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Tag: THE House of Representatives

  • Reps approve extension of 2024 budget implementation to June next year 

    Reps approve extension of 2024 budget implementation to June next year 

    The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.

    Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, laid the report of the report of the bill seeking the extension as the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider it.

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    It is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June, 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023)”

    Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the adjournment of plenary to January 14, 2025, urged members to work hard in their various to ensure that the prompt passage of the 2025 budget upon resumption. 

  • Reps panel demands details of projects by Solid Minerals Ministry

    Reps panel demands details of projects by Solid Minerals Ministry

    The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has demanded details of all projects embarked on by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in the past year.

    The Committee made the demand when the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Mary Ogbe, appeared before it to defend their 2024 budget.

    The Committee led by Hon Gbewfi Jonathan Gaza, expressed displeasure with the inconsistencies in the presentation of the Permanent Secretary and resolved that all documents pertaining to all jobs carried out by the Ministry be made available before next Tuesday.

    The Committee also queried the Ministry for not capturing most of the projects it embarked on in the presentation it made.

    Gaza said, “We are expecting the budget and we cannot appropriate it if we do not know the true status of the utilisation of what has been given you in 2024.

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    “We were quite detailed when we sent you the documents we required. You must provide details of all the projects, budget codes, budget items, appropriated amount, contractors, amount awarded, date of award, the status of the projects, the percentage with regards to performance, and the lot numbers among others.

     “So all these individual items must be captured in detail in this document so that Nigerians would know how the money that has been appropriated has been utilised.

     “There are a number of projects that were not captured in the presentation to the Committee. There was no explanation whatsoever. 

    “Don’t give us any half-baked documents again. Every line must be adhered to. And give us the advertisement that was done, the code, the contractors and everything. Even if it  is before the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Kindly put it in the remark section. Go and work on your documents again and make a proper presentation. Let’s have a comprehensive submission,” he said.

    Earlier the Permanent Secretary said a total of N25.05 billion was appropriated as expenditure outlay for the ministry in the 2024 budget.

    “This comprised N894.4 million as overhead cost and 23.15 billion as capital expenditure. The personnel cost of the Ministry was captured in the ministry and still in the Ministry of Steel Development for 2024 because the personnel separation had not been fully executed.

    “On appropriation releases to the Ministry, she said for overhead, the total appropriation is N895, 441, 335. As at October 31st 2024, N745, 367, 779 had been released. Balances as at October 31, is N149, 073, 555. Percentage of releases of the appropriation for the overhead is 83 percent. Expenditure on release is the same amount that has been released. So there is a hundred percent performance. For capital appropriation it is N23, 150, 884, 863. Out of which N2, 724, 818, 977 have been released. 11 percent had been released and percentage performance was 100 percent.”

    “The Ministry achieved a 100 percent utilisation mainly of non- debt recurrent expenditure and the percentage utilisation in capital as at the end October is 11 percent.

    “This is because the procurement process is still ongoing and some are awaiting FEC approval. With the bottom up cash plan, work must be executed before payment,” she said.

  • House Committee advocates better funding for Navy

    House Committee advocates better funding for Navy

    The House of Representatives Committee on Navy has called for improved funding to support the Nigerian Navy’s operations and infrastructure development.

    Speaking during an oversight visit to units and formations under the Western Naval Command in Lagos, Chairman, House Committee on the Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, emphasised the need for increased allocation.

    He noted that the visit aimed to inspect projects funded by the National Assembly, federal government interventions and support from agencies like NNPC and the World Bank.

    He emphasised that the committee would not be able to give a conclusive position on the Navy until they had visited other commands.

    “If I am to access on behalf of this committee, I can only speak about some of the places we’ve interacted with within the western naval command.

    “Navy is beyond the Western Naval Command. We have the Central Naval command. We have the Eastern Naval Command and we have the Logistics Command. So if we come only to Western Naval Command, and here we are in part of the Western Naval Command, Navy Town Ojo”, he said.

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    While acknowledging the Nigerian Navy’s quality work, particularly in hostel accommodations and administrative blocks, he noted that there were challenges that required additional support from the National Assembly and the federal government.

    Gagdi praised the Nigerian Navy’s standards, noting that their work surpasses that of other services. However, he clarified that a comprehensive evaluation requires visiting other commands and units.

    Gagdi assured that they will return to scrutinize projects, interact with commanders and assess the Navy’s ‘utilization of taxpayers’ money’. 

    He said: “I can say they have done well here as we are here, but, we are going to come back for a double oversight engagement. If you notice, there are a lot of places that we have not gone. We have not gone and entered to see projects, details. We’ve seen most. We’ve not seen most.

    We’ve not interacted with some of those commanders that are responsible for other bases and unit across the north western western naval command. So until that is done, even in the western naval command, when we come again, spend time together, scrutinize those things, look at them deep rootedly”.

  • Stakeholders kick as Reps push for bill to establish marine corps

    Stakeholders kick as Reps push for bill to establish marine corps

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, on Monday said Nigeria needs to have a marine corps due to its vast maritime resources and the increasing threats to maritime security.

    The lawmaker said establishing the Nigerian Marine Corps is a strategic initiative to enhance the country’s maritime prowess, protect our waters, and foster a secure environment for trade and economic growth.

    He said this at a public hearing by the Committee on the Nigerian Marine Corps Bill at the National Assembly Complex.

    However stakeholders, including the Navy at the hearing kicked against the bill.

    But Gagdi said the bill represents a proactive step towards safeguarding our national interests and ensuring the safety of the coastal and marine environments.

    He stressed the need for collaboration and dialogue in shaping the future of the nation’s maritime safety and security.

    “Establishing the Nigerian Marine Corps is not merely a legislative effort but a strategic initiative to enhance our maritime prowess, protect our waters, and foster a secure environment for trade and economic growth. 

    “Given Nigeria’s vast maritime resources and the increasing threats to maritime security, this bill represents a proactive step towards safeguarding our national interests and ensuring the safety of our coastal and marine environments,” he said.

    He expressed gratitude to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, for support for this critical initiative.

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    “Your leadership continues to inspire us as we work towards creating a safer future for our maritime domain.

    “Today, we look forward to valuable insights from all stakeholders present, as your contributions will play a significant role in refining and strengthening this bill. 

    “Together, let us work towards ensuring that the Nigerian Marine Corps is equipped to fulfill its mandate effectively, serving the security needs of our country while fostering collaboration among all agencies involved in maritime activities,” he said.

    Abbas said the hearing represents another step in the shared commitment to the democratic process and collective resolve to advance the security, stability, and prosperity of our great nation.

    He said the focus on marine intervention is firmly rooted in the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, particularly in our goals of Economic Diversification and Agricultural Development. 

    “The realities of our time demand bold action. Global peace is increasingly fragile, and Nigeria faces security challenges exacerbated by its proximity to regions of instability. As such, it is pragmatic and necessary for Nigeria to bolster its military capabilities, with a strong emphasis on naval warfare and maritime security.

    “However, this is not solely a matter of defence. The Marine Corps, as envisioned in this bill, will also play a pivotal role in promoting climate and environmental sustainability. By aiding in the management and conservation of Nigeria’s coastal resources, the Corps will contribute to the broader national and global agenda of environmental stewardship,” he said.

    However, the Deputy spokesperson of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, said the Bill proposes to create a new federal body tasked with maritime law enforcement and defense responsibilities traditionally managed by the Nigerian Navy and other existing agencies such as NIMASA.

    He said it would lead to duplication of functions, if allowed to scale through.

    Agbese, who is the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, stressed that as members of the House, it was their duty to critically examine proposed legislation with a view to ensuring its alignment with the best interests of the nation and to avoid the creation of unnecessary or duplicative structures within government agencies.

    Speaking on behalf of 66 other Members of the House, Agbese said: “Acting under the mandate to promote efficient governance and resource management, we hereby call for the total and complete rejection of the bill proposing the establishment of the Nigerian Marine Corps.

    “It is our contention as Members of this legislative body that the creation of this new entity would only result in significant overlap, redundancy, and logistical strain, creating operational inefficiencies and imposing unwarranted financial demands on the government.

    “The proposed Act outlines the creation of a maritime enforcement agency charged with enforcing or assisting in the enforcement of federal laws on, under, and over Nigeria’s high seas and other waterways, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and required to maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service within the Nigerian Navy in times of war. 

    “This proposed body raises multiple operational, economic, and strategic concerns particularly in the areas of jurisdictional conflicts, wartime readiness, legal authority, and environmental management. 

    “We have thoroughly examined this bill and its objectives and we assert that the establishment of a Nigerian Marine Corps is both redundant and counterproductive, given the existing roles, mandates, and capacities of the Nigerian Navy and other maritime agencies.

    “We therefore firmly and unequivocally call for the total defeat of the bill and a recommendation for its immediate withdrawal, while highlighting the compelling need to prioritize efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and coherent maritime governance”.

    Chief of Training & Operations of Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira; Coordinator, NIMASA, Abuja Zonal Office, Mrs. Moji Jimoh and Director, Legal Services, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Bala Saleh underscored the need to strengthen the already existing agencies, rather than creating new ones which could pose more security threats to the nation.

    All the members of the Civil Society Organisations who attended the public hearing, spoke against the Bill.

    They urged  the House to kill the Bill during the third reading, describing it as unnecessary.

    Those who spoke on behalf of the CSOs include Abdullahi Bilal, Spokesman for Security Analysts & Research Forum in Africa; Okwa Daniel, Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice, Equity & Transparency; Daniel Momoh Prince, National President, Nigerian Unemployed Youth Association; Igwe Ude-Umanta, Convener, Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Economic Watch; Opialu Fabian, Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights & Advocacy in Africa Network; amongst others.

    Adjourning the hearing, Gadgi assured Nigerians that due diligence would be done in carrying out legislative actions on the bill.

    He said the Committee was an impartial body and would not take sides in doing its work.

  • Reps to investigate decay in Nigerians Sports

    Reps to investigate decay in Nigerians Sports

    The House of Representatives is to investigate the decay of the Nigerian Sports Sector with a view to proposing necessary reforms required to rescue and rejuvenate the nation’s sport.

    The House also asked the government to declare a state of emergency in the Sports sector to address the challenges and revitalize the Industry.

    In its resolution following a motion by the Chairman of the House Committee on Sport, Kabiru Amadu, the House asked Federal Ministry of Sports to allocate adequate funds in the 2025 budget towards the development of sports infrastructure, athlete welfare and grassroots programs to ensure sustainable growth in the Industry.

    Amadu had said that glory and honour Nigeria experienced during what he described as the golden age where sport helped breaker down divisions and showcase the country’s best athletes.

    The golden era he said marked the emergence of the legends in track and field events like the Ezinwa brothers, Seun Ogunkoya, Mary Onyali, and Chioma Ajunwa. Sule Lapido, the tennis player who made Nigeria proud; Aware that the ’92-’98 National Football Team Class, including the ‘Atlanta 96 Dream Team’, achieved Olympic Gold in 1996, symbolizing Nigeria’s football dominance during that period.

    He said that for over two decades, Nigeria’s sports industry has declined significantly, with less progress in prominent African sports like basketball, boxing, football, and athletics, factors contributing to this decline include inadequate administration, mismanagement, and carelessness from officials, an example is the omission of Favour Ofili from the 100meter event at the Olympics 2024 by yet to be identified Nigerian officials.

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    He expressed concerned that Nigeria’s sports industry is weakened by talent loss to foreign countries, corruption, and demoralization, impacting selection of competitors for major tournaments and have negative impacts on the sports sector.

    He said that Nigeria, once a dominant force in track and field is now lagging behind Ghana, South Africa, and Cameroon in African and global championships. The country’s sports industry is degenerating, as seen in the 2024 Olympics games and the Super Eagles’ current World Cup qualifiers.

    He said that Nigerian athletes are demoralized and impacted by the decline of the sports sector, which has been a unifying factor in the country, issues such as inadequate infrastructure, poor funding, and governance hinder growth and performance, leading some athletes to defect or give up on their careers.

  • Community hails FG on reconstruction of Osogbo-Ilobu road

    Community hails FG on reconstruction of Osogbo-Ilobu road

    The people of Ilobu community, an ancient town in Osun State, have commended the Federal Government for awarding a contract for the reconstruction of the Osogbo-Ilobu-Oyo State axis.

    The National President, Ilobu Development Union, Alhaji Lekan Yusuff, made the commendation at the weekend during the grand finale of 25th Ilobu Day celebration held at St. Paul’s Government Middle School, Ilobu.

    Yusuff, who noted that the project would boost economic activities in the agrarian community and adjoining, canvassed for quick and timely completion of the project.

    He further commended the Deputy Speaker, the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yussuf, who hailed from the town for facilitating the project, especially the construction of the Ojutu bridge that connects the sleepy town with Osogbo metropolis.

    The bridge which has been in a terrible condition for decades.

    He said: “We have to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria, through Hon. Lasun Yussuf for awarding the construction of Osogbo-Ilobu-Oyo state boundary road and Ojutu Bridge to contractors. Despite the fact that, work had commenced on the construction of the bridge, our joy would be more profound at the timely completion of the. ”

    Listing many benefits which the road would bring for the people of the town and its environs when completed, the Ilobu Development Union’s President said that the road,  if completed would reduce burden of transporting farm produce to urban areas and aid inter states movement.

    He urged the people of the town on the need to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the community, appealing to neighbouring towns to sustain cordial and mutual  relationships with one another.

    However, he appreciated all stakeholders for their assistance in the administration of the town for the relative peace and development the town has enjoyed in the past.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan admonished all the political gladiators to play politics according to laid down rules and regulations that guild democracy as form of government, saying they should all eschew politics of bitterness.

    Oba Olaniyan, who specifically advised the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lasun Yusuf to always see himself as a leader who needs to be exceedingly patient while reacting to issues said politics should not be seen as a do or die affairs.

    The monarch said: “I want to appeal to all the politicians to eschew politics of bitterness. Let’s us play politics according to the laid down principles that guiding the electoral process in the country.

    “Our Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lasun Yussuff, I want to urge you to always see yourself as a leader who is expected to be patient while attending or reacting to issues.

    “All the political office holders should see their position as a call to service and such position should not be sought by force. We need to woo our people base on the conviction about what we have for them not through violence or grudges.”

    The monarch also expressed appreciation to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his giant strides in the state, saying the governor has performed excellently well in transforming the state.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yussuf, appreciated the people of the town for their support towards the development of the town.

     

  • Appointment of Tribunal Chair: Reps to transfer power to CJN

    Appointment of Tribunal Chair: Reps to transfer power to CJN

    The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, commenced the process of conferring exclusive power for the appointment of chairmen and members of National and State Houses of Assembly election tribunals in the 36 states and Abuja to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and National Judicial Council.

    Presently, the power to make those appointments is the exclusive preserve of the Appointment , as contained in section 1(3) of the Sixth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    But a bill jointly sponsored by Rep. James Faleke (APC-Lagos), and Rep. Sunday Karimi (APC-Kogi), seeks to alter the section by taking the power off the Court of Appeal President.

    Leading debate on the Bill at plenary, Faleke explained that “the objective is to first and foremost contribute to the ongoing judicial and electoral reforms in the country.

    “Secondly, to create a system of check and balance on the process of appointing these judicial officers.’’

    “As it is now, the authority to appoint the judges for the tribunals as well as the appellate tribunal rests squarely on the President of the Court of Appeal.

    “This is in consultation with the Chief Judge of the state, the Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the state or the President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the state, depending on the state where the said tribunal members are to be appointed from.”

    The Bill was unanimously adopted and passed for second reading through members’ voice votes and referred to the Special Ad-hoc Committee for review of the 1999 Constitution for further legislative action.

  • Oil Block:  Lawmakers to revoke licenses of erring firms 

    Oil Block:  Lawmakers to revoke licenses of erring firms 

    *Promises to back indigenes of the region who have interest in oil business

    The House of Representatives has said it would revoke licenses of some operators of oil block who erred in the process of obtaining their licenses.

    The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Oil Prospecting License and Oil Exploration led by Hon. Gideon Wani spoke on  Friday at Idama platform in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of the state when the committee visited Belemaoil Producing Limited

    Wani also said it would support the people of the Niger Delta to be fully involved in doing business on petroleum products.

    He said the Committee on Oil Prospecting License and Oil Exploration License is commissioned to investigate the licensing of oil companies operating in the country.

    He noted that it would be a form of encouragement to retrieve licenses that were not properly obtained by some companies and hand them over to indigenous operators, adding that when such licenses were revoked they would be given to people from Niger Delta region who have interest oil business.

    Wani said: “We have been mandated by the House of Representatives to investigate all holders of prospecting and exploration licenses. We want to know the number of licenses and the number of companies operating with them. We also want to find out if the process of obtaining the licenses were followed.

    “Niger Deltans have not been doing business on oil. We want to return some of this oil blocks to the people of this region. This is to allow people of this area to also do business. Belemaoil is in a good business to do this business because it is owned by somebody from the Niger Delta”.

    Responding, the Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Mr. Sukubo Sara-Igbe, thanked the federal house for the agitation in favor of the people of Niger Delta.

    Sara-Igbe said if more opportunities were given to the people of the area to do business on oil that the agitations in the region would be tamed.

  • Reps shift resumption to Dec 16

    Reps shift resumption to Dec 16

    THE House of Representatives has extended its resumption by two weeks.

    The House was due to resume today from its recess from October 28.  However, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, in a statement yesterday, said the new resumption date is December 16.

    According to him, the postponement was necessitated by the political party activities leading to primaries to be conducted by all political parties during the period.

    It reads: “This is to notify members of The House of Representatives that the resumption of the House from recess earlier scheduled for 3rd December, 2014 has been postponed.

    “The House will now resume on Tuesday December16, 2014 at 10am.

    “The Leadership of the House of Representatives took note of the adjustment in the calendar of the political parties and took the decision for the postponement to allow members of the House participate in the primaries of their political parties”.

    In a related development, the caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House has washed its hands off a list purported to have the signatures of lawmakers rooting for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In a statement by the leader of the opposition in the House, Femi Gbajabiamila yesterday, the caucus described the list as “fake.”

    A list of over 200 lawmakers from the House, including principal officers of the House from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were published in some online platforms as those who had signed for Jonathan’s impeachment.

    But Gbajabiamila said the real list would be made public soon.

    The statement reads: “The general public is hereby advised to disregard a fake impeachment list published by some online publicists for obvious sinister intentions.

    “None of our APC members in the House of Representatives is party to the fake impeachment list.

    “The authentic impeachment list would be published in due course and we urge our constituents across the country to be so guided,” he said.