The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate

  • Senate to focus on 2017 budget this week

    The Senate will begin debate on the 2017 appropriations bill submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari this week.

    Both chambers of the National Assembly Senate had last week passed the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for 2017 to 2019, paving way for the consideration of the 2017 appropriations bill.

    A Notice Paper for the week from January 23 to January 27, issued by the office of the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, said all three days of plenary will be dedicated to debate on the 2017 budget.

    On Tuesday, prior to the commencement of the budget debate, the Committee on Customs and Excise, Chaired by Senator Hope Uzodinma, will submit its report on the Bill to Repeal and Re-Enact the Nigerian Customs Service Management Act (2017).

    Also scheduled for Tuesday is a motion by the Senate Leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, for the re-appointment of President Buhari’s nominee, Mr. Aghatise Erediauwa, as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC)  in accordance with Section 5(4) and 8(3) of the NDIC Act of 2004.

  • Senate president’s wife seeks support for ex-servicemen

    Senate president’s wife seeks support for ex-servicemen

    Senate President’s wife Mrs. Toyin Saraki has appealed to well-spirited Nigerians to support retired military personnel for easy re-integration into the society.

    Mrs. Saraki spoke at the weekend in Lagos when her organisation, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, visited the Medical Centre at the Ninth Brigade, Ikeja.

    She noted that Nigerians owe such responsibility to the retired personnel, giving their immense contributions and sacrifices in upholding Nigeria’s unity.

    According to her, “Nigeria is a country that has known great difficulty and great conflict. But it is a country that always preserves. Our triumphs are not only our own, but those of all the men and women who have served in the armed forces to protect our citizens.

    “Despite the insurgency the country faced in the Northeast, it is quite commendable how the Nigerian Armed Forces with the Federal Government’s support, has remained steadfast in maintaining peace and safety in our country.

    “We owe these retired veterans a great debt. We must do more to support our men and women veterans who return from the battlefield emotionally distraught, injured and scarred to re-enter society and their home communities successfully through training, counseling and education programmes.

    “We must also destigmatise them with mental health support so that they feel encouraged and supported while in the process of this transition.”

    She said: “Wellbeing Foundation Africa is happy to be able to help the wives of uniformed men through their monthly journey from pregnancy to birth and beyond, and we continue to give them a continuum of care and counsel. Through our MamaCare Antenatal Education Classes, we seek to empower these women by providing the highest standard of education to them about their bodies and their babies.

    “These classes, which are delivered in military hospitals in Lagos and Kwara states, deploy skilled midwives at no cost to military families to provide education, support and confidence about health from birth to age.

    “Much like the Armed Forces protect us, it is my hope that works of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa reassures them, in turn that their families are safe and secure. Armed Forces Remembrance Day has been on since last week and reason for my visit is a token of thank you and to identify, support and dedicate our service to the health needs of the military families.”

    The outgone Commander, Ninth Brigade, Gen. Sanni Mohammed, who was represented by Colonel Garuba Abubakar, thanked the donor for the efforts to help the families of military personnel.

    Highpoint of the event was the decoration of Mrs. Fatima Mohammed as “Ambassador for Midwives and Maternal Health.”

  • Pro-Trump rally: Southeast Senate caucus condemns ‘killings’

    The Southeast Senate Caucus yesterday condemned the alleged killing of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during a rally in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Members of the group were said to be holding a rally last Friday on the inauguration of American President Donald Trump when security agents alleged shot some of them.

    The caucus urged the Federal Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of deliberate use of excessive force by security agencies to contain peaceful assemblies, particularly where groups from the Southeast were involved, with particular reference to the latest action.

    In a statement at the weekend in Abuja through its Chairman, Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate caucus noted that since the security agencies allegedly applied excessive force in a peaceful rally, there were questions about an emerging pattern in the containment of peaceful assembly in the country.

    The senator said the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides for the freedom of association and the right of the people to freely assemble to express their common interest.

    The statement said: “The last time I checked, that section of the constitution was still intact and has not been amended. It is, therefore, worrisome that the rights of a section of Nigerians would be so wilfully denied with such extra force.

    “If the report of killings by the security agencies were to be confirmed, it would no doubt leave a gaping hole in the unity of this country.

    “This is one regrettable action too many, coming against the backdrop of the recent report of the Amnesty International (AI) of mass killings of people from the same section of the populace in Nigeria.”

    The Southeast Senate Caucus called for a stop to such acts, which it said had embarrassed the country.

    It also urged the Federal Government to investigate the alleged high-handedness of its security services in handling civil protests with particular emphasis on the latest action by the security agencies in Port Harcourt.

  • Buhari proceeds on medical vacation

    Buhari proceeds on medical vacation

    President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate on his intention to go on a  10 -day medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

    In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, President Buhari said he was writing in line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

    According to the letter which was read at plenary on Thursday by Saraki, President Buhari said he will be away from Monday 23rd January to Monday 6th February.

    “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, I wish to inform the Distinguished Senate that I will be away on a short medical vacation from Monday January, 23 to February 6th, 2017 and while I am away, the Vice President (Osinbajo) will perform the functions of my office. “Please, accept, as always assurances of my highest esteemed consideration.”

     

  • Senate passes medium term expenditure framework

    The Senate yesterday passed the controversial 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

    The adoption of the MTEF and FSP followed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Finance, Appropriation and National Planning presented by Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator John Owan Enoh.

    Some of the salient recommendations of the report which the Senate adopted oil production figure of 2.2 million per day as proposed by the Executive, N305 to $1 exchange rate also as proposed by the Executive.

    The Senate however raised the oil benchmark from $42 per a barrel proposed by the Executive to $44.5 per barrel, an increase of $2.5.

    The committee said  daily oil production has been projected to the average of 2.2 bpd, 2.3mbpd and 2.4mbpd for 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively.

    It said the government would expect a drastic increase in oil production and revenue generated through oil sources, with the meaningful and inclusive engagement of all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region towards bringing peace and stability in the region.

    It added that “though, the oil production target of 2.2mbpd is achievable, it is dependent on the ability of the Federal Government to curtail the Niger-Delta militant activities in order to halt the drop in crude oil production which declined from 1,912mbpd in January 2016 to 1,818mbpd in June 2016 and thereafter, to 1,721mbpd in October, 2016.”

    On oil price benchmark, the committee said the price of crude oil in the international market fell to as low as about $25 per barrel in mid-January with an increase to more than $50 per barrel in October last year.

    It noted that recent bumpy oil price variations were driven principally by international oil market dynamics such as the decline in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) output, US oil shale and temporary supply disruptions to Countries like Kuwait, lraq, Libya, Canada and Nigeria. However, while global oil demand growth has proved slightly better than expected, a weaker US dollar and improving sentiment on broader financial markets have also boosted crude oil price.

    “Against this backdrop, the international oil industry watchers forecast oil prices heading slowly towards an average of over $60pb in the near term,” it said.

    The joint committee therefore recommended the adoption of $44.5 per barrel as benchmark price for 2017 Budget.

    On exchange rate, it said that the 2017-2019 MTEF and FSP projects an exchange rate of N305 per dollar for the period of 2017 fiscal year. Notwithstanding, a judicious monetary fiscal policy mix and deliberate government policies to expand the productive base of the economy would be expedient to improve the exchange value of the naira relative to the dollar.

    The committee noted that it has become obvious that the fixed exchange rate regime as implemented in Nigeria was no longer useful.

    “The sustained and widening gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market has created several loopholes in the system. However, the recent transition from fixed exchange rate regime to flexible exchange regime appears commendable,” it said.

    The committee recommended the adoption of N305/US dollar as proposed by the executive for the 2017 budget.

    It said the CBN should initiate measures that will close the gap between the parallel market and the official exchange rate.

  • Senate may sanction parastatals over audit report

    Senate may sanction parastatals over audit report

    The Senate may sanction some Federal Government parastatals and agencies for failing to submit their audited accounts to the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.

    Findings by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts showed that some of the parastatals and agencies have not submitted their audited accounts since they were established.

    Section 85(3)(b) of Nigeria Constitution prescribes yearly submission of audited accounts and reports by every establishment under the federal government.

    The Chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Andy Uba, presenting a report of his committee at the Senate on yesterday, called on the affected parastatals to submit their audited report by March.

    He warned that the Senate might not treat the budgetary allocation of any of the parastatals that failed to comply.

    The committee directed the Office of the Auditor General to constantly update and reconcile the accounts of the parastatals to ensure compliance.

    The committee also directed the Auditor General Office to liaise with the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for clarification on the status of privatised or merged/scrapped parastatals.

  • Over 5m IDPs face acute starvation – Senate

    The Senate on Wednesday raised the alarm over severe starvation in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

    The upper chamber said at least 5.2 million people in the IDP camps were likely to face acute hunger by June this year unless prompt action was taken to avert the danger.

    The lawmakers also said up to seven million people in the North East are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, while another 2.5 million children were already malnourished.

    The immediate-past Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, drew the attention of the Senate to the danger in a motion entitled: “The state of the humanitarian relief effort in the North East amidst high level of funding so far.”

    Ndume in his lead debate noted that despite the 73 per cent increase in donor funding for the humanitarian response in the North East, the situation was still bad.

    The Borno South lawmaker said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that over $426 million has been received as at December 2016.

     

  • Senate fails to stop Abuja airport closure

    Senate fails to stop Abuja airport closure

    •Julius Berger gives condition for repairs •Project to gulp N6.934b
    •500 Hilux vehicles, three helicopters to secure Kaduna-Abuja road

    THE Senate yesterday failed to stop the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for the rehabilitation of its runway.
    At the resumed hearing on the issue, the Senate said it would have preferred segmented repairs of the runway to avoid total closure.
    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, told the Minister of Works Babatunde Fashola and Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika that although “Senate prefers segmented repairs of the runway to avoid total closure, the Ministry of Aviation could take a decision based on advice by stakeholders”.
    He said: “Final decision is yours and you will also take responsibility. While you take final decision, endeavour to take note of our concerns and the concerns of other stakeholders.
    “Also take into consideration the position of local and foreign airlines that they would have preferred continued use of the airport while repair is going on.”
    Sirika and Fashola insisted there was no alternative to shutting down the airport to ensure proper rehabilitation of the runway.
    The Nigeria Society of Engineer (NSE) disagreed.
    The society said its meeting with the relevant agencies confirmed it was possible to carry out the proposed reconstruction without shutting down the airport.
    Julius Berger, which is scheduled to handle the repair, backed the government’s position that the airport be shut.
    The construction giant told the Senate that the only way to ensure holistic repair was to close the airport.
    Fashola, who was the first to appear before the senators, said: “For the benefit of Nigerians, who may be listening that it is the runway and I think that emphasis must be continuously made as a matter of public communication. But it is the runway of the airport where planes take-off and land that needs to be repaired because it is no longer safe for that purpose by extension. Therefore, the airport cannot be used. This is a matter of immense public interest.”
    The former Lagos State governor said contract for the rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna road had been awarded and the contractor mobilised to site.
    He put the contract at N1.085 billion.
    NSE President Otis Anyaeji, an engineer, noted that the society held a meeting with the relevant agencies on Monday.
    Anyaeji told the Senate the outcome of the meeting “confirms that it is possible to carry out the proposed reconstruction without shutting down the airport”.
    He noted that the issue raised by the aviation agency was that “the procedure is challenging and risky”.
    “Therefore, the issue is not technical but managerial since aviation has known recommended procedures to manage this type of activities and the expertise can be learned,” he said.
    Julius Berger’s Managing Director Wolfgang Geotsch said a runway could be repaired without closing it, but it depended on the scale of repairs.
    Geotsch said the state of the Abuja Airport runway did not give room for the airport to be open while repair is going on.
    He noted: “There is absolutely unfortunately no option than to close the runway for the six weeks because actually it is not repair work, far beyond that. It is almost a new construction of the whole surface of the runway.
    ”It is all in our interest to make the thing happen and to solve it as quick as possible. That is, from our end, we guarantee that within six weeks, the repair work is will be done subject to the fulfillment of the obligations of all stakeholders.”
    The construction firm chief guaranteed a lifespan of the runway up to 10 years minimum after repairs, subject to regular maintenance.
    Sirika said funds for preparation work for the repair included N1.3 million for Nigeria Railway Corporation, Police (358 million), Federal Road Safety Commission (N237 million), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (N325 million), Nigeria Immigration Service (N29 million) and Ministry of Transportation (N84 million).
    The representative of the Inspector General of Police, AIG Joshak Abila, listed 500 Hilux vans and three Helicopters as part of the things the police will mobilise to secure Abuja-Kaduna highway during the repair.
    Abila gave assurance that police will ensure maximum security on the Abuja-Kaduna highway during the assignment.
    Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers South East), however, said efforts of the Senate might be an academic exercise “because the plan to close the airport may have been concluded while funds might have been expended”.

  • Senate fails to stop closure of Abuja airport

    The Senate on Tuesday failed to stop the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for the rehabilitation of the runway of the airport.

    At a resumed hearing on the proposed closure on Tuesday, the Senate said that it would have preferred segmented repairs of the runway to avoid a total closure of the airport.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over Senate plenary told the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola and Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika that although “Senate prefers segmented repairs of the runway to avoid total closure, the Ministry of Aviation could take a decision based on advice by stakeholders.”

    Ekweremadu added, “Final decision is yours and you will also take responsibility. While you take final decision, endeavour to take note of our concerns and the concerns of other stakeholder.

    “Also take into consideration the position of local and foreign airlines that they would have preferred continued use of the airport while repair is going on.”

    While Sirika and Fashola insisted that there was no alternative to shutting down the airport to ensure proper rehabilitation of the runway, the Nigeria Society of Engineer (NSE) disagreed.

    The NSE said that its meeting with the relevant agencies confirmed that it is possible to carry out the proposed reconstruction of the runway without shutting down the airport.

    Julius Berger, scheduled to handle the repair works, backed the government’s position that the airport be shut.

    The construction giant told the Senate that the only way to ensure holistic repairs was to shut down the airport.

     

  • Senate probes non- payment of judges’ salaries

    The Senate on Tuesday mandated its joint committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Finance to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged non- payment of salaries and allowances of federal judges for four months.

    The mandate followed the observation raised by Senate Deputy Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, that federal judges have not been paid their salaries and allowances in the past four months.

    Na’Allah, who described the alleged non -payment of judges as “worrisome and disturbing,” said it is the responsibility of the Senate to wade into the matter with a view to finding out the true position.

    The Kebbi South lawmaker said the Senate should not turn blind eye to the issue in the interest of the judiciary and the country.

    Urging the Senate to act fast to save the situation, Na’Allah said the committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Finance should be asked to go into the matter without further delay.

    He said that everything should be done to ensure prompt payment of the judges’ salaries and allowances.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary, said Na’Allah approached him with the information.

    He noted that if the information is true, efforts should be made to pay the judges by government.