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Tag: supplementary

  • Kudos for Oloyede over supplementary UTME’s conduct

    Kudos for Oloyede over supplementary UTME’s conduct

    The Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria (FONGON), an umbrella body of over 100 Non-Governmental Organisations in the country, has praised the Prof. Ishaq Oloyede-led Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the conduct of last Saturday’s supplementary Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across the country.

    In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Wole Badmus, it said reports indicate a smooth and transparent examination process in the over 170 centres with over 85,000 students partaking. It said: “This is another milestone for the JAMB in its quest to give a corruption free test for applicants into the Nation’s tertiary institutions of learning.

    “Prior to the supplementary exam, concerned students were adequately informed of data pertaining to the examination venue, time and date via text messages, E-mails and newspaper advertorials. This is to curtail a situation where some applicants will claim ignorant of their particulars in order to perpetuate assessment fraud’ the statement went further.

    “Prompt release of examination results and adequate briefing of the public on matters relating to the tests are steps capable of reinforcing public confidence in the examination body.

    ‘It is equally heartwarming that in the post examination audit of the last UTME, the board blacklisted over 71 CBT Centres with 48 of them receiving outright ban from participating in future exercise. This, to us will go a long way in aiding the war against examination malpractices in the country as operators of other private CBT Centres will have a rethink before collaborating with unscrupulous members of the public to perpetuate examination fraud in their centres.

    “We hereby advise the JAMB to take additional steps by taking up legal actions against major players in examination derelictions in competent courts of law.

    “His far reaching reforms has greatly transform the board from an organisation that hitherto command little public confidence into a cynosure of all eyes and reference point for a hitch-free, transparent dealings in public business.”

  • Burnt INEC office won’t stop Kogi supplementary election, says REC

    Burnt INEC office won’t stop Kogi supplementary election, says REC

    The early morning fire that razed the Dekina office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Dekina, Kogi State yesterday will not hinder today’s governorship supplementary election in the state.

    This declaration was made yesterday by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Halilu Pai.

    Unknown persons suspected to be hoodlums had invaded Dekina, the headquarters of Dekina Local Government Area where about 29 of the 91 polling units where the supplementary election is scheduled to hold is located, and set the INEC area office in the town ablaze.

    But Pai said in a statement in Lokoja yesterday that only some non-sensitive materials kept in the office were affected while the sensitive ones, such as card readers, were intact.

    He said the commission had made arrangements for the replacement of the non-sensitive materials that were destroyed before today’s supplementary election in the area.

    He explained that a temporary office had been provided at a police station for the smooth conduct of the election in the polling units where election was cancelled in the area.

    According to eyewitness accounts, suspected thugs invaded the office at about 5 am and set it ablaze.

    One of the accounts said the suspected thugs came in a bus and shot sporadically before burning down the office.

    A statement issued from the office of Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Yomi Awoniyi, in Lokoja yesterday said preliminary investigation had revealed that some persons dressed in police uniform were responsible for the act.

    He described the action as “barbaric, callous and uncalled for.”

    Awoniyi assured that everything would be done to arrest those behind the arson and bring them to justice.

    While calling for calm, the deputy governor assured INEC of adequate protection in the discharge their duties in the state.

    The statement added that the governor had convened an emergency security council meeting aimed at conducting investigation that would unravel the immediate and remote causes of the incident and prevent a reoccurrence.

    The statement reads: “Preliminary investigation reveals that some persons dressed in police uniform visited the INEC office Dekina in the early hours of today (Friday), demanding for all materials relating to the supplementary election.

    “The INEC officials at the Dekina office found their request unusual and declined. The arsonists proceeded to set the office ablaze.

    “All efforts by firemen to put off the fire which raged for hours was thwarted by the arsonists who kept vigil as they prevented access to the premises.”

  • Buhari sends N465.64b supplementary budget to National Assembly

    Buhari sends N465.64b supplementary budget to National Assembly

    • Seeks revision of borrowing plan from N882.2b to N2.103 tr

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday submitted a N465,636,926,857 supplementary Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

    In the bill, N460,636,926,857  is for additional recurrent (non debt). The balance of N5,000,000,000 is for contribution to the Development Fund for additional capital expenditure for the year ending on 31st day of December, 2015.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki read the Presidential Communication containing the breakdown of the supplementary budget on the floor of the Senate.

    Buhari said the supplementary budget became necessary because the implementation of the 2015 budget had been fraught with significant revenue shortfalls due to continuous decline in oil prices, oil production shortfall and non-oil revenue.

    He added that owing to the need to sustain current progress in addressing security challenges and other important obligations of the  government, the emergency expenditure items required urgent funding is projected at N465.64 billion

    Buhari said: “The Senate President you may wish to recall that the 2015 budget was predicated on oil production of 2.2782 million barrels per day; benchmark oil price of $53 per barrel and an exchange rate of N190 per dollar.

    “Based on these three assumptions the following fiscal budget was projected

    “FGN budget revenue (of) N3.452 trillion made (up) of share of oil and mineral revenue- N1.645 trillion share of non oil revenue N1.215 trillion, FGN Independent revenue-N489.3 billion

    “FGN aggregate expenditure was estimated at N4.485 trillion, comprising of statutory transfers-N354.34 billion, debt service-N953.6 billion, recurrent-non debt personnel cost-N1.828 trillion, recurrent non debt overhead -N791.2billion,capital expenditure N536. 6 billion.

    “However, the implementation of the FGN2015 budget has been fraught with significant revenue shortfalls due to continuous decline in oil price, oil production shortfall and  non oil revenue.

    “You may wish to further note that owing to the need to sustain the current progress in addressing the security challenges and other important obligations of government, emergency expenditure items required urgent funding is projected at N465.64 billion.

    “Operation Lafiya Dole and others-N39.65 billion, provision for prison rations, feeding for unity schools and others-N2 billion, provision for balance of severance gratuity and allowances of out gone and incoming legislators and legislative aides-N10.62 billion and emergency provision for subsidy claims-N413.36 billion which gave a total of N465.64 billion.”

    Buhari noted that “given this new level of expenditure and revenue constraint, the 2015 Budget which had a projected fiscal deficit of N1.041 trillion (or 1.09 per cent in GDP),  with the deficit largely financed by the domestic borrowing of N502.1 billion and foreign borrowing of N380.0 billion (total borrowing amounting to N882. 12 billion), calls for additional borrowing.

    “The expected deficit arising from the above is projected at N2.103 trillion (or 2.19 per cent of GDP) to be financed by additional borrowing of N1.601 trillion through the Debt Management Office,” he added.

    The president noted that he deemed it necessary to formally request the concurrence of the National Assembly to please consider and approve: an upward review of the fiscal deficit from 1.09 per cent of GDP to 2.19 per cent of GDP; upward revision of the new borrowing from N882.1 billion to N2.103 trillion; a new funding requirement to address security challenges and other important obligations with the sum of N465.64 billion.

  • Anambra Assembly approves N13.8b Supplementary Budget

    The Anambra State House of Assembly passed a supplementary budget of N13.8 billion yesterday.

    The government said it was meant to boost services across the state.

    The motion to pass the supplementary budget was moved by the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Ms Nikky Ugochukwu (Orumba South) on August 29.

    She said the supplementary budget became necessary because the Executive needed to ensure that its programmes are not interrupted.

    Ugochukwu urged her colleagues to approve the budget as part of their responsibility to the people.

    Minority Leader Tony One Week Muonagor (APC, Idemili North) said there was need for the supplementary budget.

    According to him, it would enable the government to provide basic facilities the people needed urgently.

    Muonagor noted that any approval from the chambers to improve the lives of the people should not be politicised.

    Dr Emeka Anabonam (APC, Onitsha South 1), said the supplementary budget was timely because there were several things the state needed to do with the money.

  • APC candidate set for supplementary poll

    APC candidate set for supplementary poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the inconclusive Niger East by-election held on Saturday, David Umaru, said yesterday that he was set for the supplementary election.

    He spoke at a post-election news conference at the party secretariat in Minna.

    Umaru, a lawyer, said he was shocked by the alleged malpractices, which characterised the election.

    The APC candidate appealed to his supporters and members to remain calm.

    He said the outcome of the poll would not deter his conviction and faith in democracy.

    Said he: “We are committed to the journey in search of the truth. The unfortunate incident cannot make us to relent. We and the party are committed to putting up a good fight. We will take part in the supplementary election on Saturday and victory shall be ours at the end of the day.”

    Umaru decried the electoral malpractices during the by-election, which he said took the state back to the dark days.

    “I was hopeful of a flawless exercise at the beginning, but as the day went on, events turned sour as we began to witness the ugly incidents of the past.”

    He urged his supporters not to be disappointed, as he was sure of victory in the supplementary election.

  • Abia House okays N24.9b Supplementary Budget

    Abia state House of Assembly has passed a supplementary appropriation bill of N24.9 billion into law to enable Governor Theodore Orji complete ongoing projects before the 2013 budget bill is passed into law.

    Addressing reporters at the monthly House of Assembly media briefing in Umuahia, the state capital, Deputy Speaker and Chairman, House Chairman on Information, Allwell Asiforo Okere, said the members felt happy with ongoing construction work in the state and needed to support the government.

    Okere said the supplementary budget “became necessary because of the unforeseen problems and the need for the state government to tackle its pressing needs; it’s not because those who planned the budget did not do their work well, as no one can plan a perfect budget”.

    He said the 2013 appropriation bill has scaled the second reading and is before the House Committee on Appropriation.

    The lawmaker stressed that the ministries, parastatals and government agencies have been defending their budgets.

    Okere explained that after the budget defence by the various ministries, parastatals and government agencies, “the Appropriation Bill will be returned to the House and we will appropriate what we feel will be necessary for the state”.

    The Deputy Speaker said the Assembly has also considered four other bills, including the Tenancy Bill, 2012, which has undergone second reading.

     

  • Oyo Assembly approves N30b supplementary budget

    Oyo Assembly approves N30b supplementary budget

    The Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday passed into law the N30,396,508,000 Supplementary Budget.

    The passage followed a report by the House Committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation, headed by Mr. Olusegun Olaleye.

    The House, presided over by Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu, hailed Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s vision for the state.

    They considered the supplementary budget would enable the government complete ongoing projects and execute new ones.

    Twenty-three billion naira was allotted to the Ministry of Works and Transport and N145,700,000 to infrastructure.

    Others are N160,808,000 for the baseline data gathering programme of the Ministry of Economic Planning; N3 billion for the Consolidated Revenue Fund charges and N1 billion for miscellaneous.

    Olaleye said the supplementary budget would enable the government repair bridges and roads that were destroyed by flood.

    He said infrastructural development would attract investors to the state.

    Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu ordered eight local government transition committee chairmen to appear before the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to give account of their stewardship in the last one year.

    The local governments are: Saki, Surulere, Ibadan North, Oyo West, Kajola, Orelope, Itesiwaju and Lagelu.

     

     

  • Senate seeks supplementary budget to tackle flood

    Senate seeks supplementary budget to tackle flood

    The Senate yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to submit a supplementary budget to address the immediate needs of victims of flooding in parts of the country.

    This followed the adoption of a motion entitled: “The menace of flooding in Nigeria.”

    The motion was sponsored by Senator Danlandi Sankara (Jigawa North-West) and 27 others.

    The senators urged the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to “take steps to de-silt waterways and tributaries which are silted and taken over by shrubs to allow for channels and easy flow of water to contain the ravaging flood.”

    They enjoined the “Federal Government in collaboration with other relevant agencies to initiate proactive and preventive measures to guard against future recurrence of flood disasters in the country.”

    In his lead debate, Senator Sankara urged the Senate to note that flood has ravaged many states especially those states along the River Niger, River Benue, the Cross River, the Gongola River, the Iyere River and their tributaries.

    The Jigawa Senator also urged the lawmakers to take cognizance of the fact that a lot of people have died since mid-July due to the heavy downpour, while property worth billions of naira were washed away by the floods.

    He noted that thousands of houses have collapsed as a result of the heavy rains, especially in rural areas, across the country.

    He said he was alarmed that in Jigawa State, about 70 per cent of the houses in various communities have collapsed while others were submerged by flood.

    Senate President David Mark lamented a situation where there is no Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to respond to emergencies in Nigeria.

    Mark said the flooding is a clear demonstration that the country is totally unprepared to tackle any natural disaster like earthquake if it does occur in Nigeria.

    He said: “We don’t have a standard operating procedure in this country and again the rehearsal that they were going to do sometimes in Port Harcourt that became a disaster is just a typical example of how unprepared we are.

    “What has happened now shows our level of unpreparedness for any natural disaster.

    “If there is earthquake, God forbid, in this country tomorrow so many people will be dead.

    “The reaction is bad. The reaction time is not there. The response capacity is not there and we will not know what to do.”

    The Senate President noted that the rains have been excessive, but said the relevant agencies ought to have anticipated and prepared.

    Senate Minority Leader George Akume (Benue North West) noted that the flood in Benue State was unprecedented and devastating.

    He said that was the first time he ever witnessed the volume of water from River Benue.

    He lamented that River Benue has not been dredged for the last 40 years and appealed to the Federal Government to dredge River Benue to prevent future occurrence of the kind of disaster witnessed.

    He suggested that there might be need for Nigeria and Cameroon to collaborate to use the Cameroonian dam for the mutual benefit of both countries.

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa noted that last year, there was heavy flood that affected Lagos and Oyo state.

    He said Nigerians must begin to appreciate the fact that what happens in one part of the country affects other parts.

    Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West) said the flood in Kogi State has not happened in the last 50 years.

    He said that nine local governments in the state have been submerged while about 9.5 million people were affected by the flood.