Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Senate

  • Senate to debate PIB report Thursday, says Lawan

    Senate to debate PIB report Thursday, says Lawan

     The Senate will on Thursday debate the report of its joint committees on Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas) on the Petroleum Industry Bill.Senate President Ahmad Lawan disclosed this on Tuesday after the chairman of the panel, Senator Mohammed Sabo (Jigawa South West) submitted the committees’ report.Lawan said, “We will be considering the report on Thursday. We have today, tomorrow and Thursday to look at the report so that when we consider the report, we will be doing so on the basis of what we have been able to read from this very important report.”

    The Senate President urged the Joint Committee to provide lawmakers with copies of the bill ahead of its consideration to enable them study its content.

    “Let me use the opportunity to thank our Joint Committee for working so hard, selflessly and patriotically to produce the report on the Petroleum Industry Bill.

    “This report, a copy each, must be made available to each and every Senator today, this afternoon.

    “I don’t know how the Committee would arrange it, but every Senator must have a copy today.

    “And we would be considering the report on Thursday.

    “So, we have today, tomorrow until the beginning of Thursday to look at the report so that when we consider it, we will be doing so on the basis of what we have been able to read from this very important report,” Lawan said.

    Senate also at plenary considered for first reading, five bills.

    The bills are : Recovery of Premises Act 1995 repeal and re-enactment Bill 2021, sponsored by Sen.Odey Stephen (PDP Cross -River), Federal University of Technology Akwa-Ibom Establishment Bill,2021 by Sen.Akpan Bassey(PDP Akwa Ibom), Federal University of Technology Jigawa Establishment Bill,2021 by Sen.Mohammed Sabo (APC -Jigawa).

    Others are Mortage Institutions and Allied Matters Act Amendment Bill,2021 by Sen.Ibikunle Amosu (APC -Ogun) and National Research and Innovation Council Establishment Bill,2021 by Sen.Ibezim Chukwuma(APC -Imo).

    Senate also at plenary, confirmed the appointment of Mr Kolawole Alabi, for appointment as Executive Commissioner, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.(FCCPC).

    The confirmation followed the presentation of the report the Committee on Trade and Investment by the Chairman Sen.Fadahunsi Adenigba(PDP Osun) and consideration of same.

    Our correspondent reports that the bill seeks to establish a framework for the creation of commercially-oriented and profit-driven petroleum entities, to ensure value addition and internationalisation of the petroleum industry, through the creation of efficient and effective governing institutions with clear and separate roles for the petroleum industry.

    Our correspondent reports that the bill is the first in a series of long awaited petroleum industry laws designed to reform the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

    The PIB, an omnibus law meant to regulate the entire sphere of the industry and repeal all current existing oil and gas legislation, had struggled to see the light of day ins spite of its introduction to the National Assembly over 16 years ago.

    Subsequently, the National Assembly decided to break the PIB into a number of different pieces of legislation guiding specific aspects of the industry. 

  • Senate to debate Petroleum Bill Report on Thursday – Lawan

    Senate to debate Petroleum Bill Report on Thursday – Lawan

    The Senate will on Thursday debate the report of its joint committees on Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas) on the Petroleum Industry Bill.

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan disclosed this on Tuesday after the chairman of the panel, Senator Mohammed Sabo (Jigawa South West) submitted the committees’ report.

    Lawan said, “We will be considering the report on Thursday. We have today, tomorrow and Thursday to look at the report so that when we consider the report, we will be doing so on the basis of what we have been able to read from this very important report.”

  • Senate protests media report alleging approval of N37bn for N’Assembly renovation

    Senate protests media report alleging approval of N37bn for N’Assembly renovation

    The Senate has protested a media report by Channels Television alleging that its leadership approved the sum of N37 billion naira for the renovation of the National Assembly.

    Leading the protest, the Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, while relying on order 14 and 15 of the Senate Standing Rules, declared the report as contemptuous and a breach of his privileges and that of members of the upper chamber.

    The lawmaker lamented that the falsehoods contained in the report by the television station was intended to denigrate the image of the National Assembly and incite Nigerians against lawmakers on the various social media platforms.

    He said, “Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, yesterday, Abuja experienced rainfall. And the issue of the rainfall as it happened yesterday which was heavy was reported in various media.

    “However, when I listened to the reportage on the Channels Television yesterday, there were many issues that were raised in their report that I felt has impinged upon my privilege and, perhaps, the privilege of my colleagues.

    “In that report yesterday, Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, three things were reported which were very inaccurate: that there was heavy downpour or leakage even in the chamber. That was not correct.

    “There was leakage of course around the premises, outside the chamber and, also, it was reported that because of that leakage it delayed our sitting. That, also, was not correct.

    “The leadership had house keeping matters and, of course, until the leadership comes into the chamber, sitting will not begin.

    “Thirdly, Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, and the most critical was that they reported the leadership as approving the sum of N37 billion for rehabilitation of the complex. This is farther from the truth.

    “As well all know, the leadership of course, noticed the level of dilapidation and the need for rehabilitation of the National Assembly complex.

    He explained that the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives approached the President on the matter.

    “At the end of the day, like we all know, when the sum of N37 billion was made as provision in the shared 2020 of the budget, the media went to town castigating and calling the National Assembly members all kinds of names.

    “Now, at the end of the day, the pandemic came and that amount was reduced to about N9 billion so that they can take the rehabilitation in phases.

    “As we speak, nothing has been done until yesterday, like we all saw, the leakages across the complex.

    “This is a vindication of what the leadership and, indeed, the Senate and members of the House of Representatives saw with respect to this edifice which is a national monument.

    “This is the house of Nigerians, and I believe it is also the face and symbol of our democracy. [And] I believe as responsible tenants – because we are all tenants here, we have our time to leave – we have a duty to report back, in this case

    “If you follow what was been reported or comments being made in the social media arising from that report alone – they would just tell you what in 2020 last year, the leadership approved N37 billion, then they will show rain falling.

    “The entire report was done to denigrate our integrity and to actually impugn on whatever it is that we stand for”, Senate Abdullahi said.

    The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks described the report as irresponsible, adding that the media should seek clarification on matters of interest through proper investigations before filing reports.

    He said, “The Channels Television corespondent or reporter here may not be responsible for that, because I know that our press corps members and reporters are in tune with what we do here and what happens around us.

    “And they are very patriotic, very genuine and committed to democracy and, therefore, the Senate correspondent of the Channels TV couldn’t have sent that report.

    “Let me advise the media, this is irresponsible, I must say, because seek the truth, investigate properly.

    “Come to us, or go to those who you think should know better before you compile and send your reports.

    “The fact that there was a leakage to me is a clear testimony, confirmation and vindication of the position the National Assembly took initially.

    While narrating the circumstances which led to President Buhari approving the renovation of the National Assembly complex, he dismissed insinuations that the National Assembly was responsible for the implementation of the renovation of the complex.

    “By the time we came into office, the Speaker and I found it necessary to go round this complex and we found out dilapidation and degradation.

    “In fact, anyone who see what we have here knows that this place is overdue for renovation. It is even worse downstairs.

    “So, we went to see Mr. President that to complain to him that there is need to rehabilitation and renovate the National Assembly complex after the being used for twenty years and not rehabilitated at all.

    “[And] Mr. President was gracious, he asked us to come back to engage the FCDA who are the owners of this building.

    “The management – the technical side of the National Assembly and some contractors to come up with what we need to rehabilitate here and the costing.

    “In fact, I fought against the initial submissions because I was to take the document to Mr. President.

    “When I saw what some of them were bringing, I said I couldn’t take that to Mr. President. Go and rework it.

    “They continued to rework until they came down to N37 billion. I took that to Mr. President, and he immediately called the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, he said go and look for money to rehabilitate the National Assembly complex.

    “Myself, the Speaker, the late Chief of Staff and the Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed met, and the meeting was to go and look for money to rehabilitate this complex.

    “[And] for emphasis, when we approved the budget of N37 billion naira for the rehabilitation of this complex, it was not a National Assembly budget, it was an FCDA budget. We have nothing to do with this.

    “But, of course, some misinformed – some innocent and some deliberately mischievous – went to town and were saying the National Assembly wanted to eat N37 billion naira, that there is nothing wrong with this place.

    “This is the house of the citizens of Nigeria, and this is the symbol of democracy.

    “If this complex leaks, the interpretation is we are not holding our democracy with the respect that it deserves.

    “This symbol of democracy must be protected, must be promoted and supported. In fact, the institution of parliament must be supported by citizens, and we expect the press to take a lead in informing the public properly and appropriately.”

  • Senate will expose govt. agencies refusing to account for public funds, says Lawan

    Senate will expose govt. agencies refusing to account for public funds, says Lawan

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the upper chamber will publish the names of government agencies that have refused to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to defend the interrogations of the Auditor-General for the Federation in the 2015 report.

    Lawan made this known in his remarks after the Senate considered the report of the Committee on Public Accounts on the annual report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December, 2015.

    According to the Senate President, any public official that refuses to account for public funds at their disposal must be shown the way out of office.

    He said, “This is one of our major responsibilities as a parliament, to hold the executive to account.

    “[And] whoever is given the responsibility and the trust of running any agency with public funds must be accountable to the parliament on behalf of the people.

    “You have indicated a certain number of MDAs who failed to come to the committee after invitation, I want you to go through your documents – the invitation letters with reminders.

    “This Senate will publish the names of these agencies for the public to know.

    “This Senate will insist, any public servant or civil servant that is given public fund for public good and has questions to answer and refuse to appear to answer, should have no business being in government.

    “Because all of us are supposed to be accountable to the people and, therefore, if someone feels that he is not going to be accountable, then that person has no business remaining in office.

    “But I want to also say that, those who turned up to defend or explain the interrogations by the Auditor-General did the right thing and we must commend them for coming, whether they were able to convince the committee that the Auditor-General was not right or not. They appeared responsible and accountable.

    “For those that have been able to convince the committee on the propriety of what they did, we commend them because they followed the proper accounting mechanisms established, probably by the office of the Accountant-General.”

    Lawan lamented that most agencies of government have refused to comply with accounting systems put in place by the office of the Accountant-General.

    According to him, this is largely responsible for fraudulent transactions by some Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.

    He, therefore, tasked the Public Accounts Committee to ensure that agencies of government comply with the accounting systems and procedures specified by the office of the Accountant-General.

    “[And] from my experience as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in this Senate, most of the agencies of government do not adhere to the established accounting mechanisms that will ensure accountability and transparency sent to them by the office of the Accountant-General.

    “We should go ahead and check the accounting systems established in most of these agencies.

    “In my experience, there was an agency of government in 2005 or 2006 that spent N1 billion naira on what they called welfare.

    “And that is to tell you that there is no system to stop this kind of thing. So, we should go ahead, especially the major agencies, and look at the systems they follow so that we stop people from doing the wrong things before we start to look for remedy.”

    The Senate President further disclosed that the chamber would consider the eventual recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee after it comes up with a document that neatly outlines and summarises them for consideration.

    “The report need our study, just like most of our colleagues said, let’s read it and then come back to look at the recommendations.

    “But, I’ll also suggest that you should have all the recommendations in one place, because it is the recommendations that we will consider, instead of going through all the documents before we pass the recommendations. We should have the recommendations summarized.”

    Earlier, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, said findings showed that there were “consistent contravention of relevant Constitutional provisions and other Extant Laws by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.”

    According to the lawmaker, the late submission of annual financial statement is a violation of Section 49(1) and (2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 and Section 85 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He disclosed that there were withdrawals of funds by the executive arm from Special Fund Accounts for purposes other than the objectives the funds were created, and without recourse to the National Assembly for authourisation, contrary to Section 80(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    Urhoghide further disclosed that there was absence of collaboration amongst the two key agencies involved in the management and superintending over of public funds – office of the Auditor-General and the Office of the Accountant-General.

    He explained that the lack of cooperation between both offices poses a barrier to efficient, effective and transparent audit process of the nation’s Federation Account.

    The lawmaker, therefore, underscored the need to pass the Audit Service Bill into law, to strengthen and streamline the audit process with a view to ensuring prudence in public finance and transactions.

    The Upper Chamber, after consideration of the Public Accounts Committee report
    on the annual report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December, 2015, stood it down pending when the committee summarises its recommendations to the Senate.

  • Senate Confirms Farouk Yahaya As Chief Of Army Staff

    Senate Confirms Farouk Yahaya As Chief Of Army Staff

    The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.

    The red chamber took the decision following the consideration of the report of its joint committee on Defence and Army led by Senators Aliyu Wamakko and Ali Ndume.

    The President of the Senate had on June 2, referred the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for Yahaya’s confirmation to the committees.

    Details later…

  • Senate screens Lauretta Onochie, five others as INEC commissioners

    Senate screens Lauretta Onochie, five others as INEC commissioners

    The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, asked the Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission to screen for confirmation, the appointments of Ms. Lauretta Onochie, and five others as INEC commissioners.

    The development came eight months after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), sent the list of the nominees to the Senate for screening.

    It was learnt that protests among the Peoples Democratic Party members in the red chamber halted the process of the screening as the opposition federal lawmakers were said to have accused Onochie, who is presently a presidential spokesperson, of unnecessarily casting aspersions on their party.

    They also faulted the idea of making Onochie, a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress as an INEC Commissioner to represent Delta State on the board of the commission.

    Other names on the list are, Prof. Muhammad Kallah (Katsina); Prof. Kunle Ajayi (Ekiti); Saidu Ahmad (Jigawa); Prof Sani Adam (North- Central); and Dr Baba Bila (North-East).

    The Senate INEC panel, which has Senator Kabiru Gaya as Chairman, has four weeks to conclude the screening and report back to the red chamber at plenary.

  • Senate honours T.B. Joshua with a minute silence

    Senate honours T.B. Joshua with a minute silence

    The Senate on Tuesday observed a minute silence in honour of the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), late Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua.

    Joshua passed on Saturday night at the age of 57.

    The resolution of the Senate followed a point of order moved by Senator Ajayi Boroffice in which he intimated his colleagues of the passage of the popular man of God.

    Boroffice, while citing order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules, lamented the death of Pastor Joshua.

    He described him as a passionate leader who contributed immensely to the development of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

    He called on the Senate to send a delegation to condole with the Ondo State Government and the family of the deceased over the irreparable loss as well as on the Federal Government to name a befitting monument to immortalise the late Pastor.

    “Pastor T.B. Joshua was an illustrious son of Ondo State who contributed his quota to the development of the state.

    “He contributed to the advancement of sports, education, health and other social amenities in the state,” Boroffice said.

  • We Can’t Give You A New Constitution, Senate Tells Nigerians

    We Can’t Give You A New Constitution, Senate Tells Nigerians

    The Senate, on Thursday, ruled out the possibility of giving Nigerians a new constitution despite a mass campaign for it.

    Different stakeholders and groups, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, had called for a new constitution that will capture the agitations of many Nigerians, instead of amending the present 1999 constitution, which they said had outlived its usefulness.

    They said the current 1999 constitution can not sufficiently address the socio-economic challenges currently pummeling the nation.

    “There is a very simple solution to the growing insecurity in the country and that is a new constitution,” Afe Babalola, an erudite lawyer, had said.

    But speaking at a national public hearing on the alteration to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution in Abuja, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, said it would be unconstitutional to embark on any process to provide an entirely new law without prior alteration of Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Omo-Agege said: “Now, some of our compatriots have urged that rather than amending the Constitution, we should make a new Constitution all together. We respect this opinion, and we believe it is a most desirable proposition.

    “However, we are conducting this exercise in accordance with the extant legal order, which is the 1999 Constitution.

    “Specifically, Section 9 of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to alter the provisions of the Constitution and prescribes the manner in which it is to be done.

    “Unfortunately, it does not make similar provision or provide mechanism for replacing or re-writing an entirely new Constitution.

    “To embark on any process without prior alteration of Section 9 of the Constitution to provide the mode through which an entirely new Constitution could be made, would amount to gross violation of our oath of allegiance to the Constitution.

    “In other words, it will take a new Constitutional amendment to be able to give Nigerians a most desired new Constitution. It would be unconstitutional to do otherwise.”

    Ezekwesili wants a referendum for new constitution

    But a former Minister of Education, Obi Ezekwesili, insisted at the hearing that production of a brand new constitution remained the only way to address the nation’s social, political and economic crisis.

    She urged the constitution review panel to consider just one amendment to the law which would only provide for a referendum to produce a brand new constitution.

    “The National Assembly should work with citizens to outline a new constitution Process and the Agenda for a single-issue amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow a referendum on new constitution,” she said.

    Earlier, Senate President Ahmad Lawan advised Nigerians with pressing views to build a national consensus around them to ensure the amendment of the constitution in their favour.

  • BREAKING: Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Bsc/HND dichotomy

    BREAKING: Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Bsc/HND dichotomy

    The Senate, on Wednesday, passed a bill seeking to prohibit the discrimination between the University degree holders and the Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate and in the country.

    The bill was sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure and passed the third reading during Wednesday’s plenary session.

    The Chairman of the Joint Committee which worked in the legislation Senator Ibrahim Shekerau said the bill will free the holders of HND from stagnation and ensure balanced treatment with their counterparts from other higher tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

    He added that the abolishment of the existing dichotomy between HND holders and graduates of Universities would meet the huge manpower needs of Nigerians, ensure social justice and enhanced corporate governance, as well encourage patriotic contributions amongst HND employees in both public and private sectors.

    Senator Ibrahim Shekarau earlier moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Joint Committee on Establishment and Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Prohibition of Discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diplomas Bill, 2021 (SB.297).

    The motion was seconded by Senator Sadiq Umar seconds and Senate dissolves into Committee of the Whole to consider the report.

    The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary then considered and approved Clauses 1-6.

    Details later…

  • Senate urges DPR to enforce ban on illegal cooking gas retailers

    Senate urges DPR to enforce ban on illegal cooking gas retailers

    The Senate has urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to clamp down on illegal roadside retailers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

    This, the Senate said was to enhance safety in the country.

    The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun) during plenary on Tuesday.

    The motion was “On the need to curb the rising cases of gas-related fire incidences, explosions and deaths in Ogun”.

    The upper chamber also urged DPR to step up the clampdown on illegal roadside retailers of LPG who operate without a valid licence or who operate within residential areas.

    The senate equally mandated its Committees on Gas, and Industries to investigate the cause(s) of the recent cases of Gas explosions in Ogun, other states and the FCT.

    This, it said was in order to find permanent and sustainable solutions that would save the lives of the people, and report back to the Senate.

    Moving the motion, Amosun said that natural gas found in abundance in the country had continued to gain acceptance among most homes in Nigeria as it was used for cooking, welding.

    He said that this essential commodity if not well managed and regulated, could be a curse rather than a blessing because of the loss of lives and destruction of properties that were usually associated with it whenever anything went wrong.

    The lawmaker called on regulatory agencies in the LPG to live up to their responsibilities to enforce standards, clamp down on the influx of sub-standard cylinders and retailers who dispense adulterated gas.

    The resolutions were all adopted after a voiced vote by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.