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Tag: Reps

  • Take back your independence from Executive now, PDP Reps caucus tells NASS

    Take back your independence from Executive now, PDP Reps caucus tells NASS

    …says Nigeria and Nigerians are begging for governance

    … security has been compromised

    … corruption in NDDC since inception has nosedived
    … giving $1m of Niger-Delta people to an individual is the height of corruption

    ..774,000 jobs is diversionary
    …ask Buhari to step up governance or expect impeachment notice

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    The House of Representatives Peoples Democratic Party, PDP caucus on Sunday advised the National Assembly to immediately take back its independence from the executive arm of government before the country becomes rudderless.

    The caucus apparently peeved by recent developments in Nigeria asked President Muhammadu Buhari to step up governance or relevant sections in the 1999 constitution as amended of the Federal Republic on impeachment would be invoked.

    This was contained in a statement entitled: “Deliberate and calculated blackmail of the National Assembly by the Executive Arm of Government; call for action’ signed by Rep Kingsley Chinda asking the National Assembly to take back its independence from the executive.

    The caucus raised issues bordering on the state of insecurity in the country, the rate of unemployment, the disrespect for the parliament by appointees of the executive, and several others.

    The statement reads:

    “It is too glaring that there is a deliberate and calculated blackmail by the Executive to ridicule the National Assembly and bring the parliament into public odium. The odious events of the past few weeks, chiefly orchestrated by unconscionable officials of the Executive arm of government who continue to show disrespect for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the ethos, notions and governance practices that shape constitutional democracy, underscore the blackmail.

    “Recall three of several events of the past few weeks. On Thursday 16th July 2020, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour walked out on the House Committee on Diaspora unprovoked.

    “Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour, who appeared before the Joint Ad-Hoc Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity walked out on the Committee over a disagreement that arose between him and the Committee on two specific questions: (1) What modalities the Ministry of Labour had put in place for the successful execution of the alleged Public Works’ employment scheme of the Ministry; (2) Why was the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) not mandated to oversee the said Public Works’ employment scheme, since it was within the statutory remit of the Directorate. Keyamo chose to walk out on the Committee. No matter how plausible his reasons are, a walkout on the Parliament is unacceptable.

    “A few days ago, the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Daniel Pondei, walked out on the Committee of the House of Representatives charged with the responsibility of investigating the financial scandal that has rocked the Commission. Again, regardless of his reasons, a walkout on the Parliament is inexcusable.

    “The three arms of government are empowered to work in sync, within the bounds of the basic law, and deliver on the responsibilities and mandates assigned to them by the Constitution. No one arm is superior to the other. However, the Executive arm has gone about itself like the Leviathan, taking the legislature and judiciary prisoners. This should not be so in a constitutional democracy in which the Constitution is held out as inviolate and inviolable. To hijack other arms of government, supplant them into obsequious rubber stamps arms, is to subvert the Constitution.

    “If the totalizing and unconscionable behaviours of members of the Executive arm enhance governance in our country, our position here would have been made tenuous by the fact of the good governance that their misbehaviours enthrone; but it is not the case.

    “There is a total collapse of all governance and structural systems in the country due to bad or near absence of governance. We groan under a government where armed robbers have now seized our highways; operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Forces have taken over the streets of our towns and cities, killing and maiming Nigerian youths. Worse still, security is at its lowest ebb. Terrorists, kidnappers and bandits have taken over vast ungoverned swathes of our country. Katsina, the home state of the Commander-in-Chief is on its knees. In fact, everywhere is unsafe in our country. The internal security of the country has been compromised as Boko Haram continues to inflict violence and death on Nigerians, while President Buhari continues to sound like the broken record.

    “The behaviours of appointees of the Executive arm are mere smokescreens to create a diversion from high level of corruption of the executive arm.

    “Keyamo’s 774,000 public works jobs are ATM s directed at siphoning money from the treasury akin to the school feeding programme of pupils at home. No more. The beneficiaries are to earn N20,000 for three months totalling N60,000.00 and N58billion has been voted for these phantom jobs? How else can we explain a non-sustainable scheme, with no end value

  • BREAKING: NDDC management walk out on Reps, accuse commitee chairman of corruption

    BREAKING: NDDC management walk out on Reps, accuse commitee chairman of corruption

    The Acting Managing Director of The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Daniel Pondei, has led a walk out on the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta.

    Mr Pondei, who appeared with other management staff of the commission, accused the chairman of the house committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of corruption. He said because of that, his team will not speak before the committee.

    “We are not comfortable with the chairman of this committee presiding over a matter he has been accused of.”

    He asked the committee chairman to recuse himself from the investigation.

    “There is no point of order here. As long as he is the chairman of this committee, the NDDC will not make any presentation here,” he said.

    When lawmakers intervened and told the NDDC team that nobody could decide its modus operandi, the NDDC management staged a walkout.

    The house is conducting an investigative hearing on the alleged financial malfeasance and other activities in the NDDC.

  • Reps to NDDC: ‘Explain how N3.14bn was spent on Covid-19, Lassa fever N1.9bn, others in 5 months’

    Reps to NDDC: ‘Explain how N3.14bn was spent on Covid-19, Lassa fever N1.9bn, others in 5 months’

    By Emma Ovuakporie

    The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC probing allegations of gross misappropriation of funds by NDDC has demanded to know how N81billion was expended within five months of the Interim Management Committee, IMC of the Commission.

    Speaking at the ongoing probe of the commission, the chairman of the committee, Hon Tunji Ojo said:

    “The committee shall summon the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NNDC to appear unfailingly on Thursday, July 16.

    The chairman said that documents obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation showed that NDDC had spent N81.5 billion between January and May.

    Giving the breakdown of the sum, Tunji-Ojo said that the NDDC had spent N1.3 billion on community relations, N122.9 million on condolences and N122.9 million on consultancy.

    The lawmaker said that the commission had spent N31.4 billion on COVlD-19, N486million on Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) N790.9 million on impress and N1.956 billion on Lassa fever.

    According to him, the NDDC has spent N900 million on legal services, N220million on maintenance, N85.6 million on oversea travel while project public communication gulped N1.121 billion

    Tunji-Ojo said that the documents also showed that N744m was spent on security, N20.9 billion on staffing related payments while N248 million was spent on stakeholder’s engagement between Feb. 18 and May 31, 2020.

    See Breakdown of monies spent:

    Community relations — N1 .3bn

    2. Condolences — N122.9m

    3. Consultancy – N83m

    4. COVlD—19 — N3.14 billion

    5. DTA – N486million

    6. Impress – N790.9 million

    7. Lassa fever — N1.956 billion

    8. Legal services — N900million

    9. Maintenance – N220million

    10. Oversea travel – N85.6 million

    l 1. Project public communication – Nl.121 billion

    12. Security – N744m

    13. Staffing related payments N8.8 billion

    14. Stakeholders engagement (Feb 18- May 31, 2020) N248million

    Total of the amount spent by IMC: N81.5 billion

  • Reps back Okonjo-Iweala’s bid for WTO job, urge Egypt, Kenya to drop candidates

    Reps back Okonjo-Iweala’s bid for WTO job, urge Egypt, Kenya to drop candidates

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution, giving their support to former Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as she aims for the post of Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO) next month.

    The motion to back the former finance minister and one-time Managing Director of the World Bank was moved by the Minority Leader of the House, Mr Ndudi Godwin Elumelu (People’s Democratic Party – Delta State).

    In his motion titled In Support for Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), he stated that it was only right for Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to get the legislature’s backing after she had been formally nominated by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to “vie for the position of the Director-General of the WTO for the period of 2021 – 2025 and if successful will be the first female and first African to have occupied the office”.

    He said, “President Buhari having put into consideration her outstanding academic and professional background, as well as, her long years of managerial experience at the top echelons of multilateral institutions, her reputation as a fearless reformer and excellent negotiator graciously endorsed her as the nation’s candidate for the WTO job”.

    According to him, “With the COVID-19 pandemic at hand and many countries faced with difficult choices and critical moments, the WTO has a vital role to play in hunting for trade solutions and building trust amongst member states.

    “Hence the need for a capable hand that can make the WTO fit to thrive in the 21st century, there is no gainsay that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-lweala has the requisite capacity and experience to handle the challenges of WTO at this critical moment”.

    He said it was, “The perfect time for Africa to assume leadership at the WTO and all concerned stakeholders, must unanimously commit to achieving this”.

    He then expressed concerns that apart from Mrs Okonjo-lweala, Africa has two other candidates from Egypt and Kenya also in the race for the plum job.

    He said that with three candidates from Africa, the continent’s votes will be split, a move he said can cripple the prospect of a United African front for the WTO position.

    He called on the House to urgently reach out to the governments of Egypt and Kenya on the need to rally round a single candidate for the continent in the person of Mrs Okonjo-lweala.

    He recalled that, “In the past, Nigeria has staunchly supported the candidatures of other Africans to the leadership position at multilaterals, including the candidacy of late Boutros Boutros Ghali, an Egyptian national, to become the Secretary-General of the United Nations,” adding that, “A good turn deserves another and we must now unite the African continent and ensure cooperation amongst our countries to put the continent first”.

    According to him, “Having a Nigerian as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, will further enhance the image of the country amongst the comity of Nations, hence the need to massively support this bid”.

    The motion found support from the Speaker of the lower chamber, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, as the House resolved to unanimously endorse the candidature of Mrs Okonjo-Iweala for the position.

    They commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)’s Authority of heads of states and governments for their strong endorsement and urge the President to further rally other African leaders to support her bid as the Director-General of WTO.

    The lower legislative arm of government also urged the pan African parliament to follow suit, as it also urged the federal government to discuss with the governments of Egypt and Kenya to step down their candidates in the spirit of African oneness and reciprocity.

  • [NDDC crisis] Akpabio Vs Nunieh: Reps may ask Minister to step down to enable House probe allegations leveled against him

    [NDDC crisis] Akpabio Vs Nunieh: Reps may ask Minister to step down to enable House probe allegations leveled against him

    From all indications, the House of Representatives may ask Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio to step aside as minister supervising the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to enable it properly probe into the weighty allegations leveled against him by the ex-Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee, IMC of the commission.

    A probe into it by TheNewsGuru.com, TNG revealed that by way of a motion, the House during plenary may ask Akpabio to step aside over the mudslinging between him and Dr Joi Nunieh, ex-MD of the Commission.

    A source privy to this development told TNG that barring any last minute change in procedures, the motion maybe listed in Tuesday’s legislative session.

    He said” we have it in good authority that the matter may not be allowed to vanish considering the weighty allegations and accusations raised by Dr Nunieh.

    Recall that after last week’s investigative hearing in the Senate, Nunieh had opened a can of worms in a press briefing.

    Akpabio too had not spared her as he raised issues on her character and she has vowed to challenge him in court.

    Also, the lawmakers too are not too happy because their names were dragged into the foray.

  • You cannot cancel 2020 WASSCE because of COVID-19, Reps tell FG

    You cannot cancel 2020 WASSCE because of COVID-19, Reps tell FG

    The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services has appealed to the Federal Government not to cancel the forthcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.

    In a statement by the Chairman, Prof.Julius Ihonvbere, titled: “WASSCE should not be cancelled,” on Friday, the lawmakers said stakeholders were not informed beforehand, and that the “policy reversal is not good for the country,” adding that ” It is bound to create further confusion in the education sector.”

    The statement reads: “The House Committee on Basic Education and Services received with amazement the announcement by the Honourable Minister of Education that Nigerian students would not be participating in the forthcoming WASSCE examinations.

    “He did not inform the country if this was in agreement with other West African leaders or in consultation with the examination bodies, the state governments and other stakeholders in the education sector.

    “The Minister did not also inform the public if the decision was the outcome of a meeting with all State Governments that are in charge of all but the Unity Secondary Schools that are owned by the Federal government.”

    The Committee Chair said the Hon. Minister of State, in his usually consultative and participatory approach had briefed the nation at the Covid 19 presidential Committee briefing, over the airwaves and in an appearance before the House Committee on Basic Education where he assured Nigerians that all steps had or were being taken to ensure full compliance with all Covid 19 protocols.

    “This sudden policy reversal is not good for the country. It is bound to create further confusion in the education sector, create disappointment and suspicion among parents, frustrate the students, and show to our development partners and Nigerians that the distortions and disarticulations in the sector are only getting worse.

    “The reversal also shows that our policy makers may just be adopting a laid-back approach to the need to confront the novel coronavirus rather than taking proactive and creative steps to manage and contain it.”

    Ihonvbere said the House Committee disagrees with the Honourable Minister and believes that a reconsideration is urgently needed to save Nigeria’s educational system and listed (7) grounds on which the decision should be reversed and the examination successfully conducted.

    He said: ” Nigeria is not the only country expected to write the examination in the midst of Covid 19;

    “Nigeria should insist that the examination be based exclusively on the already covered syllabus of schools;

    “The Federal Ministry should not chicken out of its responsibilities but take charge, provide policy direction, engage the states and other stakeholders;

    He further said ‘WAEC should quadruple its invigilators and use all classrooms and event centres to conduct the examination and comply with covid protocols;

    “The ministry of Science and Technology as well as the Ministries of Environment and Health should immediately work out an agenda to fumigate all classrooms , provide handwashing buckets with soap and water, and facemasks to all students;

    “The original plan of opening hostels for boarding to facilitate so-called revision classes should be cancelled immediately and the students should come from home, write the paper and disperse immediately.”

    The committee also said “Mr. President should direct all his Ministers to return to their states, work with the Governors and ensure the smooth implementation of the policy and conduct of the examination.”

    “The House Committee appreciates the reservations of the Honourable Minister of Education. We are parents just like him. No Nigerian parent would want to delay, distort, even terminate the progress of their child.

    “We are convinced that if our policy of no boarding house, reconceptualising scope of exams, use of all classrooms and halls in the schools, quadrupling the number of invigilators, provision of facemasks, sanitizers and hand washing facilities are followed, the WASSCE can be conducted with ease and with no repercussions.

    “Let us collectively save and advance our educational system and build a future we can be all proud of, ” the committee said.

  • NSITF: Ngige reacts to reps accusation of inserting N2bn in budget, others

    NSITF: Ngige reacts to reps accusation of inserting N2bn in budget, others

    Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige has threatened to sue the Chairman of the House of Representatives on Finance James Falake, for alleging that he inserted N2 billion projects in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) 2020 budget .

    He accused Falake of either being “mischievous or ignorant of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act or both.”

    Ngige also accused the lawmaker of abusing “parliamentary privilege,” being ignorant of the fact that ministers cannot pad budgets because the final products come from the National Assembly.

    He said he was already writing Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on his readiness to ”go to court to challenge Faleke for a abusing his parliamentary privilege.”

    The minister added: ”It is instructive here to note that ministers do not award contracts. They neither sit in the Ministerial Tenders Board nor Tenders Board of parastatals.

    “Even, the Ministry of Labour’s representatives on the NSITF main board are not part of the tenders board of that parastatal. So, how, when and where did the minister sit in that board to choose, much less pad the budget?

    “It is therefore easy to attribute Faleke’s motion on the floor of the House on Tuesday to a consummate parliamentary mischief or outright ignorance of the BPP Act or both.

    “If Faleke is desperately clutching a straw on behalf of his constituents, he must definitely grow bigger than his infantile approach.

    ”Faleke also brought my wife into everything. My wife is a civil servant. She is a permanent secretary in Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation. I didn’t see any circular that they sent from that office so I don’t know what they mean.

    “They should not drag my family into a matter they are doing politically. It is unfair to my family. They should insulate my family from that, especially my wife, who is discharging her functions innocently as a civil servant, carrying out instructions of Head of Service of the Federation.”

  • NSITF: Reps tear Ngige apart, say his suspension of Executive c’ttee is illegal

    NSITF: Reps tear Ngige apart, say his suspension of Executive c’ttee is illegal

    ..alleged that his underhand dealings are numerous
    …how he bought SUVS for N305m
    …inserted N2bn in 2020 budget
    …his wife as staff of SGF appointed insurance broker who collects N100m annually
    …set up adhoc investigative panel to dig deeper
    BY EMMAN OVUAKOORIE
    The House of Representatives on Tuesday took a swipe at the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige for suspending the entire management of NSITF over pumped up allegations.
    The lawmakers apparently peeved by the minister’s action which according to them was a clear violation of Presidential Order said it was unconstitutional.
    The lawmakers bared their minds as they debate a motion under matters of public importance promoted by Hon Leke Abejide.
    The motion was entitled:URGENT MOTION ON THE INCESSANT AND ARBITRAL BREACH OF PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVES ON THE SUSPENSION OF TOP MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF NIGERIA SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND (NSITF) AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BY THE MINISTERS
    Apparently sensing that Members from the South East zone were not particularly happy that one of their own was being slaughtered, the Presiding Officer, Femi Gbajabiamila quickly intervened saying the motion will be further debated as soon as possible.
    But in a twist, the House resolved to set up an adhoc investigative panel to probe deeper into the matter immediately.
    The panel is to be headed by Hon Mariam Onuoha, APC, Imo state from the same geo-political zone of Ngige.
    The lawmakers who led the onslaught against the minister were James Abiodun Faleke, APC, Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos and Soli Sada, APC, Katsina.
    In his contribution, Rep Faleke said”minister of Labour and Employment. has abused his office he bought vechicles worth 305 million inserted 2 billion naira into 2020 budget and 4 SUVS.
    ” Ngige’s wife as a staff of SGF signed and approved the appointment of an insurance broker for the ministry of Labour, at 100million per year.
    Hee said t”he draconian action by the minister was unconstitutional as he lacks the powers to suspend the NSITF management that only the president. Faleke also raised some allegations against Ngige insisting that his actions was taking to hide some underground dealings.
    Read the full motion below:
    URGENT MOTION ON THE INCESSANT AND ARBITRAL BREACH OF PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVES ON THE SUSPENSION OF TOP MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF NIGERIA SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND (NSITF) AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BY THE MINISTERS
    THE HOUSE
    Notes that the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment by a letter dated 1 July 2020 signed by him, purportedly conveyed the directive of Mr. President to suspend from office, the entire Management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) for “prima facie infractions on the financial regulation and Procurement Ac ”
    Aware that the said members of the Management committee of the NSlTF were variously and collectively appointed into the position at the Pleasure of Mr. President who has approved a laid down procedure for removal of executives of Government Parastatals.
    Aware that a Presidential directive Circular (Ref No: SGF/OP/l.S.3/T/163) of 19th May 2020 issued by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, states that the Procedure contained in the circular is a mandatory guide and all Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and any other public officer in similar supervisory position are enjoined to strictly abide by its content.
    The circular further stated amongst others that ”for emphasis, on no account shall
    a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Unilaterally or arbitrarily remove a
    serving Chief Executive Officer without recourse to the procedure contained in
    the circular”
    Some other relevant portions of the said circular include:
    a. Requiring ”the supervising Minister through the Permanent Secretary to refer the matter to the Governing Board for necessary action…
    b. in the absence of the Board, the Minister shall, with the support of the , Permanent Secretary function in that capacity in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Administrative Guidelines
    c. and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation shall implement and/ or convey the approval and directives of Mr. President on every disciplinary case against the Chief Executive officers in the Public Service.
    Further aware that 8 Governing Board was constituted for the Fund by Mr. President to oversee the affairs of the Fund and to take appropriate disciplinary
    actions amongst others, where necessary.
    Amazed that though the Minister wrote the Chairman of the Board, at no point did the Board meet to decide, resolved nor took a decision to dissolve the Executive and Management Committee.
    Surprised that a Ministry saddled with the responsibility of mediating in labour matters and solving labour issues on behalf of Government and People of Nigeria can flagrantly disobey laid down procedures of government in its unilateral dissolution of the Executive and Management Committee of an employee compensatory Fund, thereby jeopardizing the purpose and essence of the establishment of the Fund particularly in this Covid era.
    Confirmed that no Minister is procedurally empowered to remove the Executive of any Agency under any guise including suspension but the Hon. Minister Senator Dr. Chriinwabuezeoldgqge inyt‘higfvaaedgggigtgted‘ mr‘nseIf. int‘o“S the sole caquthorityééeg‘xfmx
    thereby bypassing all the stated procedures as approved by Mr. MPresident to convey the suspension of these officers.
    Worried that the incessant flagrant disobedience of presidential directives as witnessed recently with the actions of the Honourable Ministers of Labour & Employment and his counterpart in Power leaves room for potential breaches of laid down rules and against laid down procedure, thereby making the government
    look unserious before the general public.
    Observed and in confirmation of the unilateral decision of the Hon. Minister, that the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), an institutional stakeholder in the NSITF representing 90% of the contributors to the Fund and a member of the Board of the Fund by its letter of 3rd Ju|y to the Minister and the advertorial in the Dailies of 6th July 2020
  • Reps increase 2020 revised budget to N10.805 trillion

    Reps increase 2020 revised budget to N10.805 trillion

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday increased the revised 2020 budget sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari to N10.805 trillion.

    The President had presented a revised 2020 appropriation of N10.59 trillion to the National Assembly for approval.

    The budget as approved by the House indicate that the budget for the National Assembly was retained at N128 billion as contained in the original 2020 budget passed in December 2019 as against the N115 billion contained in the revised budget.

    Considering the budget on the floor of the House, the lawmakers included N4 billion vote to address the greviances of Resident Doctors who are threatening to embark on industrial action, thereby increasing the figure submitted to the House by the Finance Committee.