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Tag: Biodun Olujimi

  • Senate laments incessant increase of airfares by airline operators

    Senate laments incessant increase of airfares by airline operators

    The Nigerian Senate has condemned the incessant increase of airfares by airline operators in the country.

    Speaking this during the 2nd edition of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) national conference, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Biodun Olujimi, described the incessant increase of airfares by the operators as worrisome.

    Olujimi, who said this acts as an impediment to the growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector, also lamented the poor implementation of aviation policies in the country.

    Speaking on the economic and international benefits of the aviation sector, Olujimi urged the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, halt further encroachment of airport facilities, which according to her, was having a negative toll on the growth of the sector.

    On the recent crisis between the federal government and the aviation workers, she said that it was unnecessary and called on aggrieved parties to resolve their differences behind closed-doors.

    According to her, “Picketing is what I find very unnerving in all of this, because there should be a way whereby the workers’ associations and the federal government can settle all their grievances without bringing it to the fore.

    “And most of the issues that were put on the front burner were already settled and sealed by the various agencies. There was no reason to stop the aviation industry to put them in a very bad stand with their counterparts abroad by ensuring that people did the work of flight didn’t take off. I think the time is right for the NLC and the workers unions to know that there are certain industries where picketing cannot be allowed and aviation is one.

    “The aviation industry, as you know, comprises various activities that are strategic, not only for its potential for economic growth but also its crucial role in international development and integration. The most important contribution aviation makes to the economy is through its impact on the performance of all our industries of our civilization.”

    Also speaking, the managing director, FAAN, Rabiu Yadudu, said the conference was aimed at furthering partnership and sustainability, as part of efforts to mitigate challenges hampering the aviation sector.

    He said: “This conference would continue to serve as an open market, or meeting point for the private sector to tap into a world of opportunities to invest and generate incredible returns on their investments. We are happy that some state governments and private investors, who participated at the maiden edition of this conference are already taking good advantage of the business opportunities available in the industry, and are already positioning their States and organizations strategically for greater productivity and profitability.”

    Also speaking, the minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, said that under the Buhari-led administration, the ministry has achieved remarkable growth in the aviation roadmap.

  • Free fall of Naira: CBN under Emefiele has failed – Senator Olujimi

    Free fall of Naira: CBN under Emefiele has failed – Senator Olujimi

    The Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Biodun Olujimi has said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of Mr Godwin Emefiele has failed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Olujimi said this while contributing to a motion moved by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi on the free fall of the Naira during plenary session of the Senate on Wednesday.

    Reports had emerged that the Naira crashed further in the parallel market, trading for N710 against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday.

    Checks on the exchange platform, Aboki Forex showed the current parallel market rate pegged at N710 to a dollar. The national currency traded for N670 against the dollar on Monday in the parallel market.

    Angered by the development, the Senate, following deliberation on the motion, Senator Adetunmbi summoned Emefiele to appear at a plenary and address distinguished Senators in closed door.

    Contributing on the motion, Olujimi said: “Someone should be able to say I have failed and that is the CBN”, adding that somebody should be penalislzed for what is happening to the Naira.

    “Someone should be able to say I have failed and that is the CBN. Most of what is happening is because people are taking out the dollar and selling and bringing them back in.

    “We should be penalizing somebody for what has happened to the Naira. The time has come for us to look holistically into what is happening.

    “What is happening to the Naira is a replica of what is happening to Nigeria,” Senator Olujimi argued.

    UPDATE: Senate summons CBN Governor over naira fall

    The Senate, on Wednesday, resolved to summon the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to educate and inform senators in a closed session on the reasons for the rapid depreciation of the value of the naira.

    It also mandated the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to assess the impact of CBN intervention funds meant to support critical sectors of the economy.

    The resolutions were reached by lawmakers after the upper chamber considered a motion sponsored by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (APC – Ekiti North).

    The motion was entitled, “State of CBN Intervention Funds and Free Fall Of Naira.”

    Coming under Order 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Order, as amended, Adetunmbi bemoaned Nigeria’s economic reality amid an urgent call for “extraordinary measures”.

    He noted that the CBN through its numerous multi-sectoral intervention funds, provided special funds to support critical sectors of the economy.

    He explained that in view of such interventions, it had become necessary to assess the state of implementation and effectiveness of the funds deployed for the purpose.

    The lawmaker, recalled that the CBN in 2021, placed an indefinite halt on forex bidding by Bureau de Change operators (BDCS) and importers over allegations of abuse and mismanagement.

    He observed that the halt by the CBN resulted in a spike of the exchange rate.

    According to Adetunmbi, “the two instruments of Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and Business Travel Allowance (BTA) could only serve less than 20% of the total forex demand by travelers and businesses.”

    He expressed worry that the import and export window meant to serve the forex needs of business giants, “has become a rare opportunity that only a privileged few can access.”

    “These and a number of others have contributed to the excessive scarcity of forex in Nigeria today”, he added.

    He noted that as at the 26th of July 2022 (yesterday), the exchange rate in the autonomous segment (BDCS) of the foreign exchange market is N670 to 1 United States Dollar and projected to end at N1000 by end of the year based on the current rate of depreciation.

    He, therefore, advised the Central Bank to take new measures to curb forex scarcity and address the sliding rate of Naira exchange.

    In his contribution, Senator Sani Musa (APC – Niger East), faulted the Central Bank’s decision to halt foreign exchange biddings, thereby cutting off the parallel market – Bureau de change operators.

    According to him, the attempt by the CBN to control the value of the naira with the continuous exclusion of BDCs would only lead to its further depreciation.

    He, therefore, advised the apex bank to rather ensure the regulation and monitoring of the parallel market.

    “What CBN used to do was to give out $10,000 (USD) to each of these BDCs with a clear directive for it not to be sold above N470 as against the $419 exchange rate. It worked.

    “But today, nobody is determining where the rate is going and I can assure you we can’t have that solution because we are only importing”, he said.

    On his part, Senator representing Katsina North District, Senator Ahmad Babba-Kaita, said one way to improve the value of the naira was to encourage foreign investments to attract inflow of other currencies into Nigeria.

    “The only way we can access the dollar will be determined by other economies and not ours”, he noted.

    He, however, attributed the lack of foreign investments into Nigeria on the poor security situation caused by banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities.

    The Senate, in its resolutions, called on the CBN to urgently intervene to stop the rapid decline in the value of the Naira vis-à-vis the Dollar and other international currencies.

    It also mandated the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to conduct an assessment of CBN intervention funds and the declining value of Naira to come up with sustainable solutions.

    The Senate, at the end of Wednesday’s proceedings, adjourned plenary till September 20th, 2022, for its annual recess.

  • Ekiti 2022: Senator Olujimi loses polling unit to APC

    Ekiti 2022: Senator Olujimi loses polling unit to APC

    Senator Biodun Olujimi of Ekiti South Senatorial Districtistrict on Saturday lost at her ward 07, unit 07, Wesley United Primary School in Ekiti East council area.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that the Presiding Officer announced that the All Progressive Congress(APC) polled 141 votes while the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and Social Democratic Party(SDP) garnered 110 and 46 votes respectively.

    At unit 32, Ward 09, Olorunsogo Area, Ado-Ekiti, SDP scored 105 votes while APC 56, PDP 13, ADP 5, ADC 1, APP 3 and YPP 1 respectively.

  • Youths still being lured by false promises to make dangerous journey to Europe-Biodun Olujimi

    Youths still being lured by false promises to make dangerous journey to Europe-Biodun Olujimi

    Senator Biodun Olujimi has called for a more holistic approach towards reducing the incidence of human trafficking in Nigeria. While she expressed her full support for the national effort towards tackle trafficking in people particularly women and children, Senator Olujimi said there was also a need to address the root causes of trafficking.

    Speaking with the media on the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons which is marked every year on July 30, she said: “Our youth especially female, are still being lured by false and unrealistic promises to make the dangerous journey to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East where they are subjected to gender-based violence and other forms of inhumane treatment.” She noted that “Many of our unemployed youth leave Nigeria and risk their lives to seek work in these countries, but most end up in exploitative and slavery situations.”

    This year’s theme calls for attention to First Responders who are at the forefront in this sector, and who according to the United Nations (UN) may not necessarily receive official recognition and encouragement. The UN has highlighted the importance of those who work in the different sector related to trafficking including those who identify, support, counsel, as well as seek justice for victims of this crime.

    Senator Olujimi said “We are aware that Nigeria is routinely listed as one of the countries with the largest number of trafficking victims especially to Europe through Libya and the Mediterranean with many of our young ones especially women have been identified in over thirty countries in one official Report, while many lose their lives during the crossing of sea.”

    She however reiterated the importance of everyone involved on tackling human trafficking especially institutions such as the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). She commended their commitment and urged more governmental resources to end the impunity of traffickers. She also called for vigilance on the granting of licences for international recruitment, adding that some of these agencies do not mean well for those they recruit especially our daughters.

    Senator Olujimi who is currently working on the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill in the National Assembly which will provide protection for girls and women also said: “One is in full support of the work being done but would like to see a more holistic methodology adopted through co-operation between the different agencies, in other words, a multi-agency strategy, so that every aspect of the problem is tackled simultaneously.”

    According to Senator Olujimi deepening awareness within our communities, including remote villages where millions of the vulnerable reside, about the unscrupulous activities of traffickers, would also go a long way to cutting off all the supply lines of human cargo. She further opined that an increase in the rate of prosecutions of offenders will also serve as a deterrent: “The laws are there and anyone or group found to engage in trafficking of people should face the full wrath of the law.”

    Equally important is strengthening of the empowerment component of preventive mechanisms. The opening up of more opportunities for employment and entrepreneurships will address the misery of poverty felt in many of the families whose children risk these dangerous journeys and end up in the hands of traffickers. I believe that through education and training programmes in relevant skills-including offering non-traditional training opportunities to female victims, will offer hope and conviction to our youth to stay in their homes

  • Breaking: Senate begins investigation into $3.5bn unappropriated subsidy fund

    The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday set in motion investigation into the $3.5 billion unappropriated subsidy recovery fund allegedly being mismanaged by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Senator Biodun Olujimi, citing order 42, brought the issue to bear on the floor of the red chamber, stressing that the amount was too large to be managed in such a manner it is being managed.
    “I bring an issue in today’s ThisDay newspaper and it’s about $3.5 billion budget recovery fund being used by the NNPC. It is earmarked as subsidy recovery fund by the NNPC.
    “Mr President since 1999, there has always been a budget for subsidy but this has been jettisoned by the current government which leaves this administration in a dire situation.
    “What is happening is that there is a fund named subsidy recovery fund which is managed by only two individuals of the NNPC, that is the Managing Director and the Executive Director, Finance.
    “This fund is too huge for two people to manage. Right now, Mr President, the $3.5 billion is managed by just two and this is too huge to be managed without appropriation, without any recourse to any known law of the land.
    “During your remarks after the passage of the budget, you mentioned that there should be a budget for subsidy that it should be brought before the National Assembly.
    “By the report, it is almost certain that the $3.5 billion is slush funds managed by two individuals, and that is not correct.
    “I urge the senate to cause the downstream committee to invite the NNPC to explain why it should be so and what has happened to the funds that have been used so far and the new term recovery instead of subsidy approval,” Senator Biodun stated.
    After due considering of the Senator’s submission by Senators present at plenary, Senate President Bukola Saraki, in his ruling mandated Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan, and Chairman Senate Committee on Downstream, Senator Marafa, to “summon those in the NNPC who are responsible and come back to us in four days on a report that we can all debate”.
    The ruling, however, did not go down well with Senator Ali Ndume, who alleged that Marafa’s committee might have been compromised.
    “I don’t want to be hard on the committee. I think the committee has the responsibility of oversight, when this happens they are supposed to know.
    “Senator Marafa being chairman of the committee should be out of this. The Senate Leader and other members should look at this thing objectively. When you have a large amount of money stacked somewhere, it calls for caution.
    “I’m suggesting that the leader, as distinguished Senator Bukar Abba said – not me – that the committee might have been compromised,” Ndume said.
    However, Senator Marafa, coming under order 53, protested the allegation levelled against him.
    “I have no problem if we are even asked the committee of downstream to step aside totally or if it is the wish of the committee of selection that is responsible for appointing the various committees, that the committee of downstream be dissolved today. I have no problem with that. I equally have no offence with the submission of Senator Ndume.
    “But I have serious exception when he said that the committee is compromised. Let it be on record that this senate split the committee into two of public accounts to look into this issue of subsidy while the downstream sector was given the responsibility of looking into the volumes on this same matter.
    “For somebody to come out and say, with due respect, that I am managing subsidy programme, that is incorrect. Let all these committees, including the ones held by some people before now, be subjected to scrutiny. I have no problem with that.
    “But for this senate to now leave another ad hoc committee to look into the issue of subsidy, it’s like some people are looking for campaign money and I don’t think that’s the best way to get it,” Marafa stated.
    He was, however, cut short by Saraki, who asked the Senator to apologize for using offensive words. He yielded.
    Ndume also apologized to his colleague but insisted he only retorted to the words of another Senator.
    “I have respect for every Senator here. The suggestion was a very honest one. The offence should go to my senior, Senator Bukar Abba. I reported. When I was speaking, Senator Bukar Abba said the committee might have been compromised and I reported the same. I apologize,” he said.
    Senator Lawan, however, rejected the offer of chairing the committee.
    “I am using my privilege to decline to serve on that committee. I hold my integrity very dearly. I have worked for it over the years. I don’t want it damaged. Therefore I decline.
    “Let me also advise us that this Senate is representative of Nigeria. We are here for all Nigerians. What we do and how we conduct ourselves is a big deal. I would advise that no matter how sternly and deeply pained, let us conduct ourselves with the respect we are known for. Mr. President, Thank you for the confidence but I am not going to serve in this committee,” Lawan said.
    Saraki, however, pleaded with the Senate Leader to take up the responsibility.
    “You cannot excuse yourself form the role of leadership. Why I directed or decided you should be there is because the matter is a matter that is very weighty and it is better to do that under the leader of the Senate. I don’t want something partisan.
    “We cannot be running on something of 3.8 billion dollars ($3.5 billion) but it needs to be guided at your level of leadership to know the facts and not speculate. Then the committee under your guidance would do their work. Once we are divided like this, the agencies will continue to do as they wish,” he stated.
    The lawmakers thereafter unanimously agreed to set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the matter.
     

  • NDDC 2018 budget: Senate refers N364bn proposal to committee [Breakdown]

    The Senate has referred to its Committee the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2018 statutory budget proposal sent to the House by President Muhammadu Buhari.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this followed a motion moved by Senator Ahmad Lawan that the Senate do consider the request of President Buhari for the approval of the NDDC 2018 statutory budget proposal.
    President Buhari in an executive communication requested the Senate considers approval of N346 billion as the 2018 budget proposal of the NDDC.
    The figure is N18 billion lower than the N364 billion budget approved for the Commission in the 2017 fiscal year.
    A breakdown of the proposed amount shows a total recurrent expenditure of N32 billion and cumulative capital provision of N314 billion.
    The president listed sources of revenue for the Commission in 2018 to include Federal Government contribution (N81.8 billion) and unpaid arrears by the Federal Government (N33.9 billion).
    Others are contributions from oil companies and others (N220 billion) and other “realized income” (N150 million).
    While Senator Biodun Olujimi seconded that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President, Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the executive communication to the Committee on Niger Delta for further legislative investigation.
    TNG reports the Niger Delta Committee has as its Chairman: Senator Peter Nwaboshi, and Senator Abdul Abubakar as its Vice Chairman.
     

  • Video: Senator Biodun Olujimi speaks on drama at NASS

    Video: Senator Biodun Olujimi speaks on drama at NASS