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Tag: NASS

  • Speaker Abbas seeks CSOs, NGOs support for NASS as UNDP engages consultant on needs assessment

    Speaker Abbas seeks CSOs, NGOs support for NASS as UNDP engages consultant on needs assessment

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has called for more partnerships with civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies towards strengthening the capacity of the National Assembly.

    Speaker Abbas stated that the capacity needs assessment of the National Assembly, especially the House, is an essential process that would “enable us to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses as an institution.”

    The Speaker added that it would provide the House with valuable insights into “areas where we can improve our legislative processes, oversight mechanisms, and overall effectiveness in representing the interests of the citizens.”

    The Speaker made the call at a meeting with development partners, donor agencies, technical partners and civil society organisations (CSOs) on the capacity needs assessment of the House, in Abuja on Monday.

    The meeting was organised by the Programmes Coordinating Unit (PCU) under the Office of the Speaker.

    The development partners represented at the meeting included the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), KLEEN Foundation, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), among others.

    Also at the meeting were the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Akin Rotimi; Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon Kafilat Ogbara, and Chairman of the House Committee on Monitoring and Implementation of the Legislative Agenda, Hon Patrick Umoh.

    The Speaker, represented by the Majority Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said through the assessment, the House aimed to identify specific areas where additional support and capacity-building initiatives were required.

    “This includes enhancing our research capabilities, strengthening our committee system, improving legislative drafting skills, and fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity within the House,” the Speaker stated, describing the meeting as a crucial engagement regarding the partners’ technical support to the House.

    He recalled an earlier meeting held on September 18, 2023, where both sides discussed the House’s intention to harness the partners’ expertise, support and goodwill in the drive to enhance the capacities of members and staff.

    The Speaker noted that the move was in recognition of the fact that development partners, donor agencies and CSOs play a vital role in supporting democratic institutions like the parliament.

    He said: “During that meeting, as I have emphasised on numerous other occasions, I highlighted the unique capacity challenges faced by the 10th House, owing to the significant turnover rate resulting from the general elections. As legislators, we must have the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to fulfil our responsibilities effectively.

    “In order to address these challenges effectively, the House in its Legislative Agenda identified capacity development as a key avenue of equipping the legislature to deliver quality services in terms of representation, oversight and law making.”

    Speaker Abbas also noted that he established the Programmes Coordinating Unit (PCU) under his office for the purposes of coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all technical support and capacity development drive of the House.

    “I am pleased to observe that some progress has been achieved, following our initial meeting. I am aware that our technical partners and supporters have been collaborating with the PCU to provide various forms of assistance to the House. This demonstrates your dedication to strengthening our democracy.

    “The House, as well as the entire nation, appreciates your ongoing support and will continue to seek your cooperation in our efforts to enhance the legislative institution,” he said.

    The Speaker said in order to ensure a well-coordinated and impactful collaboration with you, the PCU had recognised the necessity of formulating a comprehensive Parliamentary Development Programme. This, he noted, would serve as a guiding framework for the collective efforts.

    To achieve this, Speaker Abbas said it was deemed essential to conduct a capacity needs assessment of the House.

    He added that the purpose of the assessment was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the House’s capacity requirements. “By doing so, we can effectively allocate our resources and interventions,” he stressed.

    The Speaker said, “On this note, I wish to thank the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for helping us secure the services of one of Nigeria’s leading development expert, Prof. Victor Adetula, to conduct this needs assessment and develop a comprehensive parliamentary development programme.

    “The purpose of our meeting today is primarily to reiterate our request for your assistance in this initiative and to engage with the consultant as he identifies the gaps in capacity and requirements of the House. We eagerly anticipate your insights, recommendations, and potential opportunities for collaboration.

    “I expect that the results of this assessment will serve as a foundation for your various interventions and support to the House. This does not undermine your ongoing support and identified areas of technical assistance.”

    On the other hand, the partners and stakeholders expressed their readiness to study the terms of reference and continue the engagements with the PCU especially towards the implementation of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House.

    The participants also expressed their support for the NEEDS assessment to be conducted on the National Assembly, especially the House of Reps.

    The stakeholders also noted the importance of introducing technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, in the operations of the National Assembly.

    The partners also emphasised building the confidence of the people in the parliament to reduce the existing trust deficit, while stressing the need to educate the public on the roles and activities of the National Assembly.

    Signed:

    Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Budget monitoring: Reps to launch ‘NASS Eyes’ for effective oversight on MDAs -Kalu (Photos)

    Budget monitoring: Reps to launch ‘NASS Eyes’ for effective oversight on MDAs -Kalu (Photos)

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has revealed that the National Assembly will soon launch an application known as ‘NASS Eyes’ to monitor budget transparency and implementation by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

    The monitoring will also include, adherence to the principle of federal character by the affected MDAs.

    Kalu who dropped the hints during a courtesy call on him by the management team of AFRILABS, a high-tech company, over the weekend, said that the mechanism is driven by the conscious effort of the parliament to effectively check the performance of budgetary allocations to the agencies of government.

    He said: “So, while you think about the economic and entrepreneurial space, also think about innovations in leadership, through technology. How do we employ that in our oversight functions, so that we can be in our offices, heading our committees and also monitoring what is happening in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government; so that our oversight functions will not only be based on the bundles of papers submitted to us on the day we visit these MDAs, but a continuous analysis of what they are doing, day in, day out.

    “A dashboard that is in the Parliament to see what is being captured in the MDAs will inform members of the Parliament better, so by the time they visit it, they would have gotten sufficient information that would help them oversight tax payers money more efficiently. It is something we must think about.

    “We are thinking in that direction and we are about launching what we call the ‘NASS EYES’, the eyes that will be beaming the MDAs while they are working. They will be expected to upload some of the key performance indicators that we will give to them.

    “From there, we will analyse and have a better understanding of their budget performance, even before budget presentations, because, some of them come for budget performance presentation and it is rushed, within few hours it is done. That is not well detailed!

    “We need innovations, we need technology to drive that, so that we can dig and get beyond paper work, what you have done.

    “Also in budgeting, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, innovations and technology will help us to know whether the NEEDS analysis are critical and are part of the budget, not somebody sitting in the office here in Abuja and be imputing anything they want into the budget when they have no social economic impacts on the lives of the people that the budget is meant for.

    Kalu also underscored the need for the deployment of technology in the oversight functions of the parliament, saying it would not only gauge the efforts of the government agencies but also give the needed boost to E-Parlaiment for the overall benefits of the people.

    “It is technology that will help us drive that. It is also technology that will help us know whether the constituencies are being impacted sufficiently by the constituency projects that are being managed by the members of the parliament as well as the MDAs spread of projects; to know whether section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the part B of it, with regard to federal character and as it affects projects, if they are well spread, equally, fairly, equitably across the nation, or not.

    “There is no magic to this, except through technology. So, you see the scope of your work goes beyond just business and economics of our country. But I also have confidence, that what has driven you into the business space with innovations, will also push you into the leadership space to make sure that we increase the level of accountability and transparency in that aspectaspect”, the Deputy Speaker said.

    Earlier in her presentation, the Executive Director of AFRILABS, Mrs. Anna Ekeledo told the Deputy Speaker that their company is providing multilateral support systems to many organizations across the African hemispheres in terms of capacity building, among others.

    “We run programs, working with international organisations, multilateral and development finance institutions, whereby we identify innovative solutions across various sectors, sections such as you know, financial services, for example, climates.

    “Basically, what we do is, we support innovation hubs which have infrastructures on ground, all with physical centres across the African continent. Right now, our network spans across 53 African countries and over 200 African cities.

    “So, in all of these innovates, in all of these spaces, we have young innovative entrepreneurs and then we run programmes that are in for capacity building, funding and financing. So we also mobilise financing as well to entrepreneurs. We also have a fund called Catalytic Africa, which is a matching fund for African start-ups”, Ekeledo said.

    Signed:

    Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Lawmakers will not consider buying SUVs under me as president – Peter Obi

    Lawmakers will not consider buying SUVs under me as president – Peter Obi

    Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has said lawmakers in the National Assembly (NASS) will not consider buying SUVs for themselves if he were the president of Nigeria.

    Mr Obi, defeated by President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election as candidate of Labour Party, stressed the purchase of SUV vehicles for the lawmakers is a wast of public resources.

    In a series of posts via X, Obi argued that to allocate huge amounts for the purchase of SUV vehicles for about 400 lawmakers was troubling and that one third of the allocation would have given the lawmakers locally manufactured SUV vehicles.

    He wrote: “The recent expenditure of N60 billion for the purchase of SUV vehicles for about 400 legislators is a continuation of the troubling trend in our nation today.

    “We have continued to abandon the critical areas of development measurement while expending scarce resources on needless luxury and creating comforts for those elected to serve the people.

    “Our primary healthcare, which is the foundation of health, a critical development index measure, has collapsed, leading to our surpassing India, a country 7 times our population, in infant mortality, a very saddening situation.

    “To allocate such a huge amount, which is more than what we allocated to our primary health care, is nothing but troubling.

    “One third of that amount, with proper negotiation, would have given them locally manufactured SUV vehicles from Innoson Motors, PAN or any local auto assembly plant, to help boost our economy and create and retain jobs.

    “Upon my being sworn in as the then Governor of Anambra State, I observed that our State High Court Judges, State Government Permanent Secretaries and newly appointed State Commissioners had no vehicles.

    “Anambra State Government had then ordered for two bullet proof SUV vehicles for my use. I cancelled the order and used the same money to negotiate a concessionary pricing with Peugeot Automobiles to supply us Sixty 406 vehicles which were enough for all the cabinet members including myself and my deputy governor.

    “We used the vehicles for our first tenure and were able to commence the work of doing more in the areas of health, education and lifting people out of poverty.

    “Nobody would contemplate this kind of expenditure under my administration. I urge all involved to depart from this path of wastage of public resources. A more prudent and transparent Nigeria is possible”.

  • NASS, AGF dragged to court over Section 257 of PIA

    NASS, AGF dragged to court over Section 257 of PIA

    Some natives of oil-bearing communities in Niger Delta and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have dragged the National Assembly to Court over Section 257 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    Also joined in the suit is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Juatice.

    The Executive Director of WeThePeople, Mr Ken Henshaw, disclosed this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    Henshaw said that the group had approached the court for it to determine the provision of a section of the Act.

    According to him, the entire section contravened the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.

    The group in a suit marked FHC/PH/CS/181 filed at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, had Henry Eferebo, Princewill Chukwure, Avadi Chimankpam and Health of Mother Earth Foundation as co-plaintiffs.

    The suit sought the relief to determine whether the shifting of personal liability for damage, property injury, vandalism or sabotage to host community by the provision of section 257(2,3) of the PIA 2021, is in consistence with section 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution, which protects citizens’ rights to own immovable and movable properties, including funds.

    Henshaw said that the court should determine and subsequently repeal the section of PIA that contains key provisions aimed at addressing long-standing development challenges in oil-producing communities in Nigeria.

    He said that several provisions in the section of the Act, on another hand, had the potential to cause disaffection and conflict between oil firms and host communities.

    Henshaw said that some provisions of section 257 of the PIA, rather than promote development, may result in increased deprivation for communities and create new conflict scenarios.

    “The fact that the Act blames host communities for oil theft and oil infrastructure sabotage  and mandates them to become unpaid, unskilled, and unarmed guardians of oil equipment and pipelines, was perhaps the most contentious and unjust aspect of the Act,” he said.

    He condemned the destruction of oil infrastructure, describing such rascality as a crime with well-established punishment after due determination of guilt by a court.

    “No existing law provides for the punishment of an entire community, in this case, the denial of due benefits for a crime committed by a person or persons at large,” Henshaw said.

    He further said that no Nigerian law permits the award of punishment of any supposed crime without the determination of a court of law.

    “It is implausible that an entire community, including all men, women and children, collectively sabotage oil infrastructure.

    “Why then should the entire community bear the consequences?,” he rhetorically asked.

  • Your welfare is our priority, Speaker Abbas assures NASS workers

    Your welfare is our priority, Speaker Abbas assures NASS workers

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has assured National Assembly workers of his willingness and readiness to mobilise resources for better welfare for them.

    Speaker Abbas told the workers, under the auspices of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly chapter, that he would reach out to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to address some issues affecting them.

    The Speaker gave the assurance when the Chairman of PASAN, NASS Chapter, Mr Sunday Sabiyi, led other members of the executive of the union on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Thursday.

    Speaking on some issues raised by the PASAN leadership, Speaker Abbas stressed the critical roles the workers play in the running of the National Assembly and the need to make life and work comfortable for them.

    He said: “I am with you 100 percent on all that you have said. I am somebody who is very passionate about labour matters because I was there (in the civil service) like you, at the very bottom. If somebody taught in a primary school, you don’t need to tell him about the plight of workers. I taught at a time when teaching was the most undesirable work.

    “So, I understand your problems. I understand your plights. I want to tell you, I am with you. I share your pains. Not only that, but I know what you are going through.

    “I wish to assure you that the 10th National Assembly under our leadership will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all the problems that we have inherited terminate during this particular time.”

    While assuring the workers of payment of salaries and allowances arrears, the Speaker said he would liaise with his Senate counterpart on how to kick-start pension remittances and payments.

    Speaker Abbas noted that with the passage of the bill establishing the National Assembly Pension Board, which he described as “a very revolutionary achievement that we have all been waiting for,” he would get in touch with Senator Akpabio on how to constitute membership of the board soon, so that the pension scheme would commence early next year.

    The Speaker also said the leadership of the National Assembly would look into how to fuel the buses provided to convey workers.

    Speaker Abbas also directed that the National Salaries Incomes And Wages Commission be invited to a meeting with him next week, to discuss how parliamentary workers would benefit from the N35,000 post-subsidy salary bonuses declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Federal Government workers under the Executive arm.

    Earlier, Sabiyi lamented the impact of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, on the workers.

    The PASAN chairman also called for a review of the salary structure and the conditions of service, as well as payment of arrears.

    “We don’t want strike and picketing,” Sabiyi said, stating that, “The staff want to have a smooth running of their offices.”

    He decried that PASAN members in the National Assembly retire without pension and gratuity, except those in management, urging the Speaker to help accelerate commencement of the pension scheme.

    Signed:
    Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • NILDS makes case for more funding for NASS members

    NILDS makes case for more funding for NASS members

    The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has called for more funding for members of the National Assembly (NASS) for effective monitoring of budget implementation by the executive arm of the government.

    Director General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman made the call in Abuja on Friday while lamenting the difficulties and challenges faced by the standing committees in the NASS in carrying out their oversight functions.

    Speaking during a visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Correspondents Chapel, Prof. Sulaiman said proper funding will ensure standing committees of the NASS carry out their assignments without fear or favour.

    “There are issues that border on oversight assignments and I keep saying those issues will not be corrected until we provide more funding for the parliament to do their oversight, and that is what Nigerians will not want to hear.

    “When the parliamentarians are going to oversight Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) and the only vote of budget you could give them is N3 million to oversight an agency that will remit trillions and you say they will not be vulnerable?” he queried, adding “then, we are just deceiving ourselves”.

    He added: “When the agencies you are to oversight are the one funding the oversight, then the oversight is dead on arrival. Proper funding of oversight functions of the parliament would ensure accountability and transparency on the part of the committees”.

    Speaking further, Sulaiman stressed media practitioners have a role to play in the reportage of oversight functions of the parliament with the view to probe and scrutinize the executive arm of government in budget implementation.

    He said journalists as critical stakeholders in democracy and, therefore, have the statutory responsibility and role in keeping Nigerians abreast of the workings of their elected representatives even beyond sitting for the proceedings during the plenary session.

    He said Nigerians have the right to know that the parliamentarians are only charged with the responsibility to make laws, oversight and represent their constituents, and not to physically implement projects like road construction.

    He said the press is not just a stakeholder but a cornerstone that has been the bridge in giving feedback on what Nigerians are going through and what the government is doing.

    “This is where journalists have to come in and interrogate how much is there for the National Assembly and State Assemblies to perform their functions especially the aspect of oversight and this is the area you can call MDAs to question and account. I think we need to do more.

    “The history of this country’s independence is not complete without the press. Governance is not complete without the press,” he said.

    Sulaiman expressed the readiness of the Institute to partner with NUJ in providing capacity building for journalists even for those who are not directly covering the National Assembly.

    On his part, the Chairman of NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Jide Oyekunle commended the Director General of NILDS for his untiring and unrelenting efforts in enriching and deepening the reportorial knowledge and skills of members through periodic capacity building training particularly those covering the National Assembly.

    He said the visit was aimed at bringing to the notice of the Director-General the need to extend the capacity building to other journalists in various beats, such as the judiciary, finance, crime, energy, health and others in order to acquaint them with the workings of the legislative arm of government.

    “This will go a long way to erase the wrong and negative perception which Nigerians still harbour about the legislative arm of government, particularly the issues surrounding the official vehicles saga,” Oyekunle said.

  • NASS New Media Forum elects new exco as Itodo steps aside+Photos

    NASS New Media Forum elects new exco as Itodo steps aside+Photos

    The pioneer chairman of the National Assembly New Media Forum, NNMF, Prince Yemi Itodo bowed out after serving two consecutive terms of 2 years each as Chairman of the forum.

    The expiration of Mr. Itodo’s tenure paved way for an election which held today, Friday 27th October, 2023 in the Senate Hearing Room 1 at the National Assembly Complex and produced Mr. Clement Nwabuko Chibuike as a successor.

    Itodo, a seasoned journalist who is now the Senior Legislative Aide, SLA, to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, in his valedictory speech thanked his colleagues for their support and pledged to always make his wealth of experience available for the success of the new administration while tasking them to quickly settle down to tackle the challenges ahead.

    In an acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Mr. Clement Chibuike Nwabuko appreciated the outgoing EXCO and the credential committee members for providing the level playing field for the election and promised on behalf of the new EXCO to deliver on their mandate.

    The Director of Information, National Assembly, Mr Umar Gobir Ango while inaugurating the new EXCO, congratulated them and charged the executives to live above board even as he pledged the support of the information directorate for the success of their tenure.

    Other members elected today include; Saminu Ibrahim – Vice Chairman, (Senate), David Okon Ichima – Vice Chairman (House of Reps), Peter Onu Oriri – Secretary General, Isaac James Terzulum – Asst. Secretary General and Raphael Nkira Ekpang – Welfare Officer(Senate) as well as Moses Eze Idika – Auditor and Babangida Fahad – Treasurer

  • Why we want to buy luxury vehicles for lawmakers – Senate Committee Chair

    Why we want to buy luxury vehicles for lawmakers – Senate Committee Chair

    Chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Services, Sunday Karimi has disclosed the reason behind the move by the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly (NASS) to buy luxury vehicles for lawmakers.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Karimi as saying the lawmakers need vehicles that will not only be durable on Nigerian roads but also vehicles that could be maintained for a period of four years.

    “It was based on a comparative analysis of the cost of technical issues and durability on Nigerian roads. We want something that we can maintain for another four years.

    “And the issue of buying vehicles for the National Assembly, you know it is a recurring issue, it occurs every assembly, it will always come up,” he said.

    Karimi said this on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Abuja, justifying the planned purchase of luxury vehicles for lawmakers in the two chambers of the NASS.

    TNG reports Rep. Rotimi Akin, the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives had said the distribution concerned vehicles tied to lawmakers’ oversight functions in the discharge of their duties, and that they are not personal gifts.

    The utility Prado jeep is said to be worth N130 million each. The NASS comprises 469 members. While the Senate has 109 members, the House of Representatives has 360 members.

    Lawmakers have the option to purchase the vehicles – Akin

    Earlier, in a statement confirming the procurement and distribution of te utility Prado jeeps, worth N130 million to lawmakers, Akin had said the initiative aligned with existing procurement laws, adding that it was a customary practice in previous assemblies.

    He said the distribution concerned vehicles tied to lawmakers’ oversight functions in the discharge of their duties within the standing committees, and they are not personal gifts.

    “For the duration of the 10th assembly, spanning from 2023 to 2027, these vehicles will remain the property of the National Assembly.

    “However, should the government’s extant assets deboarding policy still be in place at the end of the assembly’s tenure in 2027, lawmakers may have the option to purchase the vehicles before they become their property. ”

    He emphasised the importance of the vehicles in enhancing the performance of lawmakers’ duties, especially when it comes to oversight functions in various regions of the country.

    Akin said the aim was to ensure that government interventions, programmes, and policies were effectively carried out, no matter where Nigerian citizens reside.

    He highlighted the percentage of the legislature’s budget as part of the national budget which had steadily decreased over the past decade, currently standing at 0.5 per cent of the federal budget.

    He urged stakeholders to focus on reducing costs in the right areas while supporting lawmakers in their efforts to fulfil their duties effectively and with integrity.

    He said the vehicles were work tools and not status symbols, intended to facilitate improved representation, constituency outreach, and oversight functions by elected representatives.

    TNG reports this is coming at a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship.

  • NASS committed to prudent spending of public funds – Kalu

    NASS committed to prudent spending of public funds – Kalu

    The Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu says the 10th Assembly is committed to collaborating with the Executive to ensure prudent use of funds by government agencies.

    Kalu made this known at the unveiling of the House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) and a workshop organised for its members by Africa Development Study Center (ADSC) in Abuja.

    Kalu said PAC was one of the most important committees of the house, and its importance is underscored by its express creation by Section 85 subsection 5 of the Constitution.

    He said the section states that PAC shall examine the audited accounts of government, showing the appropriation of the sums granted by the house to meet public expenditure and any report made by the Auditor General of the Federation concerning such account.

    “In the 10th Assembly, PAC is committed to deepening engagement with the executive arm of government to ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) hold the principles of accountability, principles of transparency and products and the management of public funds.

    “The PAC is also committed to strengthening the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, in line with the best global practices ,” he said.

    Kalu called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint a substantive Auditor-General of the Federation, saying that it was a sensitive office that cannot continue to have an acting director for over a year.

    He said that when that was done, it would send the right signal out that the government is ready to pursue tax payers money and ensure effective usage.

    The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP- Osun) said the vision of the committee was to significantly improve on the delivery of the mandate of the Public Accounts Committee as enshrined in the Constitution, the Standing Orders of the house.

    He acknowledged the work done by all the previous leadership and members of the public accounts committee of the house up to the 9th assembly.

    “But the purpose we have set for ourselves, according to the charge of the speaker is to ensure that will improve on every area of the operations of the committee and that formed the canal of this vision.

    “The mission is to ensure that ministries departments and agencies of the federal government utilise public funds in a lawful, predictable, transparent and accountable manner for the good of the Nigerian people.

    “Because the assignment we have, whether as was political leaders for public servant or civil servants has only one goal, and that is the goal of service delivery to the shareholders with the core values of transparency, independence, fairness for public interest,” he said.

    Earlier, Amb. Victor Oluwafemi, CEO of Africa Development Study Center (ADSC) said that ceremony is an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and work towards a common goal of strengthening the oversight role of the committee.

    He said that with  proper human capacity development, coaching, guidance, and resources, PAC will fulfil its crucial mandate in safeguarding public finances and ensuring the appropriate utilisation of public resources in line with national development and progress

    “As we get on this mutual partnership, we must reiterate the pivotal role that PAC members play in safeguarding the existential principles of fiscal responsibility and good governance for the common good of all.

    “Today’s engagement reflects the importance of PAC-affirmed commitment to help build a better Nigeria, as well as the national yearning to inspire thoughts and actions to redefine fiscal responsibility and oversight function,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of a coalition of 120 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), on audit, Mr Odegbami Olusegun said that of the 900 agencies of government that gets funding through the Ministry of Finance, only 23 per cent were audited in 2013.

    He said in 2014, 17 per cent were audited, in 2015 only 19 per cent were audited while in 2016, only 13 per cent were audited.

    Olusegun said in 2017, only 12 per cent were audited, saying that something was wrong that needed to be corrected by the 10th assembly.

    “We could talk about the resources that is available to the auditor general to do his work but sadly we cannot measure accountability against this you know insignificant amount of MDS that are covered annually.

    “The timeless of the report of the auditor-general; the 2019 report of general took about 23 months after the end of the financial year 23 months after the end of the financial year.

    “The best practice is that the report of the auditor general should be out in the public domain not more than 18 months after the end of the financial year.

    “The report for 2020 has taken more than 34 months already. We still do not have it and we are not even talking about the report for 2021 and 2022,” he said.

  • BREAKING: FG proposes N26 trillion as 2024 budget

    BREAKING: FG proposes N26 trillion as 2024 budget

    The Minister of Planning and Budget, Atiku Bagudu has disclosed that the federal government is proposing a national budget of N26 trillion for the year 2024.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bagudu disclosed the N26 trillion year 2024 budget following the federal executive council (FEC) meeting held on Monday at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    According to the Minister, the 2024 budget proposal would be submitted to the National Assembly (NASS) before December 31.

    Details shortly…