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Tag: Senate

  • Senate swears in Andrew Uchendu in replacement of Sekibo as Rivers East senator

    The Senate has sworn in Senator Andrew Uchendu as the representative of Rivers East Senatorial district in line with a court order.

    Uchendu has therefore replaced Senator George Sekibo, who was sacked due to a court ruling.

    He took his oath of office today, during the Senate plenary.

    The Appeal Court has earlier dismissed an appeal filed by Senator George Sekibo challenging the judgment of the Rivers State National Election Tribunal which removed him as Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District.

    The Appellate Court on August 24, 2017, held that the appeal lacked merit as it did not show facts as to why the decision of the lower court should be set aside.

  • Senate summons Adeosun, Udoma over 2017 budget implementation

    …reiterates commitment to One Nigeria

    The Senate at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and her counterpart at the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma to brief them on the implementation of the 2017 budget.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki disclosed this Tuesday in his welcome address to senators.

    The upper chamber resumed plenary Tuesday after about two months recess.

    Saraki said that the invitation of the two ministers became necessary in order for senators to be abreast with the level of implementation of the 2017 budget.

    The Senate President also asked senators to always stand for the unity and indivisibility of the country as well as condemn in the strongest term all forms of violence.

    Saraki said: “By the first week of October, we expect to begin the review of the implementation of the 2017 budget. To set the stage for this, we expect to invite the Ministers of Finance and Budget Planning to come and brief the Senate on implementation so far. Nigerians want to see a more significant improvement in the level of implementation of the budget this financial year. Let me therefore use this opportunity to call on all our standing committees to begin the process of putting together their oversight plan for a close and proper review of the performance of the 2017 Budget. In the same token, we must remind ourselves of the initiative we started and for which we have significant stride – that is, the Made in Nigeria initiative. It is time to enter the next stage of this initiative; the oversight of implementation to ensure that the policy yields expected gains.

    I will like therefore to see the committees demonstrate proactivity and readiness to engage government to ensure that at least a significant portion of our annual budget is fully dedicated to local procurement. All committees of the Senate must be involved in this and find better channels to engage our people and enable feedbacks. However, for these efforts to be successful it is required that we maintain peace and political stability. Hence the need for all of us to fight to keep Nigeria united and prosperous.

    “Distinguished colleagues, a house divided against itself will not stand. More than ever before, we need to stand for the unity and indivisibility of our country. We must condemn in the strongest possible terms all forms of violence as a form of engagement. The Constitution and laws have laid down tools and procedures for us to push through our interest as all democratic nations do. Our nation is blessed with exceptionally talented and beautiful people, we are collectively strong and indomitable and it is time for all of us to stand up for our nation. Our dream of a virile nation must keep us motivated and this dream is already at the horizon.”

    The Senate President noted that they have in the last two sessions of their term devoted enormous time, working hard on critical legislation, some with historical essence and others with relatively high-level implications for enhancing the welfare of Nigerians and putting food on their tables.

    He expressed happiness that some of the bills which has since become law have already started yielding expected gains.

    “This is especially so with the Secure Transactions in Movable Assets Act, with increased lending to private sector. We expect more to come. Our ultimate aim will be, inclusive growth, full employment for our people and frameworks that enable our young people to run viable startups,” he said.

    Saraki continued: “Distinguished colleagues, as a firm believer that economic security is first and most important security we can offer our people, it is the apparent inadequacy of this security that is at the heart of the general disaffection of our people towards government. We have done this with the belief that with less hunger on the street; with more of our people gainfully engaged; insecurity will be significantly reduced and our economy revamped. In this period, I expect us to conclude work on the National Transport Commission Bill, and the National Road Funds Bill, the Petroleum Industry Fiscal and Host Community Bill which are pending. It is my hope that we shall conclude work quickly on the Bank lending rate reduction initiative and the National Payment Systems Bill.

    “As we continue to take action to strengthen our economy, let me use this opportunity to congratulate all Nigerians for working together to get us out of recession. While we congratulate ourselves for exiting the recession, it is important that we don’t rest on our oars as this is not an end in itself. There is a lot of work ahead. Our aim is to see our economy create millions of new jobs and see growth rates of 7% or more. This is why the implementation of the 2017 budget is crucial.

    “Distinguished colleagues, as leaders, closest to our people, we must rededicate ourselves to the values we have institutionalized in this chamber. In this chamber, we are first and foremost, Nigerians. Yes, we are Igbos, Yorubas, Hausas, Fulanis. Yes, we are Muslims, Christians and traditional worshipers. But we must in all our conversations and decisions continue to be first and foremost Nigerians and as Nigerian citizens be our brothers’ keepers. Too many of our youths, too many of our families from the South to the North need a lifting. Our job is to help government give them a hand and ones again make them feel great again being Nigerians. This is our mission.

    “As we work to even make our Constitution better, it must be remembered that Constitution review is a continuous process which we must undertake with the vision of the future in our minds. The process we have already will continue in earnest with the meeting of the speakers of the various state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly with a view to moving forward with the process. As promised, we will revisit and consider areas of the Constitution we believe will further strengthen our federation and enable our collective dream for a more prosperous Nigeria.

    “In the fight against corruption, aside the bills we have passed, it is important that we also sharpen up our oversight tools to ensure that government remains accountable always. However, I urge us all to more than ever, operate above board ourselves. In the last two years, we have successfully exposed numerous cases of corruption in our agencies and officers of government and as a result saved government enormous amount of public resources. This is what Nigerian people expect of us and we must continue to deliver on this. We must not make the mistake of resting on our oars. I say this to encourage you to keep up with the good works of exposing corruption as you have been doing so far. Yes, like Senator Isah Hamma Misau who had the courage to expose deep rooted institutional corruption, you will be attacked, blackmailed and insulted but, unlike any former Senate before this, we will not bow or be intimidated.

    “Distinguished colleagues, our focus on interventions critical to our national development will continue in this session. We will be interacting with stakeholders with the aim of repositioning our education sector and the health sector especially with the health insurance subsector as key primers of the economy. The major direction will be to expand access to basic education and health, incentivize investment in these critical sectors and find lasting solutions to issues of strikes and interruption in these sectors.

    “Dear colleagues, we are all witness to the revolutionary growth of innovative works and remarkable fits Nigerians both in the entertainment industry and software development are making across the globe. However, their ability to fully harness and reap the fruits of their effort continues to be hampered by our intellectual property regime which is yet to be reformed to meet with today’s digital realities and opportunities. We are determined to contribute our quota to make their lives easier and better by initiating and paying close attention to our intellectual property (IP) rights frameworks.

    “Distinguished colleagues, a lot has happened in our nation within the last few weeks especially with the floods. Let me take a moment to commiserate with all Nigerians who may have been affected by the recent floods. Our hearts and prayers are with you at this period.

    “On a salutary note, I am happy to report to you distinguished colleagues that while we were away, we also took note of some of the strides Nigerians have been making. We congratulate our women on the wining of the African Basket Ball Championship. We also congratulate our Super Eagles on their journey so far for the world cup qualifiers and we will continue to support and encourage them.

    “Before, I conclude this speech, let me on another winning note and on your behalf welcome Mr. President who has acknowledged his return to office through an executive communication earlier within the period of our vacation back to the saddle. We pray that the almighty Allah will continue to grant him full restoration.”

  • Senate resumes plenary, reiterates commitment to one Nigeria

    The Senate on Tuesday at plenary after its two months recess reiterates commitment to one Nigeria.

    The upper legislative chamber advised those with reasons agitation to do that within the ambit of the law.

    This formed part of the Senate’s resolution taken during its executive session held shortly after the senators resumed from their two-month recess on Tuesday.

    The senators immediately went into a closed session to discuss important national issues.

    Details later…

  • National Assembly gets 2018 Budget by October – Presidency

    The Presidency has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria’s 2018 Appropriation Bill will be submitted to the National Assembly in October.

    Ita Enang, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), gave the assurance when he appeared at the News Agency of Nigeria Forum in Abuja.

    The National Assembly had last year fixed October as deadline for the submission of the bill.

    Mr. Enang said the federal government accept the deadline as sacrosanct and was committed to meeting it.

    He said that the government was working assiduously to ensure that the deadline was complied with to take the country back to the annual budget cycle of January to December.

    According to him, different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have made their budget inputs and submissions to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

    “The ministers are already appearing before the ministry and defending their submissions.

    “It is intended that in the next few days they would have completed the exercise and have the total of the budget as well as get ready with the final draft.

    “Everything is being done to ensure that we keep to the date,’’ Mr. Enang said.

    He added that in presenting the 2018 proposal in October, “the National Assembly will consider it between October and November and by December it would have been passed.

    “The current budget will end in 12 months and having been signed on June 12, 2016, the budget is legally to run between June 12, 2017 and June 12, 2018.

    “But the intention of the government is to make sure that the implementation date and assent will be for January 1, 2018 so that we will return the budget to the conventional January.’’

    Mr. Enang also said that the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the budget was passed in time after presentation by the Executive.

    “This was a negotiated position between the executive and the legislature and in fact, the legislature is more anxious to get the budget passed by December and assented to in January.

    “It is what was discussed and agreed and we are working together; there is harmony and there is understanding and unison on this subject.

    “There is no matter that will frustrate this because all things were taken into account at arriving at this decision,’’ he said.

    Examining the 2016 budget performance, the presidential aide said that the government recorded some constraints in the execution of capital projects.

    “We made it clear that most of the funds for capital projects will come from borrowing and if it has to come from external sources, it will have to be approved by the National Assembly.

    “If the National Assembly approves the borrowing and the international agency from which you intend to borrow the money did not release the money, you cannot release it for capital projects.

    “Also, sometimes it is the slow procurement process by different ministries that affect the implementation of capital projects.

    “Some get proactive by setting timelines of when they will advertise, open the bid, open for selection and when they will seek certificate of no objection, while some ministries start it late.

    “Some start it and get stuck within their processes and sometimes one file lies in one place or the other in longer time so it affects the procurement.

    “This is one of the things that affect capital implementation.’’

    Mr. Enang further said that passage of statutory budgets of government corporations and agencies by the National Assembly when it resumed September 26 from its seven-week recess was vital to reviving the economy.

    According to him, the passage of budgets of agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service will boost the country’s economy.

    He explained that approval of budgets of the statutory corporations and agencies was a requirement of the law that must be carried out by the national assembly.

    Mr. Enang said that the process was crucial in making life bearable for the citizenry.

    “It has become necessary for Nigerians to know that it is time for this country to begin to rip dividends from its own investments.

    “The world has given notice to Nigeria and the economy of the world that oil is going to be less important and that makes it necessary for us to go back to the investment we made in each of these parastatals.

    “So, approval of these budgets as the national assembly resumes will create employment, make money available to fund the budget and make it certain that the parastatals are now contributing non-oil revenue to the budget,’’ he said.

  • Revoke N3.2 billion Benue road contract, senate tells FG

    The Senate Committee on Works has asked the Federal Government to revoke the N3.2 billion contract for the reconstruction of Wannue-Yadev road in Benue, citing alleged incompetence by the handler.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 19-kilometre road contract, awarded in 2013, had a completion period of 24 months.
    Its chairman, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, told newsmen in Gboko on Saturday that his committee was “greatly disappointed” that not much had been achieved in the execution of the project four years after it was awarded.
    “We have gone round several portions of the road; we have asked questions and made observations. Our conclusion is that the contractor lacks the capacity to handle the job.
    “We have resolved to ask the Federal to terminate the job and engage a competent firm. Huge monies have been paid to the contractor with nothing to show for it. We cannot continue like that,” he said.
    Gaya regretted that the contractor had failed to live up to expectations, “in spite of several letters asking him to sit up”.
    “At some spots on the road, asphalt was being laid without leveling the affected areas; the contractor also scrapped large portions of the road last year and disappeared, making them impassable. We feel that this is being insensitive.
    “The point we are trying to make is simple. Since the Federal Ministry of Works has written three times threatening to revoke the contract, the job should be terminated. We shall investigate it and hand over the report to EFCC.
    “It is not right to allow contractors to collect tax payers money and waste it,” he said.
    Sen. George Akume (APC,Benue North-West), who also spoke to newsmen, expressed dismay over the state of federal roads in Benue.
    Akume claimed that cement dealers, who ply the Gboko/Makurdi road with heavy loads, were responsible for most of the massive damage and should be made to assist in the reconstruction.

  • Senate commiserates with Sen Gilbert Nnaji over wife’s death

    The Senate has commiserated with one of its members, Senator Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East, PDP) who yesterday lost his wife, Mrs. Ann Nnaji.


    In a statement by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate expressed sadness over the death of Mrs Nnaji who was a pillar of support and a prayer warrior “always standing solidly behind her husband”.

    “On behalf of the entire Senate, we commiserate with our brother and colleague, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, on the loss of his dear wife, Mrs. Ann Nnaji. Mrs Nnaji was a gentle person and a pillar of support to her husband. She was a devoted wife, mother and a public spirited woman.

    “On this sad occasion, we mourn with the entire Nnaji family, the good people of Enugu East Senatorial District in particular, and Enugu State in general. We also pray that Almighty God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”, the Senate stated.

  • Senate to prioritise passage of Occupational Safety Bill to check industrial hazards

    Senate to prioritise passage of Occupational Safety Bill to check industrial hazards

    The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, says Senate will give accelerated consideration to the Occupational Safety and Health Bill (SB. 200), once the National Assembly resumes from its annual recess.

    Mr. Saraki announced this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said that with Nigeria’s focus on economic growth through the greater participation of the private sector, it was necessary to update laws guaranteeing safety and health of Nigerian workers.

    “The Occupational Safety Bill, which has gone through second reading, will help to ensure that millions of Nigerian workers are protected in the event of injuries in their workplaces,” Mr. Saraki said.

    “This Bill will also put in place a legal framework that will develop and promote occupational safety standards that define the exposure limits to chemicals, other biological and physical agents.

    “This Senate takes the health and well-being of Nigerian workers very seriously. They are the backbone and lifeblood of our nation’s economy.

    “The bill also ensures that employers provide preventive mechanisms and procedures that will limit accidents and injuries at workplaces.’’

    The Senate president also said that the bill would cover both the formal and the informal sector.

    He stressed that it was time to check the largely unregulated practice of employers exposing hardworking Nigerians to dangerous and improper working conditions.

     

     

    NAN

  • Sagay fires back at Senate, insists ‘your outrageous salaries, allowances running Nigeria dry’

    The row between the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay and the National Assembly members especially those of the red chambers is not about to end as the embattled chairman insisted that he won’t stop criticizing the NASS members as long as their bogus salaries, allowances are not reviewed.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Sagay was reacting to a statement by the Senate on Thursday, calling him possessed and speaking under influence, said the lawmakers were draining Nigeria dry and the evidence is flying everywhere for all to see.

     

    The PACAC chair insisted that he would not stop criticizing members of the National Assembly for their expenditure, which he said was adversely affecting the economy.

    His words: “I criticize them for the huge amount of money they are taking out of the country.

    “They are creating a situation in which Nigeria does not have enough funds; we have kidnapping, there is Boko Haram, we have militants, armed robbery and so on.

    “That is basically what I said. I spoke the truth. They have wardrobe allowance, in other words, we are the ones buying clothes for them to wear.

    “When they arrived Abuja, were they naked? What is their problem?”

    The legal luminary had lamented that National Assembly allocated N125 billion to themselves alone this year and that while the United States President earns $400,000 per annum, a Nigerian senator earns over $1.7 million.

    Sagay said besides a basic salary of N2.4 million per month, they earn allowances such as hardship (50 percent of basic salary), newspaper allowance (50 percent), wardrobe allowance (25 percent), entertainment (30 percent), recess (10 percent), and leave (10 percent), among others.

    The total allowances, he said, amounts to N29.5 million per month and N3.2 billion per annum.

    “Perhaps the most notorious example of the legislators’ resistance to the war against corruption is the rejection of the right of the executive to choose the persons who will spearhead that struggle,” he added.

    “The clear impression is created that Nigerian legislators are in office for themselves and not for the populace.”

    “Not surprisingly, the National Assembly has not passed a single bill for the promotion of anti-corruption war since it commenced business in July 2015.”

     

  • Senate vows to expose, prosecute banks used for MMM fraud

    The Senate on Thursday vowed to expose all commercial banks in the country used by discredited Ponzi scheme popularly called Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM).

    The upper chamber said the exposure of the banks used for MMM became necessary so that the affected banks would face appropriate sanctions.

    The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Cybercrime, Foster Ogola, stated this during an interactive session with banks executives on cyber crime.

    According to him, exposing the banks used for the deal would help to prevent such fraud in future.

    He also said the Senate would come up with a legislation making digital education compulsory in both primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.

    Ogola said: “We need to secure our cyberspace and financial sector against all forms of crimes or frauds as seen with the MMM operators, who came in collaborations with insiders, expressly entered into the banking system, duped Nigerians and bolted out.

    “We have to stop anything meant to defraud us from getting or hacking into our digital system. The first step now is to expose all the banks involved in the MMM fraud.

    “As a chartered fraud examiner, when the scam called MMM Ponzi scheme came with its 30 per cent interest rate in 30 days early last year, I told people that it was a fraud but many refused to listen and some of them later learnt their lessons in bitter ways.”

  • Sagay is possessed, speaks under influence – Senate

    The Senate on Thursday said the utterances of the chairman of the Presidential Action Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay on its activities shows that he is either possessed or speaks under the influence anytime he does.

    The upper chamber accused the PACAC boss of spreading falsehood and making hate speeches against the National Assembly.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Sagay recently accused the National Assembly of hindering the fight against corruption in Nigeria. He also asked them of receiving outrageous salaries and entitlements that were more than that of the United State’s President.

    The Senate, therefore, advised President Muhammdu Buhari to caution him (Sagay) so as not to permanently set the legislature and executive arms of government against each other.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated this in Abuja.

    The Senate spokesperson in a statement noted that Sagay was fond of using every opportunity he has to make public speeches to disparage the Federal Legislature by using uncouth and unprintable words to describe the legislators and the institution they represent.

    He said that Sagay had been one of the few divisive elements in the Buhari administration who believe their relevance is enhanced only when they create constant tension between the legislature and the executive while also setting members of the executives against each other.

    Abdullahi noted that while the legislators had ignored past statements made by the Professor of law, his recent speech at a public lecture in Lagos organized by the Society of International Law where he gave false details about the salary and allowances of the legislators and the various bills passed bordered on inciting members of the public against the legislators and deliberately circulating hate speech; which the government is working hard to contain.

    Abdullahi said, “Ordinarily, we would ignore Sagay whose statements and attitude present him like a rascal and sadist instead of a former university teacher.

    “However, his last speech in Lagos during which he was reeling out false and exaggerated figures about the salaries and allowances of legislators and also lied about the passage of anti-corruption bills showed that he just deliberately set out to undermine the legislative institution and lower its reputation in the estimation of right thinking members of the society and we, therefore, believe we should put him in his rightful place.

    “As an academic whose creed should be to find facts and make comments based on truth, we believe that Sagay should stop spreading beer parlour rumours about the salaries and allowances of legislators when he could simply get the facts from the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) which is the body constitutionally charged with the responsibility of fixing salaries and allowances of all public officials.

    “Let us make it clear that our salaries and allowances are open books and the details can be taken from the RMFAC by any interested party.

    “Prof. Sagay at his lecture in Lagos also made comparisons which did little credit to his background as a lecturer as he was talking of the salary of the United States President and that of a Nigerian legislator. That is like comparing oranges with apples. Only a senile, jaded, rustic and outdated Professor of Law like Sagay will make such a comparison which falls flat on its face, even to an ordinary lay man. Surely, Sagay is basing his analysis on street talks.

    “Sagay could not even check the records before proclaiming that ‘the National Assembly has not passed a single bill for the promotion of anti-corruption war since it commenced business in July 2015′. First, the 8th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 9, 2015 not July. Also, it is on record that the Senate has passed the Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill, Witness Protection Bill, Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency Bill.

    “This man talks like a man who is constantly under the influence of some substance and perhaps possessed as he employs the language of a tout with no civility. He is probably constantly excited and incensed by the fact of having his first opportunity to find himself in the corridors of power.

    “He pontificates and talks as if the war against corruption of the Buhari administration depends solely on him to survive. He once publicly attacked the Attorney General of the Federation and accused him of not doing enough to prosecute the war. In the Lagos speech, he took a blanket swipe at the judiciary and rubbished that entire institution which he as a lawyer has the professional, ethical and constitutional duty to respect.

    “This is a man who cannot stand for Councilorship election and win. We challenge him to state what his contributions are in the election of our amiable President, Muhammadu Buhari and what new ideas he has contributed to making the fight against corruption more effective since his appointment. With an easily excited man like him as head of an advisory body, the nation has continued to lose anti-corruption cases in courts due to the failure of his advice. He needs to do more work and talk less because media prosecution cannot win the war on corruption.”

    The Senate, therefore, called on the President to caution Sagay and stop him from further creating needless tension in the relationship between the executive and the legislature.