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Tag: Senate

  • Funds diversion: Senate resumes Lamorde’s probe next week

    Funds diversion: Senate resumes Lamorde’s probe next week

    Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on Monday said it will resume investigation into the allegation of corruption against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, next week.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Samuel Anyanuwu, stated this in Abuja while answering questions from reporters.

    Anyanwu noted that the committee suspended the investigation for about three weeks when it first met Lamorde and granted him an extension of time to prepare for his defence.

    He also said that it was not possible for the committee to resume the probe as scheduled because it fell within the annual recess of the National Assembly.

    He said that many of the committee members travelled out of Abuja during the recess.

    He noted that when the Senate resumed from the long vacation, Senators faced the task of ministerial screening and confirmation of nominees.

    It will be recalled that the committee had its first sitting on the petition on August 26, 2015, where the petitioner, Dr. George Uboh, appeared before the lawmakers to make his submissions.

    Dr. Uboh had in his petition, which he submitted to the Senate, accused the chairman of the anti-graft agency of diversion of money recovered from politicians, who looted the nation’s treasury when they served the country in various capacities.

     

     

  • APC wins Borno Central senatorial bye-election

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress Hon. Kaka Baba Bashir Garbai has been declared winner of the Borno Central Senatorial election held last Saturday.
    Declaring the result in Maiduguri on Sunday evening, the Returning Officer INEC for the Borno Bye Election, Professor Mohammed Fannami of the University of Maiduguri announced that Garbai won the election with 120,639 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Mohammed Umar Kaka Bolori who scored 32,346 out of the total votes.
    He explained that out of the total registered voters of 908,114 only 174,329 voters were accredited by INEC for the said Election.
    The certificate of return was presented to Garbai who in his acceptance speech thanked all his supporters for electing him to represent them at the National Assembly.
    He assured that he will uphold the confidence vested on him by the people of Borno central and will not disappoint them.
    Other results announced include Kowa Party 1042, PPA 136, PPN 79, SDP 660, NCP 207.
    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Samuel Madaki Usman praised all stake holders for making the election a success.

  • Amaechi: PDP Senators walk out

    Amaechi: PDP Senators walk out

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators Thursday staged a walk out after a heated debate on the confirmation of the appointment of Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

    The action of the opposition Senators did not however stop the Senate from going ahead with the confirmation of Amaechi.

    However, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu did not walk out with other PDP Senators.

     

  • Senate confirms INEC chairman, commissioners’ nomination

    The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu and five commissioners nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The new INEC commissioners are – Dr. Anthonia Okoosi Simbine, Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo, Amina Zakari Mohammed, Mustapha Lecky and Soyebi Solomon.

    They were confirmed after the screening exercise that took place at the Senate Chamber on Thursday.

  • Senate lists Amaechi, 17 others for confirmation

    Senate lists Amaechi, 17 others for confirmation

    The Senate on Thursday listed the former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and 17 other ministerial nominees for confirmation.

    Amaechi is listed at number 18 among those to be confirmed

    The listing of the ex- governor as the last to be confirmed may have been informed by the controversy his nomination has generated.

  • Senate queries N63.5 billion Abuja Airport’s runway contract

    Senate queries N63.5 billion Abuja Airport’s runway contract

    THE Senate yesterday raised concern over the N63.5 billion proposed contract for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s second runway.

    This followed a motion entitled: “The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja second runway contract” sponsored by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

    The upper chamber asked the Federal Government to immediately ensure that due process and diligence was followed in the design, award and procurement processes of the contract.

    It also urged the government to drastically reduce the cost of the contract, describing it as an unrealistic cost.

    It said government should ensure that the contract award process was closely monitored.

    Melaye said the N63.5 billion reviewed contract was another attempt to defraud the country.

    He added that the same contact awarded at the cost of N64 billion by the past administration was recently reviewed downward to N63.5 billion.

    The senator said the Senate should compel the Federal Government to ensure strict adherence to due process and Public Procurement Act as it concerned contract award.

    The Kogi lawmaker warned that if the issue was not brought to the attention of the government, there might be another fraud in the making.

    He said: “We are further convinced by the fact that the entire Gombe Airport with 3.6km runway cost N8.2 billion; Jigawa Airport cost a total amount of N11 billion; Bauchi Airport cost N12 billion, Enugu Airport was reconstructed and expanded at N13 billion while Akwa Ibom was constructed at N18.05 billion.

    “The Senate should be further worried that the new terminal five in Heathrow Airport with four lanes of four kilometres runway cost less than N25 billion and constructing a 3.8km one lane runway for N63.5 billion will be a waste of fund considering Nigeria’s present economic situation.

    “The contract for the construction of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja second runway was cancelled by the last administration after allegations of over-inflation of contracts was established.

    “It was also noted that the contract was awarded by the Federal Executive Council at N64 billion after ratification by the Bureau for Public Procurement. There is also a great need for the construction of a second runway since the existing one is not only bad but inadequate.

    “The Senate believed that the publication that the contract is already undergoing review and to be awarded at N63.5 billion as published by newspapers across the country is another attempt to steal and rape Nigerians of our common patrimony.”

    Saraki said the country cannot continue with reckless expenditure.

    He noted that contracts must be done prudently in the interest of the country.

    He asked relevant committees to take note and ensure that they take their oversight functions seriously on all issues.

  • PDP Senators meet over Amaechi, others’ confirmation

    PDP Senators meet over Amaechi, others’ confirmation

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators held a crucial secret meeting on Wednesday to take a position on the confirmation of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and 17 others as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The confirmation of 18 outstanding ministerial nominees including Amaechi has been slated for Thursday.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, deferred confirmation of the nominees after the Senate screened five more nominees on Wednesday.

    Those screened on Wednesday included Mr. Okechukwu Eyinna Enelamah (Abia), Prof. Anthony Anwukah (Imo), Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa), Adamu Adamu(Bauchi) and Ms. Aisha Bello (Sokoto).

    The PDP Senators launched into the closed door meeting at Senate Hearing Room 1, immediately after Saraki adjourned plenary.

    Insiders said the meeting was specifically to enable the opposition lawmakers take position on some of the nominees.

    A competent source who attended the meeting said “you know we have just concluded the screening of the remaining nominees. We need to meet to ask some critical questions on some of the nominees. We need to take collective decision as a caucus.

    “Some of the nominees impressed, others did not. Some of them are controversial, others are not. We need to resolve and agree on our voting pattern. We are a caucus and we should be seen to vote as a block. It is normal in every political arrangement.”

    Asked whether Amaechi’s issue came up following the opposition of PDP Senators to the former governor’s screening, he noted that “nothing was foreclosed.”

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators on the other hand are said to be determined to ensure that all the nominees scaled through the confirmation hurdle.

    Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, had consistently said the Senate belongs to APC as the majority party in the chamber.

    He also said the minority would be allowed its say while the majority would have its way.

    Ndume assured that PDP Senators cannot stop the confirmation of any nominee.

    Another PDP Senator also at the meeting said that “Amaechi will be cleared just like other nominees.”

    He noted that though there are some who still harboured hard feelings against Amaechi, “the consensus is that we should allow him to go.”

  • Highlights of ministerial screening

    Highlights of ministerial screening

    The five remaining ministerial nominees will be screened by the Senate on Wednesday.

    The five nominees are – Okecukwu Enyinna Enelamah, Mohammed Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu, Aisha Abubakar and Nwoka Anthony.

    The Senate has so far screened 31 ministerial nominees since the exercise commenced few weeks ago.

     

    Okechukwu Enelamah

    • We need to improve our non-oil revenue base
    • Government must improve its social contract with the people
    • We need a shared vision for Nigeria
    • Focus on industries that lead to growth
    • We need to develop infrastructures
    • No nation develop on its own, we weed investors to boost our economy
    • Create enabling environment for each sectors of the economy
    • Each region in Nigeria should be made a cluster and create infrastructures in these regions
    • Government must work inclusively
    • We must have a clear policy direction

     

    Anthony Owuka

    • There is problem with UTME
    • No link between the school system and what the students want to learn
    • Government should declare state of emergency in education sector
    • Native language must be inculcated in schools

     

    Mohammed Musa Bello

    • Institutions should be considered as business
    • The problem of cattle rustling has to do with resource control
    • Since establishment of NAHCOM, hajj has improved significantly

     

    Adamu Adamu

    An Accountant-turned writer. Adamu was told to bow and take his leave shortly after introduction.

     

    Aisha Abubakar

    -She was also told to bow and take a leave after introduction

  • Senate summons NPA boss, others over Apapa Port gridlock

    Senate summons NPA boss, others over Apapa Port gridlock

    •Senator Tinubu  seeks immediate action

    THE Senate has mandated its Committee on Marine Transport to invite the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Shippers Council and the Federal ministries of Works and Transport to find solutions to the gridlock in Apapa Port.

    This followed a motion moved yesterday by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and 106 others.

    Mrs. Tinubu, in her lead debate, noted that 75 per cent of Nigeria’s trade is ship-borne and shipped through the Apapa Port, where cargo and petroleum products bearing trucks regularly cause gridlock on Apapa-Mile 2 and Apapa-Oshodi corridors.

    The lawmaker added that the trucks were packed on bridges and flyovers for days and weeks.

    She expressed concern that the perennial logjam on access roads in the Apapa maritime corridor has resulted in dire consequences on the country’s economy.

    The Lagos Central senator said the non-compliance of marine operators with the 25 years Lagos Port concession terms to modernise port facilities and provide free flowing shipping activities was responsible for the sustained traffic lockdown of the shipping corridor.

    She observed that the Apapa Port terminals were critical integral part of “our national inter-modal transportation chain that bear directly on Nigeria’s maritime/economic activities”.

    The senator noted that she was mindful of the huge national security, human and environmental risk of the traffic situation in the maritime axis, arising from deadly fumes and falling containers as a result of bad roads.

    The lawmaker prayed the Senate to direct its Committee on Marine Transport, when constituted, to invite the management/leadership of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Shipping Council, the Federal Ministries of Works and Transport, the Western Naval Command, the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), the police and others to dialogue on the way out.

    She asked the Senate to urge the Federal Government to consider long-term plans for technical re-design and expansion of the Apapa-Ijora-Iganmu-Orile-Mile 2 access trunk as well as the Apapa-Tin Can-Mile 2-Oshodi corridor.

    The two prayers were adopted.

    The prayer that the Senate should urge maritime players and operators to build satellite truck/trailer parks, with the capacity that can take no fewer than 10,000 vehicles at a time and that such truck/trailer parks should be designed to have facilities like a vehicle repair yard, diesel dispensing points, restaurants, security and inn/motel for truck/trailer drivers and other occupants of such vehicles, was rejected.

    Additional prayer that the NPA should immediately reactivate rail lines in and around the Apapa Port to ensure easy evacuation of containers was adopted.

    The Senate urged the Lagos State Government to collaborate with Federal Government’s agencies to find immediate relief to the gridlock at the shortest possible time.

    The Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, thanked the senator for the motion, describing it as one of the most important motions on the floor of the Senate.

    Saraki said there was no doubt that the gridlock was affecting the economic life of the country.

    He added that a second look should be taken on the position of many tank farms in the area.

  • Senators kick against nominee’s utterances

    A ministerial nominee, Pastor Usani Usani Uguru, on Tuesday drew the ire of some senators with his utterances at the ongoing screening exercise.

    Uguru and the senators had been exchanging banters at the introductory segment of the exercise before the nominee seemingly shot off tracks.

    The nominee mentioned names of some senators with whom he traversed the political landscape during the last electioneering campaign.

    Incidentally, most of the senators he mentioned were member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    At a point, one of the senators interjected, asking Uguru, “were you interacting with the PDP too?”, to which Uguru replied “God forbid.”

    Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio (PDP), raised objection to the nominee’s statement.

    Coming on a point of order, Akpabio described Uguru’s outburst as derogatory to members of the PDP.

    His objection drew reaction from other PDP senators. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia South) declared that the nominee did not submit his assets declaration papers along with his documents.

    This, Abaribe said, was in violation of one of the rules set for the nominees by the Senate.

    Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP Abia North) also raised issues with the nominee’s tax papers. Waving the tax papers, Ohuabunwa said the nominee obtained his tax clearance certificates for three years in just one day.

    The senator said the implication was that the nominee was not paying his tax as when due and as such, should be disqualified without delay.

    But the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, came to the nominee’s rescue when he cited the 5th Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution to back Uguru’s action.

    Ndume said by virtue of the provisions in that Schedule, a public office holder may submit his asset declaration papers before taking appointment, or within 30 days after taking office.

    But many other senators still complained over Uguru’s “God forbid” phrase, and were in the process of pushing their grievances further when the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki intervened.

    Calmly, Saraki was able to douse the tension. Turning to the visibly ruffled Uguru, the Senate President gesticulated to him to apologise to the PDP senators.

    A contrite Uguru then said in a subdued tone, “I am extremely sorry.” Though the screening exercise continued, the nominee did not regain composure for the remaining part of the exercise.