Ecobank Nigeria has launched “Move on Up,” a new fully-integrated consumer advertising campaign. Move on Up is centered on the bank’s drive to ensure that consumers have world-class accessible and convenient digital banking solutions across the country.
Speaking on the new product, the Ecobank Nigeria’s Managing Director, Charles Kie said: “We are delighted to be launching this campaign in Nigeria. Ecobank Nigeria has grown consistently over the years to become a well-recognized corporate brand in the Nigerian banking industry.
“Our mission is to ensure that our customers have access to world-class, convenient, accessible and reliable banking solutions in Nigeria. This new campaign demonstrates how we are fulfilling that mission.”
That was even as the Bank’s Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director, Tony Okpanachi said: “the new campaign also showcases our widest ever range of banking solutions and the many ways Ecobank helps consumers every day.”
The bank said that ‘Move on Up’ rests on three pillars with the first as digital convenience. “Customers want the convenience of banking, from being able to pay with an Ecobank card to making financial transactions on their mobile phones, over the internet, at automated teller machines and at different points of sale.
“The second pillar is relevance. Ecobank creates personal banking solutions that are relevant to its customers, such as a range of accounts packaged together as bundles.
“The final pillar is choice. This comes via the accessibility of wide-ranging products and services, thanks to Ecobank’s leading Pan-African platform.
Ecobank Group’s Head of Marketing, Ama Okyere, who led the development and production of Move on Up, said: “this fully-integrated consumer advertising campaign demonstrates Ecobank’s relevance in our consumer’s life. We are pleased to roll it out in Nigeria, a key market for Ecobank.”
Move on Up was produced by Ecobank’s full service agency, Brand Communications Group. The campaign will be rolled out across the African countries where Ecobank has a retail presence. [myad]
I have followed the drama and intrigues being played out by the sacked Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee, Hon Jibrin Abdulmumin with restrained but keen interest.
I have also looked at the gamut of documents and records (that actually are injurious to collective privilege of the house under the law) and found nothing criminal or corrupt on the face of them to warrant the total dedication of media focus and the interest of the Presidency and indeed the security agencies as has been exhibited in the past week.
I am at loss to understand under what powers the DSS can enter and seal up the NASS in a democracy and the vocal forces are urging them on without regard to the detrimental effects of such lawlessness on the foundation of our democracy.
In listening to lawyers, experts, commentators and sundry analysts, I continually failed to get a clear understanding of the criminal misconduct or breach of the constitution by the popular “budget padding” everyone was asking that the internal processes of the legislature should be overridden so that the EFCC, DSS, the Police and may be the Army may even be unleashed on the legislature to tear it down.
Because all I hear is that projects that were not proposed by Mr. President were alleged to have been introduced (not implemented) by some leaders of the House of Representatives and later eight other members by a man who signed off the same budget in April as perfect while serving as Chairman Appropriation Committee, wrote members to defend it against any attempts by the Executive to the contrary, was found to have added too many projects behind his colleagues into the budget for which Mr. President withheld assent, got removed as Chairman in July and the suddenly became a “Robbin Hood” a week later accusing every foe of wrongdoing while still concealing his own projects in the final budget.
I am certain that after this opinion, I will also become the ninth accused member with the release of an additional set of “records and documents” indicting me. So I kept looking out for something that clearly states the ground of the popular call for the persecution and prosecution of all members of the NASS but found none credible or even coherent given the provisions of the constitution and legislative precedent.
Then I stumbled upon a chart published the online medium, PREMIUM TIMES, and titled “HOW TO PAD THE NIGERIAN BUDGET (aka) HOW TO STEAL OUR MONEY.”
Then it became all clear to me as either a genuine misunderstanding of the roles and limit of the powers of the NASS, a conscious avoidance of that understanding, a deliberate blackmail or a programmed push for leadership change in the House using a populist story twisted out of context.
Using the Premium Times “definition” of “budget padding” as displayed and seeing the level of “collaboration and partnership” across causes and interests, it became even clearer that the agenda is far from what is presented.
Tell me where is the criminality therein at the level of the Nass as an institution if the alleged “cash loot” happens within the executive branch where ALL projects are implemented?
Of course, if anyone has any evidence of movement of funds without contract implementation or undue influence in the course of contract award, it’s for that person to furnish relevant security agencies with the information to deal with in accordance extant laws. But to now attempt a blanket blackmail of the Nass not to undertake its constitutional role of law making (appropriation inclusive) is unconstitutional, criminal and inherently unacceptable.
If any member of the house is prepared to merely “rubber stamps” executive proposals in the name of “not being corrupt” or “not to be accused of corruption”, I am not; and I believe that the majority of the members are not.
For God Sake, which court has ruled against the constitutional power of the Nass to “amend, reduce from or add to” the estimates proposed by the executive? Is it not concern that no one (including the AGF) wants to approach the courts (which Obj did during his time but later withdrew anyway) to test those powers or even to seek Supreme Court interpretation of the combined effects of sections 4, 59, 80 and 81 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) with respect to the inherent powers of the legislature to amend budgetary estimates proposed by Mr President? No one should, therefore, lend oneself to the use of anti-democratic forces whose wishes are far from what they pretend to preach in this matter.
Indeed any member of the house or group of members can as well take this matter to court rather than undertaking the ignoble or opaque roles of “bulls in a china shop” or agents provocateur.
If Hon Jibrin, I or any group of members have any axe to grind with Dogara and anyone else, it’s alright to do so personally but not to purposefully and contemptuously ridicule the institution of the legislature the way it’s being done at the moment in the hope of a forced leadership change arising from open blackmail and media trial. I choose to stand against such criminality on behalf of the constituency I represent. However, if actionable acts of criminal misconduct is established against the House leadership or anyone of them, I would similarly stand for responsible account and sanction as may be necessary.
I would wish to be schooled on the “fire-proof” safeguards preventing executive-initiated projects from being “executed” in a similar or worse manner as the pictorial display from Premium Times depicts. Or that indeed that has not been the manner of implementation of those projects for which abandoned projects abound in trillions of naira. What exactly is angelic and saintly about the executive that totally lacks in the legislature that all projects initiated by them are free of the ill of non implementation or “cash looting” as against the constituency projects?
Now what is really criminal about the so called “constituency projects” or better stated “zonal intervention funds”? A fund that is proposed in the budget estimates by the executive and allocated on a standing formula to all members of the National Assembly? Then implemented by the executive to the total exclusion of the legislature? Supervised by either the defunct MDG on the same parameters as its own hundreds of billions of naira in similar projects or more recently by the Ministry of Special Duties reporting directly to Mr President?
Why should the executive hold the NASS responsible for its own failures, if truly the projects are manipulated in the course of implementation by executive branch agencies? What is the guarantee that if those heads of MDAs can so corruptly manipulate the constituency projects, that the larger chunk of the annual capital budget (mandate projects of the MDAs) are not similarly manipulated on a yearly basis? Recall that the constituency project fund since 2012 has been N100billion or about 5% of 2016 capital appropriation.
Why are we not seeking a holistic reform of budget implementation (as different from preparation) to ensure effective, efficient, value for money and wholesome outcomes? It may be of benefit to know that over 21 other jurisdictions have one form of constituency project fund or another, including the USA and Kenya. Why exactly is it important for the APC government to blackmail the Nigerian legislature out of its own model that is implemented wholly by the executive itself?
If on the other hand the members of the NASS want a change or review of the existing distribution formula that obviously favours the leadership, is it not for them to do so through existing internal mechanisms as envisaged by section 60 of the constitution and the Senate and House rules.
It is my hope that this brouhaha that’s being so viciously promoted by the same forces that wanted “an executive leadership” for the Nass to tarnish and blackmail the Legislature into fear and timidity will rather unit members more to seek greater independence and jealously guard that independence in the interest of our maturing democracy. For should they succeed in forcing a leadership on us, this government will completely “unitarize” our democracy and complete the push for a repressive and totalitarian brand of “democracy” hitherto unknown to literature.
I am, therefore, much more enamored going forward; to defend the constitution by insisting on the long established “powers of the purse” of the legislature unless and until the constitution is amended or upturned by the Supreme Court. And I will stand by the leadership of Dogara and his team in that regard. It is my hope that many more members will do the same.
The veiled attempt at leadership change in the House of Representatives will definitely fail because Pro-Democracy members will remain on a perpetual alert to defend what is just!
God help Nigeria.
*Rep. Linus Okorie, FCA represents Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency of Ebonyi state.
In a bizarre moment, Republican nominee, Donald Trump somewhat jokingly kicked a crying baby out of his rally Tuesday morning.
Trump, who was campaigning in Ashburn, Va., was talking about trade before being interrupted by the baby. He initially told the mother not to worry about the commotion.
“Don’t worry about that baby, I love babies,” Trump said. “I hear that baby crying and I like it. What a beautiful baby. … It’s young and beautiful and healthy, and that’s what we want.”
Trump continued, only to be interrupted by the baby again. This time, he suggested booting the baby from the event.
“Actually, I was only kidding, you can get the baby out of here,” the business mogul said to laughter.
“That’s all right. Don’t worry. I think she really believed me that I love having a baby crying while I’m speaking. That’s OK. People don’t understand. That’s OK.” [myad]
Middle: The President of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Patrice Talon, inspecting parade of guards during his official one-day visit to Nigeria, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, August 2nd. Photo By Sunday Aghaeze. [myad]
There are indications that the Ekiti state governor may regain his multi billion naira properties seized by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), if the Commission does not move fast to fulfil the court orders.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who had earlier ruled, authorizing the EFC to seize some properties belonging to governor Fayose pending the completion of an ongoing investigation, said that the order of interim forfeiture made on July 20 had a lifespan of 45 days from the date it was issued.
The judge ordered that the EFCC must conclude its investigation within the 45 days lifespan of the order, adding that the order would automatically dissolve if the EFCC failed to serve a motion on notice seeking its extension on Fayose at least five days to its expiration.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba had ruled that the order of interim forfeiture did not violate the provisions of section 308 of the Constitution which confers immunity from civil and criminal proceedings on the governor.
“It is my considered opinion that the order of court, made on July 20, 2016 in respect of some property of the applicant, and within the limited scope and duration within which it was obtained, was duly procured and does not offend the provision of the Constitution referred to.
“Although Section 308 of the Constitution serves to isolate governors of states from the distraction of litigation and legal proceedings, to enable them to attend to official responsibilities, it should not be interpreted in such a way as to defeat the fight against corruption, to mean that the EFCC or other investigating agencies cannot take a peep into the assets or personal accounts of a serving governor in the execution of a strictly worded and mutually supervised interim attachment orders for the purposes of obtaining evidence for use in future when the immunity has lapsed.”
Justice Dimgba delivered his ruling on Tuesday shortly after hearing the application by Fayose’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), asking the court to set aside the interim forfeiture orders on 10 grounds.
EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Andrew Akoja, opposed the application insisting that the commission had violated no law by obtaining the order.
The properties affected by the interim forfeiture orders re-affirmed by the court on Tuesday are four sets of four-bedroom apartments at Charlets 3, 4, 6 and 9, Plot 100, Tiaminu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The two others are at 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja and Plot 1504 Yedzeram Street, Maitama Abuja. [myad]
Several military commanders and base heads in the Niger Delta have made it categorically clear that they will not negotiate the unity of Nigeria and that it will remain an indivisible entity.
This was the outcome of a meeting which the commanders and military heads, held on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, to review the new strategic direction of Operation Delta Safe (ODS).
Tuesday’s meeting, which lasted several hours at the Joint Task Force Headquarters in Igbogene, was in apparent response to recent pronouncements by militant groups in the region that they had concluded plans to create an independent republic.
It was learnt that part of the agenda of the interactive session which drew sector heads from Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ondo, was to forge a common front against the violent agitators who have been destroying critical oil and gas infrastructure in the region.
The JTF Commander, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, who spoke to newsmen on behalf of his colleagues, maintained that every Nigerian has the right to move around anywhere in the country without fear of molestation.
He explained the deployment of heavily armed security operatives to the region, saying that the military has the duty to maintain peace in the area. He assured all residents of the readiness of the military to quell any threat to security in the area.
“All I want to say is that the federal republic of Nigeria belongs to all of us. The armed forces can move anywhere at any time. ODS covers the whole of Niger Delta maritime area.
“So, if you see heavy presence in a village or town, it’s just our routine patrol we are carrying out. It is just the presence, and we have the right to be present there. At least nobody has complained of molestation.
“It’s also about the information passed round recently about some faceless individuals creating certain republics for themselves. This will not be allowed to happen.” [myad]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has conferred the citizenship of Abuja to the President of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Patrice Talon.
The minister, who received Talon at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday, also presented him w.
The Minister said that the key to the City of Abuja confers on him the Honorary Citizenship of Abuja, with all the rights and privileges. He emphasized that this honour has been bestowed on the visiting President as a mark of respect for the strong friendship and cordial relationship between the people of Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Benin. Muhammad Bello told the visiting President that Abuja is the symbol of national unity of the country and that it is a rare privilege to have President Talon to be in the city. Responding, the Benenoise President, who led a strong delegation of Benin Government and people to have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, appreciated the honour done to him. President Talon said that Nigeria and Benin have long standing historical and diplomatic relationship that ought to be strengthened for the mutual benefit of the two countries. “I am highly honoured with this kind gesture and this is an opportunity to open the city of Abuja to every Benin citizen.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Management Team (EMT), on Tuesday, held a consultative forum with a team of notable economic and financial experts to battle the economic recession in the country.
The meeting, which was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, listened to strategies and suggestions on how best to reflate the economy bring it out of recession and promptly restore growth topped the agenda.
The Vice President expressed the President’s determination to continuously consider and adopt policies that would boost business, increase employment and provide succor to the poor and disadvantaged.
Professor Osinbajo said: “we will continue to engage with experts and other stakeholders so we can measure progress of the economic policies that have been put in place. The challenges are many but the opportunities are much greater, we are clearly on the path to building an economy that will create jobs and ensure inclusive growth.”
According to a statement by the senior special assistant to the Vice President on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, the The EMT meets weekly and also holds special consultations with members of the private sector and economic experts from time to time.
He named experts who attended the four-hour long special meeting as Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Mr. Bode Augusto, Professor Akpan Ekpo, Dr. Ayo Teriba and Professor Badayi Sani.
Akande said that issues discussed at the consultative forum include the review of the new foreign exchange regime and its effect on the economy as well as the draft Medium Term Economic Framework for 2017-2019.
“The EMT members and the experts made a plethora of suggestions on how to reflate the economy, especially through massive infrastructural spending with active private sector participation, ensure pro-people economic policies, and increase the supply of dollars to the forex market among other issues. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated the Media Adviser to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Sunday Dare as one of the executive commissioners in the newly constituted board of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).
According to a statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina the President nominated Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, in a letter dated August 2, 2016, sent to President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, as Chairman of the commission.
Others whom the President nominated as Non-Executive Commissioners, according to Adesina, include: Aliyu Sa’idu Abubakar (North East), Clement Omeiza Baiye (North Central), Chief Okoi Ofem Obono Obla (South South), Pastor Ezekiel Yissa (North Central) and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (South East). [myad]
President of Togo Republic, Faure Gnassingbe has expressed surprise on how the African richest man and President of Dangote Group of companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has been able to be in the forefront in the transformation of frican economy with investment drive.
The President emphasized that Dangote has emerged as a man with a mission to aggressively transform the African economy.
President Gnassingbe, who spoke when he visited the Dangote Refinery project in Lagos on Tuesday, said that Dangote is a worthy son of Africa who has chosen to buoy the economic activities of the continent with his investments.
“Aliko Dangote is our pride in Africa and his aggressive investment drive towards developing the economies of the continent should be lauded.”
This was even as Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode, who received the Togolese the Dangote Refinery and Fertilizer projects, said the projects will change the face of both Lagos state and Nigeria, once it is completed.
“I understand your interest in the progress of this project Mr President. This investment is one of the biggest in Africa today and it will have a huge impact not only on the economy of all Nigerians but also of the West African region when completed… Apart from creating jobs, this refinery will also contribute immensely to solving the fuel supply challenge in the West African region”
Governor Ambode lauded Aliko Dangote and thanked him for his confidence in the Lagos economy, adding: “we also thank Aliko Dangote himself for his confidence in the Lagos economy. This project is a strong confirmation that Lagos is a prime investment destination…this project shows that there is a positive investment climate in Lagos which has resulted in massive investors’ confidence. We believe strongly that the future prosperity of West Africa is in collaboration between the government and the private sector”
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah described Aliko Dangote as an African Champion that is bent on developing not only Nigeria but Africa as a whole. He said both the Refinery and Fertilizer projects clearly demonstrate the partnership between the Government and the private sector.
“What we are seeing here is a demonstration of partnership between the government and the private sector at its best. Nobody goes through this site without understanding the power of the private sector to power an economy. We can all envision about what Africans should be but we know we need champions. I think one thing everybody accepts, whether you admire, respect or challenge Dangote or not, is that he is indeed an African champion; he is a Nigerian champion and he will continue to be. He has a choice to invest anywhere in the world but he has chosen to invest and reinvest and reinvest in Nigeria and Africa. So we are very interested in what you are doing and we assure you of the support of the government.”
Alhaji Dangote, who thanked the Togolese President for the honour done him by his visit to his projects, said that the projects would cost a minimum of $17 billion.
He said that the $12 billion refinery would have a capacity of 650,000 barrels a day even as he assured that there will be market for the refined products because even in Africa, only three countries have effective functioning refinery with others importing from abroad.
Dangote named the countries with refinery as Egypt, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire, saying: “Our refinery will be ready in the first quarter of 2019. Mechanical completion will be end of 2018 but we will start producing in 2019.”
When the projects fully take off in 2019, Dangote said, it would help the country save $5 billion spent on the importation of oil into the country.
The refinery, petrochemicals and fertilizer in one spot according to him, is the single largest stream in the world.
“This site is the biggest site in the world, the refinery is the biggest single refinery in the world, and the petrochemicals are 13 times bigger than Eleme Petrochemicals while the fertilizer plant will be 10 times bigger than former National Fertilizer Company.”
He explained that the project with the $2 billion fertilizer unit was being funded through loans, export credit agencies and own equity.
Dangote said that the diversification of Nigeria economy is long over-due and that one sector that Nigeria can focuse on to rejuvenate the economy is agriculture. according to him, his investment in fertilizer is one sure way the diversification into agriculture could succeed because according to him, it will amount to little if focus is directed to agriculture and fertilizers would be imported.
“Agriculture is the way to go, but a critical component of that sector is fertilizers, Nigeria has more arable land than China which now is the biggest economy in the world, we can tap into our vast land and produce what we need and even export the remaining.
“By the time we complete this project, there will be opportunity to take on agriculture and say bye to poverty, because there will be jobs; no sector has more job potential than agriculture.” Dangote said that the project was an ambitious one and that when completed; it will give Nigeria a new economic direction in the quest for diversification of the economy, as excess products would be imported to give Nigeria the much needed foreign exchange. [myad]
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Calculated Assault On Legislature, Using Budget Padding As Facade, By Linus Okorie
I have followed the drama and intrigues being played out by the sacked Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee, Hon Jibrin Abdulmumin with restrained but keen interest.
I have also looked at the gamut of documents and records (that actually are injurious to collective privilege of the house under the law) and found nothing criminal or corrupt on the face of them to warrant the total dedication of media focus and the interest of the Presidency and indeed the security agencies as has been exhibited in the past week.
I am at loss to understand under what powers the DSS can enter and seal up the NASS in a democracy and the vocal forces are urging them on without regard to the detrimental effects of such lawlessness on the foundation of our democracy.
In listening to lawyers, experts, commentators and sundry analysts, I continually failed to get a clear understanding of the criminal misconduct or breach of the constitution by the popular “budget padding” everyone was asking that the internal processes of the legislature should be overridden so that the EFCC, DSS, the Police and may be the Army may even be unleashed on the legislature to tear it down.
Because all I hear is that projects that were not proposed by Mr. President were alleged to have been introduced (not implemented) by some leaders of the House of Representatives and later eight other members by a man who signed off the same budget in April as perfect while serving as Chairman Appropriation Committee, wrote members to defend it against any attempts by the Executive to the contrary, was found to have added too many projects behind his colleagues into the budget for which Mr. President withheld assent, got removed as Chairman in July and the suddenly became a “Robbin Hood” a week later accusing every foe of wrongdoing while still concealing his own projects in the final budget.
I am certain that after this opinion, I will also become the ninth accused member with the release of an additional set of “records and documents” indicting me. So I kept looking out for something that clearly states the ground of the popular call for the persecution and prosecution of all members of the NASS but found none credible or even coherent given the provisions of the constitution and legislative precedent.
Then I stumbled upon a chart published the online medium, PREMIUM TIMES, and titled “HOW TO PAD THE NIGERIAN BUDGET (aka) HOW TO STEAL OUR MONEY.”
Then it became all clear to me as either a genuine misunderstanding of the roles and limit of the powers of the NASS, a conscious avoidance of that understanding, a deliberate blackmail or a programmed push for leadership change in the House using a populist story twisted out of context.
Using the Premium Times “definition” of “budget padding” as displayed and seeing the level of “collaboration and partnership” across causes and interests, it became even clearer that the agenda is far from what is presented.
Tell me where is the criminality therein at the level of the Nass as an institution if the alleged “cash loot” happens within the executive branch where ALL projects are implemented?
Of course, if anyone has any evidence of movement of funds without contract implementation or undue influence in the course of contract award, it’s for that person to furnish relevant security agencies with the information to deal with in accordance extant laws. But to now attempt a blanket blackmail of the Nass not to undertake its constitutional role of law making (appropriation inclusive) is unconstitutional, criminal and inherently unacceptable.
If any member of the house is prepared to merely “rubber stamps” executive proposals in the name of “not being corrupt” or “not to be accused of corruption”, I am not; and I believe that the majority of the members are not.
For God Sake, which court has ruled against the constitutional power of the Nass to “amend, reduce from or add to” the estimates proposed by the executive? Is it not concern that no one (including the AGF) wants to approach the courts (which Obj did during his time but later withdrew anyway) to test those powers or even to seek Supreme Court interpretation of the combined effects of sections 4, 59, 80 and 81 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) with respect to the inherent powers of the legislature to amend budgetary estimates proposed by Mr President? No one should, therefore, lend oneself to the use of anti-democratic forces whose wishes are far from what they pretend to preach in this matter.
Indeed any member of the house or group of members can as well take this matter to court rather than undertaking the ignoble or opaque roles of “bulls in a china shop” or agents provocateur.
If Hon Jibrin, I or any group of members have any axe to grind with Dogara and anyone else, it’s alright to do so personally but not to purposefully and contemptuously ridicule the institution of the legislature the way it’s being done at the moment in the hope of a forced leadership change arising from open blackmail and media trial. I choose to stand against such criminality on behalf of the constituency I represent. However, if actionable acts of criminal misconduct is established against the House leadership or anyone of them, I would similarly stand for responsible account and sanction as may be necessary.
I would wish to be schooled on the “fire-proof” safeguards preventing executive-initiated projects from being “executed” in a similar or worse manner as the pictorial display from Premium Times depicts. Or that indeed that has not been the manner of implementation of those projects for which abandoned projects abound in trillions of naira. What exactly is angelic and saintly about the executive that totally lacks in the legislature that all projects initiated by them are free of the ill of non implementation or “cash looting” as against the constituency projects?
Now what is really criminal about the so called “constituency projects” or better stated “zonal intervention funds”? A fund that is proposed in the budget estimates by the executive and allocated on a standing formula to all members of the National Assembly? Then implemented by the executive to the total exclusion of the legislature? Supervised by either the defunct MDG on the same parameters as its own hundreds of billions of naira in similar projects or more recently by the Ministry of Special Duties reporting directly to Mr President?
Why should the executive hold the NASS responsible for its own failures, if truly the projects are manipulated in the course of implementation by executive branch agencies? What is the guarantee that if those heads of MDAs can so corruptly manipulate the constituency projects, that the larger chunk of the annual capital budget (mandate projects of the MDAs) are not similarly manipulated on a yearly basis? Recall that the constituency project fund since 2012 has been N100billion or about 5% of 2016 capital appropriation.
Why are we not seeking a holistic reform of budget implementation (as different from preparation) to ensure effective, efficient, value for money and wholesome outcomes? It may be of benefit to know that over 21 other jurisdictions have one form of constituency project fund or another, including the USA and Kenya. Why exactly is it important for the APC government to blackmail the Nigerian legislature out of its own model that is implemented wholly by the executive itself?
If on the other hand the members of the NASS want a change or review of the existing distribution formula that obviously favours the leadership, is it not for them to do so through existing internal mechanisms as envisaged by section 60 of the constitution and the Senate and House rules.
It is my hope that this brouhaha that’s being so viciously promoted by the same forces that wanted “an executive leadership” for the Nass to tarnish and blackmail the Legislature into fear and timidity will rather unit members more to seek greater independence and jealously guard that independence in the interest of our maturing democracy. For should they succeed in forcing a leadership on us, this government will completely “unitarize” our democracy and complete the push for a repressive and totalitarian brand of “democracy” hitherto unknown to literature.
I am, therefore, much more enamored going forward; to defend the constitution by insisting on the long established “powers of the purse” of the legislature unless and until the constitution is amended or upturned by the Supreme Court. And I will stand by the leadership of Dogara and his team in that regard. It is my hope that many more members will do the same.
The veiled attempt at leadership change in the House of Representatives will definitely fail because Pro-Democracy members will remain on a perpetual alert to defend what is just!
God help Nigeria.
*Rep. Linus Okorie, FCA represents Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency of Ebonyi state.