The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate

  • Senate receives revised MTEF/FSP bill

    Senate receives revised MTEF/FSP bill

    The Federal Government has presented a revised 2018 to 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to the Senate for consideration.

    The government specifically adjusted the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate from 4.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

    Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed made the disclosure at an interactive session with the Senate Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriations and National Planning in Abuja on Tuesday.

    She, however, explained that other key parameters and assumptions like oil benchmark, daily oil production estimates and exchange rate were retained.

    The minister allayed fears that the adjustments would affect the 2018 budget proposal of N8.61 trillion.

    She added that the adjustments had already been reflected in the 2018 budget estimates submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint session of the National Assembly on Nov.m7.

    Zainab listed some of the adjustments made on the 2018 to 2020 MTEF submitted by the Executive to the National Assembly in October to include: “N710 billion to be generated from the restructuring of government’s equity in all the Joint Venture oil assets.

    “N320 billion additional revenues from revision of terms to improve government take in the Production Sharing Contracts; additional N60 billion from Excise Duties on cigarettes and alcohol, among others.

    “The key assumptions on the macro framework is as defined in our MTEF and the only difference in the key assumptions is that we have adjusted the GDP growth from 4.5 per cent.

    “And this is as a result of a meeting we had with you while discussing the last MTEF down to 3.5 per cent.

    “But all the other assumptions at 2.3 million barrels per day, oil price of $45 per barrel, exchange rate of N305/$1 are the same.

    “The fiscal deficit is now N2.05 trillion, down by over N940billion, also pushing the debt/GDP ratio downwards from 2.61 per cent to 1.77 per cent,” she said.

    Read Also: Experts express mixed feelings on 2018 budget

    The minister said the adjustments were the fallout of the recommendations of a committee chaired by Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, which identified additional revenue sources of about N1trillion to cut the 2018 budget deficit.

    She added:”When the FEC approved the MTEF/FSP, it constituted a Committee, chaired by the Minister of Finance, which was tasked with identifying additional sources of about N1 trillion revenues to cut the 2018 budget deficit and New borrowings.

    “The outcome of the work of the committee necessitated a revision of the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF), which also formed the basis of the 2018 budget proposal.

    “This briefing note and accompanying submissions relate to the revised MTEF/FSP and MTFF, which are in alignment with the 2018 Executive Budget proposal, and were part of the documents that accompanied the 2018 Budget laid before NASS”.

    Lawmakers who spoke at the session, insisted that the non-oil revenue were unrealistic.

    Specifically, they cited the FGN Independent Revenue projection of N807billion for 2017, where only N155.14billion (representing 74 per cent failure) was achieved as of September this year.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. John Enoh and a member of the joint committee, Sen. Ibrahim Danbaba (APC-Sokoto), wondered why the same projection was used in 2018.

    “Why don’t we have anything on interest rate as part of the MTEF document? That will be the best way to talk about aligning the monetary and the fiscal.

    “Why are we putting more than N800 billion as independent revenue when the president admitted in his address to the National Assembly that it had suffered about 74 per cent variance?

    “And yet in 2018, we are still putting more than N800 billion for independent revenue. Are we just balancing the figures?

    “How do you expect to get the revenue from the beginning even what you are projecting you know that you can’t make it?” Enoh queried.

    In his contribution, Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi), said: “I find it difficult to understand why the budget for 2017 should be truncated by 31st December when less than 20 per cent of the capital budget has been released.

    “By withholding capital releases, you are more or less contracting the economy.”

    The development comes as the Senate had revealed that it would approve the 2018 to 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) this week.

    To this end, the debate on general principles of the N8.61 trillion 2018 Appropriation Bill, earlier scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week, has been shifted to Nov. 28 and Nov. 29.

    MTEF/FSP provides the parameters upon which the budget is prepared.

    According to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the fiscal documents must be approved before the budget is considered.

  • Senate urges FG to immortalise Ekwueme

    Senate urges FG to immortalise Ekwueme

    The Senate on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to immortalise the late former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, by naming the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, or other key federal institution or asset after him.

    This was sequel to a motion on “The Passing on of Former Vice President, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme (1932-2017)’’, sponsored by Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, at plenary.

    He noted that the late elder statesman was an intellectual giant and “consummate professional’’, who pioneered architecture in modern Nigeria and paid his dues to the social, economic, and political development of Nigeria.

    “The late Dr Alex Ekwueme was a bridge builder, patriot and pan-Nigerian, who played a major role in the post-war reconciliation process in Nigeria.

    “As Vice President of Nigeria, Ekwueme led exemplary life of unassailable probity and unimpeachable integrity, such that even the military tribunal that tried him during his 20-month detention after the 1984 coup discharged and acquitted him.

    “The tribunal also empathically stated that Ekwueme left office poorer than he was when he entered it, and to ask more from him was to set a standard, which even angels could not meet,” Ekweremadu said.

    He described Ekwueme as a legend, fearless soldier of democracy, who, among other efforts, mobilised 34 eminent Nigerians on the platform of G34 to demand an end to military rule and pushed for enthronement of democracy.

    Contributing, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP -Abia) said the fondest memory of late Ekwueme was that he remained the only former vice president that left office and still became poor.

    Also, Sen. Bala Na’Allah (APC- Kebbi) said though the deceased hailed from the South East, he was “a single Nigerian” who contributed immensely to Nigeria’s democracy and future of the country.

    Na’Allah, who is Deputy Leader of Senate, called for the immortalisation of the former vice president in view of his loyalty to former President Shehu Shagari, with a national institution in Sokoto State.

    In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the death of Ekwueme was a great loss to Nigeria.

    “He was a great patriot, detribalised and simple person that put Nigeria first.

    “Ekwueme will be missed by all,” Saraki said.

    On a voice vote, the motion was unanimously adopted.

    Read Also: Rain of tributes for Ekwueme

  • Senate queries Total over Nigerian content of Engina $16b project

    The Senate Committee on Local Content has demanded to know the Nigerian content of the multi-billion dollar floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) of the Engina project, which is being constructed by the Total Upstream Nigeria Limited.

    A statement by the Media Adviser to  the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Chief Kayode Odunaro, said the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, Mr. Nicolas Terraz, appeared before the Senate Committee on Local Content to make a presentation on the project at the weekend.

    Odunaro said Chairman of the Committee Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) hailed Total for the achievements it so far recorded on Nigerian content in the first ever project to enable an in-country integration of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility in Nigeria.

    The statement, however, said Adeola told the firm’s managing director that his committee would require more detailed information on the project in relation to implementation of Nigeria Local Content Act 2010, given the quantum increase in the project sum since it was awarded in March 2012.

    “In the last four years alone, the project value that was initially awarded at the sum of $3,143,499,498 to Samsung Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in 2012 has been varied from $6 billion to $13 billion and $16 billion respectively without commensurate increase of the local content portion of the project.

    “The committee will want to have information on this aspect of the project in the interest of Nigerian people,” Adeola stated.

    The statement added that Adeola also said the committee might be inviting other contractors involved in the project, including SAIPEM, Nestoil, Dorman Long, Nigerdock and Aveon Offshore.

    The chairman noted that for now, the committee would want a detailed overview from Total Upstream Nigerian Limited, being the major contractor in the ongoing project.

    “The committee will also want to get information on why the Nigerian Engina Project is more expensive than any other projects elsewhere in the world in addition to its local component,” Adeola stated.

    When properly executed, the project, said to comprise drilling and completion of 44 oil wells and other ancillary facilities in deep sea, is expected to create 50,000 employment opportunities for Nigerians.

    It will also aid the acquisition of highly technical skills by Nigerians and create opportunities in future to domesticate the construction of such projects in the country.

    Members of the committee present at the presentation include Senator Biodun Olujimi, the Minority Whip of the Senate, Senator Mararafa Kabir, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Senator Binta Mashi Garba and Senator Bassey Akpan.

  • Obasanjo, Jonathan used police against governors, says Senate panel

    Obasanjo, Jonathan used police against governors, says Senate panel

    •Senators hail Buhari for ordering return of Obiano’s security details

    Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan used the police as a political tool against perceived opponents, the Senate Committee on Police Affairs alleged yesterday.

    The committee was mandated by the Senate in plenary on Wednesday to ensure immediate compliance to its resolution demanding the reinstatement of Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano’s security details.

    The upper chamber asked the committee to follow up the resolution and report back to the Senate yesterday.

    Chaired by Senator Abu Ibrahim, the committee said in its report that “it is significant and exemplary” that President Muhammadu Buhari  ordered the immediate reinstatement of the governor’s security aides even before the Senate resolution.

    It described the withdrawal of Obiano’s security aides as “most unfortunate,” and added that “it is heartwarming that the police authorities have explained that the action was not intended to cause the governor any injury or harm”.

    The committee said: “Nigerians must not forget however that the perceived use of the police to persecute a sitting governor was actually made a best-practice tool by immediate past administrations.

    “In those days of impunity, the directives (to use the police to persecute political opponents) were directly linked to the presidency and the then sitting presidents never issued any instructions to counter the positions of the police and security services.

    “The following examples illustrate clearly: ‘Dr. Chris Ngige as the then Governor of Anambra State suffered abduction and when he regained freedom and attempted to castigate the powers that be at the federal level, his security details were withdrawn on January 2, 2005.

    “In April 2007, a few days to the election, ’higher’ authorities ordered the withdrawal of the ADC and the CSO to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The APC leader was also threatened with arrest in the lead-up to the 2011 elections.

    “In September 2013, the then Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, was harassed on several occasions with the threat of withdrawal of his security aides.

    “While his were repeated threats, the President of this Distinguished Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was not that lucky. His aides were actually withdrawn in September 2013 as punishment for his support of the rebellion within the then ruling PDP.

    “In February 2014, the security details attached to the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, were withdrawn on the orders of the presidency. The same man suffered the same fate again when he became the Emir of Kano in June 2014.

    “The Emir’s palace was sealed off by the police to prevent him from entering it and he had to assume his responsibilities from within the confines of the Kano State government House.

    “It is also on record that at the same time, security aides to the then Governor (now senator) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were withdrawn. All on ’orders from above’.

    “The then Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State had his security details withdrawn in April 2014.

    “In October 2014, the security details of the then Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, were withdrawn. This was after a blatant attempt was made to effect his impeachment.”

    Following President Buhari’s order for the immediate reinstatement of Obianor’s security aides, the issue was not raised on the floor of the Senate yesterday.

  • Senate to begin 2018 budget consideration next week

    Senate to begin 2018 budget consideration next week

    The Senate would commence the consideration of the general principles of the 2018 Appropriation Bill next week, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said yesterday.

    Saraki, who made the announcement in plenary, said the consideration of the budget would begin on Wednesday, 22nd November 2017 and end on Thursday, 23 November, 2017.

    He asked Senators wishing to contribute to the debate on the general principle of the  Bill to indicate by writing their names in the register.

    Throwing more light on the announcement, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said copies of the budget as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari, are being produced for distribution to Senators.

    Abdullahi said all senators should have been given copies of the fiscal document, but for the voluminous nature of the budget, saying the President presented two copies of the budget, one for the Senate and the other for the House of Representatives.

    He said copies of the budget were already being mass produced, assuring that by next week, debate would commence.

    On the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF) which is yet to be approved, Abdullahi said it would be considered along side the budget.

    President Buhari on November 7 presented a budget of N8.612 trillion to the joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2018 fiscal year.

    The National Assembly is expected to pass the budget before the end of 2017, or early next year to enable the Executive begin its implementation.

  • Senate seeks to partner Immigration

    The Senate Committee on Local Content has called on the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to partner the Senate in ensuring that the Local Content Act is strictly applied in expatriate quota.

    According to the committee, the move will secure employment for Nigerians and prevent transfer of foreign exchange in the name of engaging foreign experts.

    Speaking during a working visit to NIS Headquarters in Abuja, Chairman of the committee Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West) said the Eighth Senate would see that the Local Content Act of 2010 is fully enforced in the oil and gas industry.

    The senator said it would ensure Nigerians were employed in the industry.

    Adeola added that the committee will amend the Act to cover other areas where foreigners deprive Nigerians of jobs and capital flight.

    The senator said the expertise of NIS would be needed when the committee visits companies covered by the Act, adding that qualified graduates in oil and gas are roaming the streets without jobs whereas expatriates are collecting fat salaries on jobs that Nigerians can conveniently undertake.

    Comptroller General of Immigration Mohammed Babandede said youth agitation in Niger Delta could be solved by effective implementation of Local Content Act since expatriates are taken over jobs that could be done by locals.

  • Maina’s recall: Nothing ’ll be swept under carpet, says Senate panel

    Maina’s recall: Nothing ’ll be swept under carpet, says Senate panel

    •Committee to submit report next month

    The Senate ad-hoc panel investigating the surreptitious recall of former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform Abdulrasheed Maina yesterday vowed not to sweep anything under the carpet in its quest to expose those behind the matter.

    The committee said its report would be submitted to the Senate in plenary for consideration in December.

    Chairman of the panel Senator Emmanuel Paulker stated this while briefing reporters after a closed door session with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami.

    The meeting was held in his office apparently to keep the discussion of the panel secret.

    Senator Paulker said the committee resolved to conduct the investigation behind closed door because the committee wanted to do thorough probe of the issue assigned to it.

    The Bayelsa Central lawmaker said the investigative hearing was shifted to his office on account of his personal discretion.

    He said: “It is at my discretion to hold the meeting in my office.  All the four chairmen of the committee were present.  We don’t want a situation whereby media report will dictate section of our report.  The closed door session will allow us to do thorough investigation on the matter.”

    Paulker added: “Nothing will be swept under the carpet. The truth of matter will come out at the end of our investigation and the report will be submitted before Christmas.”

    The meeting yesterday will be the second time this week that Malami will appear before the panel.

    It is also expected that the AGF will appear before the committee next week.

    When the AGF appeared on Tuesday, The Nation exclusively reported that Malami admitted that he met with Maina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) last year.

  • Maina: Senate grills AGF in secret

    Maina: Senate grills AGF in secret

    Anxious reporters who attempted to cover the investigative hearing yesterday were asked to leave the venue because the probe was not open for coverage.

    The sensitivity of the issues surrounding Maina’s surreptitious return might have informed the decision of the committee to hold its meeting in secret.

    Committee Chairman Senator Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central), who asked reporters to leave after brief opening remarks, praised the AGF for appearing before the committee to make a presentation on his alleged involvement in the return and reinstatement of Maina.

    Paulker explained that the committee was mandated by the Senate to carry out the investigation following a motion by Senator Isah Hamma Misau (Bauchi Central) under a matter of urgent public importance.

    Apart from Senator Paulker, who is chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment, other members of the ad-hoc committee include Senator David Umaru, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judicairy, Legal Matters and Human Rights, Senator Andy Uba, Chairman Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Senator Babajide Omoworare, Chairman, Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance.

     

  • Suspension: Senate okays Ndume’s resumption Wednesday

    Suspension: Senate okays Ndume’s resumption Wednesday

    The Senate rose from a closed session Tuesday to give nod to Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume to resume sitting Wednesday.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided, announced the resolution of the upper chamber that its former leader, Ndume, should take back his seat among his colleagues having served out his six months suspension.

    Ekweremadu said that the resolution was without prejudice to the legal tussle surrounding Ndume’s suspension.

    Unconfirmed reports on Monday said that Ndume may not be allowed to resume sitting because he is in court with the Senate over his suspension.

    Those behind the plot to bar the Borno South lawmaker from the chamber said that it would be a misnomer to allow a member who is challenging the authority of the institution he belongs to in court to sit in the same chamber.

    Tuesday’s resolution was however seen as a welcome development by many of the lawmakers who saw it as part of the ongoing peace initiative in the chamber.

    The Senate had on Monday filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, delivered today, 10th of November, 2017 which declared the suspension of Ndume null, void and of no consequence.

    Ndume had told reporters in Abuja that he was prepared to resume sitting on November 15, 2017 at the expiration of his suspension.

  • Senate recalls Ali Ndume

    Senate recalls Ali Ndume

    •Senators disagree over appeal

    Following the expiration of his suspension, the Senate has recalled its former leader Mohammed Ali Ndume.

    Also, some Senators have disagreed with the chamber’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome(SAN) for proceeding on appeal against the High Court judgment that declared Ndume’s suspension illegal without the resolution of members.

    Ozekhome has filed a notice of appeal against Friday’s judgment of Justice Babatunde Quadri of the Federal High Court, Abuja which declared Ndume’s suspension as illegal, null and void.

    According to a letter by Clerk to the Senate Nelson Ayewoh, Ndume is expected to resume in plenary tomorrow.

    But barely 72 hours after the reinstatement of Ndume by the Federal High Court, Abuja, Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN) , who is the counsel to the Senate filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal(Abuja Division).

    The appellants are Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.

    There were indications that many Senators do not want the case against Ndume to drag to the Appellate Court.

    A ranking Senator said: “So far, we have not agreed at the Executive Session to go to the Court of Appeal on this matter. We are all war wearied, we want peace now, we are tired of any row among us.

    “Even the High Court refused to award cost in the spirit of engendering peace and harmony in the Senate. We will prefer to broker peace between the Senate President and Ndume.”

    Another Senator from the South-East said: “I think our counsel was only acting on the basis of law but we will rather proffer political solution to the judgment of the High Court. It is not every time you go to court.”

    A third Senator said: “Going to the Court of Appeal may compound the situation. Some of us have just discovered that our counsel once filed a suit in court against the Senate when Sen. Arthur Nzeribe was suspended. We believe it is wrong of him now to be defending the suspension of a Senator. You cannot approbate and reprobate in law.

    “I will advise the President of the Senate to be magnanimous and toe the path of peace and reconciliation which had been initiated by leaders from APC and Borno State.”

    A Senator from North-Central said: “I think we need to test the law to its logical conclusion on the powers of the Senate to exercise disciplinary control on its members. But we have not met to decide whether or not we should go on appeal.”