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Tag: transparent

  • ‘APC should conduct transparent primary in Ekiti’

    ‘APC should conduct transparent primary in Ekiti’

    Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Hon. Bimbo Daramola, in this interview with Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU and MUSSA ODOSHIMOKHE, explains the issues that will shape the primaries and the election.

    What is your assessment of the political situation in Ekiti State?

    I reckon that people are beginning to react and respond to the political situation as it unfolds. Again, as we get closer to the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and given that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had already taken a position in respect of the anointed candidate of Governor Fayose. As we move closer, people in the two leading parties in the state will begin to get agitated on the process of the coming election. There will be anxious moments. A number of activities have been taking place in the parties because election is getting nearer. You will discover that the likes of Hon. Adeyeye, Mrs Olujimi, Barrister Owolabi will be raising issues about the appointment of a successor for Governor Fayose. On our own side, many people are still asking questions about how many people are really running in the APC.  There are candidates all over the place. People are beginning to come to term with the fact that elections are coming.

    Don’t you think the PDP may be ahead of your party as the election draws nearer?

    Being ahead will just be the fact that they are the ruling party and they have the nominee of the governor. To that extent, there seem to be a direction they want to go as regards who the governor wants to field for that position. I am also sure things will begin to narrow down to the extent that we will get to know the aspirants who are really serious about the election.

    If Ekiti, especially the elite, have said they did want Fayose and now he is giving them a professor in a state where we have highly educated people, don’t you think that the PDP may  have an edge?

    That in itself will be a contradiction, a contradiction in the sense that this is a government that rode on the credo of stomach infrastructure. Now, all of a sudden it is putting forward a man who has a Ph.D. That means the man is contracting himself. It must have been a later day reality for this government to appreciate the importance of fielding a candidate because of his academic credentials. It does not appear as if he has gone through a process of self re-examination. This was the man who told the people that he was the friend of the masses and had identified with them. I don’t think he would pick Prof. Olusola on the basis of academic standing. He had talked about continuity over and over. So, if he is going to sell the Deputy Governor if he is going to sell the candidate on the basis of his academic standing, there will be a serious challenge. A man who said he is the friend of the masses and had risen on the crest and credo of stomach infrastructure, so what would he preach to the people that will not make the people confused. So, if Olusola campaign veered off the continuity slogan, the campaign will die right from day one. The moment Olusola picks another educated person who begins to preach mental infrastructure against stomach infrastructure, there will be contradiction. The people will be confused and for them, I think they are smart to have said that a Ph.D does not count. He had just gone through the school of stomach infrastructure and appeared to have graduated from the stomach infrastructure. So, it is better to keep it as it is. I don’t think that in the course of the campaign anybody will refer to the PhD credential of Olusola.

    If the PDP candidate finally comes from Ikere Ikiti, and his running mate comes from Ado-Ekiti,  do you see the APC beating the PDP at the election?

    It is very simply. Tell me one election that Ekiti had actually voted along geographical sentiments. It has never happened. I do not expect that people should begin to instigate voting along ethnic lines. There is no election that had been won on the basis of that sentiment. Otunba Niyi Adebayo did not become the governor on the basis of coming from the Central neither was Ayo Fayose. If they had talked of zoning at that time, it may have been an issue and Fayose would not have come in back to back with somebody who just came from the same central axis. And then, from Fayose it went to Segun Oni. Oni did not win election on the basis of coming from the North, Ekiti did not vote for him on the basis of the fact that he came from the north. How can that appeal to anybody now? When I hear these things about the sentiments of zoning and geographical expression, I begin to wonder. Whoever is elected would need more credentials than his place of extraction. Place of extraction would be the least credentials that you will parade to assume the government that will take us out of the mess that we are in today. You must connect with the reality of the fact that for the past months, people have not been paid. How does your place of extraction pay salaries? How your place of extraction does resolve the badly damaged infrastructure? How does it address the quality of education, healthcare, make pensioners happy? How does it make civil servants happy? I was born and live in that place, so I understand what it takes to address these issues. I know we must take a contextual analysis of where we want to be in that place. If we make the mistake of not having a proper re-orientation and a proper contextual analysis of the place, who we are and where we are, we would have failed. And our forebears will never forgive us for that.

    How united is your party in Ekitiland?

    I believe that the party is strong, united and the leaders is doing so much to keep us united. But, don’t forget that election will always appeal to sentiments and aspiration is also a sentimental thing. There will be a little bit of contention here and there. I believe that as soon as our candidate emerges, we are going to put ourselves together and work for the success of the party. And more than anything else, we are going to work for Ekiti State.

    If you put yourself on the popularity weighing scale, how will you rate yourself?

    It will not been fair for me to rate myself but, if you allow me to say just for the purpose of responding to this question, I would say if the encouragement had not been overwhelming, at this level, I would have opted out by now. If I am not extremely encouraged by the kind of responses we are getting from the field, from the elders. Our message recovery and restoration is sinking so well with the people. And don’t forget that at this election, I am running on the basis of reputation. It is not an ego thing for me, I am running on reputation. People are going to begin to ask critical questions like who is this, what have you done before. What are you going to do when given the opportunity? I am sure this is not a lousy boast. Are you going to deny the fact that we built the best hospital of American standard in the state? We have cut down infant and maternal mortality in that area because of that intervention. Are you going to deny the fact that we have given a future to 2000 Ekiti young men and women through our education intervention programme? Out of the graduates Ekiti would produce in no distant time, Bimbo Daramola would have etched in their minds a direction. We are going to liberate more of these people and whatever they become there after, Ekiti gains from it. That means we cut down number of people who would be social deviants. The grand-father of today was a child of yesterday I must emphasised.

    What are your expectations about the primary in theAPC?

    My expectation would be that the election would be free and fair. I would expect that election would be conducted and we already have standards of conducting primaries in this party. The grand norm of conducting our primaries in the party is the standard used during the President Buhari primary. We have seen the one conducted in Ondo, Anambra and have no misgiving that Ekiti will fall lower than that. The standard for which the party had set for itself would be maintained in the case of Ekiti. We expect 100 per cent transparency. We expect that the list of delegates would be out and would be known. Every aspirant would have access to the list in good time at the same time. And then, we validate because that is where the problem usually is. The list should also be transparent enough because we will meet the delegates. There is standard that we already have in the party which we will keep. That is what made our election highly commendable. One of the things that the APC celebrates today is the fact that we have transparent primaries. How come Andy Ubah did not challenge Tony Nwoye? The one in Akure got a little bit contentious but, riding on the back of the mistake of Akure, Anambra came out very clear. So, we expect that Ekiti primary will be a lot cleaner than all the others.

    How many aspirants have appealed to you to support them?

    There are people who cannot open their mouth to say such a thing. What are you going to lobby me for? It is either you join with us. Again, one or two people have said let us work together. This aspiration is beyond personal ambition and for 14 years I have a trajectory for this party. It will be difficult for anyone to come forward to want to inherit our patrimony.

    You were the Director-General of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation in 2014. The former governor has kicked off consultations in Ekiti on his ambition. Has he approached you?

    I would rather say that he is my elder brother, my leader. He has not approached me yet and I know the discussion I had with him and so I am still within the purview of that discussion.

    What factor will tilt the pendulum of victory to the APC during the election?

    That is a most brilliant question. What will shift the pendulum of victory to the APC, is if we get it right before going into the election. We should thank God that He allowed the PDP to come into governance in Ekiti. I must say by now Ekiti people can now use their tongue to count their teeth. The civil servant can now double check, if Fayose pays salary. Everybody can now assess whether there is social security or not. People can now talk about welfare or not. That is a serious challenge and opens a bumpy ride for the PDP in the coming election. For us, a whole lot of people will still want to give us the chance, in view of what President Buhari is doing in the areas of the fight against corruption. I will expect that the integrity level of this party will appeal to the people of Ekiti. If I become a candidate of the party, for instance, we are going to create jobs for our youths. There will be rural development and whole lot of transformation. So, the candidate of our party will be a crucial factor and should be reassuring that the person can take us out of the challenges facing Ekiti people. It is a complex situation therefore we must endeavour to get our primary right. If we get all the dynamics right I believe that it will be a good run for our party.     

     

  • JAMB assures of smooth conduct of exams, transparent admission

    JAMB assures of smooth conduct of exams, transparent admission

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has promised to build on the successes it recorded last year by conducting a better and hitch-free examination this year.

    The agency’s Head of Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    He also said the board would ensure a transparent admission process in 2018 as it did in 2017.

    He commended relevant stakeholders who assisted the board in the smooth conduct of its examinations and activities in 2017.

    The statement reads: “In 2017 the Board conducted one of the most transparent, inclusive, acceptable examination with the least incidence of malpractice and malfeasance.

    “The entire progress made in 2017 will be sustained and made better in the 2018 and beyond. One of the greatest celebrated innovation in the 2017 is the democratization of admission by the introduction of CAPS.

    “In 2018, we hope to surpass our achievements in 2017. This means that we shall conduct a better examination, more transparent admission and make more remittance to government.

    “We will continue to do everything possible to support the drive of this administration towards excellence from our end.”

    He advised candidates hoping to write this year’s unified tertiary matriculations examination (UTME) to register on time.

    “As we prepare for the 2018 examination beginning with the optional mock in January, we urge candidates to ensure that the register on time, make informed choices of institutions, disciplines and examination towns.

    “They are to note that their first choice can be a College of Education, a University, an innovation Enterprise Institution, a Polytechnic/Monotechnic, the Nigerian Defence Academy or the Police Academy. These choices are at the discretion of the candidates,” the statement added.

  • PDP convention was transparent, says Moro

    PDP convention was transparent, says Moro

    Former Minister of Interior Comrade Patrick Abba Moro has described the national elective convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the most transparent, successful and peaceful convention ever conducted by the party.

    Moro, a chieftain of the PDP from Benue State, who made the remark in an interview in Abuja, noted that the dissolved National Caretaker Committee (NCC), led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, eventually kept to its promise to ensure transparency and fairness in the conduct of the election of new national officers.

    He added: “The convention was very okay and we hope that we will be able to come out of the convention a lot stronger, more formidable and more prepared to take on the role of opposition. Quite frankly it was all excitement in the run up to the convention. “Everybody was very eager. I think that going through the memory lane, this has been one of the most peaceful, successful convention of the PDP that I have ever witnessed. I understand that some persons are not quite happy with the outcome of the election. It is understandably so, because in a contest there are definitely some persons who will lose and some persons who will win. And of course, all manner of reasons are given for either winning or losing.”

    Noting that he had raised alarm few days to the convention expressing fears that the PDP was yet to learn from past mistakes, the ex-minister said: “I actually raised some basic fears of potential manipulation of the electoral process, the fear of a possible implosion and the need for the leadership of the party (the dissolved Ahmed Makarfi-led NCC) to take appropriate steps in ensuring free, fair, credible election where the votes of the delegates would count. As a party man, I think that was a legitimate fear especially against the backdrop of people grumbling and crying hidden agenda, crying impunity and crying imposition.”

  • Bailout: Aregbesola’s aide says disbursement was transparent

    Bailout: Aregbesola’s aide says disbursement was transparent

    An aide to the Governor of Osun State, Oluremi Omowaiye has said the state can’t be blackmailed on the disbursement of the bailout fund from the federal government because the N34 billion given to it was disbursed transparently.
    Speaking during a radio programme monitored in Ibadan on the recent protest retirees to the assembly complex, he explained that a request of N64.4 billion to cover salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities and N23.9b were requested to offset the outstanding arrears of salaries, allowances, pension and gratuities of local governments workers by state but the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) only approved and released N25.87 billion to cover just salaries and allowances of state workers, leaving out pension and gratuities while only N9.117b was approved and released by the CBN for arrears of salaries, allowance also leaving out local government pension and gratuities just as it was done for their counterparts in the state.
    He explained further that no fund was released for pension and gratuity by CBN despite the fact that it was included in the request of N64,327,492,947.01 for state workers and N25,871,920,000 for local government workers.
    Omowaiye said to further display high level of transparency in the disbursement of the loan, the state government and the labour unions agreed to supervise the disbursement in line with the CBN guideline, an apportionment of a committee headed by the first NLC President, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, with labour unions and other stakeholders as members to monitor the fund and the revenue from other sources.
    He added that despite the fact that pensioners were not captured in the bailout fund released to the state Governor Rauf Aregbesola magnanimously ensured that both state and local government pensioners benefited from the bailout fund.
    He further stressed that It was important that he debunk insinuations aimed at blackmailing Aregbesola’s administration that bailout was mismanaged.

  • Bonga spill: Shell compensation not transparent, say communities

    Bonga spill: Shell compensation not transparent, say communities

    Some victims of the 2011 Bonga oil spill in the Niger Delta have accused Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) of underhand practices in the payment of compensation.

    They said the oil firm sought to avoid its obligations by describing the spillage as a ‘mystery spill’ and afterward signed a General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with unauthorised representatives of the 350 impacted communities.

    In a statement signed by six representatives of South Ijaw, Ekeremor and Brass Local Government Areas (LGA) they alleged that the firm convinced the unauthorised representatives that the compensation would be converted to infrastructure “with ten percentage of the infrastructure money to go to the GMoU members as administrative cost.”

    They warned that this could “incite the people against the Federal Government and/or intra-ethnic violence in the Niger Delta thereby undermining the national security.

    “Sometime in July 2016, Shell invited GMoU chairmen of 24 communities to sign nefarious agreements on behalf of the impacted communities, with a view that the Federal Government’s case at Abuja, will not succeed because the Federal Government is Shell’s principal with respect to the Bonga field.

    “Secondly, the Federal Government agent, National oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, (NOSDRA), through a scientific report said that the Bonga spill did not impact the shores. Thirdly, money paid into the federation account may not get to the communities.

    “We wish to inform the whole world that the GMoU chairmen/members are not invested with any authority to discuss land acquisition and/or oil spill compensation as well as convert compensation to infrastructure on behalf of impacted communities especially the 2011 Bonga Spill in any manner whatsoever.,” the statement said.

    It added that the Accredited Representative/Attorney “of all the shoreline communities remains Gbutse Property Limited and any negotiation without the presence and/or signature of their said Attorney shall be deemed null and void, and of no effects whatsoever.”

    The communities also warned that if the firm failed to follow the National Assembly’s recommendation of September 30, 2014 to commence negotiation with their Representative/Attorney, they would “definitely file a separate claim against Shell in any court of law.”

  • National Assembly should make its budget transparent

    It is appropriate to begin this letter, which I am sending to all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives through both of you at this auspicious and critical time, with wishes of Happy New Year to you all.

    On a few occasions in the past, both in and out of office as the President of Nigeria, I have agonised on certain issues within the arms of government at the national level and among the tiers of government as well. Not least, I have reflected and expressed, outspokenly at times, my views on the practice in the National Assembly, which detracts from distinguishness and honourability because it is shrouded in opaqueness and absolute lack of transparency and could not be regarded as normal, good and decent practice in a democracy that is supposed to be exemplary. I am, of course, referring to the issue of budgets and finances of the National Assembly.

    The present economic situation that the country has found itself in is the climax of the steady erosion of good financial and economic management, which grew from bad to worse in the last six years or so. The executive and the legislative arms of government must accept and share responsibility in this regard. And if there will be a redress of the situation as early as possible, the two arms must also bear the responsibility proportionally. The two arms ran the affairs of the country unmindful of the rainy day. The rainy day is now here. It would not work that the two arms should stand side by side with one arm pulling and without the support of the other one for good and efficient management of the economy.

    The purpose of election into the Legislative Assembly, particularly at the national level, is to give service to the nation and not for the personal service and interest of members at the expense of the nation, which seemed to have been the mentality, psychology, mindset and practice within the National Assembly since the beginning of this present democratic dispensation. Where is patriotism? Where is commitment? Where is service?

    The beginning of good governance which is the responsibility of all arms and all the tiers of government is openness and transparency. It does not matter what else we try to do, as long as one arm of government shrouds its financial administration and management in opaqueness and practices rife with corruption, only very little, if anything at all, can be achieved in putting Nigeria on the path of sustainable and enduring democratic system, development and progress. Governance without transparency will be a mockery of democracy.

    Let us be more direct and specific so that action can be taken where it is urgently necessary. A situation where our national budget was predicated on $38 per barrel of oil with estimated 2 million barrels per day and before the budget was presented, the price of oil had gone down to $34 per barrel and now hovering around $30 and we have no assurance of producing 2 million barrels and if we can, we have no assurance of finding market for it, definitely calls for caution. If production and price projected in the budget stand, we would have to borrow almost one third of the 6 trillion naira budget. Now beginning with the reality of the budget, there is need for sober reflection and sacrifice with innovation at the level of executive and legislative arms of government. The soberness, the sacrifice and seriousness must be patient and apparent.

    It must not be seen and said that those who, as leaders, call for sacrifice from the citizenry are living in obscene opulence. It will not only be insensitive but callously so. It would seem that it is becoming a culture that election into the legislative arm of government at the national level in particular is a licence for financial misconduct and that should not be. The National Assembly now has a unique opportunity of presenting a new image of itself. It will help to strengthen, deepen, widen and sustain our democracy.

    By our Constitution, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission is charged with the responsibility of fixing emoluments of the three arms of government: executive, legislature and judiciary. The Commission did its job but by different disingenuous ways and devices, the legislature had overturned the recommendation of the Commission and hiked up for themselves that which they are unwilling to spell out in detail, though they would want to defend it by force of arm if necessary. What is that?

    Mr. President of the Senate and Hon. Speaker of the House, you know that your emolument which the Commission had recommended for you takes care of all your legitimate requirements: basic salary, car, housing, staff, constituency allowance. Although the constituency allowance is paid to all members of the National Assembly, many of them have no constituency offices which the allowance is partly meant to cater for. And yet other allowances and payments have been added by the National Assembly for the National Assembly members’ emoluments. Surely, strictly speaking, it is unconstitutional. There is no valid argument for this except to see it for what it is – law-breaking and impunity by lawmakers. The lawmakers can return to the path of honour, distinguishness, sensitivity and responsibility. The National Assembly should have the courage to publish its recurrent budgets for the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. That is what transparency demands. With the number of legislators not changing, comparison can be made. Comparisons in emoluments can also be made with countries like Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and even Malaysia and Indonesia who are richer and more developed than we are.

    The budget is a proposal and only an estimate of income and expenditure. Where income is inadequate, expenditure will not be made. While in government, I was threatened with impeachment by the members of the National Assembly for not releasing some money they had appropriated for themselves which were odious and for which there were no incomes to support. The recent issue of cars for legislators would fall into the same category. Whatever name it is disguised as, it is unnecessary and insensitive. A pool of a few cars for each Chamber will suffice for any Committee Chairman or members for any specific duty. The waste that has gone into cars, furniture, housing renovation in the past was mind-boggling and these were veritable sources of waste and corruption. That was why they were abolished. Bringing them back is inimical to the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    The way of proposing budget should be for the executive to discuss every detail of the budget, in preparation, with different Committees and sub-Committees of the National Assembly and the National Assembly to discuss its budget with the Ministry of Finance. Then, the budget should be brought together as consolidated budget and formally presented to the National Assembly, to be deliberated and debated upon and passed into law. It would then be implemented as revenues are available. Where budget proposals are extremely ambitious like the current budget and revenue sources are so uncertain, more borrowing may have to be embarked upon, almost up to 50 per cent of the budget or the budget may be grossly unimplementable and unimplemented. Neither is a choice as both are bad. Management of the economy is one of the key responsibilities of the President as prescribed in the Constitution. He cannot do so if he does not have his hands on the budget. Management of the economy is shared responsibility where the Presidency has the lion’s share of the responsibility. But if the National Assembly becomes a cog in the wheel, the executive efforts will not yield much reward or progress. The two have to work synchronisingly together to provide the impetus and the conducive environment for the private sector to play its active vanguard role. Management of the budget is the first step to manage the economy. It will be interesting if the National Assembly will be honourable enough and begin the process of transparency, responsibility and realism by publishing its recurrent budgets for 2016 as it should normally be done.

    Hopefully, the National Assembly will take a step back and do what is right not only in making its own budget transparent but in all matters of financial administration and management, including audit of its accounts by external auditor from 1999 to date. This, if it is done, will bring a new dawn to democracy in Nigeria and a new and better image for the National Assembly and it will surely prevent the Presidency and the National Assembly from going into face-off all the time on budgets and financial matters.

    While I thank you for your patience and understanding, please accept, Dear Senate President and Honourable Speaker of the House, the assurances of my highest consideration.

     

    • Ex-President Obasanjo’s letter to the Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives
  • ICSAN chief advises Buhari to be transparent

    ICSAN chief advises Buhari to be transparent

    The President, Institute of  Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Dr  Nat Ofo  has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to run an open government, adding that it is the approach  that will strengthen  economic  growth  and   save  the  country  from  distress.

    Speaking to reporters after his investiture in Lagos, he said there was need   to create  a better way of looking at governance that gives Nigerians,  investors, employees and the wider public greater confidence in the transparency and accountability of the  economy .

    Ofo said any attempt to restore public faith in business must start with good corporate governance.

    He  said  one  of the  focus  areas of his regime as ICSAN president will be  to work  with the government  to  ensure  better corporate governance, effective  checks and controls  across  the  economy.

    He noted that corporate governance is an increasingly important issue as the government has   started to refocus efforts from survival to renewed growth.

    As  an  institute, he  said  ICSAN prides  itself as the  custodian of corporate governance,  adding that it is evident in the  level of the  involvement of  its members in the  development of codes of corporate governance in the  country.

    He said: “As is well known, succession planning is a critical element in management and corporate governance. It is therefore commendable that we are witnessing a smooth and seamless transition of power from one president to another.”

    He commended the immediate past president, Dr Suleyman Ndanusa for smooth transition and for laying the foundation on which the institute will move and make progress.

    He  said  his  administration intends to collaborate with  other professional bodies, regulators organisations and other professionals to spread  the  corporate  governance message  as well as pursue linkage with  higher institutions in a bid  to  build and improve  on  capacities.

    Ndanusa commended President Buhari for taking steps that will restore integrity to the economic system with   rigorous emphasis on values and stewardship.

    Looking broadly at the system, he said changes are needed to ensure the economy recovers.

    Ndanusa  said the  government  is  taking  steps  get  economy  back on the growth  path.

    He  argued that the growth will lead to trust in business and government.

     

  • My govt will be transparent, says Ngige

    My govt will be transparent, says Ngige

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, has promised to ensure trans-parency and accountability, if voted into office on November 16.

    He also promised to fight the infrastructure battle in the state. The flag bearer said the local governments will become huge construction sites, astressing that more roads will be constyructed at the grassroots.

    Addresing supporters at his campaign office in Awka, the state capital, Ngige said that he will not disappoint the people, if given the mandate to rule.

    He said: “Our party has a rich antecedent. The works of our governors are visible. I have been the governor of the state before and I did not disappoint the people. This time again, I will not disappoint the good people of Amanbra State”.

    The politician is expected to formally flag-off his campaign on Saturday. The campaign director, George Moghalu, said that APC will run a scientific campaign and attract votes from the nooks and crannies of the state.

    Ngige stands tall among the various candidates competing for the State House. Apart from serving as the governor of the state for about two and half years, he is also a senator representing the Central District. The communities that savoured his developmental projects when he was the governor are rooting for him. The APC flagbearer has been endorsed by many groups, associations and societies on merit.

    APC has also put its house in order, ahead of the poll, more than other parties. It is not certain that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has settled the crisis generated by its choice of candidate. Also, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is still battling with leadership crises.

    Moghalu said that Ngige is the best among a the candidates, pointing out that, having been tested, he can be trusted by the people.

    Exhuding confidence, the flagbearer told th crowd of suppporters that he will not betray them. he has not betrayed or failed them in the past.

    He, however, assured all that he will continue to spend his time, money and energy to provide the basic amenities that will make the change they desire come to fruition, even as he disclosed that he is regarded as the truly-trusted and tested choice of the Anambra people because he has not disappointed them at any point of his career, political or otherwise.

    On the double candidacy of the opposition, he said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) promised to stop one of the candidates, positing that his party, All Progressive Congress (APC) will take up the issue if INEC does not live up to its assurance.

     

  • $1.092b Malabu oil deal: I’m ready for transparent investigation, says AGF

    $1.092b Malabu oil deal: I’m ready for transparent investigation, says AGF

    ATTORNEY-General Mohammed Bello Adoke is ready for a transparent $1.092 billion Malabu oil deal.

    Adoke spoke yesterday on the role of the Federal Government, its agencies and officials in Oil Block 245, saying it was essentially that of facilitator of the resolution of a long standing dispute between Malabu and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD).

    He said in Abuja that the resolution of the lingering dispute over Block 245 was in furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to attracting investments in the oil and gas sector.

    He said he did not act contrary to public interest in resolving Malabu oil dispute.

    He said he suspected that the controversy generated by the alleged report of the House of Representatives into the deal was meant to bring the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and relevant agencies of Government to infamy.

    Adoke, who made his position known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ambrose Momoh, said the Malabu deal predated his appointment as the AGF.

    The statement said: “The attention of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to the alleged Report of the House of Representatives Committee on the transaction involving the Federal Government and Shell/Agip Companies, and Malabu oil and Gas Limited in respect of Oil Block OPL 245, part of which has been serialised in the print media.

    “Furthermore, it is reported that the Attorney General of the Federation had stated that he was cleared by the alleged Report of the Committee for the role played by his Office in facilitating the settlement between Malabu Oil & Gas Limited (Malabu) and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) over their long–standing dispute over the ownership and right to operate Block 245.

    “In view of the misrepresentations and obvious mischief in reporting the role of the Federal Government, its agencies and officials in the settlement of the dispute, it has become necessary to issue this statement so as to set the records straight and properly explain the role played by the Federal Government, its agencies and officials in settlement of the dispute.

    “It is apposite to state that although the dispute between Malabu and SNUD predates Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, CFR in office, available records reveal that the Federal Government in furtherance of its Indigenous Exploration Programme Policy introduced in the early 1990s to encourage effective development of indigenous capability in the upstream sector of the oil industry, allocated Oil Blocks to indiginous Oil and Gas Companies which they were expected to develop in partnership with international oil companies as Technical Partners.

    “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation had in the recent past reiterated Government’s commitment to attract investment in the oil and gas sector of the economy and encourage genuine investors (local and foreign) by creating the enabling environment for their business to thrive.

    “The resolution of the lingering dispute over Block 245 was in furtherance of that objective. Accordingly, the FGN, its agencies and officials should not be dragged into a purely commercial dispute between Malabu and its purported partners.

    On his alleged clearance by a report of the House of Representatives over the deal, Adoke added that there was no time he made such a disclosure.

    The statement said: “When the Attorney General of the Federation appeared before the House of Representatives Committee, which investigated the transaction, he explained his role in facilitating the settlement and the Committee members were satisfied with his explanations.

    “This was what the Attorney General of the Federation referred to when he stated that the Committee was satisfied with his explanations. The Attorney General of the Federation did not make reference to any ‘Report’ of the Committee, as none had been made available to him.

    “It is, therefore, clear that the alleged ‘Report’ and the controversy it has generated is a calculated attempt to bring the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and relevant agencies of Government to infamy because of the principled stance the government took to resolve the dispute in a reasonable, fair and equitable manner.

    “The outrage against the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation is understandable when viewed against his refusal to compromise his office in order to satisfy the demands of certain interests and individuals.

    “We know those who have compromised their positions in order to author the alleged ‘Report’ and their theatrical display for public gallery.

    “We also know those secretly beating the drums for masquerades dancing in the market square. We shall confront them at the appropriate forum. How else can one explain why the ownership of shares in a private company would generate sufficient interest among members of the legislature so as to merit a resolution of a Committee that certain persons or companies are entitled to ownership of shares in a private company, when the courts are the appropriate venue for the ventilation of such disputes between shareholders (if any).

    “Finally, we wish to assure Nigerians that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not act contrary to public interest in facilitating the settlement and at all times material to the transaction, ensured that the settlement was conducted in the best interest of all parties in order to achieve a reasonable, fair and equitable outcome.

    “The Attorney General of the Federation is, therefore, ready to be subjected to any transparent investigative process in order to unearth the truth.”

    The statement explained how the deal was struck and the dispute occurred.

    It said: “Malabu, an indigenous oil and gas company, was allocated OPL 245 in April, 1998 and in accordance with the terms of the grant, it appointed SNUD as its technical partner.

    “The two companies executed relevant Agreements, including a Joint Operation Agreement in 2001. Records indicate that SNUD took 40% participating interests in the venture in a farm-in- agreement and also signed agreement with Malabu as its technical partner for the venture.

    “Although Malabu was issued a licence for Block 245 in April 2001, the same licence was subsequently revoked by the Federal Government on 2nd July, 2001. Exxon-Mobil and Shell were then invited in April 2002 to bid for OPL 245, despite the existence of subsisting contractual agreements between Malabu and SNUD with respect to OPL 245.

    “Malabu was dissatisfied with the revocation and contended that the circumstances leading to the revocation of its licence on Block 245 was less than transparent and smacked of inducement and connivance from SNUD, which at the material time was its technical partner.

    “Malabu also contended that the subsequent re-award of OPL 245 to SNUD by the Federal Government was done under questionable circumstances. It then petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum to look into the matter. It is important to note that the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum found no rational basis for the revocation and reprimanded Shell for its complicity. The Committee also directed the Federal Government to withdraw the re-award, it made to Shell and return OPL 245 to Malabu, the original allotee of the Block.

    “In addition to its recourse to the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum, Malabu also instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/420/2003 before the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja to enforce its claim to OPL 245.

    Although the suit was struck out by the FHC, Malabu proceeded to lodge Appeal No. CA/A/99M/2006 before the Court Appeal, Abuja, Division. During the pendency of the Appeal, an amicable settlement was entered into between Malabu and the Federal Government and in compliance with the Terms of Settlement executed by the Parties on the 30th of November 2006, OPL 245 was fully and completely restored to Malabu, in consideration for its withdrawal of the Appeal.

    “Apparently dissatisfied with the Terms of Settlement between the Federal Government and Malabu, SNUD commenced arbitral proceedings against the decision of the Federal Government to restore/re-allocate OPL 245 to Malabu at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Washington DC, and made representations to government on the impending arbitration. It also commenced a suit against the government before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “Although several meetings were held between the Presidency, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, SNUD and Malabu, to resolve the dispute, no satisfactory outcome was achieved.

    “Attempts were also made in 2007 to resolve the dispute by a Committee comprising the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister of Energy, Group Managing Director, NNPC and DPR, the issues could not be amicably resolved before the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua GCFR came to power.

    “It is also important to note that SNUD had entered into a Production Sharing Contract with the NNPC in 2004 upon which their claim to OPL 245 was anchored and had paid $1Million US Dollars out of the $210 Million US Dollars signature bonus to the Federal Government, and kept the balance of $209 Million US dollars in an Escrow Account with J.P. Morgan, pending the resolution of the dispute between Malabu and the Federal Government.

    “In 2010, when this administration came to power, Malabu again petitioned the Federal Government to implement the terms of the out-of-court settlement of 30th November 2006 on the basis of which they had discontinued their Appeal.

    “Government also took cognisance of the pending cases instituted by SNUD against Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and/or Malabu, including Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) arbitration No. ARB/ 07/18 pending at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID Arbitration) to enforce SNUD’s rights to exclusively operate Block 245 as Contractor on the basis of the 2003 Production Sharaing Contract(PSC) between NNPC and SNUD, and the financial implications of defending these actions on the public purse and opted for amicable resolution of the dispute.

    “To resolve all the contending claims in a satisfactory and holistic manner, due regard was given to the Terms of Settlement of 30th November 2006 which had been reduced to Orders of the Court, the underlying policy of encouraging the participation indigenous oil and gas companies in the upstream sector of the oil industry and the fact that Shell had substantially de-risked Block 245.

    “To accommodate all these interests, a Resolution Agreement dated 29th April, 2011 between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited was executed wherein the FGN agreed to resolve all the issues with Malabu in respect of Block 245 amicably and Malabu also agreed that in consideration of receiving compensation from the FGN it would settle and waive any and all claims to any interest in OPL 245.

    “In furtherance of the Resolution Agreement, SNUD and ENI agreed to pay Malabu through the Federal Government acting as an obligor, the sum of US$ 1,092,040,000 billion in full and final settlement of any and all claims, interests or rights relating to or in connection with Block 245 and Malabu agreed to settle and waive any and all claims, interests or rights relating to or in connection with Block 245 and also consented to the re-allocation of Block 245 to Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO).

    “It is, therefore, quite evident from the foregoing that the role played by the Federal Government, its agencies and officials in relation to Block 245 was essentially that of facilitator of the resolution of a long standing dispute between Malabu and SNUD over the ownership and right to operate Block 245.

    “At all times material to the resolution of the dispute, the Federal Government was not aware of any subsisting third party interest in Malabu’s claim to OPL 245 and neither did any person or company apply to be joined in the negotiations as an interested party until the resolution of the dispute was concluded.”

  • Amaechi to Nigerians: demand transparent elections in 2015

    Amaechi to Nigerians: demand transparent elections in 2015

    NIGERIANS got a wake-up call yesterday from Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    The governor urged them to insist on good governance and the conduct of transparent elections.

    Amaechi, who made the call at a conference of the state council on information in Port Harcourt, the state capital, blamed weak governance on laxity among the electorate.

    He said the greater percentage of blame for bad leadership goes to the voting public rather than leaders.

    Amaechi said: “`The people should demand for transparent election and good governance and where they do not, they are 80 per cent of the problem.”

    The governor said the citizens must avoid keeping quiet when things went wrong in leadership on the assumption that nemesis would catch up with bad leaders.

    He said that such belief had impoverished the nation, while the leaders continued to squander national resources.

    “Insist that election must be transparent; nobody will give you your right, demand for it and claim it,” the governor counselled.

    On the feats achieved by his six-year administration, Amaechi said the administration completed 250 modern primary schools, which would be delivered to the host communities in September.

    Besides, he said his administration tackled the problem of a large number of pupils in classrooms to ensure proper learning for the children.

    He also said the administration would deliver six new model secondary schools to communities in September.

    Amaechi spoke of plans to kit pupils in public schools with laptops, tablets, beds and provide free feeding for nine months after which the parents would take over responsibility of their training.

    He also said his administration would inaugurate the “Unity bridge“ linking two coastal communities, Opobo and Ikuru, to land transportation, in January.

    The governor said his administration had also built a new school of nursing and that students would move into the facility in December.

    He said that the cultural centre and many other projects were nearing completion, adding that his administration released money for the building of a new Rivers FM station.

    Amaechi said that the government also approved money for building a new printing press for the state-owned newspaper – Nigerian Tide and the building of a new digitalised Rivers State Television.

    According to him, the project would take off as soon as release of the funds goes through the Public Procurement process.

    Explaining why the state power project has not been able to ensure 24-hour electricity supply, the governor said the power being generated and fed into the national grid, could not be dedicated solely for the state use.

    Commissioner for Information Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the theme of the conference was “Public Information Management as a tool for Good Governance.“

    Mrs. Semenitari explained that the theme was chosen because the state planned to develop an information policy that de-emphasised praise-singing and sycophancy in governance.