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Tag: Senate

  • Court orders senate to swear in Okonkwo as senator for Anambra central

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday ordered the swearing in of Obiora Okonkwo as Senator representing Central Senatorial District of Anambra state.

    Justice John Tsoho in the judgement said Okonkwo was validly nominated as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the December 7, 2014 senatorial election.

    Justice Tsoho ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw a Certificate of Return earlier issued to another aspirant, Mrs Uche Ekwenife and a fresh one be issued to Okonkwo.

    Okonkwo had, in 2014 instituted a court action against the PDP, its then National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, INEC and Mrs Uche Ekwenife, challenging the nomination of Ekwenife as PDP’s candidate of the party for the 2015 National Assembly election.

    However, in the course of hearing of the suit, all the four defendants withdrew their processes against the case and agreed to submit themselves to the judgment of the Federal High Court.

    In the judgment, Justice Tsoho agreed with counsel to the plaintiff, Sebastine Hon (SAN) that, in view of the withdrawal of all the respondents, the court was at liberty under the law to enter judgment in favour of Okonkwo.

    Counsel to Okonkwo said his client was not party to the suit, which led INEC to fixing January 13, 2018 for re-run. “The only senator on the Anambra Senatorial District is Obiora Okonkwo. That election is not going to hold,” he said.

    The fate of the date fixed by the INEC for the re-run might be at risk after this judgement.

    It would be recalled that on November 20, 2017, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, ordered the INEC to conduct a re-run election for Anambra Central Senatorial District within 90 days.

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Victor Umeh, had filed an appeal against the February 29, 2017, judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, wherein the trial judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere, ordered the inclusion of the PDP and its candidate, Senator Uche Ekwenife, in the scheduled Anambra Central Senatorial re-run poll.

    The court had refused the application by Sharon Ikeazor to be recognised as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the re-run of the cancelled March 2015 Anambra Central Senatorial election.

    The Anambra Central Senatorial seat at the upper chamber of the National Assembly has been vacant, following the nullification of Senator Ekwenife’s election.

    The Court of Appeal Division in Enugu had in July 2015, voided Ekwenife’s election for not being “the product of a valid primary and was therefore not duly and legitimately nominated.”

  • Senate to hold public hearing on job creation

    As part of its efforts to stimulate economic growth and create abundant employment opportunities in the country, the Senate will on Monday hold a Special Public Hearing on Youth Job Creation and Entrepreneurship.

    The purpose of the hearing, according to a statement, from the Media Office of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, is to among others, provide briefings about the ongoing Federal Government’s programmes designed to address issues related to job creation and entrepreneurship.

    The statement added that the “Youth Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Public Hearing serves as a follow up to the 9th October 2017, Senate Youth Development Roundtable, where several MDAs provided valuable reports and recommendations into government youth intervention programmes.

    “The Senate has been working with a coalition of civil society advocacy (CSO) organizations dedicated to the upliftment and advancement of the nation’s youth. The overall project is designed to encourage the participation of citizens in the decision-making process of the National Assembly,” it stated.

    Besides, the statement added that provision has been made to enable members of the public and all other critical stakeholders, who may not be able to attend the session, to follow the conversation online using the hashtag #SenateOnJobs.

  • Fuel scarcity: Senates wades into crisis, to inspect filling stations across the country

    The Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream says plans have been concluded for it to conduct nationwide inspection of filling stations over recent fears of fuel scarcity in the country.

    The chairman of the committee, Kabiru Marafa, stated this in a news briefing shortly after an investigative hearing on the matter on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Mr. Marafa said the senate would not watch some unpatriotic persons put Nigerians through any form of hardship, particularly during the yuletide.

    He noted that though the senate had adjourned to commence budget defence, members of the committee would take time out to embark on the oversight.

    According to him, members of the committee will be regrouped into subcommittees to make it possible to visit all the states.

    “First things first; the welfare of Nigerians especially in this season is that a lot of them will be travelling to reunite with their love ones is paramount.

    “We will take time out to embark on a serious oversight. We will break into sub-committees to be able to cover the entire country.

    “We have already mandated the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to furnish us with the daily distribution.

    “This is to enable the sub-committees to be armed with detailed evidence of which filling station was given what quantity of fuel.

    “We will also get these details from the filling stations to ascertain when last they got supplies and the quantity sold.

    “We will not stop at that. We will also inspect tanks in filling stations to ensure that Nigerians are not taken advantage of,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the committee has summoned the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru, to appear before it on Thursday, having failed to appear on Tuesday.

    “Immediately the issue came up, we contacted NNPC to know the situation of things and we were told that the rumours were unfounded and that they have written rejoinders to that effect.

    “However, given the seriousness of the matter, we decided to invite the GMD to come and brief on the development and to enable Nigerians know the situation of things.

    “Unfortunately he wrote informing us of his inability to honour the invitation.

    “We hope he will be back by Thursday to tell Nigerians the true situation. Even if he cannot make it he can send people that are in good authority to speak on his behalf.

    “There is an Executive Director in charge of Downstream who oversees the downstream generally. There is also the Managing Director of Petroleum and Product Marketing Company.

    “So, whatever it is by next tomorrow we will be able to tell Nigerians what the situation is like and what the Senate is going to do in the event of any eventuality,’’ he said.

    He warned filling stations in the habit of hoarding fuel to inflict untold pains on Nigerians to desist as it would not be business as usual.

    He assured that the senate would work with relevant agencies of government to punish any filling station found wanting.

     

  • Senate commences probe of $16bn Egina oil project

    The Senate on Tuesday commenced a probe into the local content elements and cost variations related to the $16 billion Egina Oil Field Project and two related Bonga South-West and ZabZaba projects.

    Senator Solomon Adeola, in a motion co-sponsored by 18 others had notified the Senate of the possible loss of revenue by the Federal Government as a result of the handling of the project.

    His motion was adopted, leading to the setting up of a committee mandated to investigate the project.

    Adeola, who chairs the Senate committee on Local Content,‎ said various contracts were awarded to the various components of the Egina project adding that many of the contractors handling the project, were found to have engaged sub-contractors.

    He stated that the Egina project was expected to comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010.

    The senator said: “At inception, the project was estimated to cost 6 billion dollars but has undergone various cost variations that currently put its cost at over 16. 352 billion dollars.

    “At inception, the project boasted of 24 million man-hours of work done representing 77 percent of the workload for the project and equivalent to a workforce of 3000 persons on average over a period of five years. It is worrisome that over the life of the project, its cost components have been reviewed twice from the initial 6 billion dollars to 13 billion dollars and more recently 16.352 billion dollars.

    “Meanwhile petitions have been submitted to the effect that monumental fraud and acts of disregard for the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 abound on the procurement and contractual arrangements.’

    “Egina project is located within the Oil Mining Lease (OML) block 130 and covers an area of about 500 square miles. It is developed by Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited(24%) in partnership with CNOOC Energy Nigeria Limited(45%), Petrobas (16%), Sapetro(15%).

    “The essence is to contribute an estimated 20,000 barrels of oil per day to the Nigerian daily oil production from the planned 2018 commencement date and the oil field is situated at a water depth of up to 1,750m. Meanwhile, engineering studies for the Egina Oil-Field Project began in 2008, with an approval of the National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS) and the Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR) in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

    “The Egina project was conceived as a deep offshore field comprising of a Floating Production and “Offloading Vessels (EPSO). It was also conceived as an Oil Offloading Terminal and Subsea Production Systems,’’ Adeola submitted.

    However, Senate President, Bukola Saraki while rounding off the deliberations said that the issue of cost variations and lack of adherence to the local content law were paramount.

    He also charged the committee that the allegations were enormous and deserve to be well investigated.

    He stated: “I find it difficult to understand why cost variation will move from 6 billion dollars to 16 billion dollars in 10 years. Why such variations and when will the Federal Government ever get revenue on these fields.

    “If we allow this to go with the Egina project, other deep offshore will follow the same model and government will never get the revenue. The second issue is to ensure compliance with the local content law. The committee has the responsibility to turn in the report as soon as possible. We do not want the report to linger on.

    “Please ensure you are done in three weeks so that by the time we resume we will consider the report and be able to address other projects that are going on.’’

  • Buhari writes Senate, seeks confirmation of Ojukwu as Executive Secretary of NHRC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Senate to request confirmation of his appointment of Mr. Anthony Ojukwu as Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

    President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, read the letter to senators at the plenary on Tuesday.

    The letter read, “‎In accordance with provisions of Section 8 of the National Human Rights Commission Act 2010, I have the pleasure to present Mr. Anthony Okechuwku Ojukwu for confirmation as the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission by the Senate.”

     

    Details later…

  • Senate inaugurates group to end HIV/AIDS menace by 2030

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has inaugurated the National Coalition Against AIDS (NASSCOA) to curb HIV/AIDS scourge by 2030.

    Speaking yesterday at the inauguration in Abuja, Saraki who was represented by the Leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan noted that the right to health was a fundamental human right, adding that citizens must take part in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

    Saraki who disclosed that over 10 million Nigerians currently know their HIV status noted that government was working hard to make the country free from the scourge by 2030.

    He said that the implementation of the National Health in 2018 would become feasible with the National Assembly’s intervention.

    “We must live no one behind in this campaign against HIV, especially children from the ages of 10 and above,” he said.

    Speaking, Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Disease, Mao Ohuabunwa decried stigmatisation and discrimination of persons living with HIV/AIDS.

    He stressed the need to enact laws to punish those who stigmatise and discriminate against persons living with the condition.

    Meanwhile, Total Upstream companies in Nigeria and the Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) at the weekend formally launched HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for secondary schools in Lagos State.

    This was part of programmes to drive awareness on the universal health coverage goals to commemorate the World AIDS Day 2017.

    The campaign is aimed at helping youths – secondary school students to develop life skills that will enhance healthy behaviour, empowering the girl-child with assertive, decision making skills on family life education, and equipping them with updated information on reproductive health-related issues.

    Speaking at the launch held at Dairy Farm Secondary School, Agege, Managing Director, Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Nicolas Terraz highlighted the essence of the World AIDS Day 2017 with the theme: Right To Health.

    “At Total, we cannot agree more with the theme of this year’s campaign. Just as all children have a right to education, we all have a right to health. HIV/AIDS has been a great dilemma globally over the past decades. It is a concern that, up till now, the prevalence rate remains high due to negligence and ignorance of the public.”

    He added that to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prevention was not only better than cure, but was cheaper and prevents complications.

    Acting Executive Secretary of NiBUCAA, Gbenga Alabi called for intensified efforts in putting an end to AIDS by 2030.

    He urged the students to join the Anti-AIDS Club to be established at Dairy Farm Secondary School, Sango Senior Secondary School and Keke Senior Secondary School respectively, which were presented with HIV&AIDS tool kits.

  • Lawal, Oke: Some gullible Nigerians joined the #OccupyNASS crusade to revolt against us – Senate

    The Senate has said the sack of former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, has vindicated its position on investigation carried out by its Ad hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East.

    It urged other committees charged with the responsibility of investigating other alleged corrupt matters in the country to expedite action and report to the Senate for further action.

    This followed a Point of Order by the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Bala Na’Allah, at plenary on Tuesday.

    Quoting Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule, 2015 as amended, Na’ Allah said efforts by some disgruntled Nigerians to drag the name of the Senate in the mud had been defeated.

    He said: “As a leader, I am proud of this Senate and I believe in the integrity of every senator in this assembly.

    “We cannot claim not to know that between yesterday and today there has been official confirmation of a new SGF and termination of appointment of the former SGF.

    “If we religiously keep to the oath of office taken, those who try to bring down the image of the Senate will continue to watch God vindicate us.

    “The issue surrounding the termination of the appointment of the former SGF emanated from this 8th Senate and today we have been vindicated.

    `Also, the issue of Maina emanated from this Senate. Can we now not have the authority to shout a sound of vindication,’’ he said.

    The leader of the Senate said the resolve of the red chamber of the National Assembly to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption and in defence of the constitution would continue no matter the distraction.

    “Section 80 sub-sections 2b, says the powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to make laws within its legislative competence.

    “ The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are also exercisable to correct any defects in existing laws and expose corruption or inefficiency.

    “When we started this crusade, the same Nigerians we were fighting for, became gullible and were sponsored to close the gate of the National Assembly in the name of `Occupy NASS’.

    “Every conceivable thing was done to bring down the name of this assembly, individually and collectively. In fact, some of us were called names in the social media,’’ he said.

    The lawmaker urged his colleagues to bear in mind that the task before them in the protection of the constitution and the laws of the federation was a huge one.

    He expressed his unfettered commitment to the Senate.

    He, however, called for expedited action on other investigations pending before committees of the Senate.

    He urged Nigerians not to fall for any form of manipulation by some unpatriotic Nigerians, adding that “it does them no good to embark on degradation of institutions, especially the national assembly.

    “Those who found wisdom in spending money to spread falsehood to demean the national assembly should know that they are doing no good to the over 170 million Nigerians we represent.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for heeding to the call of the Senate.

    He said though it was difficult for Nigerians to believe the position of the Senate in the investigation, he was elated that its position was vindicated by the sack of the former SGF.

    “It was a very tough journey ensuring that we continued to defend the integrity of this institution.

    “I want to commend the president for doing what is right.

    “When we started it was more of blackmail but the right thing has been done and we will continue to adhere to our commitment to non-selective fight against corruption.

    “I want to say to Nigerians that as part of our constitutional responsibility to expose corruption, cases and evidences should be brought before us and we assure that we will investigate and expose them.

    “We are not afraid of anyone in doing our job and we have made that clear over time,’’ he said.

    Saraki also called on committees whose investigation in alleged corrupt practices by agencies and individuals were pending to complete investigation and submit their reports.

    Besides, he called on Nigerian youths not to fall gullible to the antics of some corrupt Nigerians, who were bent on using them for their selfish interests.

    The Senate had following investigation by its Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East, headed by Sen. Shehu Sani, called for the resignation and prosecution of the dismissed SGF.

    This followed his alleged complicity in diversion of North-East humanitarian funds.

    Babachir was alleged to have contravened the provisions of Public Procurement Act and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations pertaining to award of contracts.

     

  • Nigerian students on scholarship abroad living in ‘pitiable’ condition – Senate

    The Senate has described as ‘pitiable’ the condition of several Nigerian students on scholarship programme abroad.

    The Senate, therefore, vowed to unravel the cause of such degrading condition that the students are currently enmeshed in.

    Moving the motion under order 42 and 52, Senate Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye, Osun-APC, bemoaned the ‘pitiable’ condition of Nigerian students abroad who are been neglected by agencies of government.

    Mr. Adeyeye noted that the students are currently stranded in Russia, United Kingdom, Canada and other countries due to inability of the Federal Government to pay their tuition fees and stipends.

    “Mr. President, just last night, I got a very lengthy e-mail from Nigerian scholars in the UK complaining just like those students that spoke in your presence in Russia. Specifically, among other things, the stipends on which these students will live for food, transportation, housing have not been paid for many months. In addition, their school fees have not been paid,” he said.

    Supporting the motion, James Manager, Delta-PDP, wants the agencies responsible to take urgent steps in addressing the issue.

    “I have travelled enough and I know the suffering of Nigerian students who are on scholarship,” he said.

    “Many students are taken out of this country by government agencies. Mr. President, this is a very serious matter. The agencies of government should take steps in alleviating the sufferings of these young and brilliant Nigerians.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, Kwara-APC, said the government’s shortcomings has led some Nigerian students to illegal activities abroad.

    “The situation is very pathetic and we must tackle it head-on. I have the opportunity to meet with our counterparts in Russia who categorically told us that they are ready to give us more scholarship but unfortunately, some who have been on scholarship for two years have not been paid. Some are just roaming the streets, doing illegal activities.

    “The minimum figure is about $500 per student. This is not acceptable. We must address this. We’ll meet with these agencies and find a way to putting this issue to an end.”

    The lawmakers agreed to summon various agencies of government responsible for scholarship to Nigerian students to meet with the Senate President with a view to bringing the plight of the students to an end.

    The Senate also charged the agencies involved in the Amnesty Programme to ensure “a refund to Nigerians who rescued Nigerian students in Moscow who have not been paid for over four years.”

  • BREAKING: Senate set up committee to probe Maina

    The Senate on Tuesday set up a committee to investigate the embattled ex-chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, who has been accused of complicity in an N2bn fraud and has gone into hiding.

    According to the Senate, the committee is to investigate the circumstances of how Mr Maina got into the country, how Mr Maina was reinstated into Public Service and how Mr Maina got promoted to the level of Director.

    After its sitting on Tuesday, the Senate resolves that the Committee on Public Service and Establishment investigate how Maina got into the country after he left the shores of the country after being on investigation by EFCC.

    The Senate through the committee is also set to investigate how Maina was reinstated into Public Service and how he got promoted to the level of Director in the civil service.

    Senator Akpan Bassey adds that the Committees on Interior and Anti-Corruption should be included to the committee carrying out the investigation.

    Senator Olusola Adeyeye in his contribution said that the Ad-hoc Committee should include Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committees on Interior, judiciary and anti-corruption, public service and establishment headed by the Chairman Committee on Public Service and Establishment.

    Senator Alasoadura said, “We should not always duplicate the Executive, if the Executive has ordered an investigation we shouldn’t order another.”

    Some lawmakers in their contributions say the reinstatement of Maina into the civil service is an indictment on the Attorney General of the Federation.

  • Paris Club Refunds: Senate queries Buhari’s approval of funds to governors

    Paris Club Refunds: Senate queries Buhari’s approval of funds to governors

    The Senate on Thursday resolved to probe how the Paris Club Refunds and other bailout funds to state governors by President Muhammadu Buhari were approved.

    The Senate’s decision followed a point of order raised by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu (PDP- Imo) during plenary, who afterwards, sought the leave of the Senate to move a motion on the matter during the next legislative day.

    He queried the legality of the funds given to governors by Buhari.

    The President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, sought and got the leave of his colleagues and approved that the proper motion be brought by Anyanwu, to the floor on another legislative day.

    The Federal Government had released the breakdown of payments to the 36 states as refund of “over-deductions on Paris Club, London Club Loans and Multilateral debts on the accounts of States and Local Governments (1995-2002).”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the latest payment was the second tranche of the refunds to the states with a total of N243.8 billion released to the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

    Buhari, while releasing the N243.80 billion as second tranche of Paris Club refund to states, urged the governors to use a major part of the funds to offset salaries, pensions and other allowances of workers.

    However, President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting with the governors on Wednesday in Abuja expressed sadness over the backlog of salary arrears in the states despite.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the governors have started mounting pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to release the last tranche of the funds to them.