Breaking: NEWS In Nigeria This Evening, Thursday, November 5, 2020

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1. Reps reject aviation ministry’s budget over late submission

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, refused to consider the 2021 budget proposed by the Ministry of Aviation as relevant documents were submitted to the Committee on Aviation barely an hour to the defence session.

The committee had earlier on Monday asked the Federal Government to suspend the plan to concession airports until all issues raised in the various petitions against the move had been addressed.

The lawmakers had also condemned Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for failing to appear before it earlier on Monday.

Though Sirika appeared before the committee on Thursday, the lawmakers still dismissed him for failing to submit budget details on time.

Chairman of the committee, Nnolim Nnaji, in his opening remarks, decried that the documents were made available to lawmakers less than two hours to the meeting.

Nnaji said, “Honourable Minister, l don’t know how you expect us to continue this meeting since we just got your 2021 budget proposal this morning despite giving you over a week notice, so that we can read through and digest it before today. I am not blaming you for this but l must say that I am disappointed in those who ought to have handled this but failed to do their jobs. For us to do a proper job, we need time to read through.”

Members of the committee also criticised the ministry for the lateness.

A member, Aminu Suleiman, stated that engagements on a budget go beyond instant presentation and comprehension as the lawmakers need to study the content to make useful inputs.

Suleiman said, “If we proceed to take this, it presupposes that we know very little about our work. How can an exercise of this nature be conducted with an on-the-spot presentation of reports? We have to tell ourselves the truth.

“We ask the minister and the agencies to come back; it is not intended to denigrate their persons, it is intended to equip us to do this job so that Nigerians will begin to take us seriously. We should have the opportunity to digest the report, make contributions, and assist the ministry even beyond what is presented in the envelope. If we don’t have that, truly speaking, we are not even helping the Ministry at all.”

Another member, Ndukwe Nkole, consequently moved a motion that “the minister go back with the documents, do the necessary tidying up and come back to us for appropriate legislative engagement.”

The motion was unanimously adopted by the committee.

The committee, therefore, adjourned the session till Thursday next week, after Sirika appealed for a change of the Wednesday date earlier proposed by the lawmakers.

The minister said, “(My) first apology, Mr Chairman, is that I and the committee, as represented by you, fixed a date for concession hearing and that date coincided with the date that Mr President said we should all go back home for the #EndSARS protest. A new date was agreed between you and me and that date, unfortunately, fell on Eid-Maulud on Thursday. And then, yet, again, another date was set and that date was the date that the Senate had put for (public hearing on) the aviation bills that have been on for about five years. I like to tender (my) apology to this committee which I served between 2003 and 2007.

“The second apology is that the Permanent Secretary would have been here to explain the reason we got the invitation to supply this document a week ago and is coming just this morning. The third apology is for whatever would have been the reason why the documents came to you this morning, having clear six working days to do so.

“However, I just want to plead that kindly indulge us to give us any date that is not Wednesday because I stood down a memorandum that I would have delivered yesterday in the Federal Executive Council to be at National Assembly. Yet, again, next Wednesday, I will miss the opportunity to present that very important memorandum. Kindly indulge us to come back next Thursday.”

2. #EndSARS protests: Buhari dispatches Chief of Staff, others to states

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday said his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, would be leading senior government officials to various parts of the country for engagements as parts of the efforts to address the concerns raised by #EndSARS protesters.

He also urged traditional rulers across the country to assist his regime in pacifying the protesting youths, saying he had heard their cries and was attending to their concerns.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving a delegation of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The statement was titled, “President Buhari calls for support of traditional rulers in addressing demands of Nigerian youths.”

Adesina quoted the President as emphasising the imperative of support of traditional rulers in his regime’s determination to address the demands of the youth.

“We have heard the loud cries of our youths and children, and we are attending to their concerns.

“To succeed in all of this, we would require your support and voice to help amplify the message. Your proximity to the people places you in a unique position to communicate and ensure that our response is targeted and impactful,” the presidential spokesman quoted Buhari as telling the monarchs.

Describing their “role as guardians of our traditional values and culture” as most critical, the President urged them not to compromise their neutrality “because this is what significantly confers on you, your moral authority and legitimacy.”

He said Gambari would lead senior government officials to various parts of the country “and directly engage with you as part of this process. He will be reporting back to me on your various perspectives.

“I want to once again thank you for the role you all have played to calm down our youth with wisdom and authority. By instilling hope and keeping the peace, you have rendered the country great service.”

While warning that “we cannot allow anybody or group to threaten the peace or sabotage these efforts,” the President restated that “strong, transparent efforts are underway to address those rogue elements of the Nigerian Police Force. Simultaneously, the Nigerian Police Force will also undergo much needed reform that covers welfare, working conditions, and code of conduct. That will usher in a more professional workforce.”

Recognising the primary and important role of the monarchs in helping maintain peace and security in the country, the President expressed delight at their visit “given all that has happened recently in our country.”

While receiving the recommendations of the traditional rulers, he promised to study them and take appropriate action.

Adesina said Buhari had earlier drawn the attention of the monarchs to the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic on the world.

“We find ourselves in very turbulent times, with a global health pandemic that has been incredibly challenging.

“Economies have been crippled as the response to the pandemic has forced businesses to shut down or devise new means of transacting. For a country like ours, with a large informal economy, our citizens have been particularly hit,” the President said

He noted, however, that his regime has “designed various schemes and taken many measures to soften the impact, despite our own revenue struggles as government,” while recognising that “more needs to be done to cater to our fellow citizens, not just those in the urban areas but also those in rural areas.”

According to President Buhari, “I am also fully aware that our strong farming belts have been impacted by floods. While we have seen record levels of farm outputs and increased level of fertilizer utilisation, government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its agencies is working on how to help bring these farmers some relief.”

Admitting the enormity of these challenges and “our growing youth population,” the President declared:

“There is no hiding place regarding how we should address insecurity concerns, youth unemployment, job creation, boosting industrialization and preparing for a transition into a digital economy.”

Remarks were said to have been made by the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, while two foremost traditional rulers representing each geo-political zone also attended the meeting.

3. Fire guts Oando tank farm in Lagos

Fire on Thursday gutted a tank farm in the Oando Depot on Gaskiya Road, in the Ijora Badia area of Lagos State.

Confirming the development, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said emergency responders had been deployed in the area to salvage the situation.

He said, “There is a fire incident at the tank farm at Oando Depot in Ijora Badia.

“The agency has activated its emergency response plan and all relevant stakeholders have commenced appropriate measures to combat the flames and prevent secondary incidents.

“Lagosians are urged to remain calm. Further updates will be communicated.”

4. N6.26 trillion needed to complete ongoing road projects, Fashola tells Reps

Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola said on Wednesday that the Ministry need about N6.26 trillion to complete the about 711 federal high road projects across the country.

The Minister who spoke while defending the 2021 budget estimate of the Ministry before the House Committee on Works headed by Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi however said that inadequate funding has slowed down the pace of work on the road projects.

Fashola said it was difficult for the Ministry to accomplish all its objectives due to paucity of funds, but said that rather than expanding the projects being financed through Sukuk, efforts should be channeled toward the completion of the entire green network covering the four major ports, Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

He disclosed that out of the N227.964 billion budgeted for capital projects in the 2020 budget, about N152.150 billion has so far been released to his Ministry (representing 66.74%), leaving a balance of N75.814.

He said about N162.559 billion worth of projects were financed through Sukuk Bond.

He said “The sum of N77.955 billion was released to the highway (Works sector) from the budget aside the sum of N162.559 billion for the Sukuk issuance. The Sukuk is to be drawn down for works certified only in respect of 44 roads and bridges and the Ministry is still awaiting the payment of the first tranche of N54.8 billion is for work done as at 16/10/2020.

“The ministry is currently administering 711 number of contracts nationwide and as of 1st October, 2020the ministry has a cumulative unpaid certificates in the sum of N392.020 on ongoing highway construction projects”.

Speaking on the 2021 budget proposal, Fashola disclosed that the sum of N435.319 billion was proposed for capital, personnel and overhead cost for the Ministry of Works and Housing and its six parastatals, adding that the N15.886 billion overhead is insufficient due to various socio-economic factors such as cost of fuel, inflation rate, among others.

Responding to questions on the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), the Minister said three key national priority highway projects which include the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway; construction of 2nd Niger Bridge and rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriageway were being financed under the scheme by the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Fashola said the 44 roads and bridges were being financed through the N162.557 billion Sukuk bond are mainly dual carriageways on major arterial routes A1-A9 on the federal road networks.

He listed some of them to include A1 Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Jebba-Jega-Tambuwal-Sokoto-Niger Republic Border; A2 Warri-Benin-Lokoja-Kaduna-Kano-Kongolam; A3 Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu-Makurdi-Lafia-Jos-Bauchi-Potiskum-Maiduguri-Gambrou; A4 Calabar-Ugep-Ikom-Ogoja-Katsina Ala-Jalingo-Yola-Gombi-BamaMaiduguri; A5 Abeokuta-Ibadan; A6 Onitsha-Owerri; A7 Kaiama-Kishi; A8 Mayo Belwa-Jamtari Jada-Ganye and A9 Kano-Katsina-Jibia-Niger Republic Border and other major routes like Kano-Maiduguri, Onitsha-Enugu, Sapele-Ewu, Lagos-Badagry, Odukpani-Itu Bridge Head.

He also disclosed that the ministry is also working on a number of highway projects funded with multilateral loans for which the Federal Government contributes counterpart funding.

The Minister denied allegations that the Ministry gives preference for Julius Berger in the execution of high-profile contracts and called for the amendment of the Public Procurement Act with the view to accommodate small and medium construction company.

Speaking on the slow pace of work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriage way despite release of over N70 billion to the contractors, the Minister explained that with approximately 40,000 vehicles plying the road daily, the Contractor has to grapple with the challenges of staff security, diversion, location of utility such as electric poles, demolition of houses as part of efforts to get Right of Way.

Some of the lawmakers who spoke during the exercise including Hon. Ben Igbakpa queried the slow pace of work done by Julius Berge, despite release of N70 billion for Abuja-Zaria, N62.8 billion for Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan; N100.6 billion for the Second Niger Bridge while RCC has so far received N92 billion for Lagos-Shagamu contract.

5. Camp resumption: NYSC vows to enforce Covid-19 guidelines

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has promised to enforce strict compliance of all safety guidelines approved by the National Centre for Disease Control and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in all its Orientation Camps across the country.

The NYSC camps will reopen on Tuesday nationwide for corps to continue their orientation course.

Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim stated this during the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Orientation Workshop in Jos, Plateau state.

The workshop had: “Evolving a Dynamic Operational Strategy in the Management of Camps in the Context of COVID-19,” as its theme.

In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the NYSC, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, the DG stated that since the outbreak of the virus in the country, the scheme had not recorded any case among its corps members and staff.

Ibrahim said management would continue to evaluate the conduct of orientation course as well as restrategize towards enhancing its success due to its critical role as a launchpad for the Service Year.

The NYSC boss stated that though the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges to the socio-economic activities in the country and the rest of the world, the NYSC scheme, being a dynamic organisation remained visible, especially through complementary contributions of corps members at containing the pandemic.

“Management is committed to ensuring that no camp records an outbreak of the virus.

“The 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course has suspended abruptly on the 18th of March, 2020 to avoid the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Orientation Camps.

“In line with the current realities, our approach to the conduct of the forthcoming Orientation Course will focus on proper induction of Corps Members on core ideals of the Scheme, with equal attention paid to the approved safety protocols,” he stated.

The NYSC DG urged the workshop participants to fashion out other strategies for the successful conduct of the forthcoming orientation course.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that an environment that is conducive is crucial to the success of the Orientation programme, and indeed the entire Service Year.

“Management considers as highly commendable, the improvements in camp development in some states,” he added.

The director-general appealed to State Governments to upgrade and expand camp facilities to adequately serve the increasing corps population.

6. Works, Finance Ministries inflated our budget by N11bn, FERMA Boss tells Reps

The Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency FERMA, Mr. Nurudeen Rafindadi on Thursday shocked members of the House of Representatives Committee on FERMA, headed by Rep. Richard Femi Bamise (APC Ekiti) that the Ministries of Finance and Works and Housing inflated their 2021 budget by over N11 billion.

A member of the committee, Yusuf Gadgi had asked the FERMA boss why their budget had a sudden increase of over N11 billion.

He said: “Earlier to this moment, we’re privileged to know your budget proposal to the ministry which before getting to National Assembly the proposal changed from twenty something billion, to thirty something billion.

” I will respectfully want you to address that aspect. Are you in charge of FERMA, how come before the proposal got to National Assembly, it was increased upwards?

“If it was increased, confirm to us now, if it was not increased confirm to us. And if it was increased, who is responsible for the increment with what you defended during your inter ministerial defence; and coming to National Assembly, and amount of over N11 billion was increased in the proposal you have earlier submitted. We want that confirmation from you.”

The FERMA boss, while answering the question said: “Our proposal of budget as it is today is submitted to the federal ministry of works. And the reason is that FERMA is an agency under the supervision of the federal ministry of works. We’re represented at the cabinet by the honourable minister of works.

“Our budget is in the envelope of the ministry so the ministry is asked to submit their budget within that envelope and it includes budgets of agencies under the ministry of which FERMA is one . So we get instructions to submit our budget through the ministry of works, we submitted to them.

“And yes it is true, we submit our budget to the ministry, what happens after is between the ministry, then ministry of Finance, budget and Natonal planning until subsequently it reaches the House of Representatives. We only know what was in our budget after submission. We’ve since gotten the budget of FERMA as submitted to National Assembly and we’ve been analyzing the differences between the two budget like you said.”

Earlier, members of the committee had disallowed the agency from presenting its 2021 budget over lack of execution of the 2020 budget

The decision of if or not to allow the presentation of the 2021 budget tore members of the committee apart resulting in a prolonged argument amongst members.

The Managing Director of the Agency, Mr. Nurudeen Rafindadi and his Management team were ordered out of the session as members deliberated amongst themselves on salient issues.

Members while arguing said the agency has been irresponsible and unresponsive to its core mandate.

Some of the members said they had called the Managing Director to alert him on the sorry state of some roads and he refused to pick their calls.

Besides, they said strange items regarding COVID-19 palliatives were seen in the FERMA budget making members to wonder what those have to do with road maintenance.

Also, the committee members said the relevant budget documents were submitted in the morning, a few hours to the sitting, depriving members of the opportunity to review the budget of the agency.

Efforts by the Chairman of the committee to prevail on the members on the excuse that time was short and the budget has to be passed in a timely fashion was rebuffed by member, causing the committee to go into a closed door session on the next line of action.

Eventually the FERMA boss and his team were called in. But the lawmakers agreed that the budget hearing be moved to next week so that a thorough consideration be done.

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