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Tag: National Assembly

  • Changing national anthem won’t solve national challenges

    Changing national anthem won’t solve national challenges

    The assent of President Bola Tinubu to the recent bill passed by the National Assembly to revert to the old national anthem as the nation celebrates 25 years of uninterrupted democracy is a misplacement of priority. Nigeria under the current administration is encountering serious challenges in virtually all sectors of the economy. Nowadays, it is hard for citizens to feed due to the skyrocketing prices of food items. One may buy foodstuffs today but on returning the next day will most certainly buy the same foodstuffs at higher prices. If there is one thing the government should have prioritised, it should have been price stability. Sadly, the legislature prioritised the least of our worries by enacting a bill to return to the old national anthem, while the President assented to the bill, thereby making it a law.

    Due to the pressing economic situation in the country, many students in higher institutions of learning have abandoned their studies because of the rise in tuition fees and other expenses. Some of them, hitherto sponsoring themselves to schools, could no longer afford to do so again when the twin policies of Tinubu( fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification) were introduced. The ripple effects of these policies didn’t spare tuition fees of higher institutions of learning, and indigent students who couldn’t afford to pay the astronomical fees had no choice but to drop out. Pessimism is the general mood that has greeted the student loan scheme introduced by the Tinubu administration.

    Our President should address the major challenges bedevilling Nigerians. Unemployment and Unemployability among the young demographic are a threat to the nation’s peaceful coexistence and development. To have such a demographic not involved in production, innovation, or wealth creation is a waste of resources. Therefore, policies that will empower, create enormous jobs and help the young demographic become a strong player in the economy are of the essence.

    Insecurity, especially in the North-West region, is fuelling hunger and food inflation. It is already in the public domain that bandits impose levies on farmers in certain states to be able to access their farmlands and cultivate. In fact, in some villages, bandits stage attacks in broad daylight without let or hindrance. Some residents have dumped their businesses, houses, and belongings and migrated to neighbouring villages or urban cities for safety.In summary, what the government needs is the political will to put an end to the problems. This is possible as enough resources, manpower and other necessary inputs are available. One thing we need the Tinubu administration to do is to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians, irrespective of region, tribe or religion. This isn’t the time for anti-masses policies. Rather, the government should find ways to ameliorate the pains of the citizens. Reverting to the old national anthem isn’t a pressing need. Nigerians would like to see the executive and the legislature work harmoniously in revitalising our economy through the speedy passage of result-oriented bills by the legislature and the implementation of policies that are pro-growth and pro-development.

  • Adamu Succumbs to Pressure and Resigns as Chairman of the APC.

    Adamu Succumbs to Pressure and Resigns as Chairman of the APC.

    LAGOS – The ongoing developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, may not come as a surprise to those closely following its internal affairs.

    It is well-known that there has been a growing rift between the APC’s national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and President Bola Tinubu. This discord stems from the chairman’s controversial involvement in the party’s presidential primary election. Despite the party’s initial agreement to zone the position to the south, Adamu, against all odds, presented the former senate president as the consensus candidate.

    On Monday, the fate of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who had been facing numerous challenges as the National Chairman of the APC, was finally sealed. The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) officially announced his resignation.
    The announcement came at the conclusion of today’s NWC meeting held in Abuja (Monday). Acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Abubakar Kyari, confirmed Adamu’s resignation and also revealed that the National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has stepped down.

    Kyari further stated that he has assumed the role of acting chairman, while Barrister Festus Fuanter, the Deputy National Secretary, will serve as the acting Secretary.

    It is worth noting Adamu’s previous reaction to the selection of principal officers in the National Assembly. During a meeting with party governors, Adamu expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the party had no involvement in the selection process of the lawmakers.
    He expressed, “The Senate President and Deputy Senate President have already conducted the election for the principal officers of the Senate. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives have also been elected and their roles have been announced.”

    “The remaining positions are yet to be determined by the respective chambers. On Saturday, I had a courtesy visit from the Senate President and his Deputy, and on Sunday, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker paid me a Sallah visit.”

    “However, I have just learned through online media rumors that there have been certain announcements made in both the Senate and House of Representatives.””The party’s national headquarters and the NWC have not provided any such information or official communication regarding the selection of offices,” Adamu clarified. “We follow established norms and practices, which require us to resolve and communicate in writing. We have no intention of deviating from these traditions.”

    Adamu emphasized that any announcements made by the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, or Deputy Speaker are not endorsed by the secretariat of the party.

    Furthermore, apart from causing significant displeasure among some of Tinubu’s supporters, the national chairman went a step further by unilaterally rejecting the principal officers of the National Assembly. These officers were reported to have the full backing of the President.
    So, with the humongous power at his disposal as the President, Tinubu feels it is time to cut Adamu to size.

    The most important thing in his mind according to close watchers is to do away with Adamu as the national chairman of the party, so that he can position the party to suit him (Tinubu)

    To achieve that, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was said to be recruited for the job.

    According to reports Adamu’s resignation as APC National Chairman was done on the orders of President Tinubu.

    He was said to have written his resignation letter and handed the same to Governor Uzodimma who had the President’s mandate to ensure that happened.

    It was earlier reported that the embattled APC National Chairman resigned from his position on Sunday night following an ultimatum given him by President Bola Tinubu.

    But what is not yet in the public domain is the role played by Governor Uzodimma, who is the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, the umbrella body of governors of the ruling APC.

    A member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), who confirmed Adamu’s resignation story last night said President Tinubu gave Uzodimma the charge to secure the chairman’s resignation.

    He said, “It is true that Adamu has resigned as the national chairman of APC though he didn’t tell any of us, members of the NWC. What we heard was that the President gave Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, the charge to ensure that Abdullahi Adamu resigns,” the APC NWC member who spoke on condition of anonymity said. “The party’s national headquarters and the NWC have not provided any such information or official communication regarding the selection of offices,” Adamu clarified. “We follow established norms and practices, which require us to resolve and communicate in writing. We have no intention of deviating from these traditions.”

    Adamu emphasized that any announcements made by the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, or Deputy Speaker are not endorsed by the secretariat of the party.

    Furthermore, apart from causing significant displeasure among some of Tinubu’s supporters, the national chairman went a step further by unilaterally rejecting the principal officers of the National Assembly. These officers were reported to have the full backing of the President.

  • Media Denied Access: Sergeant-at-Arms Bars Reporters from Senate Plenary Coverage

    Media Denied Access: Sergeant-at-Arms Bars Reporters from Senate Plenary Coverage

    In an unexpected turn of events, reporters were unexpectedly denied access to cover the senate plenary by the sergeant-at-arms of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    Without providing any explanation, a sergeant-at-arms stationed at the entrance to the gallery, the area where the public and journalists observe the proceedings, erected a barricade, effectively preventing entry.

  • National Assembly Renovation So Far Gulps N19bn – ES FCDA

    National Assembly Renovation So Far Gulps N19bn – ES FCDA

    ..contracts approval to open up new districts across FCT

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Administration, (FCDA), Engineer Shehu Ahmad today disclosed that the renovation of the National Assembly Complex which was awarded at the cost of N30.2 billion has so far gulped N19 billion.”

    Engineer Ahmad disclosed this to Journalists on Tuesday at the FCDA Executive Management Committee Media briefing on the Abuja Masterplan.

    He said the renovation project which is 60% completed was approved by the president in 2020 but the amount was released in 2022.

    Ahmad said, “the renovation of the 9th National Assembly contract was awarded at the cost of N30.2 billion in 2022 following President Buhari’s approval, the money was released in 2022.”

    “We have so far spent N19 billion naira on the renovation which is expected to be completed in August, 2023.”

    He also said,”Infrastructure development is not a bane of Abuja alone, but a national problem. As it is,ad funding for infrastructure in Nigeria currently runs into trillions of naira and Abuja, as we all know gets funding for infrastructure projects from national budget which is not enough.”

    “That is why the FCT Administration is engaging private sector through the land for infrastructure swap like we have in Gwagwa District and we are looking at other Districts like Buru Shareti where we have expressed interest.”

    According to Ahmad, through the goodwill of the FCT Minister, several efforts have started to changed the trend in the delivery of infrastructure to help realize the dreams of the founding fathers of the city, adding that with more political will, a lot can still be done towards the inclusive and rapid development of the city.

    Furthermore, he disclosed that almost about 18 projects proposals are before the Federal Executive Council (FEC), out of which nine are being processed as approvals have been given for award of contracts, which are going to be delivered in the phase of sequence, in line with the policy of executing infrastructure of most impact on the city.

    Meanwhile, Ahmad disclosed that on Monday, it got FEC’s approval for the revised estimated total cost of the contract for the construction and equipping of 220-Bed Gwarimpa District Hospital (Phase I) at Plot 79 Sector Centre E, Gwarimpa District, Abuja, awarded to Messrs Mabelt Construction Company Limited at the total cost of
    N5,652,680,046.09.

    He hinted the approval for the revised estimated contract for the construction of three Solid Waste Transfer Stations at Mpape, Apo and Kubwa in the FCT, awarded to Messrs Goodness International Resources Limited, at the total cost of N6,230,103,458.37.

    Similarly, he disclosed approval for the Award of contract for the provision of Electric Power and Water supply to Apo-Tafyi Federal Integrated Staff Housing site, awarded to Messrs Olivec Ventures Limited, at the total cost of N3,578,679,582.19.

    Approval for the award of contract for the construction of Access Road and Car Park for Abuja Light Rail at Stadium and Kukwaba Stations, awarded to Messrs Datum Construction Engineering Limited N4,600,479,947.25 at the cost, he disclosed.

    “Approval for the award of contract for the construction of Access Road and Car Park for Abuja Light Rail at Stadium and Kukwaba Stations.

    “Approval for the Award of contract for the construction of 15km Road from A2 Junction(Abuja- Lokoja Road) to Pai in Kwali Area Council, FCT, awarded to Messrs COAN (West Africa) Limited, at the cost of N11,584,613,858,.61.”

    “Approval for the award of contract for the construction of Ring Roads Roads Nanda- Pandagi- Dangara- Agyena Road, FCT Abuja, awarded to Messrs COAN (West Africa)Limited, at the cost of N9,133,302,039.00”.
    Ahmad however said that the process of contract procurement are sometimes delayed because the FCDA wants to get it right in development delivery.

  • National Assembly Passes N21.8trn 2023 Budget

    National Assembly Passes N21.8trn 2023 Budget

    The National Assembly has passed the 2023 appropriation bill at N21.83 trillion.

    This shows an increase of N1.32 trillion from the N20.51 trillion budget proposal of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A breakdown of the budget indicates an allocation of N967.5 billion for statutory transfers, N6.6 trillion for debt servicing, N8.3 trillion for recurrent expenditure, and N5.9 trillion for capital expenditure.

    Meanwhile, the Senate has passed the 2022 supplementary budget of N819.5 billion.

    According to the upper chamber, the amendment of the 2022 Appropriation Act is to ensure the implementation of the key capital project in the Act which has not been funded as at this time.

    The upper chamber said it is expedient that the capital projects be extended to prevent the problem of abandoning projects in the budget.

    The supplementary budget is to address food security following devastating floods across the country as well as damages to road infrastructure and the water sector.

    A breakdown of the supplementary budget in the report by the Committee of Finance shows that the Ministry of Agriculture is to get N69 billion, the Ministry of Water Resources – N15.5 billion, FCT – N30 billion, Ministry of Works and Housing – N704 billion.

  • Why I’ll Never Retire To National Assembly – El-Rufai

    Why I’ll Never Retire To National Assembly – El-Rufai

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Monday, said he would never retire to the National Assembly because he does not have the patience and hard work required to carry out legislative business.

    El-Rufai said this in his remarks at the second edition of the “Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture” organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

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    The event took place on Monday morning.

    “The legislature is one branch of government I know I can never function. The hardwork needed to convince people to support even your motion is some us have no patience for.

    “You know management in the executive is very straightforward; it is very hierarchical and once you are a governor, your word is almost law. But in the legislature, everybody is equal and there is no management that is more difficult than managing your equals.

    “I don’t envy Mr Speaker and the Senate president at all because their job perhaps is the hardest job in this country. Managing equals is difficult. For the executive, you can hire and fire. I know that many of our colleagues governors are retiring to the Senate. But I can assure you that I will never retire to the legislature because I don’t think I can function there,” he said.

    El-Rufai commended the leadership of the 9th National Assembly under Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for passing “ground breaking laws which have had positive impacts on the nation”.

  • Wike Blames Lawmakers For Abandoned Projects Nationwide

    Wike Blames Lawmakers For Abandoned Projects Nationwide

    Governor Nyesom Wike says inadequate allocation of funds for projects by the National Assembly every fiscal year is responsible for project abandonment.

    Mr Wike disclosed this during the inauguration of the Peter Odili Cancer Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Centre by the Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, in Port Harcourt.

    ”The reason why federal government projects take years to complete is because the National Assembly often allocates paltry sums for projects earmarked for execution every fiscal year,” claimed Mr Wike. “Such practice has continued to encourage the abandonment of projects and promote inadequacy in terms of governance, project delivery and public service.”

    The Rivers governor further stated, “For example, for a project that will cost N26 billion, you are putting N500 million in the budget for a whole year. Then, it will now take you more than 20 years to complete. By then, the cost will move up from N26 billion to one hundred billion and something billion naira.”

    The governor announced plans for a partnership based on the strength of the understanding brokered with United States consul general Will Stevens for a team from the U.S. to manage the centre.

    The governor said Mr Stevens had visited the hospital and was currently contacting people who know how best to run hospitals profitably, which will be considered to take over the centre’s operations.

  • NASS to Pass 2023 Appropriation Bill in December

    NASS to Pass 2023 Appropriation Bill in December

    Senate president Ahmad Lawan says the National Assembly will pass the 2023 appropriation bill of N20.5 trillion before the end of December.

    He disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a reception organised to celebrate the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) bestowed on him by President Muhamadu Buhari.

    Mr Buhari on Friday presented the 2023 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly.

    The budget is tagged ‘Budget of Fiscal Sustainability and Transition’.

    Mr Lawan, in a speech at the reception, said the senate would begin debate on the bill on Wednesday (today).

    “Tomorrow, we will start the debate on the 2023 appropriation bill. Like we did for the three previous sessions, we are going to pass it before the end of December,” the senator promised. 

  • Buhari Presents 2023 Budget Proposal To National Assembly

    Buhari Presents 2023 Budget Proposal To National Assembly

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday presented before the two chambers of the National Assembly, a record N20.51 trillion proposed budget for the 2023 financial year.

    The N20.51 trillion budget which is the highest so far in the nation’s history, is the last to be presented by the president before his tenure elapses.

    According to the president, this 8th financial blueprint of his administration is tagged the budget of Fiscal Sustainability and transition.

    Buhari while addressing members of the parliament noted that the 2023 transition budget was designed to address critical issues and lay a solid foundation for the incoming administration.

    The president said he believes that based Based on these fiscal assumptions and parameters, total federally-collectible revenue is estimated at 16.87 trillion Naira in 2023.

    Further stated that the total federally distributable revenue is estimated at 11.09 trillion Naira in 2023, while total revenue available to fund the 2023 Federal Budget is estimated at 9.73 trillion Naira.

    This he said includes the revenues of 63 Government-Owned Enterprises.

    The president also disclosed that oil revenue is projected at 1.92 trillion Naira, Non-oil taxes are estimated at 2.43 trillion Naira, FGN Independent revenues are projected to be 2.21 trillion Naira.

    Other revenues total 762 billion Naira, while the retained revenues of the GOEs amount to N2.42 trillion Naira.

    In his speech, the president stressed that the 2023 Appropriation Bill aims to maintain the focus of MDAs on the revenue side of the budget and greater attention to internal revenue generation.

    “Sustenance of revenue diversification strategy would further increase the non-oil revenue share of total revenues,” President Buhari opined.

    While N2.42 trillion Naira would be for spending by Government-Owned Enterprises, the proposed 20.51 trillion Naira 2023 expenditure comprises:

    Statutory Transfers of N744.11 billion; Non-debt Recurrent Costs of N8.27 trillion; Personnel Costs of N4.99 trillion; Pensions, Gratuities and Retirees’ Benefits of N854.8 billion; Overheads of N1.11 trillion; Capital Expenditure of N5.35 trillion, including the capital component of Statutory Transfers; Debt Service of N6.31 trillion; and Sinking Fund of N247.73 billion to retire certain maturing bonds.

    The president said the government expects a total fiscal operations of to result in a deficit of 10.78 trillion Naira.

    This he noted represents 4.78 percent of estimated GDP, above the 3 percent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

    “As envisaged by the law, we need to exceed this threshold considering the need to continue to tackle the existential security challenges facing the country,” Buhari explained.

    Speaking further, the president revealed that the government plans to finance the deficit mainly by new borrowings totalling 8.80 trillion Naira, 206.18 billion Naira from Privatization Proceeds and 1.77 trillion Naira drawdowns on bilateral and multilateral loans secured for specific development projects and programmes.

  • National Assembly Seeks End to Gas Flaring

    National Assembly Seeks End to Gas Flaring

    Leadership of the National Assembly said it was working seriously to ensure the reduction of gas flaring in Nigeria.

    The Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change led by the Chairman, Senator Hassan Anka, recently hosted a “National Green Summit on Collection Action for Gas Emission Reduction and Climate Mitigation in Niger”, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    In his remarks at the programme, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the time to end gas flaring was now in view of its effect on the environment and food security, saying the summit was timely following the increasing need for greater attention to questions about the country’s environment

    Represented by Senator Frank Ibezim, Lawan said the country was blessed with all sorts of natural mineral resources, yet facing serious environmental challenge.

    He said, “The interaction is coming at a time of increasing need for greater attention to questions about our environment, the importance of gas and the need to develop a carbon market framework as part of a continuing quest to harness the benefits of nature to improve living standards.

    “I appreciate your recognition of the national and global impacts of these elements and their applicability to achieving the nation’s net-zero goals by 2060,” saying the theme of the summit was apt.

    “There is no better time for us as a country to wake up. I will always wonder in the midst of plenty we have continued to go down as a nation. This is because we haven’t felt there is a necessity.

    “This is a country that is blessed with all sorts of natural mineral resources, a country that is blessed with men and women who are quite knowledgeable. People when they leave the shores of the country to go to other countries where they excel and do the best they can.

    “This particular summit is here to address all those challenges because the only reason we cannot have yield is because of environmental degradation. We have lost alot of natural products because we are flaring gas. Gas would have given us more in our economy yet we are flaring gas. Let start from somewhere, lets stop faring”.

    Also speaking, the first military governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff recalled that at the Kyoto summit in 1997 it was agreed that all the greenhouse gases should be reduced, but that the developing nations were allowed to develop their own industries.

    Spiff said “Because most of the multinationals do not see the need why they should stop gas flaring in Nigeria. They are standing under that umbrella that they are working in the developing countries.

    “Nigeria has adopted a timetable of continuing gas flaring till 2060,” he said, even as he faulted the timeline.

    Speaking further, King Spiff said: “I think that we have to think again. This meeting should be able to come up with a decision and I think it is about time to stop the gas flaring in Nigeria.

    “We are losing too much revenue, we are causing so much damage to the ecology. We are causing so much health hazards, especially those in the oil producing areas”.

    The former Rivers Governor offered to provide solution to gas flaring.

    “The happy thing here is that this can be stopped. I, Alfred Diette-Spiff have friends who have told me that they can stop the gas flaring in one year. Gas flaring can be stopped in one year. All we got to do is all the flared gas be put into a compressor, trapped and it will come out as cooking gas, gutting, meting, etalon”.