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Tag: NASS

  • Senator’s takehome: Who to believe, RMAFC or Shehu Sani?

    The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has come forward to clarify its position on the unending controversies surrounding the actual remuneration figures of members of the National Assembly.

    In a statement signed by RMAFC’s Spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, the Commission stated that the clarification is become imperative in view of the recent revelations by the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani.

    TheNewsGuru reports Senator Sani recently disclosed that each Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria collects a monthly running cost of N13.5 million in addition to the monthly salary of N750,000.00 prescribed by the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendments) Act 2008.

    According to Mohammed in the RMAFC’s statement, the Law on Salaries and Allowances of Public Office Holders is very clear and as such it is only the management of the National Assembly Service Commission that can explain the N13.5 M running cost allegedly being enjoyed by each Senator as the Act only covers Salary and Allowances but not running cost.

    “A closer look at the monthly entitlement of Senators reveals that each Senator collects salary and allowances of the sum of N1,063,860:00 consisting of the following: basic N168,866.70, motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance allowance N126,650:00,

    “Personal Assistant N42,216.66, Domestic Staff 126,650.00, Entertainment N50,660.00, Utilities N50,660.00, Newspapers/Periodicals N25,330.00, Wardrobe N42,216.66, House Maintenance N8,433.00 and Constituency N422,166.66.

    “It is instructive to note that some allowances are regular while others are non-regular. Regular allowances are paid regularly with Basic Salaries while Non-Regular allowances are paid as at when due. The payment of running cost is not part of RMAFC mandate, therefore only the NASS can explain it,” the statement read.

    The statement adds that auditing does not fall within the purview of the Commission.

    “Thus, RMAFC also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any other payments enjoyed by any political, or public office holders outside those provided in the Remuneration Act of 2008 is not known to the Commission and the chief accounting officer of the agencies concerned should explain it.

    “To avoid misinformation and misrepresentation of facts capable of misleading citizens and members of the international community, the Commission considers it most appropriate and necessary to request Nigerians and any other interested party to avail themselves of the opportunity to access the actual details of the present remuneration package for political, public and judicial office holders in Nigeria published on its website,” the statement added.

     

  • NASS shifts 2018 Budget approval date

    Contrary to expectations that the 2018 budget estimates of N8.612 trillion would be passed by April, the National Assembly has postponed the approval of this year’s budget till May 2018.

    Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Mustapha Dawaki, made this known at the 2018 National Budget Hearing in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The hearing was jointly organised by the Senate and House Committees on Appropriation.

    Dawaki, explained that if the budget was not passed by April 24 as assured by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, then the N2.06 trillion 2017 capital budget would run till May 31.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had in his presentation of the 2018 appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly on Nov. 7, 2017, called for speedy passage of the budget to allow for implementation of the January to December budget cycle.

    Both legislative chambers had blamed the delay in the approval of the bill to refusal of heads of ministries, departments and agencies to come forward and defend their respective budget proposals.

     

  • Housing Loan Scheme’ll give succor to public servants – Dogara

    The Bill to amend the Federal Government Housing Loan Board to administer housing loan scheme to public sector workers will bring succor to public servants by bridging the housing deficit and increasing productivity in the public sector, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said.

    He explained that the amendment, when it scales through, will make mortgage facilities more accessible to public servants at lower interest rates than the ones offered by commercial banks.

    Speaking at a public hearing on the bill at the House of Representatives, he stated, “This Bill has come at a right time to give succor to civil servants opportunity to have access to housing scheme for the purpose for owning a house. Research has shown that as at September 2016, the lowest recorded interest rate on any Mortgage in Nigeria is 19 percent and requires 25 percent down payment.

    “The question is how many civil servants can afford a mortgage under such harsh Conditions? It is our objective that when this Bill becomes law, most civil servants will have access to a house of their own. I sincerely believe that this Bill will go a long way in bridging the housing deficit and increasing productivity in our public sector.”

    The Speaker added that it is on record that most public servants cannot secure accommodation in Abuja due to high cost of rents, with majority of civil servants living in Nasarawa and Niger States and commuting to work in Abuja everyday from long distances, thereby having an effect on productivity that is better imagined than experienced.

    He recalled that during the 2017 Housing Summit organised in Abuja by Housing Circuit Magazine in partnership with other stakeholders, it was revealed that as at 1991, when the National Housing Policy was enacted, Nigeria had a housing deficit of seven million units but as at today, the housing deficit had grown alarmingly to seventeen (17) million and continues to grow.

    Hon Dogara, therefore, urged the stakeholders to proffer solutions on how to administer the Housing Scheme for Federal Public Officers in order to reduce and or eliminate the overall housing deficit in Nigeria.

     

  • Zonal intervention projects: No amount of blackmail’ll stop us – Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said that no amount of blackmail from any quarters will force the National Assembly to abandon Zonal Intervention Projects because it is the tool with which they ensure equity in project allocation nationwide.

    He added that though the instrumentality of zonal intervention projects has been grossly misunderstood and terribly maligned, it does not change the fact that it has brought development across all federal constituencies and federal presence to remote and forgotten areas in the country.

    Hon Dogara made the statements while speaking at the public hearing organised by the Joint Committees of Appropriation of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

    The Speaker said, “Over the years, the efforts of legislators, especially at the National Assembly to inject equity in budget patronage nationwide through the instrumentality of zonal intervention projects has been grossly misunderstood and terribly maligned mostly by those who are deliberately ignorant and have concocted their own concept of constituency projects which they apply as their yardstick of measurement.

    “I make bold to state that, but for Zonal Intervention Projects, many communities in Nigeria would never have enjoyed any form of Federal Government patronage. Put differently, zonal intervention projects represent the only evidence of Federal government presence in most rural communities of Nigeria.

    “Consequently, as representatives of the people, no amount of blackmail from any quarters will force us to abandon our resolve to ensure even development across all federal constituencies.”

    He implored stakeholders, and indeed all Nigerians who are showing more interest in the budget making process, to pay greater attention to the implementation of approved budget and not the size because only effective budget implementation determines its quality.

    “Demand strict accountability from all elected officials on this matter. Jacob Lew captured the issue succinctly when he said, ‘The budget is not just a collection of numbers, but an expression of our values and aspirations.’ The citizen must therefore insist on the total realisation of these values and aspirations rather than merely the collection of figures,” he charged.

     

  • 2018 Budget: Dogara remarks at NASS public hearing

    It is my honour and privilege to welcome us all to this crucial Public Hearing on the 2018 National Budget, organized jointly by the Committees on Appropriation of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    This is the second in the series of National Annual budget Hearings put together by the National Assembly and I wish to commend everyone present for making out time to participate.

    Public Hearing is the platform which the Legislature provides for citizens to participate in governance. This is done pursuant to the legislature’s role of representation on the one hand and in the fulfilment of the Constitutional injunction under the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of state Policy in Section 14 (2) (c) of the Constitution which provides that the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured.

    Before now, the citizen had become more accustomed with Public Hearing on Bills on the making of laws other than Appropriation. While every law made by the National Assembly is important, many citizens conform with lawful conduct as of norm rather than compliance with legislations. Appropriation is however the piece of legislation that affects the life and wellbeing of every citizen irrespective of his/her awareness or the absence of it.

    As Representatives of the people, legislators are constantly in touch with their constituents and are therefore in a position to appreciate their peculiar priority needs which they can then articulate in the budget. This notwithstanding, an African adage says ” The best rendition of a song is from the mouth of the composer” , and therefore the citizen’s personal opinion on the budget in fora such as this remains critical in spite of the fact that he/her enjoys representation in Parliament.

    Over the years, the efforts of legislators, especially at the National Assembly to inject equity in budget patronage nationwide through the instrumentality of zonal intervention projects has been grossly misunderstood and terribly maligned mostly by those who are deliberately ignorant and have concocted their own concept of constituency projects which they apply as their yardstick of measurement. I make bold to State that, but for Zonal Intervention projects, many communities in Nigeria would never have enjoyed any form of Federal Government patronage. Put differently, zonal intervention projects represent the only evidence of Federal government presence in most rural communities of Nigeria. Consequently, as representatives of the people, no amount of blackmail from any quarters will force us to abandon our resolve to ensure even development across all Federal Constituencies.

    I should like once again to state that the quality of a budget is not in its size or content but in it’s effective implementation. I would therefore implore stakeholders, and indeed all Nigerians, that as they are beginning to show interest in the budget making process, they should show even greater interest in the implementation of approved budgets. They must demand strict accountability from all elected officials on this matter. Jacob Lew captured the issue succinctly when he said, “The budget is not just a collection of numbers, but an expression of our values and aspirations.” The citizen must therefore insist on the total realization of these values and aspirations rather than merely the collection of figures.

    I am confident that at this forum, everyone will work assiduously toward, not only ensuring an equitable collection of figures but more so, the full realization of those expressed values and aspirations through efficient and effective budget implementation.

    I wish us all, a most effective Budget 2018 Hearing.

    God bless you all and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

  • 2018 Budget: Saraki remarks at NASS public hearing

    It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the Joint National Public Hearing on the 2018 Budget. When the first joint session took place last year, the conclusion was indicative of our intention to make this an annual event, and we are keeping to that resolve.

    In the 8th National Assembly, we believe that the citizens, who we represent, are critical stakeholders in nation building. We promised, and were the first Nigerian legislature to make the civil society part of the budget process through the institutionalization of the Public Hearing process as part of the Budget process. For the first time, civil society has a voice at the table, with regard to the Budget. Public Hearing on the Budget as part of the enactment process, has come to stay.

    It is with that in mind that this forum has been designed to bring together civil society and non-governmental organisations, as well as thought-leaders in the online and social media circle – and, of course, the Executive and Legislature – as an interactive session on the public Budget.

    Distinguished Guests, you will recall that the National Assembly started its consideration of the 2018 Budget as soon as it was presented by Mr. President. In line with our commitments to making the enactment process more transparent and inclusive, as earlier described, this interactive session is intended to enable us to consider fresh opinions, explore other dimensions and weigh new perspectives on the 2018 Federal Budget proposal.

    Unlike the maiden edition held on the 13th of February last year – when we considered the 2017 Appropriations Bill – this two-day session affords participants the platform to engage – not only on the details of the Appropriations Bill – but also on the underlying assumptions driving the Budget revenue, which we believe are critical for a successful implementation of the Budget.

    As you may be aware, in our interrogation of the 2018 Budget proposal, we have chosen to place more emphasis on getting our revenue projections right. The importance of setting realistic revenue targets, and achieving them, cannot be overemphasised – especially as revenue performance has tended to fall below targets in the past.

    Moreover, we are concerned about Government-Owned Enterprises whose operating surpluses have always been significantly lower than projections. Invariably, over the years, the performance of independent revenues has fallen short by at least 50 per cent. While we work towards setting new performance standards for government corporations as well as developing stronger oversight frameworks to improve performance in independent revenues, we do expect more realistic projections of Corporations operating surpluses.

    It is also observable that non-oil revenue performances have been impacted by policy inconsistencies and leakages. Thus, in addition to our call for improved systems and processes to plug revenue leakages, we had required that the 2018 Budget proposal be accompanied by a 2018 Finance Bill (which has so far not been received by the National Assembly). Let me therefore use this opportunity to, once again, emphasise the need for the Finance Bill. We want government to show clarity and consistency in its policies and to see how these will square up to its financial projections for 2018.

    We acknowledge Nigeria’s huge infrastructural deficit, as well as the need to expand planned expenditure. However, you will agree with me that, while it is important to achieve equity and balance in the spread of development projects around the country, we must also prioritise human capital development. It is in this vein that the National Assembly will prioritise expenditure on critical health and education facilities as well as soft infrastructure.

    Furthermore, we must ensure an adherence to the 1% resolution to health. This requires the Basic Health Fund to be funded by 1% of the Consolidated National Fund. This funding, which amounts to 86 billion naira, has yet to be committed. When the Speaker and I met with Bill Gates last week, the emphasis was on health, and it is something we should take very seriously indeed, especially as the 1% resolution would go a long way in boosting basic maternal and child health immunisation services as well as local and rural community health in this country.

    In addition, there is the need to ensure real value-for-money in government spending as well as prioritise spending on locally made goods. The Made-in-Nigeria initiative, with particular regard to government procurements, is already the thrust of a significant law passed by the 8th National Assembly – and which has the added advantage of helping to revamp our industrial base. This is one sure way of creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, encouraging private sector partnerships and creating jobs, especially for the youth.

    As a legislature, we are acutely aware that modern democratic lawmaking requires the deliberate engagement of the people; and that issues that matter most to the people should form the core objective of parliament. And so, for the first time, the National Assembly is becoming the People’s Parliament – where all shades of opinions are ventilated and experts are also able to have the space to contribute to the fashioning of solutions that will endure.

    It is therefore my firm belief that, with your inputs and contributions at this Public Hearing, the 2018 Budget will deliver the envisioned socio-economic benefits to Nigerians in an all-inclusive manner. That is why we strongly encourage stakeholders’ participation in the process, especially as it relates to the provision of public services and equitable distribution of social benefits.

    I urge everyone to feel free and be constructive in our submissions, as this will not only enhance the outcome of this interactive session but engender the attainment of the development interest of Nigerians.

    Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you that your suggestions will be carefully considered and utilised in ensuring that we pass a Budget that addresses our core development needs in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

    I wish you fruitful deliberations, as I formally declare open this Joint Public Hearing, to the greater development and prosperity of Nigeria.

    Thank you.

    DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI (MBBS, CON)

    PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

     

  • Electoral Act Amendment: Investigation opens into alleged N17.9m for pro-executive Senators

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has directed the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate pro-executive Senators allegedly lining up for N17.9 million.

    The Senate President gave the directive after Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, citing Order 15, moved that the Senate investigate into a publication that pro-executive Senators and House of Representatives lined up for N17.9 million and N10.8 million respectively.

    According to the publication, being referred to by Senator Nwaoboshi, following President Muhammadu Buhari refusal to endorse the new the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, and National Assembly (NASS) plan to veto Buhari’s approval, some pro-Executive Senators and members of the House of Representatives have been lined up for $50,000 and $30,000, respectively, to stop the NASS from going ahead with plans to veto the president on the Bill that re-ordered general elections in the country.

    “I want to move for this matter to be investigated,” Nwaoboshi said, with Senator Mao Ohuabunwa supporting the move, saying, “This issue must be investigated and whoever is involved must be brought to book”.

    Saraki then referred matter to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for investigation with a mandate to report back within a week, stressing, “We need to thoroughly investigate this matter”.

    In a different development, TheNewsGuru reports the NASS today converged to hold a second Joint Public Hearing on the 2018 appropriation bill in order to receive inputs and ensure inclusiveness of citizens, stakeholders and development partners.

    The public hearing held at conference room 022, ground floor of the Senate building, NASS complex, Abuja, and will continue until Wednesday 28 March 2018 with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara as special guests of honour.

    At Senate plenary session today and in relation to the second Joint National Budget Hearing (2018 Appropriation Bill) being hosted by the NASS Joint Committee on Appropriations, the Senate President said Thursday, 29th March, 2018 will be the day for final submission of the 2018 budget.

    In his remarks, Speaker Dogara said, “The quality of budget is not in its size or content but in its implementation” and that NASS public hearings are platforms where legislature provide for citizens to participate in governance.

     

  • JUST IN: 2018 Budget sees light as NASS holds 2nd joint public hearing

    The 2018 Budget is seeing the light of day as the National Assembly (NASS) has converged to hold a second Joint Public Hearing on the 2018 appropriation bill in order to receive inputs and ensure inclusiveness of citizens, stakeholders and development partners.

    TheNewsGuru reports the public hearing is holding at conference room 022, ground floor of the Senate building, NASS complex, Abuja, and will continue until Wednesday 28 March 2018.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara are special guests of honour at the second Joint National Budget Hearing (2018 Appropriation Bill) being hosted by the NASS Joint Committee on Appropriations.

    According to the Senate President at Senate plenary session today, Thursday, 29th March, 2018 will be the day for final submission of the 2018 budget.

    In his remarks, Speaker Dogara said, “The quality of budget is not in its size or content but in its implementation” and that NASS public hearings are platforms where legislature provide for citizens to participate in governance.

     

    Details to follow shortly…

     

  • We have to part ways with judiciary if… – Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has urged the nation’s Judiciary to adhere strictly to the principles of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

    Speaking during plenary Thursday, Hon. Dogara lamented that some persons were using some judges to gag the National Assembly, a situation he said will spell danger for Nigeria’s democracy.

    Hon Dogara stated that Nigeria is not a Banana republic and warned that if the Judiciary continues to cross the line, the National Assembly will be left with no option than to part ways with them.

    “We would part ways with the judiciary if it continues to gag the National Assembly. There are external forces pushing the judiciary to tackle the Legislature. Some persons somewhere are intimidating the nation’s Judiciary to gag the National Assembly.

    “We know that Nigeria is not Banana Republic and operates on basic principles such as rule of law and separation of powers, which states that none of the arms of government should gag the other.

    “Just as we cannot gag the Judiciary, we also expect same from them. We make laws and the Constitution only empowers them to interpret the laws, but for us to sit here and the judiciary tells us what we should consider and not consider and when to seat, then we are no longer practicing democracy.

    “The way the judiciary is going, nothing stops them (the judges) from coming tomorrow and saying the National Assembly should not sit. I don’t think it is us that is intimidating the Judiciary like is being alleged. It is some people that are intimidating them from somewhere else, to gag the National Assembly.

    “We have respected the Judiciary a lot and we expect same from them. When the Judiciary gets to the level they are now, that spells danger for our democracy. If they insist they must continue this way, we have to part ways.”

     

  • 2018 Budget delay: NASS not responsible – APC lawmaker

    2018 Budget delay: NASS not responsible – APC lawmaker

    A member of House of Representatives, Mr Nicholas Ossai (Delta-APC), on Wednesday urged Nigerians to hold the Executive accountable for the delay in the passage of 2018 Appropriation Bill.

    He told News Agency of Nigeria Abuja that apart the Bill being late November, 2017, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had refused to go before relevant committees of the legislature to defend their budgets.

    Ossai, therefore, said that it was unfair for the Executive to blame the lawmakers for delay in passing the budget, insisting that it could not be approved without MDAs defending their needs as contained in it.

    According to him, the National Assembly cannot address issues regarding the Appropriation Bill in a hasty manner, particularly when the Executive that made the inputs in the budget are reluctant to come and defend them.

    On the intended January – December fiscal year, the lawmaker said “I don’t really agree with the executive’s assertion, whether budget year or not budget year.

    “The most critical issue is that the budget was brought late November, and so there was no way the National Assembly could have addressed the matters in the Bill in one month.

    “January to December is not supposed to be an issue but bringing the private sector to bear when budgeting is the issue.

    “This is because the economy is run not only from the public sector but also the private sector.

    “The executive ought to bring the budget in the first week of October to give three months for the legislature to address the issues critically, looking at the books and performance of preceding budget.’’

    “Sometimes you blame the executive because you invite them to come and expatiate on the budget items and they find it very difficult. I don’t know what they are hiding from the legislature.

    “The Constitution has given us power to be able to look at the Bill; we are representatives of the people and the executive is to implement what the people have prescribed.

    “I think to some extent, the National Assembly has been dutiful enough to its job by creating value for money because without scrutinizing, you won’t be able to see value for money,” Ossai added.

    According to him, if certain amount is budgeted, it is also necessary to know how it is utilised based on the prescription of the national assembly.

    “If you are the executive and have budgeted a sub-head of N10, you should be able to feed us that the N10 we gave you last time, you used it and to what extent.

    “If you can defend that very effectively, then there is no reason why the National Assembly cannot prescribe further N10 or even give more depending on what you have presented.

    “But, in a situation where the executive budget performance is eight per cent or sometimes, 20 per cent and you are bringing a higher figure in a new budget, the National Assembly will ask questions.

    “Those are the reasons why our constituencies want to know why most of the budgets are not well implemented, especially when revenue generating agencies have met their target according to approval.

    “So, these are the issues we want to know and critically examine so Nigerians can get value for money,” he said.

    Ossai said that though implementation of 2017 budget was quite low at the end of the year, it had gone up to about 50 per cent due to queries by the legislature.

    “Today, I can tell you that over 50 per cent of the 2017 budget has been implemented.

    “This is because of the critical assertion by the House of Representatives in particular; the executive had to rush and hasten implementation of the budget.

    “You can see that the representation of the people counts a lot in a democracy; without being critical about the last year’s budget, there was no way the executive would have implemented it.

    “So, Nigerians should be patient with the National Assembly; we are trying to create value for money,” he said.