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Tag: Senate

  • MDAs risk zero allocations in 2025 budget

    MDAs risk zero allocations in 2025 budget

    The Senate says ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that fail to appear at its  investigative hearing on revenue generation, remittance and expenditure of appropriated funds risk zero allocations in the 2025 fiscal year.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Sani Musa, said this at the resumed hearing of the committee on remittance of internally-generated revenue and expenditure by MDAs on the 2024 budget implementation.

    The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madehin, was present at the meeting.

    Sani, who decried the discrepancies observed in the records of some of the MDAs said: “This performance index exercise on the various MDAs is preparatory to the 2025 budget.

    “Any agency that fails to appear before this committee upon invitation risks zero allocation in the 2025 budget

    “This is because the records of how appropriations made for 2024 were expended must be provided with facts and figures,” he said.

    Earlier, the accountant-general had presented summary of the internally-generated revenue for the federal government up till September
    2024.

    The figures included: independent revenue of N2.7 trillion, operating surplus from government-owned enterprises (GOEs) amounting to N2.3 trillion and MDAs internally-generated revenue of N344 billion.

    Madehin said that the centralised payment system of government was introduced to curb inefficiencies and prevent unutilised funds from being rolled over annually.

    However, members of the committee said that the submitted report focused mainly on the accountant-general’s office, with significant omissions regarding the federal government’s overall financial activities.

    The lawmakers, who took turns to speak, expressed reservation over delays in release and utilisation of funds for capital budgets, citing inefficiencies within the centralised payment system managed by the office of the accountant-general of the federation.

    The lawmakers decried the centralised payment policy which required over 700 MDAs to process payments through a single office.

    The policy, according to them, has resulted in inefficiencies and delayed project completions, noting that it is reducing public trust, especially in constituencies expecting execution of critical infrastructural projects.

    NAN reports that concerns were also raised on the allegations that contractors were being asked to pay under-the-table fees, reportedly five per cent of the contract value, to expedite their payments.

    The senators said that such practice, if verified and found to be true, would raise a major accountability issue, thus undermining the efficiency of the system.

    Given the noticable gaps in the presentation, the committee resolved to invite other agencies for a joint session to ensure a comprehensive review of the noticeable discrepancies.

    The agencies included Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)

    “This is not about hearing from one side and another separately; we need all stakeholders to be present at the same time to provide clarity and consistency in their reports.

    “The senate hearing reflects growing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s financial oversight and accountability mechanisms, with a shared commitment to enhancing transparency and building a robust fiscal policy framework,” said Sani, the committee chairman.

    He urged the accountant-general of the federation to present all the reports, ahead of the meeting scheduled for December 11.

  • Navy, Lawmakers, CSOs reject Nigerian Coast Guard, urge Senate to kill Bill

    Navy, Lawmakers, CSOs reject Nigerian Coast Guard, urge Senate to kill Bill

    The Nigerian Navy, Members of the National Assembly and Coalition of Civil Society Groups, were amongst the opposition to the Bill for an Act to establish Nigerian Coast Guard.

    Recall that, the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, had slated November 7 for the public hearing on the Bill, but was shifted due to the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja.

    The bill sponsored by Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (APC- Lagos), has the overriding intent to enact legislation that sought make Nigerian Coast Guard a full fledged military service and a branch of the Armed Forces of Nigeria; to be domiciled under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

    At the public hearing held in National Assembly Library on Thursday, the Nigerian Navy seriously objected to the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard, citing duplicity of functions, security threats, incorerent crafting of the Bills, resource constraints, economic imperatives of nature, amongst others.

    The Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, took his time to analyze both Nigeria’s maritime security needs and global best practices, with huge global examples of consolidated maritime security frameworks.

    He said, “United Kingdom does not have a Coast Guard with military powers similar to those being proposed in this bill. Rather, the Royal Navy is responsible for military defense and maritime security operations, including facial protection, and this is quoted from the House of Commons briefing paper of 2020.

    “On the other hand, the UK Coast Guard, is under the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, which manages search and rescue and Occupational Safety. In fact, the UK Coast Guard is also known as a volunteer. Coast Guard is not funded by the government but by charity. The UK example is a symbol, where resourceful Naval Force, with complementary civilian agencies work to manage maritime safety.

    “Then let’s look at the United States of America. The Coast Guard and the Navy. The US Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on law Enforcement, Environmental Protection, search and rescue; while the US Navy under the Department of Defense is primarily an Expeditionary Force projecting power far beyond the shores.

    “South Africa has opted to enhance its network capacity instead of establishing the Coast Guard, recognizing budget constraints and prioritising the unified labour force for all maritime security and defence. South Africa Navy performs both military rules and law enforcement functions supported by government agencies and non military tasks like Environmental Protection and the likes. This approach is similar to what is done in Nigeria and several developing countries. It minimises redundancy and ensures that the country’s limited resources are well managed.

    “Given Nigeria’s more regional maritime focus and resource constraints, creating a similar structure will lead to redundant functions and stretch limited resources”.

    On his part, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, said Nigeria is living on borrowed funds, saying it is improper to take loan and establish a new agency. Oshiomhole also queried the rational behind establishing a ministry service and domiciled it under a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, instead of Defence.

    “So why do we need an Armed Forces to be controlled by blue economy to become the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense?”, Oshiomhole asked rhetorically.

    Also speaking on a very strong opposition to the Bill, a Member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Rep. Philip Agbese, said what Nigeria needed was to strengthen the existing agencies and institutions to function to maximum, rather than creating irrelevant agencies, which duties are already being performed by others.

    Agbese who is the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, also expressed disappointment that, agencies under the Marine Ministry which objected to the establishment of Nigeria Marine Corps during a public hearing 2 weeks ago, could hypocritically come up to support the establishment of Nigeria Coast Guard, which shares similar objectives with the Marine Corps Bill.

    “I was at the House of Representatives Committee public hearing, Navy in particular, where the other committees
    were incorporated to dissect the issue of Marine Corps Bill. And I know the position of all the agencies in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. They categorically submitted at the public hearing that there was no need for any further agency to support what the Navy is doing.

    “I can see the faces of many persons there that they are also here. So, whereas they told us a different thing in the House of Representatives that such an agency is not necessary, here today, they are here to support Bill, that it is now necessary. What’s the difference between 14 days ago and today that we suddenly need that?”, he said.

    Agbese referred to state security outfits created by some state Governors few years ago, including the Amotekun created in Osun state, where the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola was Governor, with the mandate to ending insecurity, only for security challenges to keep increasing; adding that, creating Coast Guard would not in any way end insecurity in the waterways.

    Various Speakers, including, Dr. Emeka Akabogu, Honorary Secretary of Nigerian Maritime Law Association; Rear Admiral Chris Ezekobe (Rtd.); and Igwe Ude Umanta, who spoke on behalf of coalition of other 10 Civil Society Groups; all rejected the establishment of Nigeria Coast Guard, urging the Senate to drop the Bill.

  • Senate speaks on suspending Tinubu’s tax reform bills

    Senate speaks on suspending Tinubu’s tax reform bills

    The Senate on Thursday said that it did not suspend deliberations on the Tax Reform Bills as reported in some quarters.

    Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, made the clarification when he raised Senate Point of Order 42, during plenary.

    Raising the order, Bamidele said that it was reported by a news medium that “the hallowed chamber suspended further consideration of the Tax Reform Bills before the Senate”.

    “No where in our votes and proceedings was it stated that we suspended further deliberations on the tax reform bills, because we did not.

    “I felt it will be important to place on record that this Senate did not suspend or withdraw. This Senate did not suspend and does not intend to suspend deliberation, consideration of the tax reform bills.

    “It was a misunderstanding of legislative process for anybody to have even reported that we have withdrawn the bills.

    “The bills were executive bills; transmitted to us by the Executive Arm of Government, through the office of Mr President.

    “It is only the executive arm that can withdraw these bills. They are not private member bills sponsored by any senator.

    “So no senator is going to withdraw the bill and there is no reason for these bills to be withdrawn. In a legislative process, it is normal that some people will have concerns,” he said.

    According to him, it is normal that people will sit around those concerns and discourse, hence, in its wisdom, the Senate referred the matter to the Committee on Finance and gave them six weeks for report.

    “Six weeks is long enough in a country that wants progress for a consensus to be reached for anybody who has concern to sit down and allow such concern to be addressed in overriding public interest.

    “So the essence of what I am saying is that it is important that members of public are patient with us.

    “They understand the legislative process that we have to follow. They understand our role in the Constitution.

    “Any attempt from any quarter to intimidate the parliament will be undemocratic and we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.

    “We will encourage consensus. We will encourage discussions, engagement at all levels,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio said that the members of the National Assembly were all elected to work, which was the work of lawmaking, in the overall interest of Nigeria.

    Akpabio said that the work was not done through social media, committee or any forum of any nature, but was done according to their conscience, in the best interest of Nigeria.

    He said that the moment the bills went through second reading in the Senate, it simply meant that the bills were alive.

    According to him, the next procedure is for the committee on finance to commence the process of consultations and public hearings, with a view to bringing recommendations back to the chamber

    “But in the wisdom of the Senate yesterday (Wednesday), we had, in a closed session, set up a committee to be headed by the minority leader before the passage of the second reading.

    “That committee was an internal mechanism of the Senate, different from the committee on finance. I think that was what was announced that the committee should immediately move into work,” he said.

  • Delayed flights/cancellation: Senate summons Keyamo, others

    Delayed flights/cancellation: Senate summons Keyamo, others

    The Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Aviation to summon the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

    The Senate also resolved to summon the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Captain Chris Najomo, Airline operators as well as other relevant stakeholders over incessant flight delays and cancellations.

    The Committee on Aviation is mandated to investigate the increasing frequency of flight delays and cancellations by airline operators in the country.

    The resolution followed a motion presented by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo, APC) during plenary, highlighting the negative impact of these disruptions on Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and public confidence in the aviation sector.

    The investigation will aim to uncover the root causes of the persistent disruptions and propose lasting solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of air travel in Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, the Senate leadership has directed its Committee on Finance to suspend further action on the proposed tax bill pending the outcome of a high-level meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    The Deputy senate president, Senator Barau Jibrin, made the announcement during plenary and disclosed that a special committee has been constituted to address contentious issues in the bill, with the meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 5.

    The decision follows a series of deliberations by lawmakers aimed at resolving disagreements over key provisions in the proposed legislation. The contentious areas have sparked debates among stakeholders in the last couple of days.

    In addition, the Senate leadership announced plans to convene a special meeting to be held at the National Assembly and chaired by the Minority Leader to address all areas of disagreement. The meeting is expected to serve as a platform for lawmakers to harmonize their positions and ensure that the bill aligns with national priorities while addressing stakeholder concerns.

    Members of the special committee include:

     

    Abba Moro chairman

    Tahir Monguno

    Aliero Adamu

     

    Kalu Orji

     

    Dickson Seriake

     

    Zam Titus

     

    Yahaya Abdullahi

     

    Adeola Solomon

     

    Sani Musa

     

    Abiru Mukhail, as well as the entire leadership of the Senate.

  • Key highlights revealed as Senate approves 2025-2027 MTEF/FSP

    Key highlights revealed as Senate approves 2025-2027 MTEF/FSP

    The Senate, on Tuesday, approved the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

    The approval was sequel to presentation and adoption of the report of Joint Committee on Finance, National Planning and Economic Affairs at plenary in Abuja.

    The report was presented by the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger).

    Highlights of the approved recommendations of 2025-2027 MTEF/FSP include: approval of projected oil benchmark prices of $75.3 per barrel for 2025, 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.

    The senate also approved the three-year projection for domestic crude oil production, which had a significant increase from 1.78 million barrels per day in the preceding year to 2.6, 2.1 and 2.35 for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

    It equally approved the projected exchange rate of N1,400 to one dollar for 2025, 2026 and 2027 fiscal years, subject to review in the early 2025, based on monetary and fiscal policies.

    The upper legislative chamber approved the projected inflation rates of 15.75 per cent, 14.21 per cent and 10.04 per cent for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

    It further approved the projected Gross Domestic Product (GPD) growth rate of 4.6 per cent, 4.4 per cent and 5.5 per cent for 2025, 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.

    Given the criteria on review of the framework for revenue and expenses, the approved 2025 budget proposed spending stood at N47.9 trillion, of which N34.82 trillion was retained.

    New borrowings, which stood at N9.22 trillion, consisting of domestic and foreign borrowings, were also approved.

    While debt service was valued at N15.38 trillion, pensions, gratuities and retirees’ benefits stood at N1.443 trillion, and fiscal deficit at N13.08 trillion.

    The senate approved the projected capital expenditure of N16.48 trillion, exclusive of statutory transfers which stood at N4.26 trillion, while the sinking fund was projected at N430.27 billion.

    Another approval was the projected total recurrent non-debt of N14.21 trillion and special intervention for recurrent and capital of N200 billion and N7 billion.

    It further approved issuance of promissory note programme and bond issuance to settle outstanding claims and liabilities of the Federal Government to state governments.

    The senate also approved a quarterly investigative hearing with revenue generating agencies to track their compliance with Fiscal Responsibility Act and reprimand clear contravention of the act.

    The upper legislative chamber equally approved that Committee on Finance and Customs initiate an investigative inquiry into operations of import duty exemption certificate programme, with focus on import waivers, its impact on revenue losses by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Nigerian Customs Service.

    The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks after the passage of the expenditure framework, commended members of the joint committee and other lawmakers for their legislative inputs, leading to the approval of the 2025, 2026 and 2027 MTEF and FSP.

  • Senate confirms Oluyede as substantive Chief of Army Staff

    Senate confirms Oluyede as substantive Chief of Army Staff

    The Senate on Tuesday at plenary confirmed the appointment of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    The confirmation followed the adoption of a report of the Committee on Army on screening of Oluyede.

    The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC-Katsina).

    Yar’Adua said the committee was impressed with the high level of understanding, achievements and excellence stated in the credential of the nominee.

    He said the nomination of Oluyede is in line with Section 217, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    He also said that the nomination is in accordance with the provisions of Section 18, Subsection 1 of the Armed Forces Act.

    He explained that “the nominee possesses the required competence, experience and educational qualifications to be conferred with Chief of Army Staff.

    Yar’adua said the nominee had been cleared by the DSS, and went through the correct process of promotion till date, qualifying him to occupy the position of Chief of Army Staff.

    He said the committee had diligently and meticulously conducted the screening of the nominee and was satisfied with his conduct, competence, experience and educational qualification and

    urged the Senate to confirm the nomination.

    The Senate, thereafter, confirmed the appointment of Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.

  • Northern Senators in secret meeting over controversial Tax Reform Bills

    Northern Senators in secret meeting over controversial Tax Reform Bills

    Northern Senators convened a secret meeting on Thursday, lasting over two hours, following the Senate’s passage of the contentious Tax Reform Bills for a second reading.

    The secret meeting was held in Room 301 of the National Assembly Complex, was announced during the day’s plenary, sparking speculation about the agenda.

    However, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, refrained from divulging the details of their deliberations.

    The Tax Reform Bills, which include significant changes to Nigeria’s fiscal landscape, have drawn considerable attention. Earlier in the day, the Senate instructed its Committee on Finance to organize a public hearing involving state governors, the Governors Forum, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders. The committee is expected to present its findings and recommendations within six weeks.

    During plenary, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) spearheaded discussions on the bills, emphasizing their importance for modernizing the nation’s tax framework. The four bills include:

    The Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 – designed to establish a comprehensive fiscal framework for taxation in the country.

    The Tax Administration Bill – aimed at providing a unified legal structure for all taxes in Nigeria while minimizing disputes and ambiguities.

    The Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill – which seeks to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service for improved efficiency in tax collection.

    The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill – intended to create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman to resolve disputes and enhance accountability in revenue management.

    The Senate described the reform bills as critical to ensuring sustainable revenue generation and streamlining tax administration. Lawmakers highlighted the need for robust engagement with stakeholders to address potential concerns and ensure a fair and inclusive tax system.

    However, the Northern Senators’ meeting has raised questions about whether regional interests or specific provisions within the bills influenced the closed-door discussions. The region’s lawmakers have previously expressed concerns about the disproportionate fiscal burdens placed on states with lower internally generated revenues, often reliant on federal allocations.

    Observers are keenly watching for outcomes from the public hearing and the Senate Finance Committee’s report, as the Tax Reform Bills could significantly reshape Nigeria’s fiscal policies and their impact on citizens and businesses.

  • Senate pays glowing tribute to late Joseph Wayas

    Senate pays glowing tribute to late Joseph Wayas

    The Senate, on Thursday, at plenary, paid glowing tribute to the late Joseph Wayas, who died on Nov. 30, 2021, at 80.

    Wayas was Nigeria’s Senate President during the Second Republic.

    The Leader of the Senate, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, while leading the valedictory session in honour of the late Wayas, gave an overview of his lifetime journey.

    He said that the late Wayas was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross-River State on May 21, 1941.

    “He attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. He went to the United Kingdom where he studied at the Higher Tottenham Technical College, London, the West Bronwich College of Commerce, Science and Technology, Birmingham and Aston University.

    “Returning to Nigeria, he worked as a manager from 1960-1969 for several companies in Nigeria and the United Kingdom;

    “He also joined the Federal Government in 1969-72. He was commissioner for Transport, South-Eastern State, now Akwa Ibom and Cross River states from 1972-74.

    “With the transition to civil rule in 1979, Sen. Wayas was elected to the Senate on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform and appointed Senate President.

    “He represented the Ogoja Senatorial District alongside Sen. Joseph Ansa who represented Calabar Senatorial District.”

    In his tribute, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP- Bayelsa) said that Wayas, during his lifetime, gave his very best.

    “He had an opportunity to preside over the chamber in the second republic, an assignment he carried on with dignity to the best of his abilities.”

    Also, Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro said, “Wayas was homely, amiable and was all smiles every time.

    “He was a very committed Nigerian. He presided over the Senate when Nigeria was struggling to get her foothold on democracy and procedures of democracy.

    “Aside the founding fathers of democracy in Nigeria, Wayas was the founding father of the new generation of democrats at that time.”

    In his tribute, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said that Wayas brought glamour and candour to the legislature.

    Recall that the corpse of Wayas, who died in a London hospital, was brought to Nigeria on July 10, 2024 after over two years in a United Kingdom morgue.

    He is due for burial in Cross River State on Nov. 30, three years after his demise.

  • Tinubu asks Senate to confirm CCB Governing Board members

    Tinubu asks Senate to confirm CCB Governing Board members

    The Senate has received President Bola Tinubu’s request for confirmation of appointment of three persons as members of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The letter was read on Thursday by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at plenary.

    The president, in the letter, said that the confirmation of CCB board members’ appointment was in accordance with the provisions of Sections 154(1) and paragraph 1(a) and (b) of part 1 to the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    The letter gave the names of the members as: Mr  Fatai Ibikunle, Mr Kennedy Ikpeme and Retired Justice Ibrahim Buba.

    “While it is my hope that the senate will consider and confirm the nominees in the usual expeditious manner. Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my best regards,” he said.

  • Tinubu’s controversial tax reform Bills scale through second reading in Senate

    Tinubu’s controversial tax reform Bills scale through second reading in Senate

    The Senate has passed four controversial tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu for second reading.

    The bills passed second reading after Opeyemi Bamidele, Majority Leader of the Senate, led a debate on them on Thursday.

    This comes after several political leaders and stakeholders kicked against the proposed Tax Reform Bills.

    Recall that the Senate plenary on Wednesday had a rowdy session as the controversial tax reform bills surfaced for debate without being listed on the Order Paper, which usually outline the agenda of the day’s proceedings.