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Tag: state governors

  • Governors to collaborate with State Assemblies on constitution amendment 

    Governors to collaborate with State Assemblies on constitution amendment 

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has resolved to work closely with their respective State Houses of Assembly to ensure that the interests of the states are well represented in the ongoing constitutional amendment process. 

    The governors made this commitment during an engagement with members of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) at the NGF meeting held on Wednesday night in Abuja. 

    This resolution was outlined in a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    It reads: “The forum engaged with the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) to discuss key issues, including strengthening synergy between COSLON and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and ensuring subnational perspectives are well-represented in the ongoing constitutional review process.

    “COLSON also informed the forum of its partnership with the Development Finance Institution (DFI) to digitize the State Houses of Assembly, aimed at enhancing legislative efficiency and transparency.

    “Governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with state legislatures to advance governance reforms and ensure effective policy implementation at the subnational level.”

    The documents also revealed that the governors had discussions with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr. who shared his vision for a renewed and dynamic partnership between Nigeria and the United States.

    Read Also: ‘Don’t make Senate a retirement home for governors’

    The Ambassador was said to have, at the meeting, highlighted a shift in his country’s relations with Nigeria “from a donor-recipient model to one of mutual collaboration,” adding that he “underscored the importance of fostering economic opportunities for Nigerians.

    “The Ambassador outlined four key priorities that will guide U.S. engagement with Nigeria:

    “Enhancing trade and improving the business environment to attract investments and drive economic growth. Promoting transparency and accountability in governance to strengthen institutions.

    “Supporting subnational governments to bolster development at the state level. Establishing sustainable, Nigeria-led health programs to ensure long-term impact and resilience.

    “Governors welcomed this renewed approach and emphasized the critical role of states in driving economic and social development.

    “The forum looks forward to deepening cooperation with the U.S. on these shared priorities.”

    At the meeting, the governors also received a briefing from the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, “on the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) Scale-Up and plan to expand it nationwide from its initial six-state implementation.

    “The project aims to support women’s economic empowerment through Women Affinity Groups

    (WAGs), livelihood grants, and capacity-building initiatives, contributing to the goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.” 

  • State governors draw battle line with NNPC over oil revenue

    The National Economic Council (NEC) has confirmed that the N526 billion and 21 billion dollars was under-paid to the federation account by some Federal Government revenue generating agencies between 2010 and 2015 including the NNPC.

    Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state made the disclosure while briefing State House correspondents after the meeting of the Council, which was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chamber of the presidential villa, Abuja.

    He said the affected agencies which included Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and 15 others were exposed following the presentation of the report of the technical audit of the agencies to the NEC by KPMG.

    Dankwambo said that NEC’s Ad hoc Committee which he chaired with members including governors of Edo, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and the Finance Minister had recommended refund of the amounts under-paid.

    According to the governor, NEC has agreed to extend the audit to June 2017.

    “One of the resolutions of NEC today is to extend the audit to June 2017. So, the audit will continue for the remaining agencies.

    “It is NNPC, NPDC, DPR, Customs, Federal Internal Revenue Services, NPA, Maritime Authority, all the revenue generating agencies and the details of the infringement are contained in the report.

    “Because it is voluminous report there are a lot of items that are there.

    “The most important decision that was taken is that a sub-committee will be set up which will be an arm of the legal committee of NEC that will look into details of these kinds of infringements and make sure that those issues that are criminal and require prosecution will be handled by office of the Attorney General of the Federation,’’ he added.

    He disclosed that the council had resolved to pursue strengthening of the NNPC governance structure to prevent further recurrence of such gross under-remittance by the NNPC and other revenue generating agencies.

    In his contribution, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun said the council commended the courage of the President and Vice President as Chair of Council in ensuring the probe of Federal Government Agencies and completing the audit report.

    According to him, this has gone a long way to promote transparency and the anti-corruption efforts of the Buhari administration.

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, updated the Council on the just concluded Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) Focus.

    He said the ERGP Focus Labs were conducted successfully and the outcomes presented to the public last Tuesday, May 15.

    He told council members that the labs identified 164 projects spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country, saying that the outcomes indicated that over 500,000 jobs were likely to be created by 2020.

    He announced that more labs would be conducted in due course for other sectors and recommended that states should adopt the same model and commended all stakeholders for making the labs a success.

    “The labs process was found to be extremely rewarding exercise and stakeholders who attended benefited,’’ he said.

    A statement released by the secretariat of the council indicated that the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, reported to council that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at May 14, stood at N1,830, 682, 945.

    She also reported that the current balance in the Stabilisation Account as at May 14, stood at N15, 725,456,963, while the current balance in the Natural Resources Development Fund as at May 14, 2018 was N116, 104,644,763.

  • Obscene pensions for state governors

    Obscene pensions for state governors

    Some few weeks ago, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, presiding judge at a Federal High Court in Lagos gave decision in favour of the Socio- Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that brought a suit in December 2017 challenging the legality of 21 former state governors or deputy governors now serving as ministers and senators and drawing two salaries and emoluments, one as former governors and now ministers and senators. Even if it were not illegal, it will be immoral in situations where most states are unable to pay salaries and pensions. But in real fact, it is actually illegal. SERAP is also asking the federal attorney- general to sue the 21 former governors involved who have allegedly collected N40 billion since 2015. I have on one occasion written about the immoral allowances and pensions some of these governors awarded themselves on their way out of their executive mansions. For example In Akwa Ibom the most extreme in generosity, a former governor is entitled to the following: N100 million for medical treatment annually; N1 million monthly medical allowance; Five bedroom bungalow each in Abuja and Uyo; 300% of the basic salary of the incumbent governor; a new utility and three saloon cars every three years; foreign holidays for wife and children under 18 years; provision of personal aide, cook, security guards not exceeding N5 million per month.

    Former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom receives about half of these humongous and unfair salaries and allowances.

    It is of course not Akwa Ibom alone that is involved in this executive looting. All the states of the federation are complicit in this sordid deed. One of course hopes that Ekiti and Gombe states – the two poorest states in the country will not be involved. This is only a hope but my guess is that all the former governors and their deputies in Nigeria are collectively involved in this gubernatorial financial selfish financial self-aggrandizement.  It seems these governors are in competition with the federal legislators who are each allegedly earning from N23 – N28 million every month. The suit filed by SERAP hinges on the illegality of earning two salaries from the same government in the federation. I will even go further for a cancellation of pensions for governors and their deputies who may have served for between four and eight years or in some cases less than four years. Ordinarily a person who has not worked for up to 10 years is not entitled to pension under the old labour laws of Nigeria. My assumption is that former governors and their deputies were either self-employed or on salaried jobs before coming into elective offices and they are by my own reasoning not entitled to pensions.  We all know that these former state executives do not need these huge unearned pensions. The former governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN said he declined to accept any pension saying serving as governor of Lagos was sufficient honour for him. I commend Fashola and I hope this republic will benefit from his excellent character and service for many years to come. Dr Bukola Saraki also said he has stopped collecting pensions from poor Kwara State for now.

    In the First Republic, members of parliament at regional and federal levels served on part-time basis. Those who were elected were professionals and whenever they left office they went to their jobs as teachers, lawyers and civil servants. I regret to say that some of them died in penury but this should not be used as justification for this financial shenanigans masquerading as pensions policy we have today.

    We do not know if the legislatures at state and federal levels have also approved humongous pensions for their members, most of whom are birds of passage.

    Since the public, in spite of the Freedom of Information Act, do not know the terms and conditions of service of members of the various legislatures in the country, former members may also be earning huge pensions quietly. We have also heard of people being given so-called “severance packages” which are totally illegal. At the right time when we have a regime that wants to cleanse the system, many may have to pay back moneys illegally collected. Who for example would have believed a conservative kingdom like Saudi Arabia would arrest several of its leaders who are mostly princes and force them to disgorge US$117 billion which they illegally appropriated to themselves from the public treasury?  In the United States, former governors would have contributed to public pensions scheme which is available to all public workers unlike here where politicians treat themselves as unique and special individuals. In the United Kingdom, Members of Parliament   receive a pension of either 1/40th or 1/50th of their final pensionable salary for each year of pensionable service. Ministers who are members of parliament are also entitled to pensions on the same scale. Members of parliament are also encouraged to buy into investment that is available to all British people. With the huge bulge of youth unemployment and economic hopelessness in the land, we may have to tidy our finances and recover whatever had been illegally cornered using political power.

    There is nothing stopping governors, their deputies and members of parliament at state and federal levels setting up pensions schemes or buying into existing pensions that are based on voluntary or in some cases compulsory contributions. This is what Nigerians who are lucky to find jobs do and our representatives should reflect our financial reality and in any case politics should not be made so attractive that getting elected becomes a matter of life or death. We must go back to part-time legislatures and abolish the extant laws permitting current executive brigandage. The only elected officials of government who should live at our expense after their service are the president, vice president and judges who cannot after office go back to work. The president and the vice president are by the nature of their offices, physical representation of the Nigerian nation.

     

  • Wabba to governors: Make workers’ welfare priority

    Wabba to governors: Make workers’ welfare priority

    National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Waba, on Tuesday asked the nation’s state governors to make workers welfare their priority.

    Waba said some states have enough resources to adequately cater for the welfare of workers but failed to attend to their needs because they did not make the issue of workers welfare a priority.

    The NLC boss made this known in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at the opening ceremony of the meeting of the National Executive Council of the NLC.

    He noted that workers are partners in the project in ensuring good governance and political stability, saying governors should encourage the workers by paying their salaries and allowances promptly.”

    “It is not that some states cannot pay their workers’ salaries as and when due, but it depends on their priority.

    “Some governors see workers welfare as a priority, while some others do not.

    “However, it must stress that workers are partners in the Nigerian project. We believe in good governance and stability of the polity.

    “We will support the Federal Government on good governance and political stability,” Waba said.

    He lauded Ogun State Government for making workers welfare its priority through prompt payment of salaries, however, appealed to him, to clear the backlogs of deductions of the workers.

    He also appealed to him to reinstate the sacked labour leader in the state – the state NLC chairman, Akeem Ambali, urging   the Governor to “forgive and forget.”

    On his own part, Ambali, lauded the state governor for the infrastructural development of the state, making it an investors destination of choice.

    He also appealed to the governor to clear the backlogs of deductions of the civil servants, and contributory pension.

    The governor pledged to continue to make workers welfare his priority, adding that his administration would not leave any stone unturned in the areas of regular payment of workers’ salaries.

  • Buhari to governors: Pay workers’ salaries before Xmas

    Buhari to governors: Pay workers’ salaries before Xmas

    … Approves payment of 50% Paris Club refund to states

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday asked state governors to clear workers’ outstanding salaries before the Christmas celebration.

    He also approved payment of 50% Paris Club refund.

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir el-Rufai, briefed State House correspondents at the end of governors meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Okorocha said: “It was a brief meeting between the governors and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the end of the year and the President has expressed the need to make ensure that every Nigerian especially the workers have a beautiful Christmas and the issue of outstanding Paris Club was discussed. That was taken care of, to ensure that workers in various states and everywhere in the country get to celebrate the Christmas.

    READ ALSO:   Probe Govs’ spending of Paris club refund

    “We also used the opportunity to review our working relationship with the President from the states and we found out that we are in harmony. There is no difference between us and the President. Everybody seems to be happy working together. But particularly, we commended the President for getting Nigeria out of recession within such a short time. We commended Mr. President and everybody left quite happy.

    “We are looking at getting the balance of Paris Club refund thrashed out once and for all. We also made a request for Mr. President’s approval that the balance should form part of our 2018 budget, because we can’t include it until we are sure that the money is coming. That was also sorted out.

    “So, as it is now, the issue of workers took the centre stage and Mr. President was concerned about those who depend on their salaries to feed their families and pay their house rent and he had the assurance from the governors that we will meet up those obligations.

    “It was emphasised that states and Federal Governments must work together to get Nigeria out of its present economic predicament to make Nigeria a better society for all of us.”

    Asked if all salary arrears will be cleared by each state before Christmas, the governor said “Yes, with the Paris Club refund coming, every worker should enjoy his or her Christmas. I made it clear.

    El-Rufai said what the President approved for payment to pay workers’ salaries before Christmas is the balance of the first 50 per cent Paris Club refund.

    According to him, the governors are also still asking for payment of the second 50 per cent balance so that state governments can capture it in their 2018 Budget.

    He said: “Let me explain. The Paris club figures need to be reconciled. While the reconciliation process was going on, the President approved that 50 per cent of the original amount be paid to the states. The payment started from last year. We still have the balance of the first 50 per cent. This is what the President said should be paid to state governments to meet their obligations before Christmas because he is concerned that many families depend solely on their salaries for the festive period.

    “That had been decided. The balance of the first 50 per cent is what we are expecting now before Christmas. The President has approved that and said it must be paid.”

     

  • Paris Club refund: Buhari decries governors handling

    Paris Club refund: Buhari decries governors handling

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with members of the National Council of traditional rulers and decried the way the Paris Club Refund was spent by some state governors.

    The Federal government had on May 4 released details of the second tranche of Paris Club refund to States totalling N243. 795 billion.

    The refund is in respect of over-deductions on Paris Club, London Club Loans and Multilateral debts between 1995-2002.

    The President, who met with the traditional rulers at the new Banquet hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja frowned at the inability of the affected state governments to pay the retirement benefits and outstanding salaries of workers with the payment of the refund.

    “We have to digress this much because I would like to convince you that I’m living with the problems of this country day-by-day, and mostly those of the ordinary people.

    “There are Nigerians that haven’t been paid for six months; there are Nigerians that have not been paid their retirement benefits for years.

    “I’m appealing to the governors, (that was why we voted money, we borrowed money), please make sure anybody under you, pay them because most of them depend on that salary to pay rent, school fees,’’ he said.

    He pledged that his administration would continue to do its best in executing developmental projects to uplift the standard of living of all Nigerians irrespective of their geo-political backgrounds.

    The President noted with delight that the country would be witnessing bumper harvest across the country, this year.

    He said the bumper harvest was as a result of the prayers of Nigerians which was graciously answered by God.

    “We are lucky, last year and this year, the rainy season was good. If it were not good, I’m confiding in you, which country shall I run to? But God answered the prayers of most Nigerians.

    “The rainy season last year was good, this year, from the reports I’m getting, it is good. We thank God for that, only God can do that for us otherwise there would have been lot of problems in this country.

    President Buhari thanked the traditional rulers for their continued prayers and support to the government and urged them not to relent in efforts toward ensuring peace and stability in their respective domains.

    He enjoined them to continue to educate their people on the need to ensure the continued survival of Nigeria as a geo-political entity.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar, said the traditional rulers were in the Presidential Villa to wish the President and the country well and to express their unflinching support for the administration.

    He, however, challenged the President to tight up his belt in the discharge of his responsibilities for the betterment of the country.

    The Sultan reassured that the traditional rulers would continue to pray for the good health of the president as well as peace and prosperity of the country.

    The Sultan also expressed the willingness of the traditional rulers to continue to partner with the government in the fight against corruption and other social vices in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six traditional rulers, one from each geo-political zone of the country, spoke at the occasion where they reassured the support of their zones for the Buhari administration as well as the continued existence of Nigeria as one country.

    The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, who spoke on behalf of the North-East traditional rulers, also offered special prayer for God to continue to give the President good health to enable him deliver on his promises to Nigerians.

     

  • Don wants Paris Club loans refund channelled to education, agriculture

    A lecturer at Federal  University  of Technology, Minna, Dr Thomas Arabi  has advised state governors to channel the  Paris Club loans refund to the development of education, agriculture and health care delivery.

    Arabi, Head, Educational Services, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Minna.

    NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari directed the release of the money to the governors.

    Buhari told the governors to use part of the money to pay the arrears of workers’ salaries and benefits of retirees.

    The don said that it was only through the diversification of such funds to the sectors that Nigerians would feel the impact of the loans.

    Arabi said that provision of basic drugs and improved atmosphere for learning would enable the public to feel the impact of the political change mantra of the present administration.

    According to him, part of the funds should be used to procure assorted farming inputs for sale to farmers at subsidised rates.

    He said the provision of farming implements would encourage more Nigerians to venture into farming.

    “Nigerians should thank God almighty for making the Paris Club loans refund available at this crucial stage of the economic recession.

    “Our governors should judiciously invest the refunds in the areas of agriculture, education and prompt payment of salaries,’’ Arabi said.

    He said that proper investment of the funds would also attract foreign investors and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

  • Insecurity: Group urges governors to prioritise prison decongestion

    Insecurity: Group urges governors to prioritise prison decongestion

    …Seeks NHRC’s probe of deaths in police’s custody

     

    State governors in the country have been urged to prioritise the need to end congestion in the nation’s prisons in view of its negative implications on security, inmates’ rights and national image.

    This request is contained in a letter to the governors, written by a group, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-Nigeria), and addressed to Chairmen of the Governors’ Forums of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – Rochas Okorpcha (Imo State) and Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti).

    CURE-Nigeria, in the letter signed by its Executive Director, Sylvester Uhaa, noted that almost all the prisons in big cities in the country are currently holding thrice their designated capacities, triggering frequent jail breaks.

    It added that out of the over 69,000 inmates across the country, more than 46 thousand are awaiting trial, making Nigeria the 5th country with the highest pre-trial detention population in Africa, trailing Libya, Benin Republic, DCR, and Central African Republic.

    CURE-Nigeria argued that the congestion in the nation’s prison did not only pose significant health, economic and social consequences for the inmates, their families and the states, it also constitutes a serious security threat to the host communities.

    The group, while contending that states could no longer afford to abandon issues relating to justice and prison reforms to the Federal Government alone, asked all the governors to urgently initiate justice and prison reforms programs and invests in prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration in their states.

    Part of the letter reads: “the continued detention of suspects without trial for many years, clearly represents the cruellest and most brutal means of human rights abuse and the abuse of power by those entrusted with power to protect human rights and dignity.

    “Prolonged pre-trial detention is a colossal waste of human potential that comes at a considerable cost to your respective states, taxpayers, families, and communities, as some of those who have been detained unjustly would have engaged in one form of economic activity or the other, contributing to economic growth of your states and that of the nation

    “Consequently, CURE-Nigeria asks your Excellencies to demand that all those who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring justice delivery in your respective states to do their job.

    “In particular, we request your Excellencies to ask the Attorney-General and Commissioners of Justice in your respective states to work with the House of Assembly to domesticate the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    “We also ask your Excellencies to liaise with the Chief Judge of your states to pay frequent visits to prisons to review cases of those awaiting trial and make recommendations for speedy trial of cases unduly delayed, and free those who are unjustly detained for periods exceeding the allowable time.

    “We also request Your Excellencies to provide logistics and other forms of support to the prisons in your states to enable them perform their constitutional obligations optimally,” it said.

    The group urged the governors to fund legal aid for the poor; support prisoner education and other rehabilitation and reintegration programs in the prisons, “as this will impact heavily on your efforts to fight crime, spur economic and social development and achieve peace.”

    CURE-Nigeria, in a separate letter dated February 28, 2017, urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to urgently investigate the reported death in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, two Nigerians – Ifedolapo Atansuyi and one Tope – arrested by policemen in Lagos.

    Media reports had it that while 20-year-old Ifedolapo, a gospel musician, died on February 25, 2017 at the Oko Awo Police Post, Tope, who was suffering from ulcer, died on February 27 at Lion Building (both in Lagos).

    Part of the letter reads: “It is our hope that the Commission, in its usual character, will take immediate steps to establish the authenticity or otherwise of this report and will conduct thorough and transparent investigations into the remote and immediate causes of the alleged deaths if the reports are true.

    “We equally hope the NHRC will hold anyone found responsible for the deaths to account, award commensurate compensations to the victims’ families and put in place mechanisms to prevent the reoccurrence of such ugly incidence.

    “Also, we want to use this medium to remind the Commission that Nigerians are still waiting for the outcome of its investigation into the alleged killing of six inmates in Abakiliki Prison last August.”

  • Osinbajo, governors meet in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo, governors meet in Aso Rock

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday held the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting with state governors and other council members in Abuja.

    The meeting started at the Council Chamber of the State House around 11:10 am

    About 23 State Governors were in attendance when the meeting started.

    The state governors include Ekiti – Ayo Fayose, Kebbi – Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Delta – Ifianyi Okowa, Bauchi – Abubakar Mohammed, Anambra – Willy Obiano, Enugu – Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Kwara – Abdufatah Ahmed, Kogi – Yahaya Bello, Kaduna – Nasir el-Rufai, Ondo – Olusegun Mimiko, Sokoto – Aminu Tambuwal, Oyo – Abiola Ajimobi,  Jigawa – Badaru Abubakar.

    Among the State deputy governors at the meeting are Rivers, Nasarawa, Katsina, Lagos.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of this report.

  • Recession: Governors back Buhari’s economic measures

    Recession: Governors back Buhari’s economic measures

    State Governors on Friday threw their weight behind the economic measures being introduced by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to bring the country out of recession.

    This was part of resolutions reached at extraordinary meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) held at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, NGF Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari said: “Also the governors resolved with a commitment to encourage the Federal government to continue along the line to bring the country out of recession.”

    On the issue of insurgents, he said that members resolved that it must be treated as a matter of national emergency

    According to him, the forum also agreed to activate the states task force on polio or the primary health care, which is to be led by the deputy governors.

    The governors, he said, also expressed their commitment to paying their counterpart funding towards polio eradication.

    He said that the governors are going to engage the Minister of Health in order to give urgent attention to eradication of Lassa fever in the country.