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Tag: MDAs

  • FOI Act: A’Ibom NUJ threatens legal action against recasetrant MDAs

    FOI Act: A’Ibom NUJ threatens legal action against recasetrant MDAs

    By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo

    The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ has threatened legal action against Ministries, Departments and Organizations frustrating the use of the Freedom of Information, FOI, Act. in the state.

    They have also commended some members of the House of Representatives for working against the obnoxious Federal Water Resources Bill.

    This was part of the communique reached at the end of its October Congress in Uyo yesterday endorsed by the state chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk and chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee, Comrade Idongesit Ashameri.

    According to the communique, “congress notes the consistent refusal of MDAs in Akwa Ibom State to provide certain information requested by journalists, thereby flouting the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, and called on the MDAs to do the needful to avoid a resort to legal action to get the required information.

    “Congress commended members of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State for joining forces with some of their colleagues to resist  the position held by a lawmaker from Katsina State that the obnoxious National Water Resources Bill had been passed by the House.

    “The Bill should not be reintroduced as a fresh Bill and urged them to sustain the resistance among the lawmakers opposed to the Bill and kill it at the commencement stage since the process for ts enactment has started again.

    It reaffirmed the endorsement of Comrade Helen Udofa, a former Treasurer of the State Council, by the NUJ, Zone F, at its meeting in Uyo, for the position of National Secretary of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, at the forthcoming Triennial Delegates’ Conference of the association in Minna, Niger State. 

    The Congress also urged the State Government to step up  remedial work in erosion- threatened  areas within and outside the capital city and called on relevant agencies of government to regulate dredging activities in the state as many parts of the state is threatened by sand excavation. 

  • House to take action against MDAs failing to implement budget – Gbajabiamila

    House to take action against MDAs failing to implement budget – Gbajabiamila

    …says Nigeria Police need further reform…assures of Reps’ readiness to keep contract with Nigerians
    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has said that the House would not hesitate to take action against government agencies that fail to implement the budget as is expected of them.
    Gbajabiamila bemoaned a situation where Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government would fail to implement aspects of budget for which funds have been allocated and released.
    Addressing his colleagues in a welcome speech at the resumption of plenary after the lawmakers’ annual recess, the Speaker also said members of the House would ensure that they keep their contract with Nigerians.
    “Early in the life of the 9th House of Representatives, we promised that we would return to a regular budget cycle, running from January through to December. We kept that promise in our first year and set a standard from which we must not deviate.
    “However, there is an ongoing problem of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government failing to implement projects and programmes for which funds have been provided in the Budget.
    “It bears restating that the Appropriation Act is not merely a policy document or a statement of intent. It is the law of the land that binds us all. Any expenditure of public funds outside of the Appropriation Act is a crime, as is a failure to implement programmes and projects for which funds have been allocated and provided.
    “But more than that, it is a betrayal of the public trust that undermines faith in the government and frustrates good faith efforts at national development. The House will take action against those who fail in their responsibilities in this regard. I sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that.”
    The Speaker commended President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Police Bill, noting, however, that more reforms are needed in the Nigeria Police through additional legislation.
    “Two weeks ago, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR signed the Police Reform Act into law. The Act is the first significant reform effort in a generation. It is the beginning and not the end of such measures. The Nigeria Police Force, as it currently operates, has too long and too often failed to meet the expectations of the Nigerian people.
    “In many parts of our country, people are more afraid of encounters with the police than they are of criminals. That’s not right, and we can no longer stand for it.
    “There will be, in this 9th House of Representatives, further legislation to improve police performance across the board and to introduce mechanisms for individual and collective accountability in the Nigeria Police Force. Our objective is nothing short of a total overhaul of the culture and practice of policing in Nigeria.”
    Gbajabiamila also disclosed that the House has commenced work on the Armed Forces Trust Fund Bill so that in the shortest possible time, we can finalise and pass legislation that ensures once and for all that the resources we need to protect the homeland are never at the mercy of politics or changes in policy or personnel.”
    On the Petroleum Industry Bill transmitted to the National Assembly by the president, the Speaker assured that this time around, the House would succeed in passing the Bill for it to get the president’s assent.
    “This is not the first time that we have initiated the Petroleum Industry Bill or similar efforts at broad oil and gas sector reform in the National Assembly. I assure all Nigerians that we in the 9th House of Representatives fully intend to succeed this time around.
    “However, I must appeal to stakeholders in the public and private sector, to the media, to the host communities and all who wish our country well to support this process. Let us reject cynicism and resist all attempts to frustrate this reform effort in service of the narrow interests of any particular group. Let us put Nigeria first so that history may judge us kindly.”
    To ensure that the House passes Bills and motions that are in line with its contract with Nigerians, the Speaker announced the setting up of an ad-hoc committee headed by Rep. Henry Nwawuba to guide the implementation of its Legislative Agenda across the Committees and other institutions of the House.
    Gbajabiamila reminded his colleagues that the success or failure of the House would not be the result of any single individual but a collective one, calling on them to rededicate themselves to their duties and responsibilities.

  • FG calls for transparency in official dealings

    FG calls for transparency in official dealings

    By Amadin Idahosa


    Federal Government has called for openness and transparency in every official transaction that involves government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
    Speaking was the new Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, in Abuja yesterday.
    He made the statement during the formal handing and taking over ceremony of the affairs of the Ministry between him and the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr.Yemi Oguntominiyi.
    In his speech at the ceremony, the government official said, “ I am open and transparent in all my work and I do hope you will extend same to me in the course of our duties.”
    While stating his mandates, Umakhihe promised to actualize President Muhammadu Buhari’s Next Level Agenda. 
    The Permanent Secretary said “Mine is to make sure I am able to mobilize all of us to work in achieving the mandate of Mr. President’s Next Level Agenda and of course our Honourable Minister and I promise you, we will all work as a team.”
    Umakhihe who noted the enormity of work in the Ministry, assured all that he was poised to take up the responsibility.
    He said “I want to thank you for this reception to the Ministry of Works and Housing where I am told that there is a lot of work.
    “Like the Minister told me yesterday, when he said I had joined a moving train, I told him no matter how fast that train is, I will make sure I am able to log onto it and then within a short time I will be fully on board and even join the Driver.”
    Earlier, Engineer Yemi Oguntominiyi, Director Highway Construction and Rehabilitation of the Ministry, expressed happiness and confidence that the new Permanent Secretary would move the Ministry to greater heights due to his robust experience having  served in similar capacity  in other Federal Government establishments.
    “Our new Permanent Secretary has served in no less important ministries, with a rich pedigree and requisite experience to man the affairs of this ministry, he is undoubtedly suitable for the new assignment.” He said.
    Oguntominiyi who described the staff of the Ministry as competent, diligent and experienced assured the Permanent Secretary of the unalloyed support and loyalty of management and staff of the Ministry.
    He thanked his colleagues and the entire staff for the spirit of comradeship and cooperation extended to him while overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary.
    It would be noteworthy to mention that the Perm Sec was born on the 5th of April, 1964. Umakhihe is a professional accountant of high repute and a core technocrat.
    He plied his trade in the public service for years; served in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

  • Abia enjoins MDAs to ensure strict compliance with employment regulations

    Abia enjoins MDAs to ensure strict compliance with employment regulations

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    Abia State Government has emphasised need for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state to ensure strict compliance with employment regulations in the public service.

    The state also directs MDAs to strictly follow employment waivers, adding that the embargo on employment in the state is still in force.

    To check employment racketeering in the, the state directs the office of the Secretary to the State Government to set up a committee.

    Other outcome emanating from the state’s Executive Council meeting is the directive on the state environmental protection agency to review its current waste management approach to ensure a remarkable improvement in its operations.

    This is accompanied by a charge to the state ministry of trade and investment to collaborate with transition council chairmen to ensure that regular sanitation of the markets.

    The state also urged its ministry of public utilities to ensure the water project situated at its capital, Umuahia is commissioned in September this year to deliver water to individual homes.