been prosecuted by the respondents long before he returned to public life again in 2015 as an elected Senator.

    “Indeed, the CCBT Act never contemplated that an incumbent public office holder was already corrupt before he attained public office, otherwise, people like Senator Saraki, who had a case to answer regarding his activities between 2003 and 2011 would not have been permitted to return to public life.

    “However, four years later in 2015 4enator Saraki not only returned to public life as a Senator, he went on to become the President of the Senate, Chairman of the National Assembly and Nigeria’s number three citizen.

    “It is nobody’s fault that the 1st and 2nd respondents were not vigilant enough to stop or prevent Senator Saraki from attaining public office. If truly the respondents were proactive institutions of government, they ought to have prosecuted Senator Saraki immediately after he left office as Governor of Kwara State in 2011, but they never did.

    “The failure, refusal and/or negligence of the respondents to prosecute Senator Saraki for the offences he allegedly committed between 2003 and 2011 before he returned again to public life as a Senator, vitiated all his past alleged misdeeds such that, as of June 8, 2015 when he was inaugurated as a Senator, he was assumed to be a public office holder without blemish in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of the respondents, otherwise they would have long since initiated proceedings against him.

    “The subsequent attempt to put Senator Saraki on trial over offences allegedly committed between 2003 and 2011 are not only tainted with political mischief and desperation, they constitute a breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing,” Okponipere said.

    However, the AGF, in a notice of preliminary objection, faulted the suit and urged the court to dismiss it for lacking in merit.

    The AGF noted that the subject matter of the suit did not fall within the provisions of chapter four of the Constitution, containing the guaranteed fundamental human rights.

    “The appellant lacks the locus to institute this suit on behalf of Senator Saraki in the absence of any legal basis which prevents him (Saraki) from deposing to the affidavit accompanying this application himself.

    “The grant of the applicant’s reliefs will constitute an abuse of court/judicial process having regard to the fact that the subject matter of this suit has been determined by the Supreme Court,” the AGF said.

     

  • Osinbajo, Saraki, governors meet in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo, Saraki, governors meet in Aso Rock

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday met with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and some state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara was also part of the meeting.

    The governors at the closed-door meeting included Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello and Adamawa State Governor, Jubrilla Bindow.

    President Muhammadu Buhari left Abuja on Monday for Morocco to attend the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as COP-22, in Marrakech.

    Before Buhari’s trip out of the country, Saraki had met with him three different times within one week over his request for approval to get $29.9 billion loan.

    The Senate had recently rejected Buhari’s approval request for the loan.

    It also described the 2017 to 2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) forwarded by President Buhari for approval as “empty.”

    The MTEF is yet to be approved by the Senate.

    At the end of the meeting with Osinbajo on Monday, Saraki simply told State House correspondents: “Am sure the VP will issue a statement. But nothing of great alarm. It’s all for good governance, inclusion and collaboration with all arms. The states are here, national assembly executives just came up with ideas on how to make things work even better, that’s all.”

    No official statement on the meeting has been issued at the time of filing this report.

  • Buhari, Saraki meet third time in Aso Rock

    Buhari, Saraki meet third time in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met for the third time within one week with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    They met first last week Friday while the second meeting was on Wednesday after the President met with members of the South East Caucus in the Senate led by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and Eyinnaya Abaribe.

    The third meeting on Friday was held after the Jumaat prayer in the President’s office.

    Just like Wednesday’s meeting, this Friday’s meeting was termed private as State House correspondents were not allowed to cover the meeting.

    The Senate had recently rejected Buhari’s approval request for $29.9 billion loan.

    It also described the 2017 to 2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) forwarded by President Buhari for approval as “empty.”

    The MTEF is yet to be approved by the Senate.

    The Senate President, at the end of last week Friday’s meeting, had told State House correspondents that the issue of the $29.9 billion loan was work in progress.

    Bukola during the encounter also warned Nigerians not to politicise the issue of the loan request.

  • Senate vows to deal with govt agencies violating procurement laws

    Senate vows to deal with govt agencies violating procurement laws

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Thursday threatened that the Senate will take up the case against any ministry, department or agency of government that is violating the Public Procurement law.

    Saraki said that the law compels MDAs to give preference to locally produced goods in country.

    He also asked Senate committee chairmen to ensure in the course of their oversight duties that MDAs complied with the provision of the law on patronage of local manufacturers.

    He urged military and para-military agencies to emulate the Army by procuring items like booths and other needs locally.
    A statement by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Print Media, Chuks Okocha said that the Senate President ‎spoke when members of the Leather and Allied Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State (LEAPMAAS) visited him to express appreciation for the constant support he and the Senate have given to the Buy Made in Nigeria campaign.

    It noted that while responding to the welcome address by the  coordinator of the Association, Chief Ben Hart, Saraki said government spends more than N2 trillion annually in the purchase of goods.

    He said that the aim of the Senate is to ensure that a large chunk of the funds go into the pocket of Nigerian manufacturers.

    He advised local manufacturers to petition the Senate where they feel a government agency is deliberating denying them the opportunity to sell their goods as he said the law making institution was ready to take up such cases.

    He said, “I commend you for your determination and creativity. When I came for your trade fair in Abuja earlier in the year, I promised you that with the support of my colleagues here in the Senate, we will make the campaign to buy Made in Nigeria go beyond a trade fair and become a national agenda for all Nigerians.  Today, we have made it a national project. I also promised you that we will amend the existing law to give your efforts a solid legal backing that will ensure patronage for your products and that of other local manufacturers. That has also been done with the amendment of the Public Procurement Act.

    “I have a promise from the House of Representatives that they will soon pass the same law. Government agencies must necessarily and compulsorily patronise locally made goods.  It has started with order made for booths by the Army.  If the Army are doing that, I also challenge all the other agencies to follow suit. I challenge all the Senate committee chairmen here to ensure that all the other agencies, whether it is Air force, Navy, Customs,  even the Road Safety, Civil Defence, NYSC must follow suit. We should include that as part of the conditions when they come to defend their 2017 budget.  They must show evidence that they patronise and purchase locally made goods.

    “I commend your persistence such that over the years you have been there, giving your support to the growth of the economy government. With little or no assistance, you continued to demonstrate that you have the capacity to produce different high quality goods for the use of Nigerians.

    “This is a very big agenda that we are promoting. I want to thank my colleagues and let me remind you that we have kept our promises, so you should not disappoint us. You must improve on the quality of the goods. You must deliver the orders made on time as agreed with clients. If you look at the budget of all these agencies, it is enough for you to increase your production and that will make Nigeria to take over the market in some of the West African region.

    “On our own part, this is an agenda we believe in, we will continue to support you”, the Senate President re-assured the Aba based manufacturers while adding that one of the major panacea for the present economic recession in the country is to encourage locally manufactured goods to save foreign exchange, generate employment and increase the nation’s gross domestic product.”

    It quoted leader of the delegation Hart to have said that they were at the National Assembly to commend the Senate President, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe and other Senators for their support in promoting the Made in Aba goods.

    He said, “We are here to express our gratitude for your support and show appreciation on this Made in Nigeria Project. Today, we confer on you the title of the Ambassador of Made in Aba goods. We also commend Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and the entire Senate for supporting the passage of the amendment to the Public Procurement Act. By this singular action, you and the Senate have institutionalized the Buy Made in Nigeria campaign.

    “We commend you for your tireless propagation and advocacy for Made in Aba goods. We use this opportunity to assure you and the Senate that we shall continue to improve on the quality of Made in Aba and indeed Made in Nigeria goods. Goods produced in Aba are indeed of high quality. There is nothing that can be manufactured elsewhere which cannot be produced in Aba.”