The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the audit of security agencies in Rivers State, in order to fish out those behind the Soot problem in the State.
They also raised alarm over the impending environmental danger caused by theft of crude oil in parts of the State.
This is as it directed the Navy, Police, Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Army to conduct a holistic investigation into the involvement of its men in illegal oil refining in River State.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East) on the dangerous dimension that incomplete crude refining has taken in the South-South State.
According to Senator Sekibo, the situation which is caused by the activities of multinational companies operating in the area causes drops of strange soot substances on residents who dares to stay outdoor.
“It has become more worrisome that they are seen on bedspreads in bedrooms, worktops in kitchens, chairs and other materials in houses, meaning that they are entering every available crevice into inner spaces of buildings as the wind carries them,” he added.
Insisting that the land, air and water has been polluted, the lawmaker lamented that for over 60 years, “an environmental audit due to the degradation of the environment has never been carried out since the commencement of the exploration and exploitation activities in the area.”
The motion also attributed recent deaths in the area to the situation, lamenting that if not curbed, the sooty particulates could spread to other neighbouring states and the entire country.
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in a bid to avoid situations where public buildings collapse indiscriminately.
This is to ensure that projects approved by the commission are executed according to specification.
Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, who spoke while signing the MoU in Abuja on Wednesday, said the idea is to provide conducive learning environment for learning in the country.
Bobboyi said COREN will engage in monitoring of the Commission’s projects at least twice a month once the project started.
According to him, “We have been giving money in the form of matching grants instincts, and much of these monies that have been given to states have been used for infrastructure.
“There are times we have real challenges in the quality of infrastructure but it is our hope that the journey we began with COREN will help us deliver the quality projects that we all yearn for and that can serve Nigeria’s energy,” he said.
On his part, the Registrar of COREN, Professor Joseph Odigure said resident engineers will be in charge of monitoring projects in the respective states.
Odigure noted that the MoU is to ensure COREN perfectly monitor UBEC projects for proper and quality delivery.
The Group Managing Director, NNPC Limited, Engr. Mele kyari, on Wednesday insisted that Africa must develop at its own pace and not be stampeded into transitioning to cleaner energy.
This is as pressure continues to mount for the descalation of concentration on fossil fuels.
Kyari stated this during his keynote address at the commencement of a session tagged: “Changing Strategies for the Future of NNPC” at the ongoing fifth edition Nigeria International Energy Summit (NEIS 2022), in Abuja.
He said that the engine of the growth would be local companies with strong governance, technical, commercial capacity, and capability to transform resources to energy, adding that the country has have come to the consensus that energy turns the wheel of prosperity forward.
According to him, “I am delighted to back here again. Over the past few days, we have dissected the industry, the challenges, both current and emerging ones and discussed extensively the place of Africa in the energy transition debate.
“To my mind, the pathway is clear; Africa must develop at its own pace. The engine of this growth would be local companies with strong governance, technical, commercial capacity, and capability to transform resources to energy and we have come to the consensus that energy turns the wheel of prosperity forward.
He said, Nigeria is demanding solutions for more energy which must be delivered in new and better ways for a low carbon future.
Kyari said: “To achieve this, I would quickly highlight the framework or premise of the strategy. Let me reiterate that our strategy is crafted to keep us resilient and competitive in a fast-changing world despite the increase in market volatility.
“The growth of the gas business and Low carbon intensive oil remains the focus. we would invest in more oil and gas, however with increased efficiency in production.
“The investment in gas infrastructure to harness the gas resources both for domestic and export market is already underway. We are building gas super-highways to connect gas sources to both existing and new markets. My vision is to see NNPC emerge as one of the Top 5 Gas companies within the next decade.
“The new NNPC is focused on market-led growth in the midstream and downstream business. By taking forward looking and integrated investment approach, we would convert oil and gas to useful products (Petchem, refining, fertilizer, and chemicals). Our partnerships will be designed to Innovate with advanced products, increase retail market footprints through strategic retail partnerships. NNPC will be a part of Every home, workplace, and industry .
“More importantly, NNPC limited is a modernized organisation. The simplification of our processes, deployment of new thinking paradigm through the organisation and digitization takes the center stage. We are expanding the role of research and innovation, dedicating a fixed share of our revenues to enable us to contribute to the energy transition debate from a pragmatic and business solution perspective” he added.
A coalition of women groups stormed the National Assembly to protest the resolutions of lawmakers at the just concluded consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.
This is to register their dissatisfaction at the refusal of Senators to give nod to the Bill seeking to create special seats for women in the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.
The report recommended the creating of one special seat in each state of the Federation and the FCT for women without prejudice to their eligibility to contest in the existing senatorial seats in each state and the FCT.
Speaking to newsmen at the entrance of the National Assembly, the President Women in Politics Forum, Ebere Ifendu stated that the rejection of the bills by the lawmakers was “against development.
“If there is no inclusivity, how can we develop. There is no level playing field.
“What we are asking for is 35 per cent of women in party executive. Surprisingly, they voted against it.”
On her part, the National President of Business and Professional Women in Nigeria, Mrs Yinka Ajibola pointed out that “we are not asking for favour; we are asking for our rights.
“The non passage of the bill was a disappointment and we have come to show our displeasure. We are dissatisfied.
“Incidentally, women are more than 50 per cent. Why should we be treated as second class citizens.It is so shocking that Nigeria in 2022 will be taking such a stance.”
To assuage the protesters, the leadership of the Senate led by Deputy Senate Leader Sen. Ajayi Boroffice said “we are here on behalf of the Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
“He has delegated us to represent him. Seeing us you have seen the Senate; you have seen the Senate president.
“We are going to listen to you. Even though we know what you are about to say. We are in agreement with your strategy, we are sympathetic with your intention but in a democracy, you cannot always have it your own ways,”Boroffice said.
Also speaking, Mrs Abiola Afolabi, Leader of the Women Group noted with displeasure that “last week, the wife of the President accompanied by the Minister of Women Affairs, came to the national assembly on behalf women to make our issues known.
“There were some commitments made by the Senate President about the gender sensitivity of the national assembly.
“We want to see them to explain to us what really happened and what can be done to address this wrong. We are demanding to see them.
“It is better they dignify us by coming to speak with us as we will not speak with the delegation.”
The House of Representatives has set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the duplication of functions by agencies of federal government.
The committee is also to ascertain the root cause of the incessant bickering among some established Agencies, Departments, Boards, Parastatals and Corporations in the Nigeria.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Tahir Mohammed Monguno on the “Need to Investigate the Duplication of Functions of Agencies of the Federal Government”.
Monguno said that Section 153(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) established certain Federal Executive Bodies and Section 4(2) of the 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to repeal obsolete laws and enact new ones for the good governance of the Federation.
He added that Nigeria has been gaining on the world index of Ease of Doing Business (EDB) rising from the 145th position in 2019 to 131st in 2020, hence there is a need to consolidate on this improvement.
Monguno while presenting his motion in the floor of the green chamber said that, with the existence of about 1,484 Agencies, Departments, Boards, Parastatals and Corporations in the country with the attendant duplication of functions and clash of interests, the lawmakers are worried that there is a likelihood of the latest World Bank annual ratings to slide considerably hence the need for an Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate Duplications of these MDAs.
“The House therefore mandated its ad-hoc committee to investigate duplication of duties, overlapping functions and counter-productivity of established Agencies, Departments, Boards, Parastatals and Corporations in the country.
The panel is also expected to establish areas of mergers, synergies and justification of the existence of some established Agencies, Departments, Boards, Parastatals and Corporations, which are no longer needed in the country.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase who presided over Wednesday’s plenary put the motion to voice vote which was unanimously adopted and mandated the Committee to report back within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.
The former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, says Nigeria at the verge of collapse, as reckless politicians in the helm of governance are obviously running the country aground. Jega stated this in Abuja at the 2022 Workers’ Political Conference organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). He noted that considering the current situation in the country, 2023 general elections may make or mar the progress of the country. He therefore, said that all hands of progressive forces must be on deck to prevent Nigeria from imminent collapse.
“The sorry state of the socioeconomic conditions under which the Nigerian working people, indeed the overwhelming majority of all citizens live and work, the reckless misrule and mis-governance by a tiny, rabid and reckless band of elite, and the manner by which these myopic ‘elected’ so-called ‘leaders’ and their collaborators, have devastated the Nigerian economy, heightened insecurity, and virtually destroyed the basis for national cohesion and integration, Nigeria, as a potentially great nation, is crying for a rescue mission, before it is too late.
“Such a rescue mission cannot be serious, positive and successful, without the active engagement and involvement of the Nigerian workers through their genuine representatives in working class organizations and movements, in alliance with other progressive and patriotic Nigerians.
“While Nigeria may not have totally collapsed, it is in the process of collapsing, as reckless elite in control of the governance process are blindly running the country aground. And the 2023 general elections may be the ‘make or break’ epochal moment.
“Given this, all hands of progressive forces must be on deck to prevent our country from imminent collapse, and to turn it around on to a trajectory of good democratic governance for beneficial democratic, socioeconomic development, and human security for Nigerian citizens.
“A broad alliance of progressive forces for national rescue and emancipation is absolutely required to get Nigeria out of the current unwholesome predicament in which it finds itself.
“The deliberations at this conference, guided by the lead paper presentation and panel discussion, should help us chart a course for a reinforced commitment to national emancipation and more active engagement participation of Nigerian workers in our current and future political processes.” Jega said
In his remarks, the President Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, charged INEC and Security Agencies to stamp out the menace of vote-buying and electoral violence during the 2023 polls.
He further stated that, Nigerian workers are ready to engage political parties across the country to ensure that a significant number of candidates who would vie for elective positions in 2023 subscribe to the provisions of our Charter.
Ayuba said that, it was a near absence and acute deficit of serious engagement with the existential political concerns that have provided the context for this Workers’ Political Conference.
“The 2022 NLC Workers’ Political Conference seeks to set the Labour Agenda as a guide to our affiliates and workers and for engagement with Nigeria’s political class at federal, state, local government and ward every level especially as we approach the 2023 general election and beyond. Our priorities are eminently captured in our charter of demands which seeks answers to the questions of development in Nigeria. To say that Nigeria is at political crossroads would not be a statement of alarm. It would be a factual construction of our reality”.
“With 2023 in view, there is a lot of politicking, intrigues and subterfuge in the political space. Every indication shows that the polity is once again being over-heated. Sadly, as it has become norm with our cycle of broken politics, the polity is not being heated with questions and answers on how the current political mandate has been used by political office holders. The polity is not being over-heated with concerns on how the current ruling elites have honoured the socio-economic rights of Nigerians in Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution. The polity is not being over-heated with new ideas of how politicians can meet the expectations of Nigerians who want constant power to power their potentials, motorable roads, adequate security that will keep us from always looking over our shoulders and living wages that will offer workers a chance at decent living. The near absence and acute deficit of serious engagement with these existential political concerns have provided the context for this Workers’ Political Conference”.
“We urge INEC and security agencies to stamp out the menace of vote-buying and electoral violence during the 2023 polls. INEC should also perfect the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System to drastically reduce resort to incidence forms and disenfranchisement of eligible voters. In 2023, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that all votes count”, he added.
The Theme for the event is” Commitment to National Emancipation and Development Through Effective Political Engagement by Nigerian Workers”.
The House of Representatives’ Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila has vowed to expose colleagues who voted against women’s bills during the Clause by Clause consideration of the Constitutional Review.
The Speaker also reminded his colleagues that women play a major role in Nigeria’s democratic process and should be given better opportunities.
The Speaker made this known when the bill seeking additional seats for women in both the National and State Houses of Assembly failed to get 2/3 majority.
During the determination of the clause, 208 members voted against out of 302, with just 81 voting in favour of the bill, while 13 members abstained.
Similarly, 35% Affirmative Action in Political Parties Administration for Women failed in House of Representatives during consideration of the bill as PDP lawmakers Bamidele Salam from Osun PDP and Dachung Bagos PDP (Plateau) suggested 15% respectively.
Earlier, Salam had moved a motion requesting for 35% to be reduced to 15% affirmative action and it was seconded by Bagos.
Meanwhile, after voting on the affirmative action bill, Gbajabiamila called for repetition of the process appealing to his colleagues to support the bill hence women were the ones that come out enmass to vote during elections.
“Following existing statistics it is women that come out enmass to vote. “It is the same women who come out enmass to vote for us . You are now here voting against their interest? I am going to publish those who voted against this particular bill”, Gbajabiamila stated.
Also coming to clause 68 which called for 20% slots for women in the appointment of federal ministers and state commissioners, the male dominated green chamber once against displayed its aversion for women’s political empowerment by voting against it.
At this point, the speaker emphasised the need to be circumspect in determining the outcome, saying that denying women the opportunity to serve in governance only speaks to how Nigeria as a country views her female population.
Deputy minority leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu at this point moved a point of order saying that “any society which downplays the significance of a group which makes up to 50 percent of its population is not such that would attain its full potentials”.
Okechukwu appealed to his colleagues to vote favorably with a view to passing the amendment.
However, during the vote, members rejected the clause as only 274 voted in favour, with over 60 voted against while others abstained.
The Speaker again called for a retake of the vote stressing that the clause required 4/5 (288) to pass.
When the second round of voting was called, the clause again fell short if the 288 mark by 4 votes as it garnered 284 votes.
The Speaker who is obviously disappointed by the resolve of his colleagues to frustrate the amendment, Gbajabiamila ignored the electronic votes and put the question on the amendment which he ruled as passed via voice votes.
The Federal Government has given Nigerians returning from the war torn Ukraine waiver on the 48 hours pre-departure Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test requirement and others.
An All Operator Letter (AOL) by Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the reference number: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/339, dated February 28, 2022 to the Accountable Manager/Country Manager of all airlines operating international flights to Nigeria said that the waivers were necessary in view of the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.
Also, upon arrival in Nigeria, the government said the passengers would however carry out the Covid-19 PCR test, which must be done within 24 hours of arrival, but without cost to the passengers.
The AOL, which was made available to our correspondent, said that the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19 directed that all airlines boarding passengers travelling to Nigeria with proof of having left Ukraine were covered by the new protocol.
Apart from the 48 hours pre-departure, the PSC also granted waiver from the requirement to all pre-departure filing of the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP), payment for repeat test in Nigeria and generation of permit to fly code.
It however said passengers would be required to fill the NITP upon their arrival in Nigeria with the assistance of the Port Health Services (PHS).
The AOL added: “Upon arriving in Nigeria, passengers will be directed by the Port Health Services to designated government laboratories for Covid-19 PCR test. The Covid-19 PCR test, which must be done within 24 hours of arrival, will be at no cost to the passengers.”
Members of the House of Representatives have just voted 209 against 91 for an attempt to move the collection of value added tax (VAT) from concurrent to the exclusive legislative list.
Clause 34 was on a “Bill for an Act to Alter Part I of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to include Value Added Tax on the Exclusive Legislative List; and for Related Matters and approve the recommendations therein.”
The House also rejected clause 35 seeking to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Special Seat for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly; and for Related Matters and approve the recommendations therein”
The House voted 208 against while 81 vite in favour of the provision.
…As Senate Fails To Provide Special For Seat For Women Inspite Of Aisha Buhari’s Lobby
The upper chamber of the National Assembly move prisons, Railway and power generation from Exclusive list to Concurrent list.
Just as the review to include Value Added Tax on the Exclusive Legislative List failed to scale through.
Bill on prison was to “delete prisons in the Exclusive Legislative List and Redesignate it as Correctional Service in the Concurrent Legislative List; and for Related Matters.”
The Bill on the Railway was “to move Railway from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent Legislative List ; and for Related Matters.”
The Bill on power generation was “to allow States Generate, Transmit and Distribute Electricity in Area covered by the National Grid; and for Related Matters.”
Inspite of the the wife of Mr. President, Aisha Buhari lobby the Senate to provide for special seat for women in the National and State House of Assembly fall on deaf ears.
