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Tag: Senate

  • Senate set to save poultry sector, says Saraki

    Senate set to save poultry sector, says Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has assured the National Assembly will intervene with legislations and other policies to save the nation’s poultry farmers.

    Many of them, he lamented, were suffering from unfair competition by smugglers of imported products, lack of access to cheap funds and unfriendly policies, which inhibit growth.

    Saraki spoke at the weekend during a tour of Shonga Commercial Farms project in Edu Local Government Area in the northern part of Kwara State where displaced Zimbabwean Farmers operate on a large scale in Nigeria.

    He said the Senate will do everything to help big and small time poultry farmers to survive so that they can contribute to nation’s drive for self- sufficiency in food production.

    Saraki was accompanied by Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Senator Abdullahi Adamu who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Senator Shaba Lafiagi.

    He said there was no reason for local poultry farmers not to take over the West African sub-regional market and supply it with quality products.

    He congratulated the owners of the Valentine Chicken, which produces 4000 birds per day for their belief in Nigeria.

    “The Senate will work to save the sector against all the factors militating against its growth.

    “We know that apart from providing cheap protein for our people and earning foreign exchange for us, we can also use the poultry industry to develop allied areas like maize and soya beans farming so as to supply feeds for the birds.

    “What we have been told is that all the maize and soya beans grown in Kwara State is not sufficient to feed the Valentine Poultry feed mills.

    “Our people can earn more money by increasing production as they are sure of ready market,” he said.

    Emefiele said the apex bank will support the farmers with N2 billion agriculture loan facility at 9 percent interest rate to support their expansion plan.

    He praised the farmers for their belief in Nigeria as demonstrated in their desire to invest and stay in a remote part of the country.

     

  • NASS has nothing against Magu – Sen. Gobir

    NASS has nothing against Magu – Sen. Gobir

    Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (APC-Sokoto)  on Saturday said the Senate has nothing against the Economic and Financial ‎Crimes Commission (EFCC) acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, explaining that it is purely  an executive issue and not the National Assembly.

    The lawmaker said the National Assembly only acted in line with the principle  of separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria, stressing that NASS should not ‎be seen as responsible for the happenings.

    Gobir, who shed  more light on the matter while speaking to newsmen in Sokoto, said the senate only acted on the report of the DSS which is an agency under the presidency, adding” both the EFCC and DSS are agencies directly under the presidency. Therefore, it’s an executive issue. So, Nigerians should not shift blames on the senate.”

    According to the Chairman, Committee on Senate Services, the legislative arm has to respect the mandate of the electorate and carry out its functions based on the principle of ‎separation of powers to ensure that democracy was protected and on course.

    “We cannot jeopardise ‎the mandate of  representation by our various constituents and or compromise  the provisions of the constitution which is the guiding document in a democratic setting.” NASS is a legitimate and respected democratic institution that should be working for the entrenchment of the system without compromising any process of legislation”, he explained.

    ‎He said the three arms of government; the executive, legislative and judiciary were key to the
    entrenchment of democracy, noting that the trio had to work together to transform the system in line with basic principles.

    According to Gobir who represents Sokoto East senatorial zone in the National Assembly, “Nigerians  need to have confidence in us so that we can all be proud of  our collective and participatory roles‎ in deepening democracy”, he appealed.

     

  • Senate expands panel probing alleged N30tr leakage in Customs

    Senate expands panel probing alleged N30tr leakage in Customs

    The Senate yesterday expanded its panel probing alleged N30 trillion revenue leakage in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    The expansion of the investigative panel followed a point of Order by Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs Excise and Tariff, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

    The Senate asked its Committee on Marine Transport to join the Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff in the investigation in view of more revelations emanating from the probe..

    Uzodinma told the Senate that his committee stumbled on more startling discoveries beyond the N30 trillion being investigated.

    He said his committee required more hands in the investigation as it discovered that beyond foreign exchange fraud,  ”more trillions of Naira were lost to shady deals by some Asian companies”.

    He said: “The recent one which is mind blowing is that shipping companies will load full cargoes worth billions of Naira, come into the country and go to bonded terminals offload and Nigeria government will not collect one kobo.

    “All they do is informal negotiation with the terminal operators, the regulators and then they will offload which is an international crime.

    “We have identified over 228 vessels with their registration numbers, the terminals where they offloaded and we are going through Customs database tracking  every shipment, vessel that came and offloaded.

    “There is another fraud we discovered, which is, all the Asian companies moving all their goods to Cotonou in Benin Republic and these goods are meant for the Nigerian market.

    “From our investigation, the companies change their documents by midnight as if the shipment is either done from Cote d’ivoire  or Cotonou and they move into Nigeria.”

  • Senate shuts out photo journalists, cameramen from chamber

    About 10 television cameramen and photographers were shut out of the Senate chamber on Thursday.

    The affected television cameramen were barred from entering the Senate chamber to cover the legislative proceedings by the Clerk to the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh.

    While six media organizations including the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Channels Television, African Independent Television (AIT), Television Continental (TVC), New Age Television, and SilverBird Television were allowed to freely enter the chamber and cover the proceedings, seven others were asked to cover from the gallery.

    Those asked to cover proceedings from the gallery included Murhi International Television (MiTv), Ben Tv, Core Tv, Peoples Tv, DTN and ITv.

    Those told to cover from the gallery backing the front view of the senators, saw the measure as an attempt to inhibit their coverage of activities in the chamber.

    They promptly boycotted Thursday’s sitting to protest what they described as a draconian measure by the Senate leadership and the bureaucracy.

    It was said that some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators complained to the Senate leadership about the position of cameramen during plenary.

    Those that complained reportedly told the Clerk that their All Progressives Congress (APC) colleagues have more advantage of coverage by cameramen.

    The issue degenerated as the Clerk allowed only six cameramen entry into the chamber.

    In a strongly worded letter to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, The Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Mr. Cosmas Ekpunobi, asked the Senate to rescind the decision to bar television cameramen from entering the Senate Chamber.

    Ekpunobi said his attention has been draw to the decision of the Senate bureaucracy to further reduce the number of television news crew covering the senate from 13 to six.

     

  • Assassination attempts: Saraki seeks special protection for Senators, others ‎

    Assassination attempts: Saraki seeks special protection for Senators, others ‎

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Thursday said that the Senate will work out special protection strategy to protect its members against rising cases of assassination attempts and harassment.

    Saraki, who spoke against the backdrop of the reported assassination attempt against Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) and the raid of the home of Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, noted that the upper chamber would take steps to ensure the protection its members.

    The Senate President spoke at the inauguration of an ad-hoc committee investigating the alleged attempted assassination on Melaye.

    Represented by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, Saraki said that investigation into the assassination attempt on Melaye should be fully investigated by the committee.

    He noted that the probe would also articulate ways and means to protect members of the National Assembly against infringement and threats to their lives.

    He said: “The 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to life. Like every Nigerian, a Senator or member of the National Assembly deserves to be protected against infringement, threat and harassment.

    “The reported incidence in Kogi State where armed assassins invaded the house of a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Dino Melaye with the intention of taking his life is frightening and must be fully investigated.”

    Saraki added that effort must be made to “ensure that no Senator or member of the legislature is put in a position where he or she will feel his life is threatened in such a manner as to affect his judgment and thereby weaken hiss moral compass and ability to act without fear or favour.

    “The investigation will seek to unearth the remote and immediate issues connected with, and leading to the ugly incident.”

    Saraki asked members of the committee to discharge their task with great sense of responsibility, diligence and care.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jibrin Barau, noted that though “the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incidents are still unclear”, the panel would dig deep into the matter to establish the truth of the issue.

    Barau assured that the committee in carrying out its mandate would do so with the utmost sense of duty, bearing in mind the seriousness of the assignments.

     

  • Senate adopts report on grass cutting scam

    … To submit recommendations to presidency

    The Senate on Wednesday considered and adopted the damning recommendations of its ad-hoc committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Shehu Sani, had submitted the final report of the committee for consideration on Tuesday.

    The upper chamber did not only consider and adopt wholesale the recommendations, it also approved the votes and proceeding of Tuesday’s meeting to pave the way for eventual submission of the recommendations to the Presidency.

    The report was signed by seven out of eight members of the committee.

    It was learnt that the Senate rushed the consideration and adoption of the committee’s report which heavily indicted the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.

    The lawmakers, after adopting the final report on the alleged contravention of the Procurement Act, 2007 and breach of Oaths of Office by Lawal in the handling of projects and contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE), resolved to convey the resolutions to the Presidency for further consideration and implementation.

    The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, moved for brief adjournment to “allow the secretariat to prepare votes and proceedings of Wednesday’s plenary.

    The Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, promptly seconded the motion.

  • Senate reaffirms commitment to upholding media rights

    Senate reaffirms commitment to upholding media rights

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, reaffirmed Senate’s commitment toward upholding the rights of the media.

    Saraki gave the assurance while briefing newsmen on the event of World Press Freedom Day in Abuja.

    “As we all know, today is World Press Freedom Day, a day that gives all of us, both members and non-members of the press, an opportunity to reflect and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights of the media.

    “This is because, time and time again, as demonstrated throughout history, the power of the pen has been proven to be more potent than the power of the sword.

    “The stories that you tell, the articles that you write, the videos that you edit and release on your various platforms, have the power to shape public perception,” he said.

    According to him, the media, especially here in Nigeria, have played a crucial role as the watchdog at various points of the country’s momentous history.

    Saraki said that the media must evolve beyond carrying ordinary propaganda and sensational news to sell newspapers and increase viewership to pushing out truthful, verifiable and pertinent information to the public.

    All of you here have the power to shape all that happens here, by pushing relevant issues, not stories of who is insulting who or what Senator A said about Senator B.

    “You have the opportunity to define the discourse in the public arena, and by so doing, positively define our agenda.

    “I urge you all to look beyond the propaganda that is being sponsored to put down the Senate and judge us based on facts and figures about our genuine performance.

    “These facts and figures are readily available, therefore, judge us by our actions. You participate indirectly in our daily plenary, committee and oversight sessions.

    “You are a constant feature around here. So, please let the public know and understand that this Senate is working for them, and it is people-centred.

    “This is why we continue to pass motion after motion to call attention to critical national issues.

    “We have passed critical laws that will make a positive impact on the standard of living and rate of development in our country,” he said.

    This year’s theme for Press Freedom Day is “Media’s Role in Advancing a Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Society’’.

  • Senate soft-pedals on Buhari’s REC nominees

    Senate soft-pedals on Buhari’s REC nominees

    •Committee begins screening

    AFTER flexing muscles with the Presidency for more than a month, the Senate yesterday began the consideration of the 27 nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
    The consideration came as Senate President Bukola Saraki replaced the suspended Chairman of the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mohammed Ali Ndume.
    Saraki named Senator Suleiman Nasif (Bauchi North), as the new chairman of Committee on INEC.
    Ndume, who was removed as Senate Leader on January 10 and replaced by Senator Ahmed Lawan, was suspended in March for six months, following the adoption of a report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
    The Ethics Committee found Ndume guilty after investigating the comment he made on the alleged purchase of bullet-proof Range Rover for the Senate President and the Senator Dino Melaye’s certificate controversy.
    The upper chamber had stepped down the consideration and approval of the 27 RECs following President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sackthe Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, as it recommended.
    On March 28, the senators asked the President to respect the outcome of its decision on the rejection of Magu as EFCC acting chair.
    Those recommended for RECs are: Prof. Godswill Obioma (Abia), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa),  Ahmad Makama (Bauchi), James Apam (Benue), Mike Igini (Delta), Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji ( Ebonyi), Dr. Illoh Joseph Chuks (Enugu), Hussaini Halilu Pai (FCT), Sadiq Abubakar Musa (Kaduna), Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa (Kano) and Dr. (Mrs) Asmau Sani Maikudi (Katsina).
    Others are Dr. Mahmuda Isah (Kebbi), Prof. Samuel Egwu (Kogi), Amb. Rufus Akeju (Lagos), Prof. Mustapha Zubairu (Niger), Agboke Mutiu Olaleke (Ogun), Sam Olugbadebo Olumekun (Ondo), AbdulGaniyu Olayinka Taju (Oyo), Prof. Riskuwa Shehu (Sokoto), Kasim Gana Geidam (Yobe), Ahmad Bello Mahmud (Zamfara), Dr. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda (Plateau), Umar Ibrahim (Taraba), Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu (Anambra), Mr. Emeka Ononamadu Joseph (Imo), Obo. O. Effanga (Cross River) and Dr. Briyai O. Frankland (Baylesa).
    Saraki, who referred the nominee’s list to the INEC Committee, gave it two weeks to conclude and report back to the Senate for further legislative action.

  • Senate calls for infrastructural upgrade at Queens College

    Senate calls for infrastructural upgrade at Queens College

    The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Ministry of Education to urgently address infrastructural upgrade at Queens College, Lagos, following the death of three young girls due to overpopulation.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Binta Masi, made the call in a motion on “The Poor State of Infrastructure in Queens College, Lagos,” presented at plenary.

    She decried the sorry state of infrastructure in Nigeria’s oldest all-girls unity school, saying the facilities had deteriorated to the point of endangering the quality of learning and health of the students.

    “We are unhappy that for a facility and environment initially constructed for 500 students, the current population is 3, 558 of which 2,800 are boarding students. This clearly depicts the imminent calamity waiting to happen,” Masi said.

    “Due to the poor living conditions in the school, the college was shut down in February with day facilities opened only for those in examination year on the advice of the Lagos State Ministry of Health.”

    According to Masi, the situation at the college was unfortunate and reflects the sad state of Nigeria’s public schools and the terrible fate of children caught up in the depressing state of the academic environment.

    In his contribution, Senator Shehu Sani (APC-Kaduna), said it was unfortunate that year-in, year-out billions of naira was budgeted for education which had not yielded the desired result.

    “The state of Queens College is pitiable, disgraceful and shameful,” Sani said.

    “We must take it very seriously that private schools seem to provide refuge for those that are mighty and powerful.

    “But, no matter how we are able to take our children to international schools, the children of the poor are left in unity and public schools controlled by state governments.”

    NAN

  • Stop transfer of prisoners from UK, Senate urges FG

    Stop transfer of prisoners from UK, Senate urges FG

    The Senate on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to stop receiving prisoners under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, (TSP) from the United Kingdom.
    The Senate said the government should wait for the regularization of the agreement between the country and United Kingdom on the issue before any prisoners should be received.
     It resolved to invite Attorney General of the Federation (AGF)and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama and Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdurahman Dnabazau to shed light on the TSP arrangement.
    The resolutions followed a motion, titled “Urgent need to regularize the agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the government of the United Kingdom on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons” sponsored by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu .
    The ministers were asked to appear before the joint Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Foreign Affairs.
    The Senate said that Danbazau should be specifically invited to brief  on his level of involvement in complying with the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
     It said that the Committee should invite the Minister of Justice to give update on the status of ratification of all treaties from 1999 to 2017.
    In his lead debate, Ekweremadu said that the agreement was made by both countries on January 9, 2014 by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke on behalf of Nigeria and UK’s Minister of Justice, Jeremy Wright respectively.
    Ekweremadu added that “Based on this agreement, the government of the United Kingdom has commenced the return of several prisoners to Nigeria, and has currently initiated the application for the transfer of more prisoners to Nigeria.
     “The United Kingdom Government has referred to this agreement as compulsory, whereas the content of the agreement made no mention, nor indicated that the agreement was compulsory.
    “The senate is cognizance that international law is based on cooperation of states, as such the rule of international law implies that where parties have contracted a cooperation agreement, they are expected to do all that is necessary to ensure a successful implication of the agreement by following the essential internal constitutional and legal procedures required.”
    He was disturbed that the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution regarding section 12(1) has not been complied with, saying that “the agreement in this instance signed by the then Attorney General of the Federation was not subjected to legislative scrutiny or enactment by the National Assembly; the agreement is therefore, not in force”.
    He further expressed worry that the British National Offender Management Service may not be under a misinformed impression that all the internal procedures have been completed warranting the entity into force of the agreement on September 29.
    Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu informed the Senate that there were 321 memorandum of understanding with only 93 signed but not yet ratified.