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  • Benue South rerun: Mark gets further boost

    Benue South rerun: Mark gets further boost

    Chances of former Senate President, Senator David Mark , in the February 20, 2016 rerun election for Benue South further brightens Wednesday as some members of Benue  State House of Assembly and some elites endorsed him.

    The rerun election is between the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and the All Progressive Congress ( APC) following the nullification of the initial election by the Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue state in November last year.

    A statement by the Media Assistant to Mark, Paul Mumeh said that the State House of Assembly members and some elite of the Idoma and Igede extraction of the  state told Senator Mark in Otukpo that their resolve to vote for him again is predicated on his years of meritorious services to the people and  defender of their common interest .

    It said that the Assembly members in their separate remarks were unanimous that Senator Mark remained the choice for Benue South.

     

    It said that the state lawmaker vowed to defend their votes “no matter the gang up by external forces.”

    It said that the state lawmakers at the meeting  included;  Anthony Ogbu ( Ado), Adoga Onah (Oju 1), Ire Mathew ( Oju 2), Joe Ojobo ( Ogbadibo), Chris Adaji (Ohimini),  Baba Henry Otache ( Apa), Sule Audu ( Agatu) and Johnson Ahubi ( Otukpo Akpa).

    It added that House of Representatives members from Benue South ;  Samson Okwu (Obi/ Oju), Ezekiel Adaji ( Otukpo/ Ohimini),  Hassan Saleh ( Ogbadibo/ Ado/ Okpokwu) and Adamu Entonu ( Apa/Agatu) had last week endorsed Senator Mark for the rerun election.

    The statement said, “To the lawmakers, Senator Mark has provided purposeful leadership and quality representation for which the people are proud of. They recalled that it was for this reason that the people overwhelmingly voted for him in the last election and are prepared to vote for him again.

    It quoted the Benue elite under the aegis of Prosperity Group to have said that they have embarked on sensitization especially in the grass roots on the need to vote for Senator Mark as the authentic choice with the capacity to protect and defend the interest of the Idoma people.

    The spokesman of the group, Mr. Abba Adaudu  was quoted to have said, “We came together as a group to rise up and challenge the expansion of domination and oppression by some external actors , who are hell bent on pulling Idoma nation down by sponsoring a candidate for the election against our interest.

    “To this, Posterity Group boldly say no hence our resolve to stand by you ( Mark) before, during and after the rerun election”.

    Senator Mark was said to have noted that in spite of the conspiracy against him, “I am comfortable that my people are with me. I am confident that only the people of Benue South would determine who wins the election through the ballot box”.

    He promised that “for the trust and confidence reposed in me,  I will carry the cross and defend the interest of my people at all times. Whatever is your interest will always be the focal point of my action and activities.”

  • Senate tackles NLNG, EFO over non contribution to NDDC

    Senate tackles NLNG, EFO over non contribution to NDDC

    The Senate Wednesday opened investigation into alleged non remittance of statutory contribution to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by some government agencies.

    Senate Committee on Niger Delta saddled with the probe grilled officials of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas and Ecological Fund Office over the claim.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, told reporters that the amount due for payment to NDDC by the NLNG and the Ecological Fund Office which they allegedly refused to pay for over 16 years is colossal.

    He described the development as fragrant abuse of the law setting up the NDDC.

    Nwaoboshi said, “It is not whether that they contributed certain percentage. The point is that they had refused to obey the law since year 2000.

    “The next step the committee would take now is to invite the Accountant General of the Federation and investigate the matter to know why the two agencies of government had not been remitting what is due to the NDDC to it.

    “We are conducting holistic investigation into the activities of the NDDC. What we want to do is to find out first, the claims in some quota that colossal amount had been given to the people of Niger Delta region through the NDDC while there is nothing on the ground.

    “We want to, know how much the agency had received so far from year 2000 to date. What are the projects they have executed with the money.

    “We want to know those who are contributing to the agency. We have asked the Managing Director of the NLNG, Mr, Babs Omotowa, and he said that they have not been contributing money to the NDDC.

    “They showed us a Supreme Court judgement which described NLNG as a gas processing company and that there is a gas Act that came before that of NDDC Act.

    “They argued that the NDDC Act has not repealed the Gas Act. The NLNG claimed that the Gas Act has given them tax holiday.

    “We are lawmakers and we are going to revisit the two Acts. We will go into the root of the matter.

    “We don’t just make laws for the purpose of making it. Laws are meant to be obeyed. If government agencies and institutions refuse to obey the law, why do we talk about the rule of law?

    “Laws made by the National Assembly should be obeyed. Everybody is complaining that the NDDC is not performing but are they receiving the due funding especially from the oil companies.

    “The oil companies are supposed to pay three percent of their budget to NDDC but they are giving less than that.

    “When they came before our committee, I read out the Act to them and some of them started apologising.

    “They said they thought that they were supposed to pay three percent of the projects that they execute in their communities.

    “There has been total disregard and respect for the NDDC Act and nobody will allow that.”

    The Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Mr. Mohammed Abass, said that his office has made contributions but not to the NDDC.

    He noted that the Ecological Fund Office spends only the money approved for it by the President for design and drawing.

    He added that the NDDC has never approached the Ecological Fund Office to ask for statutory funding.

    Abass said, “Our office receives one percent of the approved money due to the consolidated fund which is the federal government share of the federation account.

    “Every other state in the federation receives one percent of the fund too. The account is called derivation and ecology.

    “The Fiscal Allocation Committee shares two percent of the funds in the federation account to the federal, states and local governments.

    The federal government receives 48.5 percent, states receives 24 percent while the local governments receive 20 percent. The ecological Fund Office manages the federal government share.

    “Therefore, the Ecological Fund Office is not supposed to fund any state from its own resources because every state gets their own share of the allocation from the federation account and not from the consolidated revenue fund.

    “I believe that the NDDC should receive funding from the shares due to states and local governments.

    “The distribution of the shares of states and local governments are being controlled by the office of the Accountant – General of the Federation.

    “There was no time that the NDDC has come to us to ask for funding. The fund we handle is used by the federal government to carry out intervention in states.”

  • Senate probes over $3b loss to 10 power projects’ sale

    Senate probes over $3b loss to 10 power projects’ sale

    The Senate yesterday asked its joint committee on Power and Privatisation to investigate the sale of 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). The Federal Government lost $3billion in the transaction.

    This followed a motion by Senator Mohammed Hassan (Yobbe South) and five others over alleged “unwholesome practices by Manitoba Hydro International Nigeria Limited under the direction and control of the BPE.”

    In his lead debate, Hassan criticised the activities of Hydro International ((Manitoba), a Canadian company contracted to manage the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    The lawmaker said though the firm was incorporated under the laws of Nigeria, it has insisted to be paid in dollars instead of naira.

    He said: “It is a criminal offence stipulated in Section20(5) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007 for any person or body corporate to refuse the acceptance of naira as legal tender.

    “We are worried that the TCN is imposed with this burden, under the management Services Contract, of paying all taxes for the management contractors while Manitoba does not pay taxes on monies paid under the contract.

    “Section 9(2) of the Companies Income Tax Act(CITA) Cap 21, 2004 provides that tax shall be assessed and payable upon the profit of any company accruing in Nigeria.

    “The Management Service Contract prepared by BPE for the management of TCN is fraught with apparent illegalities and total violation of the laws of Nigeria.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje in his contribution lamented that the entire privatisation exercise seemed to be a failure.

    He noted that the idea of the exercise was to empower the private sector to make power more stable in the country.

    He said there seemed to be no difference between the pre-privatisation and post-privatisation era.

    He said: “Unfortunately, those who got the Discos and the Gencos are all crying. The consumers are also crying; so every thing seems to be wrong with the companies.

    “Even if government is not going to revoke contracts, there is need to look at the entire process. Why were the Gencos sold? Were they sold on merit or man-know-man?

     

  • Senate probes power projects sales over $3b loss

    Senate probes power projects sales over $3b loss

    … Queries BPE

    The Senate on Thursday asked its joint committee on Power and Privatisation to investigate the sale of 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).

    This followed a motion by Senator Mohammed Hassan (Yobbe South) and five others on alleged “Unwholesome practices by Manitoba Hydro International Nigeria Limited under the direction and control of the BPE.”

    Senator Hassan in his lead debate criticized the activities of Hydro International ((Manitoba), a Canadian company contracted to manage the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    The lawmaker said that although the firm was incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it has insisted to be paid in dollars instead of Naira.

    He said, “It is a criminal offense stipulated in Section20(5) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007 for any person or body corporate to refuse the acceptance of Naira as legal currency tender.

    “We are worried that the TCN is imposed with this burden, under the management Services Contract, of paying all taxes for the management contractors, while Manitoba does not pay taxes on monies paid under the contract.

    “Section 9(2) of the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) Cap 21, 2004 provides that tax shall be assessed and payable upon the profit of any company accruing in Nigeria.

    “The Management Service Contract prepared by BPE for the management of TCN is fraught with apparent illegalities and total violation of the laws of Nigeria.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, in his contribution lamented that the entire privatisation exercise has turned out to be a failure.

    Goje noted that the idea behind the exercise was to empower the private sector to make power more stable in the country.

    According to him, there seems to be no difference between the pre-privatisation and post-privatisation era.

    He said, “Unfortunately, those who got the Discos and the Gencos are all crying. The consumers are also crying. So every thing seems to be wrong with the companies.

    “Even if government is not going to revoke contracts, there is the need to look at the entire process. Why were the Gencos sold? Were they sold on merit or man-know-man?”

     

     

  • Senate urges FG to immortalize Olubadan

    The Senate on Thursday asked the Federal Government to immortalize the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana by naming a national or state monument after him as a mark of honour.

    The Senate also resolved to send a delegation to condole the family, people and government of Oyo State over the death of the monarch.

    The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the “Demise of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1,” sponsored by Senator Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi and 16 others.

    Akanbi, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in his lead debate, noted with sadness and great sense of loss, the demise of Olubadan.

    The lawmaker said the monarch was born on April 14, 1914 into Ladunni family compound, at Oja-Igbo Ibadan, Oyo State and attended St. Andrew’s school, Bamigbola in the present Lagelu local government area of the state.

    He noted that the Oba Odulana was transferred to St. Peter’s School, Aremo in January 1929 and completed his middle school education at Mapo Central School in December 1936 before proceeding to various institutions to strengthen his education via correspondence college, a trend that was common at the time.

    Akanbi said the deceased had a brief stint with the United African Company as a produce clerk before taking up teaching at the Church Missionary Society Elementary School, jago in the present Ona Ara local government area in 1938.

    He said Oba Odulana’s journey to the throne started with his appointment as the Mogaji (Head) of his Ladunni family compound, at Oja-Igbo in 1972 and became the Jagun-Olubadan Land in 1976

    He said the Oba earned an exemplary character award as a result of his hard work and patriotism.

  • I received Obasanjo’s letter – Saraki

    I received Obasanjo’s letter – Saraki

    The senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Wednesday acknowledged that he received a letter from former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday after plenary.

    According to the Senate President, the former President in his letter, called the attention of the National Assembly to some issues.

    Saraki made this known in a statement on his website saying: “I want to assure President Obasanjo that the leadership and membership of the 8th Senate are committed to good governance, transparency, accountability, due process and responsiveness to the economic reality of our nation.

    “It is for this reason that the legislative chamber has introduced bold and progressive reforms in the management of the finances of the National Assembly.

    “This is of even greater importance during a tough fiscal period for our country.

    “Like I said during my closing address at the plenary after our debate on the 2016 Budget, the Senate must lead by example in terms of our own funding, budgets and accountability – showing, beyond doubt, value for money.

    “I have canvassed that we must lay bare the budget of the Senate, nay the National Assembly and its affiliated institutions.

    “I equally canvassed the need to strengthen the capacity of the legislative institution to carry our effective oversight of the executive arm so that we can ensure the budget leads to the realization of the policy objectives of the Buhari Administration.

    “Again, let me reiterate my position in the speech I made this morning on the need for us to work towards blocking all areas of revenue leakages while also strengthening the anti-corruption agencies so that the little resources that are now available will serve the interest of the overwhelming majority.”

    He then promised to reply to the letter by Obasanjo acknowledging him as ‘a father of the nation that we all hold in high esteem’.

    “I intend to reply the letter and outline the actions the Senate is taking to address his concerns.

    “In conclusion, I appreciate President Obasanjo for his consistent role in always reminding those of us in government about our responsibilities to the general public and offering timely advise where necessary.

  • Senate fixes Feb. 25 to pass Budget

    Senate fixes Feb. 25 to pass Budget

    The Senate yesterday fixed February 25 for the passage of the 2016 Appropriation Bill.

    The bill scaled second reading in the Senate.

      The bill was committed to the Committee on Appropriation to coordinate budget defence by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government.

     Senate President Bukola Saraki warned senators against financial inducement in the course of budget defence by MDAs.

      Saraki said any lawmaker involved in unwholesome conduct in the course of budget defence would not be spared.

      On the general principles of the budget, Saraki said the proposal was a major departure from past budgets, particularly with regard to withdrawing focus on oil as major revenue source for funding the budget.

    He said: “This to me and to all of us is the most important area of this budget in the sense that it will be a great foundation not only for today but for the future if this can be achieved.

    “Also, with the pegging of Capital Expenditure at 30 per cent, a number of comments were made about the level of borrowing but I think what matters is what the money is used for.

    “As of the percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we are still within the limits and parameters  but what is important is to ensure that the money is  judiciously used for what it is meant for.”

    Saraki  said the Senate would also take a look at the issue of benchmark and various budgetary allocations, where most senators expressed concern.

    He assured that the National Assembly would also work towards blocking areas of revenue leakages as well as look into the issue of fight against corruption.

    He added: “It is important that the issue of blocking leakages is key and from the experience of the past we must learn from the past to work towards the future.

    “The committees should scrutinise these estimates and ensure that they are estimates that we can all put our names to.

    “The Zero budgeting of which the budget is premised on means some  of the projects  would be critically assessed to ensure that the projects were justified.”

    Saraki urged committees to do a thorough job to compliment the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Danjuma Goje, while briefing reporters after plenary, said the Senate would  adjourn today to allow for budget defence to take off.

    Goje said after today’s plenary, the senate would break into sub committees from February 2 to receive MDAs for the defence.

    He said all MDAs and sub-committees were expected to conclude their budget defence by February 16

    Goje added that submission and defence of reports of sub-committees on Appropriations would take place between February 12 and 18, while collation and harmonisation of reports, and drawing of bill by the Appropriations Committee would be done between February 18 and 22.

    He said the report would be laid before the Senate on February 24 while the Senate would consider and approve the budget on Thursday, February 25.

    Goje explained that the intention of the Senate was to ensure early approval of the budget, so that the executive arm would have at least ten months to implement the document.

  • 2016 Budget scales second reading in Senate

    2016 Budget scales second reading in Senate

    The controversial 2016 Appropriation Bill on Wednesday scaled second reading in the Senate as Senators concluded debate on the general principles of the bill.

    The Bill was thereafter committed to the Committee on Appropriation to coordinate budget defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in his concluding remarks warned senators against financial inducement in the course of budget defence by MDAs.

    He said any lawmaker involved in unwholesome conduct in the course of budget defence would not be spared.

    The Senate President said the Senate would not tolerate conducts capable of undermining the integrity of the Chamber.

    On the general principles of the budget, Saraki said the proposal was a major departure from past budgets, particularly with regard to withdrawing focus on oil as major revenue source for funding the budget.

    He said, “This to me and to all of us is the most important area of this budget in the sense that it will be a great foundation not only for today but for the future if this can be achieved.

    “Also, with the pegging of capital expenditure at 30 per cent, a number of comments were made about the level of borrowing, but I think what matters is what the money is used for.

    “On the percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we are still within the limits and parameters, but what is important is to ensure that the money is judiciously used for what it is meant for.”

    Saraki noted the National Assembly would take a critical look at the budgetary allocation to the agricultural and solid mineral sectors because they were potential revenue earners if effectively explored.

     

  • Buhari seeks enhancement of money laundering Act

    President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Senate, seeking the repeal and reenactment of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    The request is contained in the President’s letter to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki , entitled: “The Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016 and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2016.

    Buhari said  the bill provides for the repeal of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended in 2012, to make comprehensive provisions to prohibit the laundering of the criminal activities, expand the scope of money laundering offences, provide protection for employees of various institutions, bodies and professions who may discover money laundering, enhance customer due diligence, provide appropriate penalties and expand the scope of supervisory bodies, while recognising the role of certain self-regulatory organisations to address the challenges faced in implementation of comprehensive anti-money regime.

  • Senate backs AMCON on recovery of N5.4tr debt

    Senate backs AMCON on recovery of N5.4tr debt

    The Senate yesterday backed efforts by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to recover over N5.4 trillion debts owed it by some firms and individuals.

    Top officials of AMCON held a closed door meeting with the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions in Abuja to plot ways and means of recovering the debt.

    Members of the committee lamented the inability of AMCON to recover the debts, especially now that the country is passing through difficult economic times.

    A member of the committee said AMCON was mandated to take stringent steps aimed at recovering the huge amount of money.

    Managing Director of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, said members of the committee were not only disturbed but ready to ensure that the N5.4 trillion is repaid.

    Kuru said some of the debtors have refused to repay what they borrowed despite attempts to recover the debts.

    He noted that the challenge AMCON is facing to recover the debts is enormous.

    He said: “We have seen that most of the debtors in AMCON are big men that fly in private jets, live in big mansions and they have taken money and they are not paying back.

    “They (members of the committee) are really disturbed and they are ready to do anything under the law to ensure that the N5.4trillion that is outstanding obligation of AMCON is repaid.

    “The passion members of the committee have shown to us is unprecedented. Because we showed to them in its raw form the challenge that we are having, particularly now that the economy is not doing very well.