The Federal capital Territory Administration(FCTA) accumulated a debt of N64 billion within one month, the Minister of FCT Senator Bala Mohammed said yesterday in Abuja.
The huge debt was builtup within the period of May 29, 2011 when the previous cabinet of the President Goodluck Jonathan was dissolved and early last month when the cabinet was reconstituted.
The FCT minister confirmed yesterday at an interaction between officials of the Bureau of public procurement (BPP) and procurement officials of the FCT administration that the huge debt were all approved in the interregnum when core civil servants were in charge.
He lamented that the administration’s annual internally generated revenue is a mere N40 billion.
He said though part of the sum had been repaid by the administration, the management of the FCT during the period it did not have a minister embarked on a spending bazaar, without regard to due process and the level of revenue at its disposal.
As a consequence, Senator Bala Mohammed said no newspending approvals would be given without evidence of inflows of revenue from the same project. “I have over N64billion to pay.
That is a commitment and I have only managed to generate about N40billion. The first step in procurement should be to know how much you have in your kitty.
I will not sit down and approve projects because they are in the budget. If you have not generated the necessary IGR or got the requisite allocation, Iwill not approve that,” said the minister.
Earlier while addressing the meeting the Director General of the BPP Engr. Emeka Eze, admonished the procurement personnel of the FCTA for failing to adhere to due process and procurement guidelines in its execution of contracts in the territory which he said has led to fraudulent activities.
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
BOKO HARAM: Army General arraigned over suspects’ escape •Sect members attack police station in Sokoto, kill 4 policemen, 2 civilians •Nigeria, US collaborate on security •More soldiers deployed in Borno
BRIGADIER-GENERAL Muraina Raji, former Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, was, on Tuesday, arraigned before a Special Court Martial over the escape of two detainees from the brigade’s detention facilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the detainees were suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, who were arrested over an onslaught on Bauchi late 2010.
Inaugurating the six-member panel in Jos, the GOC, 3 Armoured Division, Major-General Sunday Idoko, said that Raji was indicted for complicity by a military investigations report.
``It is the duty of superiors to observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any misconduct on the part of subordinates.
``When there is any breach, it is expected that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken by commanders to forestall future occurrence,” Idoko said.
The GOC said that the constitutional role of the military required the highest standard of discipline and professionalism, stressing that discipline and loyalty were essential requirements for success in professional soldiering.
Idoko explained that appropriate disciplinary action was necessary in the Nigerian Army so that the institution would continue to play its constitutional role and sustain its place as the pride of the nation.
He expressed regrets that he was convening the third court within a year of his assumption of duty as the GOC of the division.
“However, if this division has been witnessing one court martial after the other, it is because I want to sustain high level of professionalism required to confront the mounting security challenges in our areas of operation,” he said.
The GOC noted that the existing court in the division’s headquarters lacked jurisdiction to try Raji by virtue of his rank, necessitating the inauguration of another court.
Idoko implored the court to ensure that no effort was spared to achieve justice for the accused, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian state, adding that fairness and impartiality should be upheld in the proceedings and the dispensation of justice.
When Raji was arraigned before the court, he objected to the membership of the “Waiting Member,” Brigadier-General Agbo Robinson, who took over from him as the commander of the brigade.
“He took over the brigade after me and in the circumstances of the case, it will be prejudicial for him to be on the panel. Besides, all those appointed to testify against me are from his command,” Raji said.
Raji also objected to the membership of the Judge Advocate, Lieutenant-Colonel Bernard Okorie, whom he said participated in filing the case against him.
“His position will make it difficult for him to do his job as freely as he should.”
The court later adjourned to consult over Raji’s objection.
Meanwhile, gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, have attacked the Tambawal divisional police headquarters in Tambawal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where they shot four policemen and two civilians dead on Monday.
An eyewitness said that the suspected Boko Haram members also took away guns and ammunition.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the gunmen, who struck at around 5.00 p.m., drove to the Tambawal Local Government Divisional Police Headquarters in Golf and Toyota Camry cars, where they took the unsuspecting police officers on duty by surprise after gaining entry into the station.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the detainees were suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, who were arrested over an onslaught on Bauchi late 2010.
Inaugurating the six-member panel in Jos, the GOC, 3 Armoured Division, Major-General Sunday Idoko, said that Raji was indicted for complicity by a military investigations report.
``It is the duty of superiors to observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any misconduct on the part of subordinates.
``When there is any breach, it is expected that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken by commanders to forestall future occurrence,” Idoko said.
The GOC said that the constitutional role of the military required the highest standard of discipline and professionalism, stressing that discipline and loyalty were essential requirements for success in professional soldiering.
Idoko explained that appropriate disciplinary action was necessary in the Nigerian Army so that the institution would continue to play its constitutional role and sustain its place as the pride of the nation.
He expressed regrets that he was convening the third court within a year of his assumption of duty as the GOC of the division.
“However, if this division has been witnessing one court martial after the other, it is because I want to sustain high level of professionalism required to confront the mounting security challenges in our areas of operation,” he said.
The GOC noted that the existing court in the division’s headquarters lacked jurisdiction to try Raji by virtue of his rank, necessitating the inauguration of another court.
Idoko implored the court to ensure that no effort was spared to achieve justice for the accused, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian state, adding that fairness and impartiality should be upheld in the proceedings and the dispensation of justice.
When Raji was arraigned before the court, he objected to the membership of the “Waiting Member,” Brigadier-General Agbo Robinson, who took over from him as the commander of the brigade.
“He took over the brigade after me and in the circumstances of the case, it will be prejudicial for him to be on the panel. Besides, all those appointed to testify against me are from his command,” Raji said.
Raji also objected to the membership of the Judge Advocate, Lieutenant-Colonel Bernard Okorie, whom he said participated in filing the case against him.
“His position will make it difficult for him to do his job as freely as he should.”
The court later adjourned to consult over Raji’s objection.
Meanwhile, gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, have attacked the Tambawal divisional police headquarters in Tambawal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where they shot four policemen and two civilians dead on Monday.
An eyewitness said that the suspected Boko Haram members also took away guns and ammunition.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the gunmen, who struck at around 5.00 p.m., drove to the Tambawal Local Government Divisional Police Headquarters in Golf and Toyota Camry cars, where they took the unsuspecting police officers on duty by surprise after gaining entry into the station.
Minimum wage: FG to pay N18,900 as labour, govt finally sign agreement •Govs finding solution to pay N18,000 minimum wage - Oshiomhole
THE prolonged negotiation between the Federal Government and the organised labour ended on a happy note late, on Tuesday, when the Federal Government announced that the minimum pay in the federal civil service and public service will be N18, 900, even as it signed what it hoped will be the final agreement with labour on the implementation of
the national minimum wage.
At the signing of the agreement at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Abuja, on Tuesday evening, the Federal Government said, to ensure the implementation of the N18,900 and as a result of the consequential adjustments across board, it had to cough up an additional N11 billion per annum to the Federal Public Service Wage Bill, which has been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Disclosing the Federal Government’s position were the SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who led the meeting; the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, who signed as a witness to the agreement and the chairman, National Salaries and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule.
Signatory to the agreement on the side of labour were the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar and the President-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele.
Senator Anyim said the negotiation was over and the time of war was certainly over, as both parties had agreed on what was acceptable to all.
He said: ”I’m most delighted also to behold you today in the warmest of mood, more particularly, I believe we have agreed with each other on what is acceptable and convenient for all of us.
“I sincerely commend the spirit and I pray that it will continue like this whenever there is disagreement whatever it might be or whatever it might involve, we should be able to sit over it and talk it over. I’m sure that Nigeria will be better for it and I’m also convinced that Nigerians are also happier that the system is not disrupted at any time.”
Chief Egbule, on the directive of the SGF read the agreement entitled: “Final agreement between the Federal Government and the labour movement represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act 2011.”
He said the Federal Government had agreed to comply with the new National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2011, and that in view of the contents of clause 3 of the agreement, “detailed negotiations were undertaken by a Technical Committee comprising representatives of both the Federal Government and labour movement to address the relativity implications of the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act, 2011.”
The Minister of Labour, Chief Wogu, thanked President Jonathan and the presidents of the NLC and TUC for the “patience, dedication and patriotic zeal exhibited by you all during this negotiation that lasted over three weeks, which led to the signing of two previous agreements and has culminated into the signing of this final agreement today, the 16th of August, 2011.”
The NLC president, Comrade Omar, said “today witnessed the zeal and signing of the agreement, but added that “it was not a tea party.”
However, he stated that the major segment has been achieved, stressing that what remained was the commencement of the implementation which should not exceed the time stipulated in the signed agreement.
Comrade Esele, President General of TUC said the government should learn from this and advised that as Nigerians, “we must all learn that subsequently, we won’t have to go through this long process of discussing and negotiating laws over and over again.”
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday, said state governors were already working towards paying the N18,000 minimum wage to workers, as prescribed by the law.
the national minimum wage.
At the signing of the agreement at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Abuja, on Tuesday evening, the Federal Government said, to ensure the implementation of the N18,900 and as a result of the consequential adjustments across board, it had to cough up an additional N11 billion per annum to the Federal Public Service Wage Bill, which has been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Disclosing the Federal Government’s position were the SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who led the meeting; the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, who signed as a witness to the agreement and the chairman, National Salaries and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule.
Signatory to the agreement on the side of labour were the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar and the President-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele.
Senator Anyim said the negotiation was over and the time of war was certainly over, as both parties had agreed on what was acceptable to all.
He said: ”I’m most delighted also to behold you today in the warmest of mood, more particularly, I believe we have agreed with each other on what is acceptable and convenient for all of us.
“I sincerely commend the spirit and I pray that it will continue like this whenever there is disagreement whatever it might be or whatever it might involve, we should be able to sit over it and talk it over. I’m sure that Nigeria will be better for it and I’m also convinced that Nigerians are also happier that the system is not disrupted at any time.”
Chief Egbule, on the directive of the SGF read the agreement entitled: “Final agreement between the Federal Government and the labour movement represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act 2011.”
He said the Federal Government had agreed to comply with the new National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2011, and that in view of the contents of clause 3 of the agreement, “detailed negotiations were undertaken by a Technical Committee comprising representatives of both the Federal Government and labour movement to address the relativity implications of the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act, 2011.”
The Minister of Labour, Chief Wogu, thanked President Jonathan and the presidents of the NLC and TUC for the “patience, dedication and patriotic zeal exhibited by you all during this negotiation that lasted over three weeks, which led to the signing of two previous agreements and has culminated into the signing of this final agreement today, the 16th of August, 2011.”
The NLC president, Comrade Omar, said “today witnessed the zeal and signing of the agreement, but added that “it was not a tea party.”
However, he stated that the major segment has been achieved, stressing that what remained was the commencement of the implementation which should not exceed the time stipulated in the signed agreement.
Comrade Esele, President General of TUC said the government should learn from this and advised that as Nigerians, “we must all learn that subsequently, we won’t have to go through this long process of discussing and negotiating laws over and over again.”
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday, said state governors were already working towards paying the N18,000 minimum wage to workers, as prescribed by the law.
OBJ’s 8-year rule, a waste, visionless - IBB •Jonathan congratulates ex-military president on his 70th birthday
FORMER military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has described the eight-year civilian administration of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as lacking in focus and visionless, following the wastage of about $16 billion of the nation's resources by the latter in the building of power plants, without much to show for it.
Babangida, who was fielding questions from journalists at his Hill Top Villa, Minna, Niger State capital on Tuesday, to mark his 70th birthday, which comes up today, said if his own military regime had had access to a ‘mere’ $16 million, he would have built a nuclear plant for the country with a view to having a regular supply of electricity throughout the country.
The former military ruler noted that between August 27, 1985 and August 26, 1993 when he stepped aside, two months after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, presumably won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, the highest price of crude oil at the international market was $10 per barrel, unlike during the civilian administration of Obasanjo, from May 29, 1999 to May 28, 2007 when it lasted, when the price of crude oil at the international market stood at $100 per barrel.
He described the colossal amount of $16 billion, as revealed by the 6th House of Representatives, that the Obasanjo government was reported to have spent in trying to revamp the ailing power sector in the country, stressing that such amount should have been enough to get something substantially done by a focused and visionary government.
Babangida, however, conceded that Obasanjo was his boss, who should be protected in the military tradition of esprit de corps, saying that he could not openly criticise the former president, bearing in mind that the two of them were in the same league.
Babangida lamented that if his government had the opportunity of getting $16 million, instead of the $16 billion dollars Chief Obasanjo got, Nigeria would have been the better for it.
“If my government had $16 billion like Obasanjo’s administration, I would have constructed a nuclear power station, not for war, but for the sole purpose of electricity generation, and that would have made a great difference.
“Let me tell you, there was a book we published, entitled: Obasanjo’s eight years versus Babangida’s eight years, where we compared and contrasted the two administrations. Since two years ago when the book was published, nobody had been able to controvert all the issues raised in the book.”
On the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Babangida, once again, admitted responsibility for all that transpired during the unfortunate incident, saying that as a leader, it behoved him to take responsibility for anything that happened during his tenure.
Babangida, who was fielding questions from journalists at his Hill Top Villa, Minna, Niger State capital on Tuesday, to mark his 70th birthday, which comes up today, said if his own military regime had had access to a ‘mere’ $16 million, he would have built a nuclear plant for the country with a view to having a regular supply of electricity throughout the country.
The former military ruler noted that between August 27, 1985 and August 26, 1993 when he stepped aside, two months after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, presumably won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, the highest price of crude oil at the international market was $10 per barrel, unlike during the civilian administration of Obasanjo, from May 29, 1999 to May 28, 2007 when it lasted, when the price of crude oil at the international market stood at $100 per barrel.
He described the colossal amount of $16 billion, as revealed by the 6th House of Representatives, that the Obasanjo government was reported to have spent in trying to revamp the ailing power sector in the country, stressing that such amount should have been enough to get something substantially done by a focused and visionary government.
Babangida, however, conceded that Obasanjo was his boss, who should be protected in the military tradition of esprit de corps, saying that he could not openly criticise the former president, bearing in mind that the two of them were in the same league.
Babangida lamented that if his government had the opportunity of getting $16 million, instead of the $16 billion dollars Chief Obasanjo got, Nigeria would have been the better for it.
“If my government had $16 billion like Obasanjo’s administration, I would have constructed a nuclear power station, not for war, but for the sole purpose of electricity generation, and that would have made a great difference.
“Let me tell you, there was a book we published, entitled: Obasanjo’s eight years versus Babangida’s eight years, where we compared and contrasted the two administrations. Since two years ago when the book was published, nobody had been able to controvert all the issues raised in the book.”
On the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Babangida, once again, admitted responsibility for all that transpired during the unfortunate incident, saying that as a leader, it behoved him to take responsibility for anything that happened during his tenure.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Russia to build Nigeria’s first nuclear power plant
As part of efforts to boost Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity, the Federal Government is set to sign an agreement with the Russian Federation that will culminate in the building of the nation’s first nuclear power plant.
Consequently, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Ita Oko-Bassey Ewa, yesterday in Abuja, received a 7-man delegation from the Russian Federation, preparatory to the signing of a draft project implementation agreement between the two nations for the proposed nuclear power plant.
Ewa disclosed that the proposed power plant was a major component of the agreement between the two countries in 2009, saying” a draft project implementation agreement has been prepared and ready for signing”.
The Minister, who regretted the delay in the consummation of the agreement since 2009, assured that “follow up meetings are now being initiated to discuss modalities for its implementation.”
He noted that Nigeria was in dire need of diversifying its energy generation base as part of the overall goal of making the nation’s energy sufficient, adding that “government activated the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, NAEC, as the pivotal promotional agency to achieve the objective.
Speaking earlier, Director-General of the Russian State Corporation, RUSATOM, and leader of the delegation, Mr Nikolay Spassy, stressed that nuclear power plants were a safe method of generating electricity, assuring that the Russian Federation had an enviable record in the building of such plants.
Consequently, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Ita Oko-Bassey Ewa, yesterday in Abuja, received a 7-man delegation from the Russian Federation, preparatory to the signing of a draft project implementation agreement between the two nations for the proposed nuclear power plant.
Ewa disclosed that the proposed power plant was a major component of the agreement between the two countries in 2009, saying” a draft project implementation agreement has been prepared and ready for signing”.
The Minister, who regretted the delay in the consummation of the agreement since 2009, assured that “follow up meetings are now being initiated to discuss modalities for its implementation.”
He noted that Nigeria was in dire need of diversifying its energy generation base as part of the overall goal of making the nation’s energy sufficient, adding that “government activated the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, NAEC, as the pivotal promotional agency to achieve the objective.
Speaking earlier, Director-General of the Russian State Corporation, RUSATOM, and leader of the delegation, Mr Nikolay Spassy, stressed that nuclear power plants were a safe method of generating electricity, assuring that the Russian Federation had an enviable record in the building of such plants.
STAR ACTRESS GENEVIEVE NNAJI SET TO ACT ALONGSIDE ANGELINA JOLIE
Aside being the most-sought after by the producers, the very pretty lady has been able to register her presence in the international market that top producers now consider her for top movie jobs.
The mother of one would have emerged the new Bond Girl but she lost it by the whiskers to another Hollywood star.
As her career seems to be flying north, we sourced that the mother of one has been penciled down by yet another producer to star alongside American super star Angelina Jolie in another block buster movie.
We shall keep you posted as event unfold.
CONTROVERSY OVER GOV.ROCHAS OKOROCHA'S APPOINTMENT OF ACTRESS NKIRU SYLVANUS AS HIS SPECIAL ASSISTANT
The gist started when Nkiru beat top stars like Bob Manuel Udokwu,John Fashanu,Stephanie Okereke,AY,Ali Baba and others to emerge the first Face of Hope ambassador,a concept created by Rochas Okorocha foundation.
Critics had then picked holes on her emergence arguing that she was not as hot as the other stars she beat to clinch the position and alleging that Rochas must have handpicked her himself.
The gist gained more ground when Nkiru relocated from Enugu to Abuja claiming that Abuja offered her more opportunity to start off her Face of Hope ambassador project.
Eventually three months ago, Rochas Okorocha was voted in as Imo State Governor.
The romance tales got hotter when Nkiru again left Abuja and relocated to Owerri the Imo State capital.
Many had interpreted her move to mean that she wanted to be very close to the new Imo Governor.
Indeed, many had started to forecast that Nkiru will be given the job of Special Assistant on Entertainment Matters, the position which was occupied last by ace comedian; Okey McAnthony Onyegbule popularly called Okey Bakassi.
Others however dispelled the forecast calling it a concoction of idle minds. According to them, despite her beauty and intelligence, Nkiru pales in significance to other Imo State born actresses or even male showbiz practitioners.
This is because Africa’s Most Popular actress, Genevieve Nnaji as well as Rita Dominic, Stephanie Okereke, Eucharia Anunobi and many others hail from Imo State.
The argument was that even if the Governor wanted to give a portfolio to a female artiste, surely he would not lack in his choice as he has an array to pick from in his native Imo State.
But the suspicion that Gov.Rochas Okorocha has more than an artistic interest in Nkiru Sylvanus reverberated again last week, when the Governor appointed the actress who hails from Abia State as one of his Special Assistants.
Indeed, Nkiru was designated as the Special Assistant on Lagos Affairs. To balance the shock appointment, Gov.Okorocha had appointed ace comedian Uche Ogbuagu also as an SA with the novel tag of Special Assistant on Comedy.
But his critics are insisting that Nkiru has unsurped the slot of their other big stars. They argue that she shouldn’t even have been so appointed by the new action Governor because it would look as if he was furthering his Face of Hope project with state funds.
Well irrespective of the allegations and suspicions, I say a very big congratulations to actress Sylvanus on her new appointment.
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