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Tag: Committee

  • NASS Committee probing IOCs vows to arrest CEOs if …

    NASS Committee probing IOCs vows to arrest CEOs if …

    … they fail to appear before panel

    The tripartite Committees investigating the implementation of corporate social responsibility by multinational oil companies and other corporate bodies in the South-South Region of the country have threatened to issue warrant of arrests on the headship of the companies that failed to honour their summons.

    The chairman of the tripartite committees Hon Professor Obiageli Lilian Orogbu frowned at the failure of some major oil companies to attend the investigative hearing which held at the National Assembly complex Wednesday.

    Professor Orogbu warned that she and her co-chairmen as well as the entire members of the committees would not hesitate to deal with any organization that failed to respect the assignment investigative panel.

    “The House has asked us to carry out this exercise based on quantum of petitions from host communities against most of you and we will not take kindly with any organizations that decide to undermine this assignment” Professor Orogbu stressed.

    Professor Orogbu who had in her opening remarks emphasized that the essence of the investigative hearing was borne out of genuine intention of the parliament to see that corporate bodies operating in Nigeria keep to the best practices of corporate and environmental behaviours within their host communities acknowledged that “reports at the disposal of the parliament showed that a lot of you are lagging behind in this regard”.

    “We want to see a change and also ensure that what you do as corporate social responsibility to your hosts are commensurate with the level of businesses you do. Some of you observe corporate social responsibility in other countries you operate but you fail to do same here because nobody cares.

    “We want a new Nigeria and we need you to work together with the government to rebuild this country. I know that some of you are doing quite well but there are many of you that are not responsible enough “. The chairman further stressed.

    Members were also not happy that only Chevron was the international oil major that honoured the invitation though all the companies that attended the hearing didn’t come with the evidences of what they had done for their host communities and for that reason, the meeting was rescheduled for another date which will be communicated to them by the secretariat.

    The committees involved in the investigative hearing are the Corporate Social Responsibility, NigerDelta Development Commission and that of Host Communities.

  • FG to set up committee to select new ambassadors

    FG to set up committee to select new ambassadors

    The Federal Government will soon set up a new committee that will select the new set of ambassadors that will replace those that have been recalled, according to an aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar on Media and Communications Strategy disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Abuja.

    Abdulkadir said the selection of the new ambassadors would require wide-ranging consultations with relevant stakeholders.

    The minister’s aide added that all recalled ambassadors have returned to the country contrary to the reports that most of them have been unable to return due to financial constraints.

    Recall that on Sept. 2, President Bola Tinubu recalled all the country’s ambassadors, both career and non-career.

    They were asked to return to the country on or before Oct. 31, 2023.

    Nigeria has no fewer than 300 foreign missions.

    Ajuri Ngelale spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu said the action was a sequel to the president’s careful study of the present state of affairs at Nigerian consulates, offices, and embassies across the world.

    Ngelale added that the latest move was also in line with the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.

    He emphasised the President’s determination to ensure world-class efficiency and quality in service delivery, saying that he would henceforth, characterise foreign and domestic service delivery to citizens, residents, and prospective visitors.

  • Alleged missing N43bn: Reps Cttee vows to issue warrant on NAMA boss

    Alleged missing N43bn: Reps Cttee vows to issue warrant on NAMA boss

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mohammed Odunowo, next Monday, over missing N43 billion revenue accruing from sales of both local and international air tickets between 2021 and 2022.

    Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon. Abiodun James Faleke, issued the threat notice during the resumed hearing in Abuja, frowned at the level of disrespect for the Parliament.

    Worried by the NAMA helmsman’s refusal to honour the two invitations sent to him by the Committee, Faleke said: “When we did the calculation, I recall that we recorded about N43 billion deficit. And of course, NCAA said they do not agree with the number provided by FAAN. The data whatever, that it couldn’t have been up to that.

    And FAAN said that this was not generated by them but generated by NAMA. And there’s a record – the ADR 16 that generates that. So, we asked them to come back with NAMA and with specific data from that ADR 16.

    “And today, we have NCAA before us. Unfortunately NAMA is not here. I don’t know why, this is the second time, the next time we are going to issue a warrant of arrest on NAMA. If he fails to appear before us on Monday, we will issue warrant of arrest on NAMA boss,” he ruled.

    After grilling the NCAA delegation, the Committee asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to provide details of all the accounts being operated by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    While frowning at the Agency’s failure to provide the data from the ADR 16, the lawmakers emphasised the need for NCAA to provide relevant documents showing detailed reports of total passengers carried by all the airlines on monthly basis, how passengers carried to various destinations, ticket fees charged per airline and 5 percent of the charges.

    The lawmakers also demanded for bank accounts of the five agencies that are involved in sharing of the 5 percent of the total revenue generated from air tickets was remitted to and the distribution pattern of that total sum as well as evidence of the distribution.

    Worried by the inconsistency of the NCAA delegation’s explanation on the billable and non-billable airline operations, scheduled and non-scheduled aircraft operations as well as the chartered flights, the lawmakers underscored the need for relevant data to justify their claims.

    While scrutinizing the NCAA’s presentation, Hon. Faleke frowned at the discrepancy between the total of 15,518,978 domestic passengers were recorded while 3,791,985 international passengers were recorded in 2018, as well as the number of billable departed passengers.

    Worried by the lackadaisical attitude of NCAA towards due diligence, Hon. Faleke said: “The next time you appear here, we will not hesitate to take action that will affect your seat.”

    He alleged that officials of the regulatory agency “are hiding the money, that’s why you refused to provide the data.

    “You people have always reported negative balance. I’ve done so much research on all of you. We said we are looking for N43 billion, so bring the data but you refused.

    “If you’re not ready to give us the documents, we will compel you to do it. And if you refuse you will not be in that office and somebody will produce it,” he vowed.

    While responding, the NCAA delegation led by Captain Ibrahim Dambazau and Abubakar Dachi as well as the Director of Operations, said the ADR 16 is the only authentic document recommended globally for documents of aircrafts.

    He added that operations of operators will be assigned with code and time of schedule for the aircraft.

    According to the NCAA, the private chartered aircraft do not sell tickets hence those passengers are not charged.

    In the bid to track the missing fund, Hon. Faleke harped on the need for all the beneficiaries of the 5 percent including, NAMA, NCAA, NCAT, NSIB, NiMET to give account of their stewardship.

    To this end, the Committee resolved that all the stakeholders should appear on the 14th December with all the records requested for.

  • Reps begin policy brief series sectoral debates

    Reps begin policy brief series sectoral debates

    – Initiative aimed at improving constitutional oversight of executive arm

    – Inaugural debate to feature CBN Governor, Deputies Thursday

    The House of Representatives is set to unveil its Policy Brief Series for key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, this Thursday, November 9, 2023.

    Tagged ‘Sectoral Debates,’ the series forms part of initiatives by the Hon. Abbas Tajudeen – led 10th Assembly to improve its constitutional oversight of the Executive arm of government, and is in line with the Legislative Agenda for the 10th Assembly, which is now being finalised.

    The inaugural session will commence on Thursday, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, and his Deputies, who have been invited to brief parliament about key policies of the apex bank. This is coming at a time that citizens are looking to the government for solutions to pressing social and economic challenges.

    In his remarks when announcing the development during plenary on Wednesday, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD., stated that the series is in furtherance of the constitutional mandate of the House, urging Honourable Members to take advantage of the opportunity to be the voice of Nigerians, to engage the invited government officials on the key issues the country faces at this crucial point in time.

    “Now, more than ever before, we need to ensure our policy-makers are making the right choices and decisions to address our security challenges and ensure long term growth and stability of our economy”, he said.

    The policy brief series will thereafter be followed by sessions with key officials in sectors such as Security, Power, Agriculture, etc., in subsequent plenary sessions, and will provide lawmakers the opportunity to ask invited government officials questions on areas requiring legislative interventions.

    Speaking on the initiative, House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., stated that: “The Sectoral Debate Series is intended to provide political appointees and key government officials an opportunity to brief Members of the House of Representatives about the policies and programmes of their respective MDAs.

    “These briefs are scheduled to take place during specific plenary sessions of the House, and would go a long way in fostering constructive and transparent dialogue between all arms of government in line with the Legislative Agenda of the Tenth House of Representatives.”

    “Citizens and indeed, our constituents are welcome to follow these sessions via our live broadcast platforms in order to gain perspectives on critical policies that shape the various sectors of our national life,” Rep. Rotimi added.

    Signed

    Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr.
    House Spokesman /
    Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs

    Wednesday, November 8, 2023

  • Reps inaugurate Committee on Basic Education(Photos)

    Reps inaugurate Committee on Basic Education(Photos)

    …charge Members to imbibe spirit of patriotism

     

    In meeting with the target of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the Legislative Agenda of the 10th National Assembly, the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, inaugurated its standing Committee on Basic Education.

    The Committee, which is made up of eminent Members of the House, is headed by former Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly and Member representing Takum/Ussa/Donga Federal Constituency, RT. Hon. Mark Bako Useni.

    Speaking at the inaugural meeting, Hon. Useni charged Committee Members and the National Assembly Bureaucracy to step up activities in achieving the legislative agenda of the Hon. Tajudeen Abbas-led House of Representatives.

    He said, “we have a very big task ahead of us as Members of this committee. I want to urge us to be very committed, to be deep in our thoughts to make sure that we bring the system out of the woods.

    “This we can do by bringing about effective legislative framework that will help to save the situation of basic education in Nigeria.

    “You are also aware that, part of the legislative agenda of the 10th Assembly is to make sure that at the end of the day, basic education achieves a greater feat beyond where we are today.

    “I want to therefore call on you, my colleagues on this committee, to make sure that we work assiduously to change the situation for the better. As your chairman, I want to assure that mine would be a collegial approach. Together, we wil put on our thinking caps to make sure that we bring new ideas that will help the situation.

    “On this note, I want to also encourage the Secretariat of this committee to be up and doing in availing Members with very effective tools that can be deployed in making our legislative business in this committee a success”.

    On his part, the Leader of Labour Party Caucus and Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, expressed optimism that the Chairman of the Committee would lead well and make Nigerians proud, at the end.

    “I want to say that, speaking for myself, you have my loyalty. You have my dedication to do this work. I have perused the work plan. At least for the first quarter, which we are in, it could be the fourth quarter beginning from the year. But this is our own first quarter and why not going into that? Because I know that the time will come for his adoption.

    “I want to also urge my colleagues that we should take this committee very, very seriously. Every committee is important. But like George Orwell pointed out, ‘all animals are equal, but some are more equal than the other’. These are one of those because of its impact on our young population and what we intend to achieve together”, Hon. Ogene added.

    Other Members who took turn to speak, alluded to the fact that the future of basic education in Nigeria depended on the quality of legislative works of the committee, pledging their commitment to assist the country reposition the education sector, in competitive par with other countries.

    They all applauded the work plan designed by the Committee Chairman which shall serve as the module for the operation of the committee, as it settles down for legislative oversight actions.

  • Job Racketeering: Reps query why over 300 agencies failed to appear before panel

    Job Racketeering: Reps query why over 300 agencies failed to appear before panel

    The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing job racketeering in Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs), has expressed displeasure at the failure of about 300 parastatals to appear before it and give account of their stewardship.

    The Chairman of the Committee , Rep. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, who said this at its resumed hearing on Wednesday in Abuja, warned that the committee would not hesitate to wield the big stick on any agency that would fail to appear before it.

    He said: “Those that will appear, will be happy. But those that will not appear will have a lot to face.

    “So, we are not worried. We are not disturbed. We have challenged our secretariat to keep in touch with them. We have done the publication today and given reference to where the publications are.

    “No agency has any excuse for not appearing before us. Whether our letter reached you or not, we have used the media to reach out to you. So, they should buy the newspaper publication of today(Wednesday).

    “They will see our invitation and date of appearance. For those that have defaulted and we have not published their names, it means the committee has already taken a decision about them”.

    The Chairman also questioned the lopsided employment in the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPGMC), even as he noted that Benue, Rivers Kebbi, Ogun, Ebonyi, Kano, Oyo, Taraba states were the least represented.

    In his response, NPGMC President, Prof Akin Osibogun, explained that it got waiver to employ 37 persons in 2019 but was able to recruit only 22 personnel.

    But Rep. Gagdi argued further that the recruitment of 22 persons did not address the gaps of under represented states.

    “Your employment process did not address your graphic representation of the deficiency because if Abuja, Taraba, Enugu, Rivers, Kebbi, Ogun, Ebonyi, Kano, the recruitment exercise need to address those deficiencies of those states that were under represented

    “Those states should have been the ones to be given more slots. But in your list of recruitment I have not seen it. It does not address the issue you used in your certificate of waiver,” he said.

  • Group debunks alleged wranglings over constitution of HoR Cttee chairmanship

    Group debunks alleged wranglings over constitution of HoR Cttee chairmanship

    Following composition of the 10th House of Representatives standing committees by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on July 27, a group of lawmakers have dismissed rumoured rancour among members.

    The group numbering six lawmakers including the Deputy Chief of Staff to the speaker, Mr Chamberlain Dunkwu, dispelled the rumour at a joint press conference in Abuja.

    Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the Spokesperson for the group, said the composition was fair, adding that the speaker put the interest of members above personal or pecuniary interest.

    He said that the speaker exhibited justice and fairness, adding that all interest groups in the House were satisfied because they saw the composition as being done without any external influence.

    According to him, Abbas has started living up to our expectations, so majority of members of the 10th Assembly are commending his leadership style.

    He said that the speaker and the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, considered the interest of members in decision making, adding that this was seen in the composition of principal officers and chairmanship of the standing committees.

    He said that the parliament was more united than ever, adding that the standing committee membership cut across different interests including those who contested the speakership with Abbas.

    According to him, there is no winner and no vanquished, because most of his challengers in the race were given relevant committee chairmanship positions.

    “You can see, the main challenger, Rep Aliyu Betera was given Federal Capital  Territory (FCT) Committee, Rep. Sani Jaji was made chairman of Ecological Fund.

    “Also, Rep. Miriam Onuhoa was made the chairman of Tetfund, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa was made the Chairman of Petroleum Resources Upstream, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi was made the chairman of Committee on Navy, ” he said.

    He added that their frontline supporters were equally considered for committee chairmanship, adding that the composition was a reflection of the unity that existed in the house.

    He said the beneficiaries and other members have promised to focus on delivering on the people’s mandate.

    ”And that is why you can see the unity and oneness in the house, we are now set for the full business of a parliament.” he said.

  • APC inaugurates 110-member campaign c’ttee, cautions against in-fighting

    APC inaugurates 110-member campaign c’ttee, cautions against in-fighting

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State on Friday inaugurated its 110-member East Senatorial Campaign Committee to mobilise votes for the party, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Inaugurating the committee, Sen. Ganiyu Solomon, the Director General, APC Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC) for Lagos State, said the committee had the mandate to woo voters for the party’s Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima and others.

    Solomon, who appreciated party’s leaders for commitment and perseverance, said Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (ex-state commissioner) would serve as the Deputy Director General (DDG) and leader of the campaign in the district.

    The DG, who said that members of the committee had the singular goal of managing the party’s 2023 general elections in the district, added that the PCC would also inaugurate same committee in other senatorial districts.

    “This is a historical moment and I consider it a great privilege to inaugurate this campaign committee.

    “The senatorial campaign committee is constituted with the conscious determination to ensure inclusiveness and excellence and it is expected to conduct a campaign based on our modest achievements to elect our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and reelect our amiable Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

    “We are inaugurating about 110- member committee now but that does not stop us from increasing the number as we deem fit.

    “This is a special election for us, we should work assiduously. We would be happy just to win, we want to win big,” he said.

    According to him, a victory for APC as a party is a victory for all well-meaning Nigerians.

    “As we begin campaign in earnest, I enjoin our leaders to resist being provoked, remain focused and be civil in campaign. Let us engage our citizens on issues,” Solomon added.

    According to him, as the committee embarks on the campaign to secure mandate, there is the need for sacrifices and unity of purpose from all stakeholders.

    He advised all stakeholders to keep the party united and cooperate among themselves, to ensure smooth operation.

    “I urge members of this formidable team to always keep their eyes up on the success of the party at the poll.

    “I wish to appeal to all members to be guided by the enduring vision behind the formation and sustenance of APC. We should not fight,” he said.

    The DG said that the inaugurated committee was one of the four newly- created in the three senatorial districts of the state, saying others would be inaugurated in Lagos Central, Lagos West I and II.

    He said that the development was to increase the number of votes for APC in 2023 than what had been witnessed in previous elections.

    In her remarks, Oladunjoye, who commended party leaders for finding them worthy of the job, assured that the committee would swing into action and touch every nook and cranny of the district.

    Mr. Dele Oshinowo, the Executive Council Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area and Assistant Director ICT of the Committee, expressed confidence that Lagos East would deliver 100 per cent votes for the party.

    “We have not been taking last in elections, we have been making APC proud in Lagos and we shall do same in the forthcoming election. It is not just about winning, we must win massively.

    “We must produce minimum of 4 million votes out of the seven million registered voters in the state. We have veterans and grassroots mobilisers here,” Oshinowo said.

    He urge members not to wait until money was sent before mobilising vote for the APC presidential candidate, describing Tinubu as the only one that could give Nigerians and Lagos a better state.

    The event was attended by members of the PCC in Lagos State, other leaders and chieftains of the party in the district.

  • Odioma Crisis: Bayelsa Govt. reads riot act to Council of Chiefs, sets up 6-man committee

    Odioma Crisis: Bayelsa Govt. reads riot act to Council of Chiefs, sets up 6-man committee

    The Bayelsa Government has given members of the Odioma Council of Chiefs in Brass Local Government Area (LGA), the option to either withdraw their membership of political parties or resign outright from the traditional leadership council.

    This is even as the state government constitutes a six-man peace and reconciliation committee to look into the immediate and remote causes of the communal unrest and insecurity threatening the peace of Odioma community.

    Gov. Douye Diri, of Bayelsa gave the order on Tuesday at an enlarged meeting with the chairman and members of the Odioma Council of Chiefs and other critical stakeholders of Odioma in Government House, Yenagoa.

    Newsmen reports that the governor, represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said his administration would not tolerate the breakdown of law and order in Odioma or any other community in the state.

    He advised them to live together in peace and avoid actions capable of causing a recurrence of the 2005 experience in which Federal military troops invaded and destroyed Odioma.

    He stressed the need for Odioma Chiefs to remain apolitical and more proactive in addressing critical communal issues.

    He therefore warned that henceforth, members of the Odioma Council of Chiefs who belong to any political party should either resign from the council or withdraw their political party membership to enable them to lead the people without divided interests.

    His said: “Under our watch, we cannot allow history to repeat itself at Odioma, because we all witnessed what happened there in 2005. We want to avoid a recurrence of that.

    “For now the Police would remain there until we have resolved all the major issues. Secondly, the council of chiefs must be more proactive and live up to your responsibilities.

    “As chiefs, you should drop your party membership card the moment you are elected a chief, because they are irreconcilable.

    “So I want you the chiefs to know this: Once you are a member of the council, quit the political parties.
    “As you are leaving here, PDP members go and resign your PDP membership; likewise APC members go and resign your APC membership. If you are not ready to do that, then resign from the council,” he said.

    The six-man Odioma Peace and Reconciliation Committee has the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Biriyai Dambo (SAN), as Chairman, while the Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, CP Akpoebi Agberebi (Rtd) is to serve as Secretary.

    Other members of the Committee are the Member representing Brass Constituency 2 at the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Timi Omubo-Agala; the Technical Adviser on Conflict Resolution, Chief Boma Spero-Jack; the Commissioner of Police, CP Ben Nebolisa Okolo, and the state director of DSS.

    The Committee has one month to complete its assignment.

  • A little memo to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Pay-TV – By Okoh Aihe

    A little memo to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Pay-TV – By Okoh Aihe

    By 10am tomorrow, an ad hoc committee of the Senate will deliberate on what appears a most important concern to the nation. If we have not succeeded in reordering God’s natural cosmology and tomorrow really comes, the Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Pay-TV Hikes and Demand for Pay-Per-View subscription model, will be meeting with critical stakeholders of the industry by way of exploring opportunities to bringing prices down to friendly levels.

    The meeting holds at Senate Conference Room 231, Senate New Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Invited to this all important meeting are the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, National Broadcasting Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Bureau of Public Enterprises, All Pay-TV operators – DSTV, TSTV, MYTV, OURTV, GOTV, Star Times, CSO/NGOs, with interest on the subject, and the General Public.

    Quite a full house. They will gather not to discuss some other compelling issues like the ASUU strike for about seven months, the lack of infrastructure, including connecting roads between states and even within states, the failing aviation industry, insecurity – well, thank God for some humble achievements lately, inflation of over 20 per cent, pervasive hopelessness in the land, and, in fact, a general lack of faith in the present administration which has led to a mass exodus of our youths, but they will discuss cost of Pay-TV and how to knock prices down so that Nigerians can enjoy a good diet of beautiful TV programmes. What an ingenious endeavour!

    The Ministry of Information and Culture which controls the fortunes of the broadcast industry was overlooked in the list of invitees. I hope this unfortunate error is immediately corrected.

    If you have ever heard of the phrase, elite conspiracy, this is a shouting paradigm. The elites would usually gather to consider matters of immediate interests, either the ones that tickle their fancies or those threatening their inordinate appropriation of good life, and take decisions which usually exclude the ordinary folk out there. So in September 2022, when a majority of Nigerians are praying for the life of this administration to come to a fleeting end, the Nigerian Senate is discussing Pay-TV.

    I take it as my unfortunate responsibility this morning to inform the Committee that the last time I did a search on the Pay-TV subscription figure in Nigeria, it was less than 7million. Were the figure to climb to 10million, it would still be less than five per cent of the population, that is, assuming the population of Nigeria was to stand at 210million. Tomorrow, the Senate Committee will meet to cater for the interest of a minuscule fragment of the population. How disingenuous at a time the nation is looking for leaders to deliver its people out of a seething cauldron, that is daily living in this part of the world.

    How often do we have to tell these lawmakers that the broadcast industry has been deregulated since August 24, 1992? Decree 38 of 1992, now an act of the National Assembly, National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, which deregulated the sector, also created the Commission to regulate the sector and issue licenses to industry operators. Even this law does not encourage the regulator to fix prices for broadcast products or programmes but to generally superintend the sector.

    The Act may have contemplated that in a free market economy, prices are left to market forces, until there is a gradual sedimentation, to the triumph of such forces.

    The Competition and Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) tribunal, chaired by Mr Thomas Okosun supports this view as it recently reminded some complainants against Multichoice, accusing the operator of market dominance, that “Nigeria operates a free market economy,” adding that their argument on price regulation lacked merit. From the goings on at the National Assembly, market forces may be too slow for their peace, so let us do it the deus ex machina way, let’s enforce it!

    Two major things are at stake here as per the published advert by the Committee – cost and technology. The Pay-TV business is for operators with deep pockets and not for tyros. Some operational facilities and items – transponder space on satellite, transmission equipment and programming are purchased in Dollars. While the Dollar has fairly been stable, the Naira has been on a free fall,  which would usually lead to a seeming increase in the cost of goods and services, just like a vehicle whizzing by and giving the impression that the trees by the road are moving, when it is indeed the vehicle that is moving while the trees are static. The Naira has been moving, growing weaker against the Dollar.

    On the issue of technology, let me state here that competition will resolve it. While one will want to explain that the Pay-TV technology is entirely different from GSM technology where an operator could easily introduce Pay As You Go services, the broadcast technology remains a challenge, a little tech riddle to be resolved.

    While tech neutrality remains a convenient maxim for the regulator, I will want to reiterate that competition in the Pay-TV industry which has since been introduced by the regulator, will resolve all the lingering doubts, including cost of products and services. Like the GSM operators who had to look for convenient technologies to woo subscribers, the Pay-TV operators should be allowed to work on their business model to attract customers instead of being forced to do so.

    It is not in the place of the lawmakers to tell an operator what technology to use in running a business, because they hardly know what the operators knows that has informed his business model, and it is not in their place to enforce a price in a free market economy because they know  little or nothing about the cost elements that will inform pricing in such a market as Pay-TV.

    Pay-TV is premium packaging for the elites. Those who build the programme bouquets have one thing in mind: to hit the upper crust of the society and retain their interests with bespoke broadcast services. Oh, is that what they call market positioning? Such a design has very little accommodation for sentiments but strictly business. Our lawmakers should know that.

    But why should Pay-TV be the hottest item in the plates of the lawmakers when the nation is almost in tatters? Who wants to eat TV when hunger is on rampage? Who wants to watch TV when this administration, under which they serve, has sabotaged the future of our children?

    Should they have so much love for the broadcast industry, let me draw up a little programme for them to rescue a sector that may remain permanently stunted. Since, it is their responsibility to make laws for the nation, the lawmakers should as a matter of urgency, review the Broadcast Act, remove the Act and the regulator from the satanic grip of a serving minister, who in extreme cases, can issue broadcast licenses above the regulator, review the tenure of the Board in the Act, and create the opportunity for the regulator to produce the Nigeria Broadcasting Code without humiliating pressure. Their oversight function should cover flagship programmes like the Digital Switchover (DSO), and intellectually stimulating programmes like Africast which has been overlooked by this government. The Africast used to be a flagship programme of the NBC and, for decades, it drew broadcast experts – intellectuals, content creators and aggregators, and talents from across the nations of the world. Africast brought light and focus on our nation. But at the moment it is dead!

    With absolute reverence, I wish to apprise the lawmakers with whispers from the industry. Some stakeholders believe that the gathering tomorrow is an orchestrated witch-hunt for a particular operator, an irritating encumbrance and unwholesome pressure which are, unfortunately, paradigmatic of the very reason businesses are running away from Nigeria. Fresh businesses are not coming and those who are operating here in stilts, are being pressured to leave through bogus inquisitions, multiple demands, levies and taxations by the various governments, communities and even area boys. Unfortunately, they find little cover under the law. What a shame!