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Tag: Senate

  • Senate condemns shooting of Senator Abe

    The leadership of the Senate on Monday condemned in “strong terms” the alleged shooting of Senator Magnus Abe by the police in Rivers State.

    The Senate in a statement by its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, in Abuja also “deplored the escalating political violence in Rivers State.”

    The Senate, according to the statement urged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to probe the incident and ensure that it does not recur in future.

    It warned politicians to avoid acts capable of overheating the polity and derail the nation’s democracy.

    “The Senate particularly condemns the Sunday violence which resulted to injuries on a serving Senator, Magnus Abe,” Abaribe stated.

    Senator Abe, representing Rivers South East, was allegedly shot by the police in an attempt to disperse a pro-Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s rally organized by the Save Rivers Movement in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

    Abe has been reportedly flown to London for urgent medical attention as a result of the shooting.

    Abaribe said the “Senate is disturbed that what should have been a peaceful gathering turned violent resulting in injuries.”

    He added: “On this score, the Senate associates itself with the admonition of President Goodluck Jonathan on his pronouncements to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, wherein he warned that no Nigerian blood is worth spilling in the name of politics.

    “Consequently, the Senate urges the Inspector General of Police to investigate the latest incident and ensure that it never recurs.

    “In the same vein, the Senate advises politicians and their supporters to exercise greater restraint and avoid acts that will not only overheat the system but may harm the country’s democracy.”

     

  • Sanusi retracts comments on ‘missing oil funds’

    Sanusi retracts comments on ‘missing oil funds’

    ‘I didn’t say $49.8b oil revenue is missing’

    The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, on Wednesday told the Senate that the conclusion that $49.8 billion oil revenue was missing was wrong.

    The CBN Governor also told the lawmakers that the letter he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan about possible non remittance of accurate oil earnings to the Federation Account was an invitation to probe remittances to the Federation Account.

    He said though relevant government agencies had commenced reconciliation of their accounts, about $12 billion was still outstanding.

    Sanusi made the observations at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Finance on alleged missing of $49.8 billion oil earning.

    The Senate had mandated its committee on Finance to investigate alleged missing $49.8 billion crude oil funds.

    Senate President, David Mark, asked the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led Finance Committee to turn in report of the investigation “at the earliest possible time because this requires urgent attention.”

    The resolution to probe the alleged missing money followed a Point of Order raised by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North) on the development.

    Relying on Order 42 which deals with matter of urgent public attention, Adetunmbi drew attention of the Senate to a newspaper publication of “$49.8 billion ‘missing’ oil money.”

    He described the development as “a very grave issue that the parliament owed the public the duty to follow up.”

    Mark, in his opening remarks at the public hearing noted that the essence of the hearing was to establish the fact about the alleged missing $49.8 billion oil revenue.

    He said that what the Senate had was an allegation, though a serious allegation.

    He noted that the Senate has no position on the issue except what was published in the papers.

     

  • Senate screens PenCom appointees

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom) may soon have a Board and substantive head, as the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters headed by Dr. Alloysius Etok, rounded-off the screening of itsnominated chairman and commissioners last week.

    President Goodluck Jonathan had sought the Senate’s confirmation to appoint the former Governor, Adamu Mu’azu from Bauchi State as chairman of the Commission and ChineloAnohu-Amazu (Southeast), as Acting Director-General.

    Others are Omotowa Gilbert (Northcentral); Mohammed Abubakar (Northwest) and AdesojoOlaoba-Efuntayo (Southwest) as commissioners.

    Although it is unlikely that the Senate will confirm the nominees before they go on recess, the Commission is in high spirit that the nominees will be confirmed.

    The President in his letter to the Senate read at Plenary by Senate President David Mark, said the appointment is in accordance with Section 16 (3) and 17 (1) of Pension Reform Act, saying he expected that it would receive the usual kind of expeditious attention of the Senators.

    A source in the Commission who affirmed the development said the Senate Committee has screened the nominees and would soon recommend their confirmation.

    He said the Committee was expected to get back to the Senate and after the confirmation, the president would inaugurate the appointees before they can resume office noting this is likely by January next year.

     

  • Senate probes ‘missing’ $49.8bn oil fund

    Senate probes ‘missing’ $49.8bn oil fund

    The Senate mandated yesterday its committee on Finance to investigate the alleged missing $49.8 billion crude oil funds.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) senators vowed not to allow the matter to be swept under the carpet.

    Senate President David Mark asked the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Finance Committee to turn in its report of the investigation “at the earliest possible time because this requires urgent attention”.

    The resolution to probe the alleged missing money followed a Point of Order raised by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North) on the development.

    Relying on Order 42, which deals with matter of urgent public attention, Adetunmbi drew attention of the Senate to a newspaper publication of “$49.8 billion ‘missing’ oil money”.

    He described the development as “a very grave issue that the parliament owed the public the duty to follow up”.

    Adetunmbi said CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had graciously responded to the inquiries of the committee and offered information and detailed value of crude oil exports and proceeds repatriations.

    The lawmaker noted that the CBN Governor’s response showed clearly the proceeds of crude oil sales, which should have accrued to the Federation Account.

    Senate President David Mark, said though Adetunmbi discussed the matter with him, he (Mark) was only shown a newspaper publication on the issue.

    Mark added: “Because it is newspaper publication that you showed me, you lay the newspaper and the matter is hereby referred to the Committee on Finance for investigation.

    “Now that you also have more information on the issue, lay it along with the newspaper. I want to have the report of the committee at the earliest possible time because this requires urgent attention.”

    Senator Olusola Adeyeye felt uncomfortable with the way Mark handled the matter and raised the issue of privilege.

    Adeyeye, who represents Osun Central Senatorial District, said that his privilege was breached by the way the issue was handled.

    The lawmaker said that the chamber should have been allowed to discuss the matter.

    He said that Mark arrogated to himself a privilege that rightly belonged to the entire Senate.

    Mark, he insisted, should “reverse himself and allowed this matter which is of public importance to be debated by the Senate”.

    Mark said that he could not see how Adeyeye’s privilege was breached.

    The Senate President noted that he based his ruling that the matter be referred to the Committee on Finance for investigation on the fact that the Senate did not have detailed information on the alleged missing money.

    He said: “I believe that it is proper that the Finance Committee looks at the matter and presents its report after which there would be debate of the report.”

    He ruled Adeyeye out of order.

    The CBN letter on the alleged missing $49.8 billion was addressed to the Chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee and dated December 4, 2013.

    The letter signed by Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Suleiman Barau, was entitled: “Re: Request for information”.

    It read in part, “We refer to your letter ref: NASS/S/CPAC/017 dated 19th November, 2013 on the above subject matter.

    “We forward herewith a soft copy and three hard copies of the detailed analysis of the value of crude oil exports and proceeds repatriation by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as obtained from Government appointed pre-shipment Inspection Agents for Oil and Gas Exports for the period January 2012 to July 2013.

    “Please accept the assurances of the Governor’s highest regards.”

    The CBN in the letter gave total quantity of oil lifted by NNPC for the period January 2012 to July 2013 as 594,024,107.

    According to the CBN, NNPC lifting Free on Board (FOB) total value for January 2012 to July 2013 amounted to $65,332,350,514.57 while total NNPC crude oil proceeds repatriations for January 2012 to July 2013 is $15,528,410,098.77.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators at a press conference underscored the fact that they would ensure that matter was not swept under the carpet.

    Before the press conference began, Senator Babafemi Ojudu described the development as a matter of national importance which they wanted to draw attention of Nigerians to.

    Senate Minority Leader Senator George Akume, who spoke on behalf of opposition senators, noted that it became necessary for them to call attention of Nigerians to the missing $49.8 billion because the issue is grave and central to good governance.

    Akume said they had every cause to believe that the money is missing.

    He said: “You are already aware of the missing $49billion. This money is the value of crude oil export and proceeds from the NNPC.

    “Section 162 is very clear on where federally collected revenue is supposed to be lodged.

    “We have every cause to believe that this money is missing. This document here is from the Central Bank of Nigeria. This is a very authentic source. It is a very authentic document.”

  • Senate probes ‘missing’ $49.8bn oil fund

    Senate probes ‘missing’ $49.8bn oil fund

    The Senate on Wednesday mandated its committee on Finance to investigate alleged missing $49.8 billion crude oil funds.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators however vowed not to allow the alleged missing money be swept under the carpet.

    Senate President, David Mark, asked the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led Finance Committee to turn in report of the investigation “at the earliest possible time because it requires urgent attention.”

    The resolution to probe the alleged missing money followed a Point of Order raised by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North) on the development.

    Relying on Order 42 which deals with matter of urgent public attention, Adetunmbi drew attention of the Senate to a newspaper publication of “$49.8 billion ‘missing’ oil money.”

    He described the development as “a very grave issue that the parliament owed the public the duty to follow up.”

    He explained that the matter of how the economy was being managed and the issue of oil revenue were raised at a Public Account Committee meeting where they resolved to seek answers to certain questions raised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Adetunmbi said that the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had graciously responded to the inquiries of the committee and offered information and detailed value of crude oil exports and proceeds repatriations.

    The lawmaker noted that the CBN Governor’s response showed clearly the proceeds of crude oil sales which should have accrued to the Federation Account.

     

     

  • Senate stands still for Mandela

    Senate stands still for Mandela

     

    Senators on Tuesday took turns to eulogise former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

    The upper chamber devoted the entire session to praise the qualities of the foremost anti-apartheid crusader who died last Thursday.

    Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, raised a motion which was co-sponsored by 107 other Senators who praised the foremost freedom fighter.

    The motion was entitled: “Demise of Nelson Mandela.”

    Senate President, David Mark, who summed contributions of majority of the lawmakers, said the greatest of all the tributes, the sum total of Mandela’s attributes is “forgiveness.”

    Mark said, “It (forgiveness) is an attribute that is difficult for human beings to acquire. Some seek power only to go and deal with those who offended them but that will not give you the spirit to unite the people.

    “Some white people sold their property and other belongings and ran away when Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa but today they are regretting it.

    “Mandela believed in a course and he was prepared to die for the course he believed in. Mandela did not waver. Leader should not waver because it is the leader that will generate the followership. Once a leader is honest and fair there will be followership.

    “It is important that the western world that clarified him as a terrorist and a communist are today falling over him. It shows that those who say crucify him, crucify him may tomorrow say hosanna, hosanna.

    “There may never be another Mandela but we have several lessons to draw from this great son of Africa.

    “There may never be another Mandela but we can be small Mandela in our communities, villages and our homes.”

     

     

  • Refinery privatisation: Senate urged to amend bill

    To ensure that Nigerians are favoured when the four refineries are privatised next year, experts have called for a modification of the bill on investments in the industry.

    Part 1 Section 3 of a Senate Bill 176 ensures that 50 per cent refining capacity should be domiciled in the country. The bill further states: ‘’Nigerian personnel shall constitute a minimum of 75 per cent of the investing company in the petroleum industry in accordance with the law.”

    The President, International Association of Economics Energy (IAEE), Prof Adeola Akinnisiju, said a modification of the bill was necessary in view of the proposed privatisation of Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt refineries.

    He said Nigerians would have enough stakes when the refineries are privatised. ‘’I am okay by the content of the bill because it’s talking about local content initiatives,” he said.

    He, however, argued that no ground would be lost if the bill is modified. When this happens, refinery capacity and petroleum activities are going to be above 75 per cent as contained in the bill. This implies that more Nigerians are going to have controlling shareholdings in the refineries.

    ‘’At present, we depend on importation of petroleum products into the country. By modifying the bill and subsequently privatising the refineries, it means there would be increase in local participation in the industry. This, on condition that, a transparent process is adopted by the Bureau of Public Enterprises,’’ he added.

    According to him, the power sector reforms have set the tone of what to expect in the petroleum industry. The reforms, he said, have resulted in the sale and subsequent ownership of assets of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by Nigerians.

    ‘’We should expect a situation whereby the refineries would be own 100 per cent, once the National Assembly is able to amend the bill. Like what happened in the power sector where Nigerian companies acquired the PHCN’s assets, the same thing is expected when the refineries are privatised,’’ he added.

    Also, the Chairman, Petroleum and Gas Workers Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(PENGASSAN), Mr Folorunso Ogini said, amendment of the bill is good and capable of encouraging local initiatives. He said Nigerians would leverage on the bill to ask for more stakes when the privatisation process starts.

    He cautioned the government on the issue, noting that efforts to sell the government enterprises failed in the past.

    “What happened to the British Airways? What happened to the Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL) NICON Insurance and other publicly-owned enterprises that the government intended to sell? They are dead because the government failed to follow due process. So, the issue of refineries must be handled with caution to achieve success, ’’ he said.

  • Emergency rule: Anger at Senate over Service Chiefs’ absence at briefing

    The failure of Service Chiefs to brief the Senate on the performance of the emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe State angered Senators on Thursday.

    The upper chamber had invited the Service Chiefs to brief it on the performance of ongoing emergency rule in the three northeastern states.

    The Senate also wanted a comprehensive briefing on Monday’s ferocious attack in parts of Borno State by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.

    The Senate was forced to end its closed door meeting arranged to receive the security chiefs when it discovered that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba and Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, did not turn up for the scheduled briefing.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh, Director General of the State Security Service, Ita Ekpeyong and representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki attended the aborted briefing.

    Senate President, David Mark, announced that the secret meeting was called off because of the absence of some of the security chiefs.

    A source at the closed door meeting told our correspondents that the lawmakers were angered when it was learnt that the absence of the security chiefs was due to their meeting with some American security officials.

    The source noted that most of the Senators felt “belittled” by the action of the security chiefs.

    He said, “I don’t know of any American army officer or security agency that will come to tell the American Senate that their members are not around for a scheduled meeting because they were having meeting with American security officials.

    “We did not walk them out but we told them that we cannot take them until we see all their heads. It does not matter what you get from America but that is not enough reason for them not to come.

    ”It still just tells us that yet they still don’t see the legislature as actually overseers. They just see us as another nuisance body created by the Constitution.

    “But maybe by the time they come back next time they would have now learnt their lessons. Of course, we have a military man who is senior to all of them.”

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, who later briefed reporters on the development, said the planned briefing by the Service Chiefs and the heads of the other security agencies including the Inspector General of Police could not hold.

     

  • Senate approves 200m dollars loan for Lagos

    Senate approves 200m dollars loan for Lagos

    THE Senate yesterday approved a $200 million World Bank loan for Lagos State.

    This followed the consideration of the report of its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts on the inclusion of the Lagos Development Policy Operation (DPO) in the 2012-2014 external borrowing plan of the Federal Government.

    Chairman of the Committee Senator Ehigie Uzamere said the panel observed that the $600 million Lagos Development Policy Operation (DPO) was approved by the World Bank in 2010 to be implemented in three tranches of $200 million each.

    Uzamere said Lagos State has justified its borrowings and has an acceptable debt sustainability level, so it could borrow.

    He said most of the projects the loan would be used for have social benefits, as well as economic and revenue generation potentials.

    Uzamere said the $200 million loan was meant for the 27km light rail project from the Lagos Badagry Expressway to Marina, ultra-modern burns centre, cardiac and renal centre and the completion of the Adiyan water facility, among others.

    Most of the senators said Lagos State deserves the loan because of its peculiar status in the country.

  • Senate probes $24m Manitoba power deal

    Senate probes $24m Manitoba power deal

    The Senate has queried the controversial $24million electricity management contract between the Federal Government and a Canadian firm, Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) as power supply slumped across the country.

    The MHI was contracted to manage the electricity Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), one of the successor companies of the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    Members of the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy accused the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo at a meeting yesterday of failing to make the contract’s papers, expected to run for three years, available to members of the committee.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Philip Aduda said: “We (Senate) need to know how you signed the agreement and what you signed.”

    Reacting to the minister’s response that the agreement papers were with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman said: “You can’t push it on BPE. This is a public document and you are the supervising minister of this agency.”

    Senator Chris Ngige said the Manitoba contract which was aimed at improving the electricity transmission system has not translated to stable power supply the country.

    In his response, Manitoba’s CEO, Mr Don Priestman said: “It cannot be turned around overnight. There are no magic wand to do that.”

    The committee also queried the failure of the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Kenneth Achugbu to appear before it.

    Aduda queried the non-utilisation of the over N16 billion approved for REA this year to undertake electrification projects across rural communities in Nigeria, in line with the provisions of the Electric Sector Reforms Act (EPSR 2005).

    Professor Nebo told the Senate panel that a little over N6 billion of the approved N16 billion has so far been released to REA with the balance expected before this month end.

    He said the $1.7 billion which will be realised from the sale of National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) would be used to strengthen electricity transmission capacity.

    Nebo said the sale of power plants was transparent and observed the tenets of world’s best practice.

    On problems encountered during the sale and eventual transfer of the power firms to new owners, Nebo said: “We have encountered some teething problems along the way and those problems are not unexpected.”

    Priestman however told the committee that his agency requires $36million to be able to deliver on its mandate in the power sector.

    He noted that one of the major requirements of the contract to MHI was to complete 18 Milestone Deliverable Reports (MDR).

    He stated that all but one of the MDR due at this time has been completed.

    “The outstanding report is in the final stages of completion,” Priestman said.

    He however lamented that even though each of the MDR was to be approved by a SupervisoryCommittee of the Board of Directors, essentially during the first quarter of 2013, “that did not happen as there was no Board of Directors put in place until the second half of 2013.”