Governor El-Rufai Prepares N166 Billion Budget For 2016

November 28, 2015

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has prepared a draft of 166 billion naira proposed budget which he presented to stakeholders, residents and other members of the public in the state today.

The governor gave the hint that the proposed budget, with 104 billion naira as capital and 62 billion naira as recurrent components, would be presented formally to State House of Assembly in December.

El-Rufai spoke to the stakeholders at the General Hassan Katsina State House, Kaduna, during an emergency budget Town Hall meeting.

Governor El-Rufai gave the reason why past governments left behind legacies of abandoned projects one of which was because huge annual budgets were approved without being implemented.

He said that previous administrations in the state had reduced budgeting into a pictographic art without considerations or any relationship to reality.

The governor said that he would always put the people first in all his actions, and that the present administration is determined to reverse the neglect that the public interest had suffered in the past by restoring hope.

He said that some of the reliefs for the poor in the proposed 2016 budget would include interventions in school feeding, planting of economic trees, and waste collection which are expected to create 200,000 jobs.

“We have called this meeting today to present to you the broad principles informing the policy choices that are reflected in the draft 2016 budget. The budget is anchored on the commitments outlined in the Restoration Programme, the manifesto platform on which the Kaduna State APC campaigned.”

He recalled that he made it clear during his campaign that the APC believes in the capacity of the people to make the best choices for themselves, if they are properly educated, given decent healthcare, and jobs in a secure environment.

The major highlights of the 2016 Budget Proposals, he said is a moved away from funding government to providing infrastructure and services to citizens, adding that it will restore the 60:40 ratio in favour of capital expenditure.

“This is in keeping with our agenda to expand access to Education, Healthcare, Jobs and Security.” [myad]

David Mark Hisses Off Court Verdict, Says If Poll Is Conducted 100 Times, He’ll Win

Greenbarge Reporters

November 28, 2015

Ex President of the Nigerian, Senator David Mark has laughed off the ruling of the Appeal Court which voided his election saying that if the same election is conducted hundred times, he would still win it convincingly.

In a statement today by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, the former Senate President said that he has no doubt that his constituents would turn out en masse to vote for him again.

The Appeal Court had, today, ordered a re-run of the Benue South Senatorial election. The appeal was brought by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Daniel Onjeh.

David Mark asked his people not to be deterred by the verdict but be strengthened ahead of the re-run, adding: “whatever the situation may be, one thing I know is that my people are solidly behind me . They also appreciate the fact that I have done more than enough to lift up Idoma nation to a position of eminence in the contemporary political history of Nigeria.

“I won the election clean and clear. If we go back to the polls 100 times , I will still win convincingly.” [myad]

Buhari, Cameron Call For Global War On Corruption

Greenbarge Reporters

November 28, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has galvanised the world leaders in Malta to make the war against corruption a global issue and to do more to support the Nigeria’s efforts to curb corruption in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Buhari, who spoke at a group meeting of Commonwealth leaders on corruption, chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, said that corruption in the oil sector and outright theft of Nigeria’s crude oil had been exacerbated by the culture of impunity which reigned under previous administrations.
The President said that corruption in the sector had also thrived because of the ease of transferring illicit funds abroad and the institutional protection given to corrupt officials in the past.
“Now that we have the political will to stop impunity, we need the cooperation and assistance of the international community.
“We must all work together to compel multinational oil companies, international financial institutions and international shipping lines to stop aiding and abetting corruption in the oil sector in Nigeria.”
President Buhari told the gathering which included the leaders of Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malta, Sri Lanka, Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago, insisted that corruption is a stumbling block for any country to move forward.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Prime Minister Cameron said that the Commonwealth and the international community must do more to fight corrupt and promote good governance.
“We care passionately about this issue of fighting corruption. In my view, this issue needs to have a much higher billing on the international agenda, not just because fighting corruption is right in itself, but because all the other things we want to achieve as countries and members of the Commonwealth depend on our success in doing so.
“If we want fair economic growth, we need to reject corruption. If we want to see fair and sustainable development, we need to deal with corruption. I think this is an absolutely vital issue. It is an issue for all of us because so much of the money stolen from developing countries is hidden in developed countries.
“So dealing with money laundering, dealing with beneficial ownership and making sure we stop stolen money being hidden away in developed countries is absolutely vital,” the British Prime Minister said. [myad]

World Turns Back On Nigeria’s 34 Million Barrels Of Crude Oil, Aregbesola Laments

Greenbarge Reporters

November 28, 2015

The Governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has lamented that the Nigeria’s crude oil is suffering from lack of market in the world as 34 million barrels are now on the sea without buyers.
He also lamented that because of this bad market picture, his state could only get N55 million for the month of September, which sent a clear message that all avenues hitherto untapped must now be examined in order to sustain development initiatives.
The Governor who spoke at the commencement of the reconstruction of Orita-Olaiya-Ita-Olokan Road at Olaiya Junction to commemorate the 5th year of the Aregbesola-led government in Osun, said: “we must at this point tell ourselves the truth. There is no money coming from the federation account. Thirty four million barrels of Niger‎ia’s crude oil are on the sea without buyers.
“Money coming from the Federation Account has dipped seriously and our hope for survival is in our hands, what our forefathers lived on was agriculture.
“We must now go back to the farms and work. We also need to pay our taxes so that government can meet its responsibilities. For September, our state got N55.8 million. The money we received cannot pay for the power supply by IBEDC that we use at the state Secretariat‎ monthly.”
Aregbesola drew the attention of the people to the issue of strictly adhering to town planning rules, saying that his government regret and offer sincere sympathy to those that will be affected with the construction of the road which his administration is embarking on.
The Governor admonished those affected to see this as their own sacrifice of the present administration’s effort to enhance the status of our cities for better living conditions of the generality of the people.
Aregbesola said that Messrs. RATCON Construction Company Limited will be undertaking the reconstruction of the road at the cost of N985,115,410.78 million.
“The expansion of the road and the need to have a reasonable setback unfortunately meant that some buildings are already standing in the way and has to be separated. This could have been avoided if there had been strict adherence to town planning rules in the past.
“We regret this and offer sincere sympathy to those affected. They should see this as their own sacrifice in our efforts to beautify our city and develop a decent human environment. Nevertheless, we have set aside the sum of N392 million to the 127 people whose buildings were affected.”
The Governor appealed to people of the state to bear with government on the pains and discomforts associated with the road construction projects embarked upon, especially Gbongan-Akoda Road, noting that the delay was due to the unexpected financial challenges that befell the nation.
He assured that all the projects embarked on by his government will be completed before the end of the present administration. [myad]

Buhari Identifies Root Cause Of Terrorism In West Africa

Greenbarge Reporters

November 28, 2015

President Muhammad Buhari & Queen Elizabeth Discussing

President Muhammadu Buhari has attributed the rise in the activities of Boko Haram and terrorism in some African countries to collapse of the Gadhafi regime in Libya.
The President admitted before Queen Elizabeth and other top leaders of the Commonwealth of Nations that it might not be easy to eliminate Boko Haram because of the modern communication system that make its members to be more daring.
“We have agreed to a joint task-force for the elimination of Boko Haram, but it may not be easy, especially after the events in Libya when trained people with weapons moved back to Sahel region from where they were recruited by the former Libyan leader.
“Those weapons and expertise in their use are now aggravating the situation in the Sahel and further south.”
President Buhari, who spoke at a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II for Heads of State and Government participating in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta, called on the body to set up a committee to oversee the rendering of greater assistance and support to Nigeria and other member-countries which have been adversely affected by the scourge of terrorism.
President Buhari hoped that the committee would be established before the next meeting of the organisation, adding that such committee should be made to visit member-countries of the Commonwealth where terrorist organisations have established a foothold, with a view to evolving practical strategies for more meaningful assistance to the affected countries.
He appealed to the Commonwealth to show greater resolve in helping Nigeria and other developing nations in their efforts to overcome the challenges of economic development, security, terrorism and corruption.
“With the improvement of global communications, terrorism has no borders now. What happened recently in France had a profound effect on all of us, but very few countries realize that Nigeria has suffered terrorist casualties of over 10,000 killed in the last six years.
“Right now, we have over two million internally displaced persons, most of whom are women and children, and most of the children are orphans.”
President Buhari who rolled out the efforts being made by his government and other members of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to curb the menace of Boko Haram.
President Buhari expressed his administration’s appreciation of the assistance already being received from the Commonwealth, Britain, the Group of Seven Industrialized Nations, France and the United States.
“I am grateful to Britain, France and the United States. They have already sent teams to train the Nigeria Military and Police in the control of terrorism.
“The Commonwealth has helped us in so many ways by the visible support they have been giving to help us overcome the problem of terrorism.”
The Queen’s Banquet at which he spoke was also attended by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon. [myad]

Court Sacks Former Senate President, David Mark

Greenbarge Reporters

November 28, 2015

The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue State has nullified the election of the former President of the Senate, David Mark. Mark has been in the Senate since 1999.

The court which delivered its verdict today, ordered the Independent National Electoral C omission (INEC) to conduct fresh election in the Senatorial District.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Benue South, Mr. Donald Onjeh had challenged the decision of the National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld the victory of Senator Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election into the Benue South Senatorial District seat.
Details later. [myad]

Names Of 30 Judges Buhari Appointed Today

Greenbarge Reporters

November 27, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of 30 new judges for the Federal High Court. The appointment was based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.
Names of those that were appointed are:
1. Hon. Justice Yellin S. Bogoro – Bauchi State
2. Rosemary O. Dugbo Oghoghorie - Delta State
3. Taiwo Obayomi Taiwo – Ogun State
4. Ibrahim Watila - Borno State
5. Mallong Peter Hoommuk - Plateau State
6. Isa Hamma Adama Dashen - Adamawa State
7. Hassan Dikko - Kebbi State
8. Jude Kanyioh Dagat – Kaduna State
9. Olayinka Olusegun Tokode - Osun State
10. Simon Akpah Amobeda - Kogi State
11. Jane Egienanwan Inyang - Cross River State
12. Daniel Emeka Osiagor - Rivers State
13. Prof. Chuka Austine Obiozor – Anambra State
14. Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweib - Bayelsa State
15. Hassan Muslim Sule - Zamfara State
16. Hadiza Rabiu Shagari – Sokoto State
17. Saleh Kogo Idrissa – Yobe State
18. Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik - Edo State
19. Hillary Ide Osho Oshomah - Edo State
20. Fadima Murtala Aminu – Adamawa State
21. Toyin Bolaji Adegoke - Kwara State
22. James Kolawole Omotosho - Ogun State
23. Nehizena Idemudia Ekunwe – Edo State
24. Stephen Daylop Pam – Plateau State
25. Akintayo Aluko – Ekiti State
26. Dr. Nnamdi O. Dimgba - Abia State
27. Emeka Nwite – Ebonyi State
28. Abdulazeez M.Z. Anka - Zamfara State
29. Abdu Dogo - FCT
30. Adamu Turaki Muhammed - Jigawa State.
The new judges are to be sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on December 2, 2015 by 10am [myad]

Ebonyi Takes Census Of Its Indigenes Hawking In Nigerian Big Cities

Greenbarge Reporters

November 27, 2015

Ebonyi state government has embarked on the conduct of a comprehensive census of all its indigenes who are hawking in the major cities, like, Lagos, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Aba and others.
This is even as the state government has planned to spend N3 billion for the rehabilitation of Ebonyi its indigenes hawking in such major cities of the country.
This was part of the resolution reached during the Etate Executive Council (SECOND) meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Briefing news men at the end of the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, said the Special Advisor to the Governor, Lagos Liaison Office, Mrs. Jacinta Nworie, had been redeployed and re-assigned as Special Adviser on Talent Development.
Mrs. Nworie, according to him, has been charged with the responsibility of conducting census of the hawkers with a view to rehabilitating them.
“The SA on Lagos Liaison Office is to immediately be redeployed by the Secretary to State Government and to be relocated or re-assigned to the office of the SSG. Her position is to be redesignated as SA on Talent Development in the Department of Talent Development. Her responsibility would be, first to conduct a comprehensive census of all Ebonyi indigenes who are hawking in the major cities, like, Lagos,Onitsha,port Harcourt,Aba and else where.
“Once such comprehensive census is taken, it is the resolution of EXCO to make a budget of N3 billion to begin a rehabilitation process of all Ebonyians who are engaged in a disgraceful and humiliating activities of hawking on the highways in major cities of the country.”
The commissioner said that the Executive Council terminated a contract awarded for the provision of electricity at the Federal Teaching Hospital,FETHA 2 in Abakaliki.
He said that his Power counterpart, Chief Emmanuel Uguru, was given one week to take over the contract and complete it for commissioning.
The council also banned the sell of used cable wires in the state and advised those selling such items to get approval from the Commissioner for Power to avoid being charged to court.
Senator Onwe explained that this was part of the measures taken to avert the stealing or vandalism of cable wires in the state
Also , the council directed those lobbying to replace the retired permanent secretaries to stop doing so as governor was not in a hurry to appoint new ones.
Onwe added that the council banned government functionaries and civil servants from attending private functions scheduled for Fridays. [myad]

Biafra: We’re Taking Up The Matter With Buhari – Governor Umahi

Greenbarge Reporters

November 27, 2015

The Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Nweze Umahi, has given the agitators for the realisation of the Republic of Biafra to be carved from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Governor Umahi emphasised that the South-East governors had listened to the complaints of the IPOB agitators and had decided to discuss them with the President.
“We have listened to the complaints of the boys. There is no way anybody could say that what they are saying is completely outside the truth, but just like husband and wife, you must have a way of getting along through dialogue.
“The governors of the South-East have taken up their matter to discuss with Mr. President and I believe that we don’t need another war in this country. I want to plead with you to encourage whoever is involved that we have taken up the matter and we will do everything possible to make sure that their feelings are addressed.
“We should not support secession. We should not support demonstrations; we should not support the castigation of our leaders.”
The governor, who spoke today when the leadership of the Abakpa Main Market Traders Association, visited him at the Government House in Abakaliki, dismissed the rumour that he was planning to defect to All Progressives Congress (APC) as it appeared in a sections of the media.
“When I said publicly that Ebonyi people will support Mr. President, they said, we have moved to the APC. PDP remains our party and will remain our party.
“ But we need help and the way to get it is not to start castigating the President and no governor should castigate the President. But opposition belongs to the political parties. For me and you, we are still bonafide members of the PDP.”
Governor Umahi said that his government is poised to redefining Abakaliki by looking inwards on how to take advantage of its location as a transit point to “realize our potential.”
He asked the traders to key into the vision of his administration, adding that the first batch of traders would be relocated to the International Market in April 2016.
According to him, the second batch will be relocated in June while the third and final batches will be in September.
He announced that the government would be constructing additional vehicular parks and warehouses beside the Centenary City, opposite the International Market as a measure to minimize the inconveniences that traders might face when they move into the International Market.
Earlier in an address, the Chairman of AMMTA, Comrade Emeka Nwome, commended the governor on his life touching achievements within six months in office.
Meanwhile, governor Nweze Umahi has expressed sadness over the death of a former Minister of Education, Dr. Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, in an Israeli hospital.
Umahi, who was on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Abakaliki yesterday, described Aja-Nwachukwu as a “peace advocate” and “one man that has a burning desire that we should succeed.
“When I visited him in the hospital in Israeli this month, he was not even concerned about his health, he was more interested in how we could replicate the standard of the hospital in our state. That is the kind of man he was. He was more interested in how we can move our state forward.”
He commended the Nigerian Embassy in Israel for the assistance it rendered to the former minister while in the hospital and promised that his family and his administration would always stand by the Aja-Nwachukwu family. [myad]

Governor Wada Goes To Court To Stop APC

Greenbarge Reporters

November 27, 2015

Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Ichala Wada

Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to stop the substitution of the late governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a 15-page originating summon filed by Chris Uche, the Governor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) want the court to determine the legality or otherwise of the decision of the APC to substitute its candidate.

The APC candidate, late Prince Abubakar Audu, died a day after the November 21 election, few hours before the Kogi governorship election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Idris Wada is also praying the court to declare as illegal, the decision of the APC to substitute its candidate after the governorship candidate of the party died. He is also asking the court to order a fresh governorship election within a specified period. [myad]

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