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Tag: Victor Ndoma-Egba

  • Senate begins ministerial screening today

    Senate begins ministerial screening today

    The Senate will today begin the screening of ministerial nominees.

    This is contained in the Senate Order Paper circulated yesterday by the Chairman of its Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang.

    The confirmation listed against the name of the Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, said: “That the Senate do consider the request of Mr President, Commander-in-Chief, on the confirmation of nominees for appointment as ministers of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    It said the confirmation was in accordance with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

    President Goodluck Jonathan forwarded the names 12 ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

    Some senators are said to be preparing to block the confirmation of the nominees.

  • Kudos, knocks as Senate begins budget debate

    Kudos, knocks as Senate begins budget debate

    •Northeast rejects N2billion development fund

    The Senate yesterday began the clause-by-clause consideration of the 2014 budget.

    Though some lawmakers hailed the fiscal estimates, others saw it as the nation’s worst.

    Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba described the budget proposal as well structured to improve and address critical areas of the economy.

    But Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) described it as the “worst deal for Nigerians”.

    Ndoma-Egba said the Appropriation Bill sought to authorise the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation with N4.642 trillion as against last year’s N4.9 trillion.

    The Senate Leader outlined the budget breakdown as follows: Statuary transfers = N399,687,801,891; Debt Service = N712,000,000,000; Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure = N2,430,665,361,597 and Contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure = N1,100,606,836,512.

    Ndoma-Egba noted that the capital expenditure outlay of the budget was deliberately structured to address critical areas of the economy.

    He said: “Some of the sectoral allocations that are meant to galvanise and reduce the infrastructure deficit as well as enhance inclusive condo mic growth are: SURE-P = N268.37 billion; Power = N99.05 billion; Works = N128.65 billion; Defence = N34.33 billion; Police = N6.7 billion; Education = N725.94 billion; Agriculture/Rural Development = N66.64 billion; Health = N262.74 billion and INEC = N45 billion.”

    The Senate Leader insisted that the drop in the 2014 budget estimates, notwithstanding, “the proposal is a framework that will certainly consolidate and add impetus to the transformation agenda of this administration and promote economic growth, wealth creation, poverty reduction and service delivery to Nigerians”.

    Ndoma-Egba called for equity in the distribution of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) funds since it is a “contribution being made by all Nigerians.”

    He decried the dwindling allocation to the Judiciary since 2011, saying inadequate funding would stifle its statutory duties.

    Senate President David Mark urged the senators to examine the proposal from the national perspective.

    He said: “We should see the budget with national and not party periscope. We should not reduce it to party issue.”

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the budget was the most important bill before the Senate.

    He urged the Executive to ensure that it is sincerely implemented after its passage by the National Assembly.

    He said: “As a parliament, we will not want any project to be abandoned.”

    Senate Minority Leader George Akume (APC, Benue) regretted that though the budget represents the engine room of growth and development in any economy, the Minister of Finance had not presented relevant documents to the Senate to enable the legislators make meaningful contributions.

    The senator faulted the use of SURE-P funds for too many things, instead of concentrating them on specific sectors of the economy.

    He wondered why the Federal Government was making allocation for the Joint Venture Cash Call when other Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member-states had stopped the practice.

    Akume noted that though N268 billion was voted for SURE-P, Nigerians were still running abroad for medical treatment.

    He said the SURE-P funds were being expended on areas where the rich and the privileged in the country lived.

    According to him, though there are several guest houses in the Presidency, N700 million has been voted for another VIP lodge in the Villa while a teaching hospital is allocated a paltry N300 million.

    Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) said: “I will describe this budget as the worst deal for Nigerians.”

    Majority of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators shouted him down for the comment. The intervention of the Senate President saved the situation from degenerating into a shouting match.

    Mark warned that lawmakers should be allowed to make their contributions, whether positive or negative, without interference.

    Lawan said while budgets in other countries help the poor and vulnerable in any society, Nigeria’s budgets are used to feather the nests of the rich and powerful.

    The senator regretted that though the 2013 recurrent expenditure was fully implemented with other extra-budgetary spending, the capital budget only had about 50 per cent performance.

    According to him, while five million Nigerians get 74 per cent of the budget – which represents the recurrent expenditure – the remaining 165 million people are left with 26 per cent – which is for capital expenditure.

    Lawan said of the 26 per cent capital expenditure, the government might end up implementing only half of it.

    This, the senator said, would translate to 13 per cent for Nigerians.

    He insisted that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had failed in her job because the recurrent expenditure had increased to the detriment of the capital expenditure.

    Lawan said: When Dr Okonjo-Iweala took office in 2011, the recurrent and capital expenditure were 74 and 26 per cent; 71.5 and 29.5 per cent recurrent and capital expenditure for 2012; while the recurrent and capital expenditure in 2013 were 68 per cent and 31 per cent. The 2014 budget has reverted to 74 and 26 per cent recurrent and capital expenditure.

    “I want to call on the Minister of Finance to throw in the towel because she has not been able to achieve what the administration wanted her to achieve. This is because there are no safety nets for the citizens.”

    He regretted that while the amnesty programme and money voted for the reintegration of former militants gulped N59 billion, the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence got N34 billion.

    He rejected the government’s N2 billion proposed for the Northeast Development Initiative when the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) got N61 billion; the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs got N41 billion and N22 billion for the East-West Road.

    Lawan said: “We must fund the development of the Northeast. We cannot be pushed out of Nigeria. While we are losing revenue as a result of oil theft and we are supposed to turn to other sources of revenue for the country, it is lamentable that N1.4 trillion is provided for waivers and concessions this year.

    “I want to clarify that I have nothing against the Southsouth or the Niger Delta. In fact, I have been a supporter of the Niger Delta from my House of Representatives days to this day. But what I said is that the funds proposed for the Defence, that is for the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and the Ministry of Defence headquarters is far low, compared to what is earmarked for 30,000 militants and the amnesty programme.

    “The amnesty programme and the 30,000 militants will have N52 billion while Defence will have just about N34 billion. What we are saying is that we have a state of emergency in the Northeast and that security agents should be well funded.

    “Our state carries the burden of funding security agencies in our place. Why don’t we fund these security agencies better when you are taking so much money for what, in my opinion, is not more important than the security of our people…”

     

  • Independence: Leaders have failed Nigeria – Senate

    Independence: Leaders have failed Nigeria – Senate

    The Senate on Thursday lamented the plight of the nation in view of the upcoming 53rd Independence Anniversary celebration.

    Most of the Senators spoke while contributing to a motion entitled: “Congratulations to Nigeria and Nigerians on her 53rd Independence Anniversary.”

    While some blamed the lack of development on corruption, other attributed the slow pace of development to sentimental and parochial inclination of the nation’s leaders both past and present.

    The motion was sponsored by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and 10 other Senators.

    Ndoma-Egba in his lead debate urged the Senate to note that the country will mark her 53rd Independence Anniversary having attained Independence from Britain on October 1, 1960.

    He enjoined his colleagues to appreciate that from May 29, 1999 till date, Nigeria at 53 has had the longest reign of democratic government in her political history.

    He also prayed the Red Chamber to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan, the government and people of Nigeria on the country’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.

    Senate President David Mark urged leaders of the country to look inwards to ensure a nation where unemployment, suppression and underdevelopment would be history.

    He informed the lawmakers that the Independence Anniversary would be celebrated inside the forecourt of the Aso Rock Villa.

    Mark called for a return to the Old National Anthem, saying it represents a way forward for the country.

     

     

  • Senate confirms Nnamani for ICRC

    The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and Barrister Aminu Diko, as Chairman and Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission respectively.

    Though the nominees received a smooth confirmation, some of the senators insisted that the upper chamber should ensure that future nominations complied with the Federal Character principle.

    Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, in his contribution said that it was important for the Senate to ensure that Federal Character Principle was at all times adhered to.

    He criticised a situation where indigenes of Akwa Ibom State are allegedly skipped in favour of other people from the South- south geo-political zone in appointments.

    Senator Ita Enang, (Akwa Ibom North East) noted that Edo State had always had lion share of appointments meant for the zone.

    The lawmaker insisted that the trend should be checked to ensure equity and balance in appointments in line with the Federal Character principle.

  • Democracy Day: Senators promise ‘pro-poor legislation’

    Democracy Day: Senators promise ‘pro-poor legislation’

    As the country celebrates the 2013 Democracy Day, senators on Wednesday urged Nigerians to be patient as they pledged to enthrone a “pro-poor legislation.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had declared May 29 each year as the country’s democracy day.

    The former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), handed over power to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.

    Obasanjo later declared May 29 as a public holiday to enable citizens mark the day by taking stock of the performance of the democratic system of governance.

    Commenting on the development, the Senate Leader, Mr. Victor Ndoma-Egba, told NAN in Abuja that democratic process was an enduring and tedious project which had moved slowly.

    He said that democracy was not a destination or a milestone, but an endless journey requiring citizens to be patient and optimistic of reaping the benefits.

    Ndoma-Egba said: “Democracy is an endless journey and that is why countries that have practiced it for centuries are still looking for ways to improve what they are doing.’’

    The senate leader maintained that the fact that Nigeria had remained under democratic rule for 14 years at a stretch was in itself something worth celebrating.

    “Nigerians yearned for democracy, if you ask the average Nigerian now whether he will want to go back to the days of totalitarianism he will tell you no.

    “So the fact that we have had it for 14 years is something to celebrate, the fact that the country is still one in spite of the challenges is something to celebrate.’’

    According to the lawmaker, Nigerians are looking for the quick delivery of tangibles but in a democracy, the process is more important than outcome.

    “In a democratic rule you must follow the process and procedure and not necessarily the outcome, and these processes and procedures are designed to ensure good governance and certain standards and certain values,’’ he said.

     

     

  • Candle light procession for 10 SSS personnel

    Candle light procession for 10 SSS personnel

  • Supplementary Budget debate suffers setback in Senate

    Supplementary Budget debate suffers setback in Senate

    • Reps may shun amendment debate

    The Senate yesterday deferred the consideration of the 2013 Supplementary Appropriation Bill indefinitely.

    Though consideration of the bill was listed in the Order paper, Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, told his colleagues that the lead debate of the bill was not ready.

    Ndoma-Egba moved that the bill be stood down for another legislative day.

    He was unanimously supported by his colleagues.

    President Goodluck Jonathan submitted a bill for an Act to amend the 2013 Appropriation Act to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation a total of N4,987,382,196,690 in March for the consideration and approval of the National Assembly.

    The amendment sought by Jonathan, observers said, might re-enact a fresh round of bickering between the National Assembly and the Presidency.

    The President reluctantly signed the 2013 budget in February and shortly after in March, forwarded a memorandum to the National Assembly seeking an amendment of the Appropriation Act.

    Jonathan accused the lawmakers of over reaching their powers by including clauses that might be injurious to the spirit of separation of powers in the budget.

    He insisted that the affected clauses could hamper the work of the Executive if not expunged.

    Apart from seeking an amendment of the 2013 Budget, Jonathan also asked the lawmakers to amend the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) budget as passed.

    His listed three clauses, which, according to him, impinged on the separation of powers and could hamper the work of the Executive.

    He demanded a cut on the provisions made for personnel cost across the service and change of some provisions voted for capital projects.

    Though Jonathan explained that the proposed amendment was the outcome of various consultative meetings with the leadership and committees of the National Assembly following the passage of the budget, the submission of an amendment bill did not go down well with some Senators

    Jonathan said it became neccesary that certain provisions, including cuts to personnel cost across the service and provisions for some capital projects be changed through an amended budget.

    The insertions, Jonathan said, included Clause 6(ii) which states: “The Accountant-General of the Federation shall forward to the National Assembly full details of funds released to the government agencies immediately, such funds are released;” while Clause 9 states: “All Accounting Officers of Ministries, Parastatals and Department of Government who control heads of expenditures shall upon the coming into effect of this Act, furnish the National Assembly on quarterly basis with detailed information on the Internally Generated Revenue of the agency in any form whatsoever.

    Both clauses run counter to established chain of reporting, Jonathan said.

    Also there are indications that the House of Representatives may return the 2013 amendment budget sent to it by the President.

    Though the House has said that it will take a decision on if or not to consider the 2013 amendment budget sent to it by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday next week, there is the possibility the budget may not be touched at all.

    Speaking with reporters during a briefing at the National Assembly yesterday, the spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed, gave this subtle indication when he said members were on oversight, and some, especially the ANPP and CPC members are preparing for their conventions.

  • National Assembly to establish Budget office

    National Assembly to establish Budget office

    The National Assembly is planning to establish a Budget and Research Office.

    A bill sponsored by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, to that effect has already scaled first reading on the floor of the upper chamber.

    According to a copy of the bill, which was obtained by The Nation in Abuja, the National Assembly Budget and Research Office shall exist to “provide independent and continuous review of the Federal Government budgets including monitoring of existing and proposed programmes. (It shall also) Provide independent unbiased analysis of the budget of the National Assembly and assist all the committees of the National Assembly in developing their annual budgets.”

    Other functions of the proposed budget office include providing assistance to all committees in both chambers of the National Assembly including information with respect to budget and all bills relating to new budget heads.

    The office is also expected to furnish information with regards to estimated future revenue and changing revenue conditions.

    Other functions of the bill include to “provide analysis of the economic implication on the private sector, the budgetary and financial implication on states and local government of any proposed legislation when so required by any committee of the National Assembly.”

    The Budget Office would also be expected to prepare and present to the National Assembly, periodic forecasts of economic trends and alternative fiscal policies.

    It would also avail the Legislature of cost estimates including an analysis of the inflammatory impact of any proposed legislation.

    In addition, the office will report yearly to both chambers of the National Assembly all items funded in the preceding financial year for which no appropriation was made by the National Assembly and items contained in the Appropriation Act in the preceding financial year, but which were not funded by the Federal Government.

    According to the bill, the office will be managed by a governing board which will comprise a chairman and six members representing each of the six geo-political zones and a director-general and three ex-officio members.

    Chairman and members of the board will be appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    Moreover, the chairman and members of the board, excluding the director-general and ex-officio members could be removed from office by simple majority votes of each house of the National Assembly.

  • In praise of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba

    In praise of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba

    Lately, the profile of Senator Victor Ndoma- Egba, the Senate Leader rose again with the conferment of another national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) after having had the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR). However, not that his profile ever went down, it is just that within the Nigerian political class, people have come to acknowledge him as the life and soul of the Senate. Indeed, he is regarded as the most visible among his colleagues. What’s more, he is the most regularly seen lawmaker at the complex of the National Assembly.

    The Senate Leader is a rare breed, a patriotic silent achiever and one who believes in Nigeria’s potential and greatness. This seasoned lawyer believes in loyalty and has always guided his path in his endeavour, setting the pace for his extraordinary greatness.

    Senator Ndoma- Egba has assumed a well-deserved seat and a front player position and has developed to a strong legislative brand name that has made him a reference point.

    No doubt, his outstanding record of uncommon achievements continues to endear him to his constituents, Cross Riverians and most Nigerians regardless of the senatorial district he represents.

    He is a lover of people; he is always very passionate about the plight of his people and enjoys solving all problems.

    For him, the passion that drives a man defines his focus and agenda for life. He is driven by a well-defined passion to elevate the human condition of his constituents and many times he has spoken and done things in affirmation of his drive.

    For the Senate Leader, governance is steward for God; it is serious business and not for personal aggrandisement. It is also not for pleasing a group of friends at the expense of the people. His representation has always shown empathy for the plight of the people.

    According to his philosophy, political virtue must be inextricably bound up with the good of the whole community and cannot be reduced to individual’s success in gaining office and power. He believes that all men are equal by nature and should be so in society. Perhaps that is what defines his approach to governance and in public service. There are leaders who are utterly self-impressed, who regard political office as the pathway to a frontier where will and ego can proceed virtually unbounded. There are leaders who foot-loose in search of opportunity for self aggrandisement. There are leaders who are not noted for any strong passion or ideological direction.

    Senator Ndoma-Egba is a mobiliser and a motivational speaker, who has not for once wavered despite the many struggles he gets confronted with. He is likeable, amiable but blunt. He is a stickler for time, accountability and transparency.

    You will always be struck by his extraordinary warmth and kind disposition evident in his life through the great man who brought him up in the finest tradition of Christian charity, discipline and fear of God.

    Though in his 50s, the Senate leader does not look his age one bit. The only thing that could easily give him away is his grown-up children.

    Although he could be jovial, he is a no nonsense man when it comes to assignments and delivery on deadlines. But underlining his playful disposition is a seriousness that nobody dares take for granted. He is so good natured that the welfare of his constituents remains his primary duty.

     

    By Peter Willie

    Abuja