The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate

  • Controversy trails Senate approval of N174billion airport projects

    Stakeholders in the aviation sector are questioning the rationale for the alleged inflation by the Senate of the estimated cost of the third phase of the airport remodelling project from N148 billion to N174 billion.

    Sources in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) say they see no reason for the N26billion added by the Senate Committee on Aviation to the original cost in the budget estimate submitted by the Federal Government.

    The projects cover  the rehabilitation, expansion and restructuring of airport terminals, the building of 14 fresh cargo terminals and the  provision of equipment for the Accident Investigation Bureau and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

    The projects are in three phases with the contract value of phase one estimated at N12.81 billion.

    The Nation gathered that   N11.22 billion has already been paid in respect of phase one leaving a balance of N1.58 billion.

    The contract value of phase two of the projects is put at N93.43 billion out of which N53.97 billion has been paid to contractors. The  balance is N39.50 billion.

    The third phase of the projects   is estimated to cost N63.02 billion. N4.21 billion of the sum has been paid out, with outstanding payment   put at N58.81 billion.

    Sources said that “the  total debts  therefore are at variance with the  N174billion declared by the Senate Committee on Aviation by about N26 billion.”

    Officials of aviation agencies have declined comments on the issue.

    The projects , investigations revealed were being funded from three sources: accruals from the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), appropriations and internally generated revenue and this year there was plan to introduce other sources of funding which include airport development levy and security surcharge.

    Funding came from approval for Presidential priority projects on February 21, 2011 for the utilisation of the sun of $60 million in the BASA fund.

    This was submitted to the National Assembly for appropriation to be supplemented by a further N14. 6 billion from the internally generated revenue (IGR) of FAAN.

    The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had  conveyed approval for the aviation sector to  procure critical infrastructure such as perimeter fencing, airfield lighting, water hydrant systems and firefighting equipment as follows: N43 billion from the  2013 budget (as proposed); N25 billion from the BASA fund and N44 billion from sources to be identified by the Ministry of Aviation, totalling N112 billion respectively.

    But the available funds which have not been secured by the Ministry of Aviation include the current balance of N175 billion Power and Aviation Intervention Find (PAIF) from which N75 billion was supposed to be allocated to the aviation sector that is still outstanding.

    There is also the additional funding of N25 billion from BASA fund to be made available for urgent infrastructure upgrades and currently the BASA fund with accrued revenue of about N30 billion, which is not yet utilised.

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Chief Hope Uzodinma could not be reached by phone yesterday.

  • Jonathan presents N322.6b NDDC budget to Senate

    Jonathan presents N322.6b NDDC budget to Senate

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday presented N322.600 billion as this year’s budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the Senate for  approval.

    The figure represented 2.1 per cent increase on last year’s budget of the commission which stood at N315.085 billion.

    The proposed budget comprised Personnel  Expenditure of N15.80billion, Recurrent Expenditure of N10.186 billion, Capital Expenditure of N2.281billion and Project Development Expenditure of N295.051billion.

    According to Mr. President’s letter, sources of revenue for the proposed budget include  N23 million brought forward, Federal Government’s contribution of N50million and Federal Government’s contribution of excess crude arrears of N50million.

    Other sources are oil companies contribution of N130million, Ecological Fund of N57 million, internally generated revenue (IGR) of N100million and  unpaid arrears from 2012 approved budget of N12.5million.

  • Senate empowers INEC to deregister political parties

    The Senate on Wednesday approved a new alteration to the Constitution that empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister political parties.

    The Bill entitled:  “An Act to further alter the provisions of the Constitution of the  Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and for other matters connected therewith, 2013” was sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

    The new alteration to Section 68 of the Constitution specifically provides that, “The Independent National Electoral Commission shall have power to deregister political parties on any of the following grounds – (i) Breach of any of the requirements for registration, and (ii) Failure to win Presidential, Governorship, Chairmanship of a Local Government/Area Council or a seat in the National or State Assembly election.”

    Of the 87 Senators who registered to vote on the clause, 82 voted “yes” while two abstained from voting.

    The INEC had tried unsuccessfully in the past to deregister political parties it accused of non-performance but the attempts were quashed by the courts.

    By this action, the INEC has been constitutionally empowered to deregister political parties that did not win any seat in subsequent general elections when the new Constitution is passed into law.

    The Senate also approved alteration to section 134 and 179 of the Constitution, which extended the period of re-run during presidential and governorship elections from seven days to 21 days.

    82 Senators voted “yes” to approve the amendment.

  • Senate votes on Constitution amendment Wednesday

    The Senate on Tuesday said it would vote on new amendments to the Constitution Wednesday.

    The vote is coming two months after the upper chamber suspended the exercise as a result of controversy.

    The outrage was due to a clause that sought to empower the President to initiate the Constitution amendment process.

    Specifically the proposal sought to amend Section 3 (b) of the Constitution which deals with how a new constitution can be initiated.

    The Chairman on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ike EKweremadu, had explained  before withdrawing the controversial proposal “that Section 9 of the first Alteration Bill provided for how a new Constitution can come into being through the National Assembly.

    “The aim of this insertion is to make provision for the President in addition to the National Assembly to initiate the process of a new constitution.”

    EKweremadu, however, announced on Tuesday that the Senate would on Wednesday vote on the other proposed amendments that were not considered before the previous withdrawal.

    Some of the proposed amendments to be voted on include: The alteration of Section 68 and 109 to mandate the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Clerks of States Houses of Assembly to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission in writing within seven days of the existence of a vacancy arising from death, resignation or defection of a member of the National Assembly or a member of the State House of Assembly respectively.

    Alteration of Section 134 and 179 which aims to extend the time for conducting presidential and governorship re-run election  from seven days to 21 days as contained in Clause 4 and 5.

    The INEC is seeking for an extension of the seven days to 21 days after results have been announced.

  • Bill on financial Intelligence centre divides Senate

    The Senate was on Tuesday sharply divided over a Bill that seeks to establish the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre (NFIC) as an independent body from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    The Bill entitled: “A Bill to establish the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre” seeks to set up a central body in Nigeria for receiving, requesting, analysing and disseminating financial intelligence reports.

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti – Corruption, Senator Victor Lar, said the Bill seeks to create a “financial intelligence centre that is vested with full independence and autonomy.”

    He said the development was meant to insulate the centre from undue interference and manipulation by other authorities and strengthen its capacity to effectively deliver on its mandate.

    Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said it has become necessary to establish the NFIC as part of efforts by the Federal government to fight financial crimes and terrorism financing in the country.

    He said the passage of the bill would enable Nigeria to meet the mandatory requirement for the removal of Nigeria from the Financial Action Task Force list of non-cooperative countries and territories.

    He said even though Nigeria has a Financial Intelligence Unit as an autonomous department in the EFCC, the shortcomings of the unit as presently constituted and operated is predicated on its limited capacity to effectively carry out its functions.

     

     

  • Senate to Boko Haram: Free abducted schoolgirls

    The Senate on Tuesday pleaded with the Boko Haram sect to release the over 200 school girls kidnapped from Chibok, Borno State, about 40 days ago.

    Also on Tuesday, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, wondered why the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, would say the military has discovered the camps where the abducted girls were being held only to describe it as a military secret.

    Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, who spoke at plenary in Abuja, urged the abductors to release the girls in the spirit of the Children’s Day celebration.

    Ndoma-Egba also drew the Senate’s attention to the challenges confronting the Nigerian child of today.

    He said children can only become true resources and wealth if they are well educated.

    He said: “Let me on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, congratulate the children of Nigeria and the children of the world on this day which is their day.

    “Children all over the world represent the wealth and the resource of every nation. They can be resource only if they are educated. Without education, the children rather than being a resource will become a burden on the society.

    “It is for this reason that I also use this opportunity to draw the attention of the Senate and the nation to the challenges being faced by our children in the northeast zone of the country.

    “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to Boko Haram to make this day whole for us as a nation. To make this day whole for as humanity by releasing our children in their captivity.”

  • Senate renews emergency rule with conditions

    Senate renews emergency rule with conditions

    The Senate yesterday endorsed a six-month extension of emergency rule in three states in the Northeast.

    The endorsement was, however, with eight conditions which the lawmakers said must be observed in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

    Some senators of Northern extraction had last week vowed to stop the extension.

    The lawmakers contended that one year of emergency rule had not yielded the expected results.

    Before the upper chamber threw its back behind the extension it held over four hour closed door session to thrash contentious issues especially those raised by opposing Senators.

    Some observers were, however, taken aback with the turn of events, especially the unanimous adoption of the motion to extend the emergency rule.

    Senate President David Mark praised the lawmakers for their patriotism in approving the extension of the emergency rule.

    He said: “The Senate in closed session deliberated on the motion before us on the extension of state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe and agreed that we will approve it in the plenary.”

    He noted that it was agreed during the closed session that certain issues be resolved as “quickly as possible.”

    Mark said: “I want to thank you all for this painstaking discussion that took place and the subsequent approval.

    “Let me also say emphatically here that we have requested that certain issues be resolved as quickly as possible. We stand shoulder to shoulder and strongly behind our colleagues from all the states affected.

    “We take this in the same vein that we are equally affected and that this is a national issue and not an sectional issue in any form.”

    The Senate had last week deferred debate on the request to allow for “adequate consultation.”

    Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba said the Senate arrived at the eight conditions based on which the extension of the State of Emergency was approved.

    Ndoma-Egba said: “Senate welcomes and endorse the support of the International Community in respect of efforts to rescue the abducted Chibok students and urge Mr. President to expand the cooperation and collaboration to the overall arrest of the ugly incidence of terrorism in Nigeria.

    “Senate calls for proper kitting and arming of our Armed Forces deployed to arrest the insurgency and adequate welfare care for troops.

    “Urge that full military operation be undertaken on sustained basis to rout out the insurgents.

    “Special recruitments into the Armed Forces of screened and vetted youth particularly those in the Civilian JTF (Joint Task Force) who will receive emergency training and deployed in the troubled zone in order to beef up the strength of our troops and win hearts and minds of the locals.

    “The Federal Government in conjunction with the state governments to come up with an Economic Marshal Plan to revive the economy of the economically and educationally backward parts of our country. Federal Government to seek and secure multi-lateral support for such Marshal Plan.

    “The Ministers of Defence, Police Affairs, Service Chiefs, National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Director General (DG) State Security Service (SSS) to report to the Senate on monthly basis progress made in combating the insurgency on the basis of which Senate can take any decision it reconsiders necessary including but not limited to the revocation of the declaration of State of Emergency.

    “Urge Mr. President to prepare and submit to the National Assembly supplementary budget to meet any establishment financial requirements needed to combat the insurgency.

    “Urge Mr. President to immediately approve intervention funds to the affected states for development.”

    However, the ninth condition contained in the motion paper read by the Senate Leader, which reads: “The continuation of service of any Service Chief, GOC or Field Commander should be tied to his or her operational performances in combating the insurgency, protection of civilians and upholding the fundamental human rights of civilians” was dropped by the Senate Leader even though it was contained in the motion paper.

    The motion on the extension of the emergency rule entitled: “Extension of State of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States” which the Senators must have discussed during the closed door session before it was read by Ndoma-Egba, states that: “The Senate notes that on Thursday, 7th November, 2013, the Senate considered and approved the extension of the period of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

    “Aware that by virtue of the provisions of section 305 (6) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the proclamation will elapse after a period of six months from the date of approval, except the period is extended by the National Assembly.

    “Further aware that the President, in a letter of 13th May, 2014, requested for a further extension of the period of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

    “Recognising that the security situation in the three states remains daunting in the face of persistent attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect on civilian and military targets with alarming casualty rates.

    “Cognisant of the provision of Section 305 (6) (c) which states inter alia: ‘Provided that the National Assembly may, before the expiration of the period of six months aforesaid, extend the period for the proclamation of the State of Emergency to remain in force from time to time for a further period of six months by resolution passed in like manner’;

    “Recalled that the Ministers of Defence and Police Affairs, Service Chiefs and Director-General, State Security Service, Inspector-General of Police and the National Security Adviser had briefed  the Senate on the State of security in the affected states;

    “Accordingly resolved to: Approve the extension of the Proclamation of a State of Emergency as contained in the Emergency Powers (General) Regulations, /013 effective in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States to remain in force for a further period of six months in accordance with the terms, conditions, content and context as earlier passed by the National Assembly.”

     

     

  • Senate approves extension of emergency rule in three states

    Senate approves extension of emergency rule in three states

    The Senate on Tuesdayapproved the extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

    The approval followed a written request to that effect by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The Senate had last week deferred debate on the request to allow for adequate consultation.

    However, Northern Senators Forum had kicked against the request.

    Tuesday’s approval was preceded by over four hours closed door meeting between Senators from the affected states and the principal officers of the Senate.

    The Senate also went into a closed door session for one hour on resumption of plenary.

    Senate President David Mark announced after the meeting that the lawmakers deliberated on the request during its closed-door session and agreed to approve it.

  • Emergency rule: Senate opts for wider consultation

    Emergency rule: Senate opts for wider consultation

    The Senate on Thursday resolved to embark on a wider “consultation” in order to resolve the controversy surrounding President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend the emergency rule in three Northeast states.

    The three affected states are – Adamawa, Yobe and Borno.

    Northern Senators had on Wednesday vowed to oppose the President’s request, saying the more than one year emergency rule had failed to achieve its purpose.

    The Senate resolution followed over three hours meeting the lawmakers had with Service Chiefs and head of other security agencies in the country.
    The meeting was attended by – Air Marshal Alex Badeh (Chief of Defence Staff); Major General Kenneth Minimah (Chief of Army Staff); Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu (Chief of Air Staff), the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Mr. Ekpeyong Ita.

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, presided over the three-hour closed-door session.

    President Jonathan’s request to extend the emergency rule led to the invitation of the Service Chiefs by the Senate.

    Ekweremadu, after the marathon session, said Senators had fruitful deliberation with the service chiefs and that the discussion was further analysed after the exit of the Service Chiefs.

    He said, “As responsible and patrotic Nigerians, we are looking at it from very diverse angles to ensure that the security situation in those states improve at the shortest possible time.

    “Apart from that, the senate also agreed to do further consultation with all the necessary stakeholders to ensure that everybody could buy into whatever that is needed to be done to secure those states and defeat insurgency there.

    “This is what transpired at our closed-door session. So by Tuesday, we will continue our deliberation on the state of emergency and insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.”

  • Senate summons security chiefs

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend the ongoing emergency rule in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states suffered a setback in Senate on Wednesday.

    The Upper Senate unanimously resolved to deffer consideration of the request.

    It however summoned the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau, National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Minister of Police Affairs,  Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to appear before it on Wednesday.

    Although the request was listed for debate on the order paper, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, moved a motion that it be deferred till Thursday.

    Ndoma-Egba said the Senate can only debate the proclamation of a state of emergency after it has been gazetted and copies of the gazette circulated to all Senators.

    He said the Senate would also require adequate briefing from the security agencies in camera on the progress of the ongoing emergency rule which has been in place since May last year, before it can proceed with the consideration.

    He said: “It is the tradition of this Senate that we appraise and assess the performance of the state of emergency, before we debate any request for extension.

    “So I will move that this Distinguished Senate do invite the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector General of Police, to brief this Distinguished Senate tomorrow (today) in a close session to enable us to commence debate on the President’s request.”

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session,  described the motion as “a very serious business which bothers on the security of a part of this country ”

    Ekweremadu said the Senate need to be “well informed of the situation on ground and the efficiency or the effectiveness of the state of emergency in the past 12 months to enable us take a proper decision.”

    “I therefore appeal that in accordance with the motion moved by the Senate Leader, we should step it down till another legislative day.”

    Senator James Manager, who seconded  the motion said “it is important to invite the Service Chiefs but since they were under some authorities, I want to amend the motion as proposed by the Senate Leader by adding two very important persons.

    “First the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Police Affairs,” Manager said.