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Tag: The Senate

  • Documents expose how “Port Cabal” sleaze Nigeria of over N30 Trillion.

    Documents expose how “Port Cabal” sleaze Nigeria of over N30 Trillion.

    The Senate Thursday said that it is in possession of documents which exposed how “port cabal” sleaze Nigeria of over N30 trillion recently.

    Chairman Senate Joint Committee on Customs and Marine Transport investigative panel, Senator Hope Uzodinma, disclosed this Thursday.

    Uzodinma said that preliminary findings by his committee into activities of Customs, financial leakages and malpractices in the country’s port and revenue system have shown evidence of how “a group of unpatriotic persons brazenly constitute themselves into cabal to inflict infractions at the nation’s sea ports.”

    He lamented that the infractions have become a daily occurrence at the country’s sea ports.

    He accused commercial banks, shipping companies, terminal owners and operators of conniving with officials of Customs and Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) to defraud the country in trillions of Naira.

    He said that the infractions come in various forms beginning with abuse and violation of foreign exchange issued by Central Bank of Nigeria, incorrect classification and under valuation of vessels coming into the country.

    Last week the Senate investigative panel asked the Managing Director of Nigeria Port Authority, Hadiza Bala Unman to account for 282 missing vessels.

    The panel wants NPA and Customs to explain why it did not collect any charges on the vessels and who authorized the release of the vessels from the ports.

    Uzodinnma said all those involved in the transaction have four days to come clean or face prosecution.

    He said, “Senate, determined to end the villainous assault on the economy of the nation and has taken the bull by the horn and set to get to the bottom of this organized crime and come up with future proof and ways of eradicating this gruesome menace.”

    Uzodinma said in carrying out its investigation,  the panel shall be minded by the reality that those who want to bleed the nation to death without remorse must be dealt with without reprieve.

    He said those indicted in this crime will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    The CBN has up to next Monday to verify claims of remittances by commercial banks.

    The panel is however disappointed at how Customs has over the years managed the Free Trade Zone, accusing it of allowing the free trade zone to be used for smuggling goods into the country.

    Declaring the probe open, Senate President Bukola Saraki who was represented by senate Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha asked the panel to do a thorough job.

    He said Senate intends to use this oversight function to expose corruption and ensure that all the loopholes and leakages in the revenue systems are fully and comprehensively sealed.

    He said the Senate under his watch would not sit by and allow a sleaze of this magnitude to continue.

     

  • Senate moves to boost health sector funding

    Senate moves to boost health sector funding

    The Senate Thursday said that it is working on a legislation aimed at increased funding for the health sector.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso (Ogun Central) stated this at a news briefing in Abuja.

    He noted that the proposed Legislative Network in Universal Health Coverage will ensure improved appropriation to the health sector.

    This, it said, would deepen the knowledge of lawmakers on economic, social, health and political benefit of improved health funding towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    Tejuoso disclosed that the Legislative Network is expected to be unveiled next week by Senate President Bukola Saraki at a two-day summit in Abuja.

    The Network, he said, also seeks to expand access to quality health care.

    Tejuoso said that the objectives of setting up the network included  improved appropriation to health sector by deepening the knowledge of lawmakers on economic, social, health and political benefit of improved health funding towards UHC; ensure prompt and adequate release of allocated funds by working with lawmakers to make relevant central budget agencies accountable for fund release; ensure timely passage of relevant high quality health laws especially the legal framework for National Health Insurance Scheme and State Supported Health Insurance Scheme (SSHIS).

    Other objectives include leveraging the oversight and accountability functions of the lawmakers to assess and improve quality and efficiency of implemented health projects irrespective of the funding sources; gauge citizen satisfaction on health service delivery and performance of specific heath schemes and enhance sustained learning among law makers across states and between state lawmakers and their federal counterparts.

    He said, “While there are ongoing pockets of health related efforts by national and state lawmakers, the Senate Committee on Health in collaboration with development partners have resolved to institute a Legislative Network on UHC to harness and align the roles of lawmakers towards advancing UHC cause and serve as a veritable tool for coordination and learning among federal and state lawmakers.

    “All hands are on deck to ensure that the Network does not end with its inauguration. A course of action for operationalizing, it will be charted and a performance framework for measuring success will be agreed upon,” the lawmaker said.

  • Senate confirms eight RECs

    Senate confirms eight RECs

    …Rejects one nominee as three others suffer temporary set back

     

    The Senate Thursday turned down the nomination of Professor Mustapha Zubairu for confirmation for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner.

    The confirmation of three other nominees, Ambassador Rufus Olofuntoyin Akeju (Lagos State), Dr. Mahmuda Isah (Kebbi State) and Ahmed Mustapha Zubairu (Zamfara State) was stepped down for further legislative work.

    The nomination of eight others, including Dr. (Mrs) Asmau Sani Maikudi (Katsina) (new appointment);, Sam Olugbadebo (Ondo)(reappointment); Professor Riskuwa A.Shehu (Sokoto) (new appointment); Barrister Kasim Gana Geidam (Yobe)(reappointment); Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa (Kano)(reappointment); Abdulganiyu Olayinka Raji (Oyo)(new appointment); Professor Samuel G. Egwu (Kogi) new appointment and Barrister Mike A. Igini (Delta) “reappointment) were confirmed.

    The Senate rejected the nomination of Zubairu (Niger State) because he hails from the same area with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Federal Commissioners, Mohammed Haruna.

    For Ambassador Akeju, Senator Biodun Olujimi drew the attention of the Senate to unfavourable court pronouncement on the Lagos State nominee.

    Ambassador Akeju was cleared by the Senate Committee on INEC that screened the nominees.

    Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) put up strong argument to sway the Senate to confirm Akeju.

    Adeola told his colleagues that the nomination of Akeju was not a fresh appointment but a reappointment.

    He noted that it was on record that Akeju served the country creditably during his first appointment and should therefore be confirmed as nominated.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan also prayed the Senate to confirm the nominees.

    The nomination of Akeju, he said, is a clear case of reappointment.

    Senator Peter Nwaoboshi on his part noted that even though he agreed that the nominees should be confirmed, the Senate should not ignore court pronouncement of a nominee.

    Nwaoboshi said, “There is a judicial pronouncement on the candidate, we should not ignore it. Let us look at the court ruling, if the court said the candidate cannot hold the office, we cannot ignore it.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said that it would be wrong for the Senate to sit in the chamber as an Appeal Court over the ruling of a high court.

    When Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki put it the matter to vote, the confirmation of Akeju was defeated.

    For Isah and Mahmud, their confirmation was stepped down for further legislative consultations.

    Meanwhile Saraki has explained that reports that the Senate has softened its position on the confirmation of presidential nominees are not particularly correct.

    Saraki’s explanation followed a Point of Order by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) that the actual position of the Senate on confirmation of nominees.

    Abaribe noted that if the Senate has actually soft pedaled on confirmation of nominees as widely reported the pending confirmation of Abia State nominee for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) should be carried.

    The Senate President who quoted Sections 153(f) of 1999 Constitution (as amended) said that the Senate resolved to foreclose all confirmation requests.

    He noted that there were confirmation requests specifically listed by the Constitution to do.

    Saraki said that the confirmation of ministerial nominees, ambassadorial nominees, confirmation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, RECs of INEC, were clearly stated in the Constitution for the Senate to carry out.

    He said that resolution to suspend confirmation requests was specifically targeted at requests created by Acts of parliament because there were issues to resolve.

     

  • Senate investigates sale, consumption of banned anti-malaria drugs

    Senate investigates sale, consumption of banned anti-malaria drugs

    The Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Health to investigate the circulation and sale in the country of 42 anti-malaria drugs banned by the European Union (EU).

    It said that the investigation was imperative and urged the committee to expedite action on it to save the lives of Nigerians.

    The decision followed a motion by Sen. Theodore Orji (PDP-Abia) at plenary on Wednesday.

    Presenting the motion, Orji said that the drugs, which were already banned by the EU, were still being sold and consumed in Nigeria.

    According to him, the reason given for the ban of the 42 drugs in Europe is that they are considered dangerous and linked to cause of kidney failure.

    He said that according to a report, EU countries must not stock drugs that contain Plasmotrin, Artequin, Co-arinate, Arco, Artecon and Dialquin.

    Orji disclosed that the President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Mike Ogirima, had already confirmed the delisting of those drugs by the EU.

    “It is alarming that the 42 drugs are still being stock-piled, sold and consumed in Nigeria.

    “This situation is already trending and generating panic and concern among medical practitioners and members of the public.

    “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) that had waged ceaseless war on the influx of fake and substandard items have not adequately addressed the issue,’’ he said.

    The lawmaker said that most of the drugs in the banned list were popular and common in Nigeria and were easily obtained across the counter with or without proper prescription.

    In his contribution, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Olarewanju Tejuoso, commended the lawmaker for coming up with the motion.

    He said that the committee had invited the Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni, on the matter.

    However, he explained that from his experience as a medical doctor, some of the drugs were used as combination therapy.

    “There is a conflict between World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Union. The WHO for instance, accepts combination therapy.

    “The most important thing, however, is the need to strengthen the Medical Research Institute through adequate funding to carry out research on what works for us.

    “Every year, we rely on WHO and other organisations to find solution to our problems; so, the institute should be funded to know what works for us,’’ he said.

    Sen. Jibrin Barau (APC-Kano) said it was pathetic that such drugs still found their way into the country in spite of their adverse effect.

    He said, “no wonder we have rampant kidney failure in Nigeria. Unfortunately the experts are not doing their work properly.

    “It is important that agencies like NAFDAC and experts in health sector are called upon to quickly intervene.’’

    Sen. James Manager (PDP-Delta) said that the information given by Orji called for urgent attention, adding that if the drugs were dangerous for use in Europe, they would be dangerous to all humans.

    According to him, the difference between the Europeans and Africans is only the skin colour, all human organs function the same way.

    “Everyday people die silently because of wrong prescription of drugs.

    “We need to fund the institute if not we are indirectly poisoning Nigerians. So, the proper investigation should be done to give us the details in order to appropriately guide Nigerians.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, urged the committee to expedite action on the matter and report back as soon as possible.

    He commended Orji for coming up with the motion, adding that the protection of lives was one of the primary responsibilities of the legislature.

    “I hope the committee on health will carry out proper investigation to stop these types of drugs from flooding the market,’’ Saraki said.

    The list of the drugs as contained in the motion are Alaxin 60 mg tablet (dihydroartemisinine) B/8, Alaxin oral suspension (dihydroartemisinine) FL/80ml, Amadiaguine 200mg compressed B/1000, Arinate 100mgtablet(artesunate)B/6.

    Others are Arinate 50mg tablet (artesunate) B/6, Arsumax50 mg tablet (artesunate) B/6, Artemax 60 mg tablet (dihydroartemisinine) B/8, Artemedine 40 mg capsule (artemether) B/12, Artemedine 50 mg tablet (artemether) B/12.

    Also listed are Artenam 50 mg tablet(artemether)B/14, Artenam 60 mg tablet(artemether)b/8, Artesiane 300 mg  child powder oral suspension (artemether)FL 38g, Artesunate 100 mg compressed B/120, Artesunate 50 mg tablet B/120, Artexin 60 mg tablet(dihydroartemisinine) B/8.

    Camoquin 200 mg tablet(amodiaguine) B/9, Camoquin 200 mg tablet(amodiaguine) B/25 blisters, Camoquin 200 mg tablet(amodiaguine) B/55 blisters, Camoquin 200 mg tablet(amodiaguine) B/24 blisters, Camoquin 600 mg tablet(amodiaguine) B/3 blisters, are also part of the list.

    They are also Camoquin oral suspension 50 mg/5ml (amodiaguine)FL/60ml, Cotecxin oral suspension(dihydroartemisinine)FL/80ml, Cotecxin 60 mg tablet(dihydroartemisinine)B/8, Daraprim tablet(pyrimethamine)B/8.

    Falcinil 50 mg tablet(artesunate)B/12, Flavoquine oral suspension50 mg/5ml(amodiaquine)FL/90ml, Flavoquine200 mg tablet(amodiaquine)B/16, Flavoquine 200 mg tablet(amodiaquine)B/240, made the list.

    Others are Gunate strong tablet(artesunate)B/6 gvs labs, Tvitter powder oral suspension(artemether)FL/100ml, Halfan 250mg tablet(halofantrine)B/6,  Halfan 250mg tablet(halofantrine)B/120.

    The listed also contained Halfanoral suspension 5mg/5ml(halofantrine)FL/45ml, Malartin 200mg tablet(artesunate) B/6, Malartin 50mg tablet(artesunate) B/12, mmh-malarex 450mg capsule(peschiara fuchsiaefolia) B/20.

    It included Paludrine 100mg tablet(proguanil)B/56, Plasmotrim 200mg tablet(artesunate)B/25blisters/6, Plasmotrim 200mg tablet(artesunate)B/6, Plasmotrim 50mg lactab (artesunate)B/12, Plasmotrim 50mg lactab (artesunate)B/25 blisters/6.

     

  • Senate passes whistle blowers protection bill

    Senate passes whistle blowers protection bill

    The Senate on Wednesday passed the Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, which seeks to encourage and facilitate the disclosure of improper conducts by public officers and public bodies.

    The bill, was presented by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator David Umaru (Niger East).

    Entitled, “An Act to Protect Persons Making Disclosures for the Public Interest and Others from Reprisals, to Provide for the Matters Disclosed to be Properly Investigated and Dealt with and for other Purposes Related Therewith”, also seeks to ensure that persons who make disclosures and persons who may suffer reprisals in relation to such disclosures are protected under the law.

    It specified who is qualified to make disclosures of improper conduct; the procedure for making disclosures; and the protection due to whistleblowers.

    By virtue of the bill, a person who makes a disclosure shall not be subject to victimisation by his or her employers or by fellow employees.

    In addition, a person who makes a disclosure has the right to take legal action if he or she is victimised by way of dismissal, suspension vindictive transfer, harassment, intimidation or being rendered redundant.

    In his remarks after the passage, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, described the passage as promise kept and protection for patriotic citizens joining the anti-corruption fight.

    He said, “This is a promise kept. Today, we have passed a landmark piece of legislation to fight corruption and protect patriotic Nigerians who are fighting corruption.

    “This Bill will protect the lives of those who take the risk to expose corrupt practices in Nigeria”.

    While debating the bill, the lawmakers described it as legal mechanism and concept, adopted by many countries in the world and which has helped in the fight against corruption.

    They also noted that the various stakeholders unanimously supported the passage of the bill as it will give more impetus to the fight against corruption and reinforce government’s policy on whistle blowing.

    Also considered was the potential to sufficiently address related issues on whistleblowing in line with global best practices.

    One of the safety catches in the bill is the guarantee of adequate protection for potential whistle blowers against reprisals, victimisation, job losses, etc.

    Also considered was the provision that contemplates monetary reward for whistle ‘ blowers whose information might lead to discovery of looted funds, proceeds of crime or improper conduct.

    The senators noted that provisions of the bill will further strengthen the policy currently being adopted by the Federal Government, which is already yielding positive results.

    They also observed that similar legislation has been enforced in other jurisdictions and it has helped in the fight against corruption and improper conducts by public officers, individuals and corporations.

    It’s the third anti-corruption related bill to be passed by the Senate this year. The Senate had earlier concluded work and passed the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill the Witness Protection Bill.

    However, the bill requesting the establishment of special anti-corruption court has been sent to the Constitution Amendment Committee.

    Also, the Proceeds of Crime Bill has been sent to the Senate Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption and Judiciary for further deliberation.

     

     

  • Multi-national firms in breach of local content law, says Senate

    Multi-national firms in breach of local content law, says Senate

    The Senate said Tuesday that most multi-national companies operating in the country have failed to substantially comply with the provisions of the Local Content Act.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, stated this as upper chamber began the investigation of the implementation of local content in the country’s oil and gas industry.

    Senate joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Gas Resources was saddled with the responsibility of the probe.

    Saraki,  who inaugurated the investigation said that the National Assembly was concerned with the poor level of implementation of local content in the country.

    Represented by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Saraki said that “most multi nationals are yet to substantially comply with the provisions of the law.’’

    The Senate President noted that under the Nigeria oil and gas Industry Content Development Act, investors were mandated to consider Nigerian companies as an important element in their project development and management.

    He said, “The Nigeria content in this context refers to firms registered in Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of the Companies and other Allied Matters Act.

    “The National Assembly is challenged to ensure that the oil and gas industry provides an avenue where more jobs and opportunities are given to qualified local experts in the industry.

    “We are here to discuss to know where we are today in the implementation of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act since it was enacted in 2010.

    “We are also here to know where we have made progress and identify the gaps and where we need help to up the game.’’

    Saraki said that it was obvious a rich local content was one of the most efficient ways to stimulate the economy for a multiplier effect in different sectors.

    He noted that to achieve that, a full implementation of the act was necessary, stressing that it would help in creating employment among other benefits.

    Chairman, Senate on Petroleum (Upstream) Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, assured that the joint committee was determined to finding a lasting solution to the problem.

    Alasoadura said that the Senate at its sitting on September 27, 2016, mandated the joint committee to carry out an extensive investigation into the level of compliance by multi- national companies in the industry.

    He said, “The senate arising from a debate on the need to ascertain the degree of local content in Nigeria oil and gas industry, mandated the committee to determine compliance with the  Act by industry operators.’’

    Engr. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, told the committee that the board had made tremendous progress since enactment of the Act in 2010.

    Wabote said the board was currently implementing a 10 year strategic roadmap anchored on delivering five pillars of sustainable local content.

    He noted that the board had a target of achieving 70 per cent local content in the next ten years.

    He said, “A lot has been achieved in terms of local content development. It is a key pillar for our nation’s development. A lot has also been done to get the agency to its enviable position.

    “Part of it is to develop the required technical capability and also to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of the provisions of the act.

    “The other pillar is to enable business environment in order that investors will be attracted to Nigeria to invest.

    `”Then most importantly is to enhance the organisational capability of the board to carry out its mandate and ultimately create sectorial and regional market,’’ he said.

    He added that the board has set up the Nigeria Content Development Fund Account and has mobilised stakeholders towards remittance of one per cent of contracts awarded.

    He said that the agency monitored Nigeria content compliance and applied sanctions to defaulting companies in line with Section 68 of the Act, among other achievements.

    “Nigeria content has recorded 6 million training man hours since the inception of the act.

    `”Out of 20 billion dollars spent in the industry from five percent participation, we have been able get back 5 billion dollars into the country and we desire to increase sales to 15 billion dollars in 2027.

    “Before the act, all marine activities in the industry were in the hands of experts outside this country.

    “Today we have been able to get back 36 per cent of those marine activities for equitable participation of Nigerians and established about six world class fabrication facilities.

    “So, today Nigeria is able to handle 60,000 metric tonnes of fabrication capacity in the country. This was at zero level before the enactment of the act.

    “All electrical cables used in the oil and gas operations are manufactured in Nigeria and we are able to manufacture 670,000 of metric tonnes of pipes today,’’ he said.

    The executive secretary said before the act came into being seven years ago, all fabrications, engineering and procurement activities were done outside the country.

    He further said the development had resulted in a capital flight of 380 billion dollars from Nigeria in the past fifty years.

    He added that the capital flight necessitated the exporting of jobs that would have been made available for Nigerians, leading to loss of 2 million jobs.

    “There was high unemployment rate due to the dearth of skills and the total local content utilisation before the enactment of the act was put at just five per cent.

    “That was when the government decided to intervene seeing the way the industry was going and it culminated in putting in place the Nigerian Content Act of 2010.

    “The main goal of the act is to develop the capacity of local supply chain for effective and efficient service within the oil and gas industry without compromising standards.

    “It is also aimed at enhancing development and inclusion of Nigerian services and manpower,’’ he said.

     

  • 282 vessels disappeared from NPA terminals in six years, says Senate

    282 vessels disappeared from NPA terminals in six years, says Senate

    The Senate Monday raised the alarm over the disappearance of over 282 vessels from the custody of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) within the last six years.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, Senator Hope Uzodinma, raised the alarm at an investigative public hearing on smuggling in the country.

    Uzodinma said that the 282 vessels were missing from various terminals of the NPA.

    He noted that documents at the possession of the Senate clearly showed that the vessels disappeared between 2010 and 2016 without traces.

    He said, “We want the NPA to come and explain what happened to the 282 vessels that disappeared from the terminals. We have names of the releasing officers.”

    Uzodinma who described NPA as critical in the investigation, lamented that the body failed to send any representation to public hearing.

    On smuggling of goods into the country, he said that reports had detailed the huge harm done to the country’s economy by the activities of smugglers.

    He said, “Those that may imagine that this is an exaggeration should do well to refer to a recent report of the World Bank on smuggling in Nigeria.

    “The report was unequivocal in stating that an astonishing five billion dollars or N1.45 trillion worth of different goods are smuggled into Nigeria annually through Benin Republic alone.

    “Yet this is only 15 per cent of the total volume of smuggled goods through the Seme border.

    “The figure of goods smuggled through the sea ports is even more mind boggling.

    “The report has it that over $15billion or N4.35 trillion worth of goods are smuggled into the country each year through the sea ports. The story is the same for our international airports.

    “Put together, it means that goods worth over N7trilion are smuggled into the country each year.”

    He said that it was more frightening to note that the annual turnover in the hands of smugglers was more than the country’s annual budget.

    He said the World Bank report further showed that over 25 per cent of the total annual revenue collected by Customs was lost to smugglers each year.

    “If you go by the projected revenue of the service for this year, which is approximately N600 billion, it means the service will lose about N200 billion in revenue this year alone.’’

    Illegal importation of goods into the country, he said, had equally affected local industries, leading to loss of jobs and closure of industries.

    He lamented that smuggling is fast proving to be the biggest industry in Nigeria and must be fought to a standstill.

    Uzodinma noted that there were other areas of leakages, arising from miss-invoicing by international traders, abuse of free trade zone policies and temporary import permit.

    He urged the stakeholders make useful submissions that would aid the committee in its investigation.

    He said, “I expect that those of you who have expert knowledge or privileged information on why this cankerworm has continued to pervade our economy should equally come forward with them.

    “No serious legislative arm of government will sit supine while smugglers are allowed to ravage the economy and deny the government huge sums of legitimate revenue.

    “This senate is determined to put an end to this smuggling malady and this investigation is designed to facilitate that,’’ he said.

  • Senate seeks more funds for completion of East/West road

    Senate seeks more funds for completion of East/West road

    …Hails NDDC for intervention

     

    The Senate Wednesday asked the Federal Government to source for funds for the immediate completion of the East/West road.

    The upper chamber said that apart from government funding, alternative source of fund the road construction should be explored to ensure the completion of the road especially the sections along Aba/Eleme road junction to Onne road junction.

    The resolution followed a motion on “Urgent need to complete the East/West road’ sponsored by Senators George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East), Magnus Abe (Rivers South East) and 22 others.

    Senator Abe particularly lamented the deplorable state of the road and commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for taking steps to repair failed sections of the road.

    Abe said that it was noteworthy that the NDDC has taken the initiative to do the needful on the road and prayed the Senate to ensure more funds for the intervention agency.

    Sekibo in his lead debate noted that the construction of the 675 km dual carriage way EAST/West Road was awarded by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006 at the contract sum of N211 billion.

    He said that an additional 23.9km to link Calabar with the coastal town of Oron in Akwa Ibom State was included in the contract by former President Goodluck Jonathan making the road accessible by all the major oil producing areas of the Niger Delta region.

    Sekibo recalled that the project could not commence in 2007 as it was not included in the 2007 Appropriation Act.

    He said that during President Umaru Yar’Adua not much could be achieved because of lack of engineering drawing for the project, which was eventually achieved.

    He said that Senate should be worried that about 11 years from the date of contract award, the East/West road, which was an outcome of negotiation with the agitating Niger Delta Youths, still suffers neglect and disdain by the government.

    Sekibo said that the Senate should be more worried about the state of the section that link Aba road to Onne road junction in Rivers State, which links other parts of the country to multibillion investments including Port Harcourt Refinery 1 and 2, and others.

    He prayed that Senate to resolve to urge the Ministry of Niger Delta to ensure the completion of the road particularly the section that link the multi-national investments within the 2017 budget year.

    He also prayed the Senate to direct its committee on Niger Delta to ensure compliance with the resolution and report back within four weeks. The prayers were adopted.

    On the prayer that Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) should as a matter of urgency intervene in the rehabilitation of the failed sections of the road, Abe argued that it might be unnecessary to do that since the NDDC Was already working on the road.

     

  • Budget comments: Senate attacks Fashola

    Budget comments: Senate attacks Fashola

    The Senate Wednesday descended on Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, over his comments that the National Assembly distorted the 2017 budget by inserting new projects in the budget.

    The upper chamber warned the minister to desist forthwith from accusing the National Assembly of over stepping its bound in the budget preparation.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje who raised the issue, said that Fashola should be told in clear terms that the National Assembly is not Lagos State House of Assembly.

    He said that the National Assembly must not be treated as Lagos State House of Assembly by the minister.

    Goje said that Fashola should also appreciate the fact that the Senate is constituted by former governors and former ministers.

    The Gombe Central lawmaker said that the Senate would await the result of the House of Representative handling of the issues raised by Fashola before deciding the next line of action.

    Goje said that since the Senate and the House are running the same National Assembly, further action may be taken pending the decision of the House on the matter.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki who said that the issue was not open for debate also said that it was good that the House of Representative was handling the matter.

    Saraki said that the actions of the House would determine whether the Senate would take the matter to another level.

    He said that it was important that Goje raised the issued and asked Senator to exercise patient until the conclusion of the engagement by the House.

  • Senate dares INEC on Melaye’s recall

    Senate dares INEC on Melaye’s recall

    …Says exercise a waste of time

    The Senate on Tuesday dared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the commission’s decision to go ahead with the recall of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) as demanded by his constituents.

    Describing the recall move as effort in futility, the Senate said the various stages passed so far in the exercise as facilitated by INEC were not in line with laid down constitutional procedures and guidelines.

    The lawmakers declared that it amounts to a waste of time by all the parties involved.

    This resolution followed a point of order raised against the move by Senator Melaye himself.

    Melaye drew the attention of the Senate to what he described as “supersonic move” by INEC to conclude work on the recall petitions written against him by some of his constituents, who he alleged were sponsored by the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    Melaye said, “The score of both valid and invalid votes in the election that brought me into the Senate in 2015 was 118,000 but my governor and his appointees in four days claimed they got signatures of over 188,000.

    “They got INEC data base of registered voters and copied in one writing into a recall register and forged all the signatures. As I speak to you, over 120 dead certificates issued by the National Population Commission and these people’s relations and families have sworn to affidavits and these certificates have been deposited.

    “The names of all these dead people appeared on the recall register submitted to INEC. 116 of my constituents have sworn to affidavits that their names and signatures appeared in the recall registers and that they were not the ones that signed it.

    “86 of my constituents have sworn to an affidavit that they were approached and that the government wants to carry out a fertilizer empowerment programme and requested for their PVCs and thereby deceived them into putting their names in the recall register”.

    Consequently the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu cited Sections 68, 69 and other relevant provisions  of the 1999 Constitution to fault the move. He wondered why INEC is not following the laid down procedure in carrying out the exercise.

    Ekweremadu said, “I am wondering why we are dissipating energy on this matter and wasting precious legislative time on a matter we should not.

    “What is happening in Kogi in respect of Senator Dino Melaye, as far as this constitution is concerned, is an exercise in futility. They are just wasting precious time because the constitution is clear on what should happen.

    “It is possible that the Attorney- General of Kogi State has not advised them properly. If he had done that, I am sure they would have applied their time to more meaningful ventures in Kogi State.

    Ekweremadu added that National Assembly, in 2010, amended the constitution in respect of Section 69, which deals with recall process of a federal lawmaker.

    According to him, the Section clearly stated that the numbers of those who are seeking to recall Senator Melaye from the Senate are supposed to line up somewhere in Kogi State with him and his lawyers, with each person verifying their signature.

    “When they are done with that they go back to Section 68, which states that the President of the Senate receives from the chairman of INEC the recall of the member. They would also present evidence satisfactory to the House or the Senate.

    “So they need to come back here and convince each and every one of us that they have done the correct thing. Unless they do that, they cannot even give effect to it. So why are we wasting our time. Let us move on and allow them to waste their time”, Ekweremadu said.

    In his contribution, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said, “As they say, 10 years is no joke in leadership, the Deputy Senate President has explained the processes. So let the process speak for itself.

    “I really don’t know why a lot of efforts are being wasted that should have gone into more important things. Eventually, it must come back here for us to decide whether it is satisfactory or not”.