The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has declared that N370.4 billion was shared among the federal, state and local governments as revenue for January 2016. Adeosun, who addressed newsmen on the outcome of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, said that the shared amount comprised of the month’s statutory revenue of N290.9 billion. The minister said that there was an exchange gain of N3.4 billion, which was proposed for distribution. The minister said that the money shared included the N6.3 billion that was refunded to the federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. “Therefore, the total revenue distributable for the month of January, including VAT of N69.7 billion, is N370.4 billion.” In December 2015, a total sum of N387.8 billion was shared to the three tiers of government as revenue even as the January allocation shows a decrease of N17.4 billion. Giving the breakdown of revenue among the three tiers of government, Adeosun said the Federal Government received N137.5 billion, representing 52.68 per cent, while states got N69.7 billion, representing 26.72 per cent. The minister said that the local governments received N53.7 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed. She also said that N22.4 billion, representing 13 per cent derivation revenue, was shared among oil producing states. Adeosun added that the country generated N173.7 billion as mineral revenue and N117.3 billion as non-mineral revenue in January, a decrease of N40.9 billion and an increase of N16.9 billion respectively from what the country generated in the preceding month. She announced that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECC) was $2.25 billion, adding that acts of vandalism on oil pipelines, among other factors, had continued to negatively impact on oil revenue generation.
“The shut-in and shut-down of production for repairs and maintenance continued during the period under review. “However, there was a slight increase in production of crude in December 2015 but the resulting income was marginal due to a 10 per cent drop in crude oil prices. “The drop in the average price of crude oil from $43.40 in November to $39.04 in December 2015 resulted in a revenue loss of $22.55 million.” [myad]
After a successful two-week of exciting polo, music, fashion, champagnes and cocktails, the 2016 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament finally came to a grand close on Sunday, February 21 at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, Lagos.
From thrilling performances by players and music stars, to the dazzling GTBank Lounge where guests were treated to epicurean cuisine and vintage wine, the 2016 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament lived up to its billing as the best tournament ever. Elite, stylish and extravagant are few words that describe this year’s event, as the social scene at the annual Lagos polo tournament was as much of a show as the game on the pitch.
Following a two-year hiatus, the organizers set out to host an event second to none and unparallel on every front. The game attracted everyone from big name politicians, aristocrats, traditional leaders, sport lovers and the full panoply of professional players from Argentina, Syria and South Africa.
An exciting first stage of the high-class tournament came to a close on Valentine’s Day with Lagos Shoreline emerging the biggest winner by clinching the Open Cup at the expense of Lagos Caverton while Lagos dominance of the first stage was highlighted once again by Sao Polo’s win of the Dansa Cup against STL in an all-Lagos final. Lagos Shoreline defeated Lagos Caverton 9-8 to emerge champions of the Open Cup while Lagos Sao Polo beat STL 5-4 1/2 to win the Dansa Cup. The Kola Karim-led Shoreline also added the Oba of Lagos Cup, which they won by beating Lagos Ashbert.
The second stage of the tournament kicked-off on February 16th with three matches in the Low Cup. However, the highlight of this stage was the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup, which is the most-lucrative trophy in Nigerian sports, as it worth N25m for the winners. Fifth Chukker Polo emerged winners of the prestigious Majekodunmi cup having defeated Ironclad/Trojan in the final. In the Low Cup final, Aerovote defeated Lagos Zippy while the last match of the day saw Kano Titans beat Kano Keffi Ponys in the Majekodunmi Subsidiary final to clinch the Governor’s Cup.
Commenting on the GTBank sponsored NPA 2016 Lagos Polo tournament, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc said: “we are proud to partner one of Nigeria’s oldest and most reputable Polo Clubs in delivering an event that is second to none on the Country’s social and sporting calendar, and one that provides a platform for us to connect with our customer segment that play and enjoy the “Sport of Kings.”
Segun Agbaje said that from its profound origins rooted in noble values to the naturally evolving symbiosis between player and horse; Polo reflects pure passion, quality, competitiveness and fair play.
Guaranty Trust Bank plc is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, most especially in sports education. The GTBank Masters Cup as well as the Principals Cup tournaments in Lagos and Ogun states are some of the projects the bank has taken up in this regard. [myad]
Immediate past Nigeria Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke has said that he is proud of his record at the time he served the country.
He declared, in a letter to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo: “I want to assure you that I discharged my duties as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation with conviction, integrity and candor striving at all times to protect national interest. While I acknowledge that I am human and not infallible, I remain very proud of my record of service as Attorney General of the Federation.”
His letter dwelt on the resolution of the dispute between Shell Ultra Deep Nigeria Limited, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited in respect of OPL 245 that has become a subject of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Below is a copy of the letter by Bello Adoke to Vice President Osinbajo.
31st December 2015
His Excellency,
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON
Vice President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock,
Abuja.
Your Excellency,
RE: RESOLUTION OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN SHELL ULTRA DEEP NIGERIA LIMITED, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA (FGN) AND MALABU OIL & GAS LIMITED IN RESPECT OF OPL 245 NOW SUBJECT OF INVESTIGATION BY THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC)
May I respectfully draw Your Excellency’s esteemed attention to the above subject matter which is now a subject of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and to present the true facts in so far as they concern the official and professional role played by the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) during my tenure. This has become necessary in order to set the records straight in view of the spurious allegations, mischievous and misleading publications on the subject matter in the media (particularly the online media).
Your Excellency may please note that except for those whose sole intentions are to denigrate and impugn my integrityfor resisting attempts to use the Office of the HAGF to further narrow selfish business interests, the transaction aforementioned was legitimate, transparent and well documented, and above all, self explanatory. I trust therefore that this brief will afford you the opportunity to dispassionately examine the records and come to a fair and just assessment of the matter.
A few weeks ago, I was informed through the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) that the Federal Ministry of Justice was in receipt of a letter from the EFCC inviting me to its office for an interview on the Malabu Oil Transaction with Shell/ENI. I was however unable to immediately honour that invitation as I was writing my end of semester examinations at the University of Leiden, in the Netherlands where I am currently studying for an Advanced LL.M Degree in Public International Law. I therefore requested that the invitation be deferred to 28th December 2015 pending the completion of my examination.
However, on deep reflection, I found the invitation rather curious, unconventional and mischievous especially as I acted purely in an official capacity and the EFCC could easily have had recourse to the sitting HAGF for clarifications since the records were in the Federal Ministry of Justice as government is a continuum. I therefore phoned the HAGF and notified him of the development and offered a detail explanation of what had transpired. I also impressed on him the need to protect the office from unwarranted attacks and machinations of those out to destroy it in view of its unique constitutional role in governance. I followed up by sending him a written brief with a copy of the attached Comprehensive Position Paper to enable him familiarise himself with the transaction in the event that official files in the Federal Ministry of Justice could not, for one reason or the other, be easily traced.
It was after this development that I was made to understand that there were plans by some individuals who had become aware that I would be honouring the invitation of the EFCC on 28thDecember2015 to humiliate me. I was also informed that these individuals had enlisted a notorious online media (Sahara Reporters) to smear my name with allegations of corruption and bribery and that some agents of the Abacha family and one Lawal Abba acting for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President were behind the scheme. According to the information, their motive was predicated on the following:
(a) the claim that they were shareholders in Malabu Oil & Gas Limited and had been short-changed by the main shareholder of the company, and
(b) that I had refused to use my official position as Attorney General of the Federation to help them get their dues from the main shareholder.
Your Excellency, as preposterous as these assertions were, I was forced to give credence to them when on 27th December 2015, Sahara Reporters and Premium Times published that I was scheduled to appear for interrogation at the EFCC on 28th December 2015 and will thereafter be detained and charged to court. It was also falsely published that I was involved in the Halliburton bribery scandal, when the said scandal predated my tenure. It will be recalled that it was during my tenure that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) under the leadership of General Aliyu Gusau and the EFCC proceeded against the Companies that were involved in the bribery scandal and got them to pay reparations for ‘reputational damage’ to the country totaling almost $180 Million even when by the penal sanctions contained in our laws, the companies could only have paid pittance. The records are there to show what was achieved and that the monies were paid into the Federal Government accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
It is apparent from these publications that the intention is not necessarily the clarifications sought by the EFCC but a carefully orchestrated plan for my assured unjustified persecution, humiliation and disgrace by a known group with interest in the Malabu matter that are aggrieved over my official role in the resolution of the case. The said group has now joined forces with those desperate to malign me by using the present investigation by the EFCC to humiliate my person. My refusal to take a particular position they had sought and impressed upon me after the resolution of the matter was concluded is the root of all this blackmail.
Your Excellency, I make bold to state that any responsible Attorney General of the Federation would have done what I did to safeguard the interest of the country and avoid a liability that potentially stood against the country. It is in this regard that I respectfully urge Your Excellency to carefully consider and ascertain from the documentation supplied, the following facts:
(i) that Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 245 was granted to Malabu Oil & Gas Limited by the administration of General Sani Abacha, GCFR in 1998;
(ii) that OPL 245 was subsequently revoked by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR in 2001and re- allocated to Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) in 2002 under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangement;
(iii) that at the time of revocation and re-award, Malabu and SNUD had a binding Joint Operating Agreement to exploit the block with SNUD as technical partner to the Venture;
(iv) that aggrieved over the revocation, Malabu petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum. After a public hearing, the House condemned the revocation and re- allocation to SNUD and recommended that the block be restored to Malabu;
(v) that Malabu also sued the FGN and SNUD at the FHC in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/420/2003 claiming several declaratory reliefs including an order setting aside the re-allocation to SNUD and a restoration of the block to Malabu. The suit was struck out but on appeal, the parties entered into a settlement dated 30th November 2006 which were executed by my predecessor in office, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, CON;
(vi) that the Terms of Settlement were filed in court as consent judgment and a key term in the settlement was the restoration of the Oil block 245 to Malabu by the FGN;
(vii) that pursuant to the Terms of Settlement, President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006 rescinded his earlier revocation and restored the Oil block 245 to Malabu;
(viii) that at this time SNUD had already expended huge resources of over $500 million to de-risk the Oil block under the existing arrangement with the FGN and had found oil in commercial quantities. This was inspite of the pending litigation instituted by Malabu;
(ix) that Shell was equally aggrieved over the unilateral revocation of the block by the FGN and commenced Arbitration proceedings at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) claiming over $2 billion from the FGN for breach of contract, loss of investment and special damages;
(x) that It was under the above circumstances that I, as AGF encouraged a definitive resolution between the parties who themselves had expressed an intention to settle but were untrusting of each other given their antecedents;
(xi) that title on OPL 245at the date of settlement in 2006 and the Resolution Agreement in 2011 vested exclusively in Malabu subject only to the terms and conditions in the allocation;
(xii) that the interest of the FGN at the time of resolution in 2011 was to ensure the payment of the signature bonus on the block and that the block was developed to enable the country earn revenue through royalty and taxes;
(xiii) that consistent with Nigerian law governing oil and gas and the allocation of oil blocks, the signature bonus due and payable to the FGN amounting to $210 million was duly paid and acknowledged. The taxes and royalties associated with oil produced from the block are also now being paid. This is contrary to the lies and misinformation being peddled that Nigeria was short changed in the transaction.
(xiv) that at all times material to the resolution of the disputes between Malabu/Shell/FGN one Mohammed Sani who now claims to be Mohammed Abacha was not a party to the transaction and did not disclose any personal or family interest in OPL 245 to the administration of Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar GCFR or to the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR;
(xv) that Mohammed Abacha did not participate in the negotiations leading to the resolution or settlement agreements;
(xvi) that Mr. Abacha surfaced only after the tripartite resolution of the matter between Shell/Malabo and the FGN to request that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation should prevail on the main shareholder of Malabu to respect their interests in Malabu by paying them part of the proceeds;
(xvii) that rather than use the courts to resolve their internal company issues in Malabu, they have resorted to the use of the apparatus of state to settle scores with imaginary perceived enemies;
Your Excellency would upon an objective determination of the distilled issues come to the irrebuttable conclusion that at all times material to the resolution of the dispute, conscious efforts were made by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to safeguard national interest. Furthermore, in the negotiations, the office of the Attorney General ensured that all relevant MDAs including the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were represented and participated to ensure compliance with extant laws and processes.
It is therefore incorrect and contrary to as widely claimed in some quarters that the money that was paid to Malabu, which was only warehoused in an escrow account, was meant for the Nigerian Government and that the country was thereby shortchanged. Malabu as title-holder of the oil block merely dispensed of her interest in it as allowed by law. This indeed is the case with similar oil blocks allocated to several notable Nigerians who also disposed of their interests to oil multinationals and are enjoying the proceeds without any eyebrow or allegations of corruption.
Your Excellency, I have explained in detail the history of the transaction trusting that you are in a better position as a one-time Attorney General of Lagos State and the current Vice President to objectively appraise the situation and brief the President truthfully so as to discourage the lies being peddled by mischief makers. This will not only bring my persecution to an end, but also protect the institution that the exalted office of the Attorney General of the Federation represents as well as guarantee its independence and prevent its destruction on the altar of political expediency.
I am not unmindful of the need for public officers to be held accountable for their service. In this respect, if Shell and or ENI have infracted on the laws of their home countries either by non-disclosures and or tax evasion, our duty is to assist their home governments if requested to ascertain the truth but not to undeservedly criminalize our public office holders to satisfy the narrow and selfish interest of shareholders fighting over assets of their company.
While thanking Your Excellency for your patience and valuable time, I want to assure you that I discharged my duties as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation with conviction, integrity and candor striving at all times to protect national interest. While I acknowledge that I am human and not infallible, I remain very proud of my record of service as Attorney General of the Federation.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest regards and personal esteem.
The new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff has vowed to deal with former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode for alleging that he sponsors Boko Haram terrorists.
This was even as Fani-Kayode declared: “we are more than ready to meet Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in court. It would be a pleasure to expose him for what he is. The days of intimidating, silencing and threatening others are long over. If sheriff is a Goliath, let him rest assured that he has finally met his David.”
The embattled PDP Chairman made it clear that this time around, Fani-kayode would not go scot-free. Saying that he lost his blood brother to the activities of Boko Haram sect and wondered why anyone would accuse him of supporting the sect.
The newly sworn-in national chairman blasted those linking him with the resurgence of Boko Haram sect and any other form of terrorism in the north eastern part of the country.
Sheriff, on his Facebook page and Twitter Sheriff , said that he would deal with ‘stubborn’ Fani-Kayode.
He said that no court had linked him with Boko Haram and no one had ever accused him of supporting the group, and wondered why Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, was smiting his name.
“No court of competent jurisdiction has ever linked me with Boko Haram. I will do one thing this time round. People like Femi Fani-Kayode will not go scot-free this time round. Now that I have been given the opportunity to talk, let me say that I have nothing to do with Boko Haram.” He wondered why anyone could accuse him of sponsoring Boko Haram when they killed his blood brother and even attempted to kill him for his refusal to Islamise northern Nigeria.
The PDP chairman said: “They killed my brother, same mother and same father. They said they were going to kill me because I refused to allow them to Islamise northern Nigeria.
“Boko Haram (members) is criminals. My friends are all over the world. The real sponsors of Boko Haram will be caught and I have nothing to do with Boko Haram.” Responding in a statement, Fani-Kayode said that he was amused by the Senator’s threat and that he is waiting with baited breath for his actions.
“Needless to say we stand by everything that we have said,” Fani-Kayode insisted.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that Modu Sheriff is still under investigation for alleged corruption.
Sheriff was arrested by the commission in June last year for alleged embezzlement of public funds during his eight years as governor of Borno State but was granted bail.
His government was said to have received over N300 billion from the Federation Account between 2003 and 2011, an amount alleged to have been mismanaged by Sheriff.
The ex-governor of Borno State was subsequently detained from June 3 to June 4, 2015 and released on administrative bail without being charged to court.
The EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, had said at the time: “We can ask him to come back anytime we need him.” [myad]
Until August last year when the governorship primaries was held in Kogi State, little was known about Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the new governor of the state, in the politics of the state. Bello, became the flagbearer of All Progressives Congress (APC), following the death of the party’s candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu in the supplementary election which held December 5. Subsequently he was sworn in on January 27 by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajanah at a colourful ceremony in Lokoja, the state capital.
From Obscurity To Prominence
Prior to this Bello, who hails from Kogi Central senatorial zone, had contested the governorship primaries in August 2015 but lost to late Audu, first executive governor of the state. Many observers are surprised how Bello who has little or no political antecedents could rise to the exalted position as governor of a state described by many as gateway to the Federal Capital Territory. Judging from the history of past governors in the state who did not emerge from the blues, the question on the lips of many observers is “who is Yahaya Bello?” What then are the factors that influenced his emergence as the youngest governor of the state? Youth- Friendly Chief Executive
Before his decision to contest the governorship election last year, Bello was popular among youths in the state through his non-governmental organisation, Kogi Youths Arise (KYA) . He had used the organisation to help many youths in the state and rallied them to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential election last year. Some people believed that some leaders of PDP in Kogi State supported Bello in order to stop late Audu whom they feared was the only aspirant that could stop the candidate of the party and the incumbent governor at that time. Bello garnered about 703 votes in the primaries to come second. The speculations that Bello became a beautiful bride when the opportunity presented itself after the death of Prince Audu was hinged on his connection with presidency when he worked for the victory of President Buhari in the March 28 presidential elections. He started his professional career as Revenue Officer II with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, rising to the position of Assistant Chief Accountant. Bello had his big break investing in stocks; oil and gas, real estate, and more. His is popularly referred to as “Fair-Plus” due to the success of his transport company, FairPlus International Limited. The company is a transport and courier service company, which has expanded into the retail business with supermarkets. At 40, he is the youngest democratically elected governor in Kogi State’s history. But beyond the euphoria that heralded Bello’s inauguration on January 27, it is instructive to note that the new government is coming into power at a critical moment in the history of the state. The state created about 24 years ago, lacks behind in terms of infrastructural development and provisions of social amenities. For instance, Lokoja the state capital with its vantage location that host both rivers Niger and Benue lacks good roads and portable water. Residents of the town for a long time now have been moving from one end of the town to another in search of water despite the construction of a highly celebrated Lokoja Water project by previous administration. One of the greatest problems facing the state since its creation is the inability of successive government to eliminate ghost workers in the state civil service. It was alleged that the state with the population of 3.2million people according to 2006 census figures has one of the largest workforce of about 28,000 in the country. Several efforts made by previous administrations especially the government of Ibrahim Idris to eliminate the menace through engaging the service of a consultant in 2009 failed to yield positive result as labour unions in the state and other interest groups frustrated the project. Many indigenes of the state are waiting anxiously to see how Bello would be able to confront the big names behind ghost workers syndrome in the state and liberate the state. Analysts believe that if the governor could tackle the problem headlong and reduce the monthly wage bill of the state, Kogi would witness more development . Though the three major ethnic groups in the state, Igala, Ebira and Okun have been together before the creation of Benue State in 1976 when the Igalas and Bassa were excised to join the Tivs and Idomas in the newly created state, the three ethnic groups have been living in mutual suspicion of each other since the creation of the state. It is an expected task for Bello to embark on the mission of uniting the different ethnic groups in the state The Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, (CHRCR), Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul has also tasked the new governor of some major decisions to take. First, he urged Bello in line with the spirit of accountability and transparency, which APC government preaches to quickly declare his assets. “If his acceptance speech is anything to go by then the governor must declare his assets immediately because he promised to take a cue from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari immediately he took over did not hesitate to declare his assets,” he said. The Human rights activist also advised Bello to as soon as possible institute a judicial inquiry into the last administration of Idris Wada in the state. Abdul stated that there is no way the administration could take off effectively without conducting an enquiry into the last administration with the view of ascertaining the true financial position of the state. According to Abdul, Kogi was highly indebted under the past administration of Idris Wada, which had failed the people in many ways. He expressed disappointment over the provision of N2b in the budget for Lokoja stadium project, which was completed over two years ago. Also, for the governor to succeed in the task of transforming the state, Abdul further advised him to make wide consultations devoid of party affiliations. He claimed that the myriads of problems facing the state is beyond party politics which any leader interested in moving the state forward must put politics aside. He further lamented that despite the questionable way the state resources were managed by Wada’s predecessor, Ibrahim Idris, the people of the state were in the dark as regard the true financial position of the state in 2012 when the last administration was sworn in.
Daunting Challenges Before Governor However, judging by Bello’s inaugural speech, it appeared the new governor is not oblivious of the numerous challenges facing the people and is prepared to tackle them. In an emotion laden speech after he was sworn in at Confluence Stadium Lokoja, on January 27, the governor noted that the statistics of poverty in Kogi is not rosy and that as a result, his administration would take positive and decisive actions to rescue Kogi state. Though successive administrations, according to Bello, have not done well and as a result, the people of Kogi state do not trust the government, he would do his best to win back the trust. The governor promised to pay salaries owed workers in the state since October last year and has directed that workers should be paid one month salary immediately. He also promised to rid the state of corruption, which has been principally responsible for the backwardness of the state. “I hereby declare and affirm that Yahaya Bello administration will have zero tolerance for corruption,” he announced. Though the governor may be determined to change the course of things in the state, stakeholders are worried that multiple litigations arising from the election of the governor may derail his laudable programmes. Therefore they want the matter resolved urgently. [myad]
The alleged N4.7 Billion scam in the execution of the constituency projects, as contained in the 2015 federal budget, is believed to be threatening to set members of the House of Representatives against their leaders. Many of the members are said to be warming up for total show down with the House Leadership whom they suspected to have perpetuated the scam.
Some of them who spoke to this reporter said that the House Leadership had undermined the rules guiding the execution of the constituency projects which comes in the form of Millennium Development Goal (now Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to one of them, the sum of N30 million was allocated to each of the 360 Federal Constituencies in the 2015 Federal budget.
It was learnt that when the 7th Assembly commenced sitting, the money was reduced to N13 million per constituency, by the current House Leadership, headed by Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on the excuse that the project did not have cash backing.
It was gathered that the House Leaders also decided to alter the original pattern of executing the MDG project which used to be through award of contracts for such things as Bore holes, Class room blocks etc, in the constituencies of the members.
The contractors who execute the projects are normally nominated by the Honorable members in each of the constituencies even as the law makers also choose what project that is suitable for their constituencies and take it to the ministry responsible for execution.
It was gathered that the current House Leadership altered all that and instead, resorted to purchasing some products such as tri-cycles, motor cycles, electric generators etc, which were recently sent to the states of members.
The source said that the law makers were told by the House Leadership, that the new method of abandoning project executions for supplies of finished goods, was informed by the fact that the “2015 Budget will soon expire.”
The Honorable members were asked to forward letters containing names of their contact persons back at their constituencies as well as the items they want to be supplied to their constituencies. While some of them were said to have complied with this directive, others have refused to do so.
Trouble was said to have started when the law makers discovered that the House Leadership embarked on a unilateral decision of taking the contract for purchase of the said items and sending same to the constituencies.
A member from the South-East, alleged that the situation was made worse when it was discovered that instead of the N13 million that was agreed per constituency, the leadership spent only between N6 millin and N7 million for each constituency.
He said that items so purchased were not taken to the constituencies of the law makers but simply dumped at the state capitals.
“My constituency contact person called last night to say that somebody called to tell him that the items meant for my constituency are at the state capital and that l should make arrangement to go there and pick them.”
Most of the Honorable members are said to be angry because of the general perception of the Nigerians that the National Assembly is a cesspool of corruption.
One of them said that when the House resumes sitting, the aggrieved law makers will take up the matter so as to absolve themselves from the blanket condemnation by Nigerians.
“You know too well that there is this general perception of an average Nigerian that everybody in the National Assembly is corrupt but l am telling you that this is not true. Many of us here still value our reputation very highly. We will not sit back and watch a few individuals destroy the reputation that took us many years of hard work to build. We shall rise up to expose those behind this latest fraud so that the public will know that not everybody here is involved in shady deals.”
It was further gathered that those who handled the project include the -Director of Projects (who is a Deputy Director in the MDGs office), Arc. Orumbo, who is said to be working with one Kelechi, the House Committee Chairman on SDGs, Hon. Tijani Jobe, as well as the Secretary of Programmes (SOP), Mr. O. Ogenyi. They are said to have worked in league with the House leadership.
Efforts made to get any of the three officers to speak on this matter, proved abortive as the SMS sent to their phone lines were never answered, for over four days. Also, all the phone calls to their phone lines were either not picked or busy. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has advisedd the Senate to extend the implementation of the 2015 Budget of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to enable the FCT pay for pending critical projects.
The plea for extension was contained in a letter he sent to the Senate today.
In the letter, Buhari said that the FCT Administration has only seven months in 2015 to implement its budget, which was signed in May of that year.
The president said that numerous projects critical to the FCT are still pending, hence the need to extend the implementation of the budget.
“In order to meet its obligation and as permissible by the constitution, the FCT appropriation needed to be extended to March 31, 2016.
“That would enable the FCTA make payments for various critical and essential ongoing projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Banking and other Financial Institutions submitted its report on the abuse of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). [myad]
Leaders of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have expressed commitment to a “stable oil market” and a “rebound of oil price.”
At a bilateral meeting between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh hosted by the ruler King Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz, the two leaders accepted the fact that their two economies are tied to oil and that all cannot be well with both countries when the world oil market is unstable. They therefore pledged to commit themselves to doing all that is possible to stabilize the market and rebound the oil price.
The two leaders who engaged in extensive discussions on regional and global issues also agreed that terrorism posed a common threat to their states and would require close cooperation to prevail over the threats.
President Muhammadu Buhari was making his first pronouncement on the invitation to join the coalition of Islamic states against terror spearheaded by the Saudis congratulated the Kingdom on its formation.
“Even if we are not a part of it, we support you. I must thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the recent creation of a coalition to address the menace of international terrorism. Nigeria will support your efforts in keeping peace and stopping the spread of terror in your region. This is in consonance with our own commitment and on-going efforts in seeking to stamp out Boko Haram terrorists from the West African sub-region and Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC),” the President said.
Speaking on global terror generally, President Buhari said that “international terrorism made a statement by attacking one of the advanced countries by carrying out an attack on Paris in which 130 were killed. Now we have to come together to find a common solution to the problem of terrorism.”
He thanked the Saudi government for it continuing support to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
Turning to the menace that Libya has turned into, President Buhari regretted that the late Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi recruited, trained and armed citizens of many states in the Sahel region. With his fall, these mercenaries have returned to their countries, “doing nothing but to shoot and kill.” He cited Burkina Faso and Mali as the main victims but expressed happiness that the countries neighboring the Lake Chad have tightened their ranks to finish off the Boko Haram threat.
“Luckily, we have cultivated our neighbors. We are now working together against Boko Haram,otherwise the problem would have become worse.”
He and King Salman hoped that the Libyan factions will soon see reason to reunite and restore fully their own country so as to save the world from further terrorism spin-offs from that country.
The leaders also focused on trade between their states and agreed to give fresh impetus to the joint commission previously established in order to boost commercial and other activities to unify their peoples.
In his remarks, King Salman commended the progress made by Nigeria in combating terrorism and promised to give further support and assistance.
He welcomed the support of the Nigerian government for the new ant-terrorism coalition and implored the President to consider its full membership.
King Salman pledged his full support and cooperation to Nigeria under its present leadership and directed all agencies of his government to follow up on the discussions.
“I now instruct my team to go and sit down with your relevant agencies to push forward cooperation between our states,” the King concluded by saying. [myad]
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has appointed Mrs. Folashade Ayoade as the new Secretary to the State Government ( SSG).
In a statement issued in Lokoja today, the governor’s Chief of Staff, David Onoja, sand that the governor also named Alhaji Momoh Jubril as the new Accountant-General of the state.
The list of appointees included 20 new Special Advisers and three Senior Special Assistants on print media, electronic and new media.
The new Senior Special Assistant on print media is Mr. Ademu Idako who was until the appointment, the Correspondent of the Newswatch Daily and Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Kogi state.
Mrs. Petra Akinti Onyebule and Mr. Gbenga Olorunpomi are the new Senior Special Assistants on Electronic Media and New Media respectively.
Also appointed are Brigadier General Olusola Okutimo as the Security Adviser to the governor while Ibrahim Mohammed was appointed Legal Adviser even as Abdulkareem Mohammed became the Director-General, Protocol.
The governor also approved the appointment of five special assistants for the Deputy-Governor. [myad]
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, has ordered the immediate suspension of a Village Head in Danbatta Local Government Area of the state for allegedly raping a 13-year- old girl.
His suspension came after the Kano State Hisbah Board arrested him for the said act. The Director General, DG, of the board, Dr Abba Sufi, who disclosed his arrest, told newsmen in Kano today that the unnamed Village Head was suspected to have infected his victim with HIV virus.
“The suspect was arrested on Monday following complaint from the victim’s parents.
“The case had since been forwarded to the the Emir who ordered his immediate suspension from office.
“The girl was to be given out in marriage to her suitor, but three days to the wedding ceremony, the girl was tested and found to be HIV positive.
“The victim, upon interrogation, said the suspect was the person, who infected her as he had been sleeping with her.
”The suspect, who would be consequently charged to court, had also been tested and found to be a carrier of the deadly virus.” [myad]
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