Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala To Senator Abdul Ningi: You Lied On SURE-P Funds

August 16, 2014

Nigeria’s minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has dismissed as a lie, the claim by the Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Senator Abdul Ningi, that her ministry is withholding funds meant for SURE-P, thereby stalling projects. She said that contrary to claims that N500 billion was missing from the programme, no such amount of money was missing.

The Senate Ad-hoc Committee had earlier said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) was unable to account for N500 billion accruing to the programme.

She made it clear that the Ministry of Finance does not withhold funds belonging to SURE-P.

“We wish to categorically state that the Ministry of Finance does not withhold funds belonging to SURE-P. As soon as the SURE-P committee certifies any project for payment, money is released promptly through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).”

In a statement by the minister’s media adviser, Constance C. Ikokwu, the minister said that facts of the matter are as follows: N268.37 billion was appropriated for SURE-P in the 2014 Budget for various projects and programmes.

“A Committee under the Chairmanship of Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) set up by the President, reviews the implementation of various projects/programmes and makes recommendation for payment. Whatever is recommended is promptly paid directly into the accounts of contractors rather than through Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS), within 5-7 working days.

“This process was put in place to fast-track payment to contractors operating different programmes under SURE-P. It is after the committee has visited and certified that the job is satisfactorily done that payment is made. The Ministry of Finance has absolutely nothing to do with the certification process and does not delay payments.

“The public should also know that as of August 2014, N113 billion has been expended on various SURE-P projects and programmes, with a balance of N80 billion available. It is therefore, not true that programmes are being hampered due to lack of funds. The track record shows that all claims that have been certified receive prompt payment.

“It is disappointing that Senator Ningi has continued to peddle wrong information in spite of repeatedly being presented with the facts. The Ministry of Finance hereby reiterates its preparedness to work with the Senator to achieve the stated objectives of SURE-P for the benefit of the public.

“We are sure that Nigerians want to see programmes/projects that follow due process and are executed in a transparent manner. The records are there to prove that indeed this is the case.

The Ministry of Finance strongly supports SURE-P for prudent utilisation of its funds as promised by government and we are against any profligate use of these resources.” [myad]

Inspector General Of Police Welcomes British High Commissioner

Greenbarge Reporters

August 15, 2014

Nigeria’s Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, today, received in audience, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Poco at the Police Headquarters, Abuja.

Why Boko Haram Thrives In Borno, By Ex Governor Ali Modu Sheriff

Greenbarge Reporters

August 15, 2014

Two time governor of Borno state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has attributed the continued thriving of the deadly Boko Haram to the open borders of the state and the fact that it has the biggest land mass bordering Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
Borno, he added, is not like the Republic of Benin with only one entrance into Nigeria.
The former governor who spoke to state House correspondents shortly after a private visit to President Goodluck Jonatha at the Presidential Villa today, made it clear that one can enter the state from 20 different points.
“Therefore, you need a perfect understanding of the terrain. You need every knowledge that any politician has, particularly any politician that operated in Borno state.”
He said that he is not a security man or personnel but that whatever he can do as a civilian, using his position as the chief executive of the state for eight years, he would continue to do it.
“What I have seen during my tenure I will contribute to the security agencies through whom I got those information. “What you have to understand is that this country is a big country and Borno state is a difficult state from any other state in Nigeria.”
On why he had come to see the President said that just like every Nigerian has the right to see the President, he too exercised such right and was in the Villa to see the President o a personnel ground.
“I did not come to discuss PDP with Mr. President. That is not what brought me. Yes, there is this issue that I might join the PDP but that was not the discussion that brought me to the President.
“You see, Nigeria is a very interesting country and people like us, who the nation has done everything for, either as individuals or collectively. By the Grace of God, in Borno state, I have been made Governor twice which is the maximum any one can get in terms of the limits imposed by the Constitution. I was elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria thrice. This means that in every aspect of life, I am one of the stakeholders in Nigeria because if by the help of God, the people of Nigeria had placed me in that position at every time, my interest now should be on how to move the nation forward. Our interest should be on what makes that nation move forward. My decisions will be guided by the interest of the nation first. My thinking of moving to the PDP is also in the interest of the nation. We believe that every time, as a leader who lead people, you should advise them on the right course of action. [myad]

Internet Hackers Hit Presidency, Dr. Abati Laments

Greenbarge Reporters

August 15, 2014

Special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati has alerted all media organizations in the country and persons on his mailing list to disregard the press release purportedly issued by him earlier today titled: PRESIDENT JONATHAN REVEALS LOCATION OF CHIBOK GIRLS AND EXPOSES BOKO HARAM MASTERMINDS.
Dr. Abati in a statement today made it clear that no such press release was written or circulated by him.
“It is clearly the work of fraudsters who have hacked into my email account in an odious attempt to mislead the public at the expense of the credibility of the Jonathan Administration.
He condemned what he called “this criminal resort to political dirty tricks which seeks to cynically play on national concern and emotions about the Boko Haram insurgency and fate of the abducted Chibok girls.
“Aspects of the fraudulent press release, such as its incoherence and invitation to click on a link, would have alerted discerning persons who are conversant with the style and format of my press statements to the possibility of skulduggery.
“I find it necessary, however, to issue this disclaimer for the benefit of the unwary.” [myad]

I’m Disappointed In President Jonathan’s Weak Leadership, Says Governor Fashiola

Greenbarge Reporters

August 15, 2014

“Until recently, we all used to think that our national development was inhibited by the fact that we never had a university graduate as leader of any national government in an executive capacity. We now have two graduates, a zoologist and an architect, at the helm of our national affairs, and I think majority of Nigerians will tell you today that their lives are worse off today than they were four years ago.”

Lagos Governor, Babatunde Fashiola made these observations in a lecture entitled, ‘The Challenge of Democratic Governance,’ which he delivered yesterday in Abuja at the birthday lecture of former Bayelsa Governor, Timipre Sylvia.

The governor said that the situation now has made it clear to everyone that there is more to leadership than having university degrees.

He insisted that the Jonathan administration has practically failed Nigerians in the areas of security and other sensitive national issues such as the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls and the alleged missing money from the federation account.

According to him, the event has been followed by other round of lies, adding that the abduction of the girls has been enmeshed in lies. “They have also lied about the economy.”

Governor Fashola declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) states are performing better than states governed by the PDP, even as he called on Nigerians to ensure that the PDP is voted out in the 2015 general polls. [myad]

Nano Silva Drug, Hope For Hopeless Ebola Victims

Greenbarge Reporters

August 15, 2014

Nano Silva, an experimental drug for the treatment of Ebola Virus, was expected to get to Nigeria by yesterday, Thursday, for the treatment of patients of Ebola Virus Disease at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.
Nano Silva oral, according to www.indiamart.com, is a dietary supplement providing nano (10nm) scaled silver particles in pure hydro solution. Reports confirm that Nano Silva Oral kills the deadliest bacteria tested so far. US major universities like UC Davis, Kansas, UT have proven the effectiveness of the product in killing thousands of strains of Staphaureus, T.B, Strepaureus, E. Colli, Salmonella, yeast and even anthrax spores and so on. Nano Silva Oral is the only non-toxic product-proven to kill anthrax spores.
Test reveals successful efficacy of Nano Cell Silver in combating malaria, bird flu among others.
Nano Ag+ ruptures and penetrates the cell wall membranes and interacts with sulphur and phosphorous compounds of DNA, inhibiting the replication of bacteria. The strong positive ionic charge of silver enhances additional bactericidal effect, thereby killing the bacteria totally. The other well known experimental drug is ZMapp, which was given earlier to two Americans infected with virus. WHO opened the door for experimental Ebola drugs earlier this week, after a panel of ethicists it convened condoned such treatments because of the challenges of controlling the outbreak that has killed more than 1,000 people.
The Nigeria Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, had said earlier at a news conference in Abuja that Nano Silva was offered to the country by a Nigerian. According to him, the decision to use the drug on the EVD patients is in line with the protocols of the National Health Research Ethics code.
“What is new in the treatment is that in the last briefing, we told you of a Nigerian who had already offered the country one of the experimental drugs, the Nano Silva.
“Hopefully, today(Thursday), the drug would reach the treatment centre. It follows all the protocols as governed by the National Health Research Ethics codes of this country in using the Nano Silva as part of the treatment regimen.
“We are also in touch with the WHO to see how we can have the buy in, in the experimental drugs with the WHO. We have been in touch with various centres in the world.
“Hopefully, more of the experimental drugs will be available to be vetted by our committee (the Research Group) which was set up by the government two weeks ago to coordinate not only research, but all claims in terms of treatment.”
Meanwhile, a Nigerian contagious disease expert, Dr. Simon Agwale, had said that Nano Silva had proven effective against viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
“It may be also a source of a cure” for Ebola patients, Agwale said. [myad]

Nigeria Resident Doctors Hit Back At Jonathan, Say Their Sack Is Illegal

Greenbarge Reporters

August 15, 2014

President, National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Jubril Abdullahi has described the decision by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to sack 16,000 of them, who have been on nation-wide strike as illegal.

Reacting to the sack which was communicated through a circular from the federal ministry of health yesterday, Abdullahi said that the President’s directive for their sack is illegal, adding that the decision shows that President Jonathan yielded to the demand of the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU).

“The action of Mr. President is illegal because there are several Acts that recognize Residencies in Nigeria and his action speaks volume of the government’s decision to follow the dictates of the Joint Health Workers Union. This is one of the issues the union is asking for.

“Whatever the government has done in itsr reaction to the NMA’s strike means it is not ready for dialogue because while we are engaging them, the government has resorted to this.”

Another resident doctor, who spoke on anonymity condemned the decision, saying he is now officially unemployed.

The doctor, a staff of a teaching hospital, said a colleague of his had just sent him another circular ordering all resident doctors to surrender hospital property in their possession.

The circular from the ministry of health said the doctor’s salaries and allowances for one month has been paid in lieu of the notice as they ordinarily are not entitled to any salaries for the period they have been on strike.

“In compliance with this order, I am to regrettably inform you that your appointment in this hospital is hereby terminated forthwith,” the letter issued residents doctors in a teaching hospital in the South South region of Nigeria stated.

Only yesterday, a circular, dated August 13, 2014, signed by L. N. Awute, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, on behalf of the minister said the president’s directive was given following an appraisal of the challenges facing the health sector.

“Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR has suspended the Residency Training Programme for Doctors in Nigeria indefinitely for the purposes of appraising the challenges facing the health sector,” Mr. Awute said.

He said the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, has also directed that “letters of termination of residency training” be issued to all affected resident doctors in hospitals immediately.

The memo asked the management of all public hospitals to take necessary measures to restore full medical services in the hospitals, even without the resident doctors.

In what appears to show the reason for government’s action, the permanent secretary said the hospital could employ part time doctors who must be of ‘good behaviour.’

“Note however, this is without prejudice to the employment of Locum Physicians on six (6) months renewable contract tied to productivity and good behaviour,” Mr. Awute said.

Such recruitments must, however, “be approved by Mr. President through the Honourable Minister of Health.”

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, of which the resident doctors are members, has been on strike since July 1.

One of the demands of the NMA was that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health should formalize and implement the report of the inter-agency committee on residency training.

The NMA also asked the FG to release a uniform template on the appointment of resident doctors and a funding framework for residency training established while overseas clinical attachment be fully restored and properly funded.

Resident doctors are doctors being trained to become specialists/ consultants in different fields of medicine. During their 4 to 5 years training to become consultants, they work in different government hospitals and make up the majority of doctors in teaching hospitals. [myad]

Atku, Buhari, Others At 50th Birthday of Chief Sylva

Greenbarge Reporters

August 14, 2014

Atiku Buhari — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and General Muhammadu Buhari at the 50th birthday lecture in honour of former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday

[myad

FIFA Reinstates Maigari As President Of Nigeria Football Federation

Greenbarge Reporters

August 14, 2014

World football governing body, FIFA, today, ordered the reinstatement of impeached Aminu Maigari as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
According to the letter e-mailed to the NFF Secretary General, Musa Amadu by the Deputy Secretary General of FIFA, Markus Kattner, status quo must remained as it was on the Nigerian federation before the World Cup in Brazil.
The implication of the FIFA directive is that all the 13 members on the NFF board, including Chris Green and Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, purportedly suspended by the Mike Umeh led executive committee for ‘anti-board’ activities are to return to office till August 26 when the elective congress would hold for a fresh board. [myad]

We’ve Been Collecting Taxes Illegally, Nigerian Government Admits; Abolishes Road Blocks

Greenbarge Reporters

August 14, 2014

The National Economic Council, made up of the federal and 36 state governments and their commissioners of finance has admitted that government at all levels have been collecting taxes against the Nigerian law.
The government feels so guilty that it has now directed the Inspector General of Police to dismantle all road blocks’ mounted on highways for revenue collection.

Rising from a meeting presided over by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, the Council agreed with the Ministerial Implementation Committee (MIC) on the harmonization of taxes that the 1998 taxes and levies Act is overdue for review.

The Council, whose resolutions were read to newsmen by governors Willie Obiano of Anambra state, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state and other top financial persons also agreed that there has been duplication of some taxes and levies at states and local government levels, noting that taxes and levies administered by some states are not backed by appropriation legislation.
The Council equally agreed with recommendations of the Ministerial Implementation Council for the discontinuation of the practice of using non-revenue officials for collection of taxes and levies by states and federal agencies “as this is contrary to Section 2 of the taxes and levies Act.”
The Council then directed that all states revenue boards should be empowered to automate their tax operations for effectiveness, process, and accountability thereby and reducing leakages.

“NEC directs the Inspector General of police to dismantle all ‘road blocks’ mounted on highways for revenue collection. NEC further resolved that the MIC committee should work with the following states Attorney Generals, representing the 6-geopolitical zones to incorporate the inputs and comments of the members of the council and report in the next meeting.
“The Zonal representatives are as follows: Enugu for South-East, Lagos for South-West Bayelsa for South-South, Plateau for North-Central, Kebbi for North-West and Borno for North-East.”

The MIC report was presented by the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service on behalf of the CME/HM finance. Th MIC was set up following report of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to NEC on multiple taxation across the Federation at various levels and it’s effect on the Nigerian Economy. [myad]

1...2,4022,4032,404...2,498 Page 2,403 of 2,498