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Tag: NASS

  • President Tinubu set to present 2025 budget to NASS

    President Tinubu set to present 2025 budget to NASS

    President Bola Tinubu will on Tuesday present the 2025 Appropriation  Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly (NASS).

    This was disclosed by  President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, during the  plenary  on Thursday. Akpabio said the budget presentation would take place at the chamber of House of Representatives.

    Recall that on November 14, the federal government proposed N47.9 trillion as the total expenditure in the 2025 budget.

    Tinubu later submitted the medium-term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper (MTEF/FSP) for 2025–2027 to both the senate and the house of representatives on November 19.

    The MTEF/FSP are parameters any budget of the country is premised on and also serve as a projection of a three-year spending plan of the federal government.

    On December 3, the senate approved the MTEF/FSP ahead of the consideration of the 2025 budget proposal.

    In the MTEF/FSP, the key parameters include a 75 dollar oil price benchmark per barrel, daily oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd), an exchange rate of N1,400 to one dollar and a targeted gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.4 per cent .

    The expenditure framework also has a new borrowing plan of N9.22 trillion which constitutes both domestic and foreign borrowings.

  • NASS: Southern caucus backs tax reforms bills

    NASS: Southern caucus backs tax reforms bills

    The Southern caucus in the House of Representatives says it is in support of the tax reforms bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu.

    The leader of the caucus, Rep. Nicholas Mutu (PDP-Delta), made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The bills seek to provide fiscal framework as well as clear and concise legal frameworks for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes in tax administration

    Recall that all the 36 state governors have, however, demanded for the withdrawal of the proposed legislations, citing the need for more consultations and public inputs.

    Mutu said that the caucus welcomes the bills and is ready to commence legislative actions on the bills.

    Rep. Fred Agbedi (PDP-Bayelsa), in his remark, said that it is the responsibility of the House of Representatives and the Senate to receive proposals of any sort of bill from either the Executive or the individual bills.

    He said that once the assembly receives proposals, they go through house procedures, and processes, and then the public is invited here.

    “The President has sent executive bill, what the southern caucus is saying is that we are ready to take up our official responsibility of making laws for the nation.

    “We welcome the bill and that as we process it, inputs are made from our various states and constituencies.

    “Some states have already received those inputs, and so we are in consonance with our constituents and the states that we represent. And so we are ready to work to ensure that we give a better tax law to Nigeria,” he said.

    Also speaking, Rep. Benson Babajim (APC-Lagos state), said that the caucus was open to negotiate with other groups who are opposed to the bills.

    He said that all opposing groups should be willing to engage and shift ground for the general good of the country.

  • National Assembly losing its powers – Shehu Sani

    National Assembly losing its powers – Shehu Sani

    A former member of the Senate, Shehu Sani, has cautioned the National Assembly against allowing its influence to be diminished by its actions.

    Sani stated this while speaking at the opening of the National Assembly Legislative Aides’ Forum (NASSLAF) Week on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The pro-democracy activist also urged the legislators to selflessly live up to their responsibilities, for the good of the country.

    According to him, a subservient posture by the legislature is not in the interest of the country, warning that such can impede good governance and undermine democracy.

    Sani compared the current national assembly with the Eighth Assembly, led by Sen. Bukola Saraki, praising it (Eighth Assembly) for standing firm against executive’s overreach.

    He observed, with dismay, that the powers of the national assembly appeared to be eroded with time.

    “In our time, it was unthinkable for heads of MDAs to ignore our summons. They understood the gravity of our oversight functions,” he said.

    Sani warned that the current assembly risked becoming a “rubber stamp” for the executive, sacrificing its independence and weakening democratic checks and balances.

    Sani, therefore, cautioned the lawmakers against prioritising their personal gains over their constitutional responsibilities.

    “This institution needs respect. If you turn yourselves into stooges, you will lose that respect. Our era defended legislative independence, but it came at a cost,” he said.

    The former senator further stated that their insistence on doing the right thing birthed frosty relationships with the executive and caused delay in bills’ passage, warning that excessive cooperation was dangerous, as it could breed tyranny.

    Sani cited instances where heads of MDAs openly challenged lawmakers during oversight functions, a behaviour which, he said, would not have been tolerated by previous assemblies.

    “The senate president must ensure that nominees for appointments and executive proposals undergo serious scrutiny. This is not a place for automatic approval,” he stated.

    Sani reminded the lawmakers that their primary duty was to serve Nigerians, not the presidency.

    Sani also acknowledged what he called the vital but often over-looked roles of legislative aides, describing them as the backbone of the legislature, instrumental to drafting laws and policies for the country’s governance.

  • South-East lawmakers take stand on tax reform bills

    South-East lawmakers take stand on tax reform bills

    The South East Caucus in the Senate has called for wider consultations with stakeholders on the Tax Reform Bills currently undergoing legislative process at both chambers of the National Assembly (NASS).

    Leader of the caucus, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA -Abia South), said this in an interview with journalists on Monday after a closed door meeting of Senators from the South – Eastern States.

    Abaribe said senators from the zone were not against the bills but want wider consultations on the bills before full consideration of both chambers of the national assembly.

    ”As much as the entire senators from South East , are not against the tax reform bills before both chambers of the National Assembly for consideration , we want wider consultations to be carried out on them. Specifically , we need to consult with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the zone, with our state governments and other critical stakeholders .

    ”We have read through the bills and want to share our knowledge with other stakeholders from the south east zone for much more equitable framework in the bills that will eventually be passed . We are not against the bills but need to consult with our people,“ he said.

    The tax reforms bills, comprised of the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024 , Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 had been a point of discuss among Nigerians since Oct 3, when the executive bills were forwarded to both chambers for consideration .

    The Presidency, South – South caucus in the Senate had called for immediate consideration of the bills , other stakeholders such the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Northern Senators , Arewa Consultative forum had advocated for wider consultations on the bills.

  • Senate gets new Clerk as NASC elevates key officers in NASS

    Senate gets new Clerk as NASC elevates key officers in NASS

    The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the appointment of Mr Andrew Nwoba as the Clerk of the Senate.

    This announcement was made by Mr Emmanuel Anyigor, Deputy Director of Information, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    According to Anyigor, the commission approved Nwoba’s appointment, which will take effect on December 11.

    He said prior to this appointment, Nwoba served as the Secretary of the Directorate of Legislative Budget and Planning.

    Additionally, the commission endorsed the elevation of other key officers within the National Assembly (NASS) bureaucracy.

    “These appointments include: Mr Emmanuel Oda, appointed as Deputy Clerk (Administration), Senate and Vivien Njemanze, appointed as Deputy Clerk (Administration), House of Representatives.

    “Others are Dr Obasi Ukoha, appointed as Secretary of the Directorate of Legislative Budget and Planning, Mr Rawlings Agada, deployed from Deputy Clerk (Administration), Senate to Deputy Clerk (Legislative), Senate.

    “Florence Kehinde A., deployed from Deputy Clerk (Administration), House of Representatives to Deputy Clerk (Legislative), House of Representatives.”

    The commission had also previously approved the appointments of Ogundayo Olufunmilayo as Secretary of the Directorate of Special Duties.

    “Alkali Abubakar, as Secretary of the Directorate of Human Resource Staff Development, and Essien Essien as Secretary of the Directorate of Zonal Liaison Offices.

  • BREAKING! Finally, Tinubu submits 2025 budget Bill to NASS for assessment

    BREAKING! Finally, Tinubu submits 2025 budget Bill to NASS for assessment

    President Bola Tinubu has submitted the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to the National Assembly, seeking their approval for a proposed budget plan that reflects the administration’s fiscal strategy for the next three years.

    The proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year amounts to N47.9 trillion, marking a significant increase of 35% over the N35.5 trillion allocated in 2024. This increase underscores the government’s commitment to addressing key areas of development and responding to economic challenges.

    The breakdown of the proposed budget includes N9.92 trillion for non-debt recurrent expenditures, which will cover essential government operating costs, and N7.72 trillion for capital projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure and supporting economic growth. Additionally, N8.25 trillion has been earmarked for debt servicing, reflecting the government’s commitment to honoring financial obligations. Statutory transfers amount to N1.37 trillion, while a sinking fund of N243.66 billion has been included to manage maturing loans.

    Key economic assumptions for the budget include a projected gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6%, an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel, and an exchange rate of N1,400 to the U.S. dollar. Oil production is projected at 2.06 million barrels per day, reflecting efforts to maintain and potentially increase production capacity.

    Following the proposal’s approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in a session led by President Tinubu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, provided further insights into the framework. Bagudu outlined key economic parameters, including the 2025 oil price benchmark, the projected oil production rate, the exchange rate, and the GDP growth target. He emphasized the government’s approach to fiscal responsibility, noting that conservative estimates were used to ensure stability while allowing for flexibility in case of favorable economic conditions.

    The federal government’s budget estimate for 2025 includes an anticipated borrowing of N13.8 trillion, equating to 3.87% of the projected GDP, aimed at addressing the budget deficit. Notably, this budget incorporates funding allocations for development commissions recently enacted or under consideration by the National Assembly.

    The MTEF also highlights the government’s commitment to sustaining reforms such as market deregulation for petroleum products and foreign exchange. Bagudu emphasized the administration’s intent to urge the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) to reduce oil and gas production costs significantly. Furthermore, he suggested the need to revisit certain sections of the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 to manage potential risks to the Federation’s revenue base effectively.

  • Screening: Associates, well wishers storm NASS as Senators grill Tinubu’s nominees today

    Screening: Associates, well wishers storm NASS as Senators grill Tinubu’s nominees today

    Relatives and political associates on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly to support their brothers and sisters as Senators begin the screening of ministerial nominees.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG, recalls that President Bola Tinubu had last week reshuffled his cabinet flushing out the bad eggs.

    The president had immediately sent the list last Monday to the Senate for ratification.

    The list consisting of seven fresh names to be added to his cabinet.

     

    On Tuesday, the screening could not hold because most of the nominees had not completed their documentation process.

    The Senate wing and all the entry points were blocked by relatives and friends who came from different parts of the country to see their would be ministers.

  • NASS told to stop bill seeking firearms for FRSC personnel

    NASS told to stop bill seeking firearms for FRSC personnel

    The Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) on Sunday faulted the National Assembly on a  bill seeking firearms for personnel of  Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    National President of the CHSR, Mr Alex Omotehinse, expressed  this position at a news conference in Lagos Omotehinse said that the bill to allow FRSC officials carry firearms had scaled second reading at the House of Representatives.

    According to him, the CHRS’s perspective has become imperative because of the group’s mandate and the overriding quest of civil society stakeholders to defend victims of abuse of human rights and to promote the cause of justice and peaceful co-existence.

    Omotehinse said: “We are compelled to address the press on the bill before the National Assembly seeking to allow the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) access to the use of firearms on duty.

    “Nigeria faces the challenge of abuse of the use of arms and ammunition in the hands of security agencies in addition to the growing proliferation of arms with illegitimate access by non-state actors.

    “The worsening threats constituted to national security by the number of agencies using arms is, to say the least, worrisome.

    “Rather than seeking to grant access to FRSC officials to bear arms, we expect concerted effort at streamlining the use of arms and ammunition by security agencies towards demilitarising the society.”

    He said that a the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) had exacerbated  insecurity.

    “In addition to mopping up illegal SALW in the possession of non-state actors, government must restrict the granting of blanket approval to agencies to procure and use arms considering the predilection for abuses by personnel.

    “We ,therefore, do not see the justification for granting the FRSC the approval to carry arms. We do not see how collective national interest would be advanced by turning the FRSC into an arm of security agencies in Nigeria,” Omotehinse said.

    The rights activist called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, and members national assembly to reconsider the bill.

    Omotehinse said: “We consider the proposal as needless and wrong-headed. Legalising the use of firearms for the FRSC ,which is supposed to operate in a civilized environment ,will amount to further militarising the polity.”

    According to him, what Nigerians need at the moment is not an increase in the number of armed agencies, but reorientation of security agencies for civilised operation.

    He said that Nigerians were looking up to lawmakers  to help and support a genuine quest for good governance that would allow Nigerians to live peacefully with one another.

    Omotehinse suggested that the existing security agencies should be empowered and supported with relevant laws and oversight that would make them  function in a responsible manner.

    He said that the duties of  FRSC revolve round  advocacy on road safety, operational activities to curb abuses by motorists and taking care of victims of road accidents.

    “We view the proposal to grant the FRSC access to the use of arms as curious, unfounded and dangerous.

    “We are concerned that the rights, comfort and safety of road users will further be endangered by the bill being debated if eventually passed into law.

    “Allowing FRSC officials carry firearms would lead to further increase in abuses against motorists as well as possible escalation of incidents of extra- judicial killings,” he said.

    The president urged the lawmakers to pay urgent attention to the deplorable state of roads across the country in order to make  them safer.

    Also speaking, Mr Remi Shaih of Voice Of The Masses, said if FRSC were allowed to carry arms, others like Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), among others ,will agitate for same.

  • Impeachment threat: Akpabio denies DSS invasion of NASS

    Impeachment threat: Akpabio denies DSS invasion of NASS

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has denied the invasion of the National Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged impeachment move.

    Akpabio, who made the refutal at the Wednesday’s plenary, said that the allegation reported on the social media that the DSS invaded the national assembly was not true.

    He said: “It has just been brought to my attention by one of us that there is a fake news trending on the social media that the DSS surrounded the national assembly with possible impeachment of principal officers.

    “There is no limit to social media. We are here sitting down and doing your work very peacefully, oblivious of the mischief that is going on behind us.

    “This is what we pass through on a daily basis. It’s either they use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inject something to turn it around in order to drive traffic. I understand that they are being paid by YouTube.

    “But I hope the public is aware that this is total fake news and that the chamber is very stable and that there is no issue of impeachment,” Akpabio said.

    He thereafter referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Special Duties to investigate and report its findings within 24 hours.

    “Sen. Shehu Kaka, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, investigate and report back to us as soon as practicable,” he said.

  • Alleged impeachment: Akpabio denies DSS invasion of NASS

    Alleged impeachment: Akpabio denies DSS invasion of NASS

    The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has denied the invasion of the National Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged impeachment move.

    Akpabio, who made the refutal at the Wednesday’s plenary, said that the allegation reported on the social media that the DSS invaded the national assembly was not true.

    He said: “It has just been brought to my attention by one of us that there is a fake news trending on the social media that the DSS surrounded the national assembly with possible impeachment of principal officers.

    “There is no limit to social media. We are here sitting down and doing your work very peacefully, oblivious of the mischief that is going on behind us.

    “This is what we pass through on a daily basis. It’s either they use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inject something to turn it around in order to drive traffic. I understand that they are being paid by YouTube.

    “But I hope the public is aware that this is total fake news and that the chamber is very stable and that there is no issue of impeachment,” Akpabio said.

    He thereafter referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Special Duties to investigate and report its findings within 24 hours.

    “Sen. Shehu Kaka, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, investigate and report back to us as soon as practicable,” he said.