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Very Good Job But …That Reps Subsidy Probe Report
After the very damaging integrity question raised against the House of Representatives’ committee drafted to probe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the activities of the Capital Market, a lot was expected of the one appointed to unearth the rot surrounding the subsidy regime. It was even more so, in view of the agitations by Nigerians during and after the nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) early January, this year to protest the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.
At some point, skeptics even asked, if the Federal Government was actually subsidising petroleum products. Others wondered how what did not exist could be removed. But generally, Nigerians detested the hike in prices of petrol to N141, on account of subsidy removal and insisted on return to status quo.
Since then, Nigerians have had to pay between N180 and N300 per litre, even when the price was eventually pegged at N97. That situation, government sources explained, was caused by artificial scarcity created by marketers and importers, apparently to arm-twist government into continuous under-writing of fuel importation needs.
All these added to the huge expectations of Nigerians , in hope that the outcome of the House’s Adhoc committee probe into the subsidy regime, would help address, in a lasting manner, the ever fluctuating fortunes of the downstream sector of the economy and its negative impact on the citizenry .More important, it was largely hoped that the exercise will also help unmask the dreaded fuel cartel.
As largely expected, when the Hon Farouk Lawan-led committee, last Wednesday eventually presented its report to the House, after, about three weeks of very revealing public hearing, it was indeed a mixed pack of sour grapes, a big shame of the nation and a classic example of man’s insatiable greed for earthly treasures. Among many others, the report revealed how in barely 24 hours, January 12-January 13, 2009, the office of the Accountant General of the Federationpaid out N99,000,000 in 128 times; how 35 companies were granted allocation/approval to import petroleum products even before their formal registration with the Pipeline Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and indeed how the PPPRA deliberately promoted transborder smuggling by importing 59million litres of PMS when local consumption is not more than 35 million liters per day.
On the question of how much Nigeria spends on fuel subsidy, the key players who should know also gave different conflicting figures, further demonstrating the lack of synergy among government agencies and ministries. The coordinating minister for the economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had claimed before the panel that the Federal Government had paid N1.4 trillion on fuel subsidy in 2011, the Governor of Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi gave N1.7 trillion, while, the house committee said fuel subsidy could hit as much as N2 trillion, if documents at its disposal were to be considered.
Generally, the Hon Lawan-led adhoc committee unearthed the high level of abuses in the system and how Nigeria is being shortchanged by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in an unholy matrimony with a cartel that involves fuel marketers and importers of petroleum products. So disturbing are the facts that concerned Nigerians are now so angry, they are calling for the heads of some ministers.
Former Petroleum Resources Minister, Prof Tam David-West and the NLC have called on President Jonathan to fire incumbent Minister of Petroleum Resources and her Finance counterpart, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke and Dr Okonjo-Iweala respectively and prosecute all others indicted by the adhoc committee report.
Among those indicted by the report were the NNPC, PPPRA, the Budget office, the Accountant-General of the Federation, three Audit firms and indeed 35 marketers who were found to have orchestrated the huge fraud in the subsidy scheme. Neither Allison-Madueke nor Okonjo-Iweala were fingered of complicity but Prof David-West insisted that the mere fact that the rot boomed under their watch meant they are unfit to remain in office and superintendent such sensitive government ministries.
The adhoc committee on its part recommended, among other things that the Executive Secretary of PPPRA, between 2009-February 2011 be properly investigated and punished for the official recklessness he exhibited in handling the board’s decision to reverse the qualification for participation in the scheme. The committee sited allocation/approvals given 35 companies even before their formal registration with PPPRA as classic example of his indiscretion.
Shameful as these acts of imprudence may seem, President Goodluck Jonathan deserves commendation for summoning the strong political will needed to stir up the probe, which his intended removal of fuel subsidy actually actuated. To be sure, fuel importation did not start under his watch, and so, he could look the other way, receive part of the loot in bribes as in the past and let it remain business as usual. Instead, he opted to end it all through removal of subsidy.
Happily, the Reps Committee has indeed vindicated the president that the amount of corruption and the greed of the cartel was such that only a total removal of subsidy would be good enough to cleanse the system of its huge rot. Without that drastic step in January, the adhoc committee would not have found out the N1.1 trillion, it recommended must be paid to the federal government as misappropriated funds from the subsidy scheme.
Other recommendations include the appointment of two ministers of Petroleum Resources and proposal of N557 billion to fund fuel subsidy for 2012. These are alright but a lot still remains unaddressed.
For instance, by a presidential order, subsidy on kerosene was removed. So who takes responsibility for over N300 million illegally collected on kerosene subsidy in 2011? Why was the presidential directive disobeyed?
This and indeed the revelations during the public hearing of the adhoc committee informed the anger among Nigerians who are today calling for the immediate implementation of the House committee report.
This is most understandable. What is not , is the House’s insistence that its rapport with the executive arm will be depended on how the federal government implements its recommendations. “The timely execution of the report will determine its (the House’s) relationship, with the executive arm of government”, said spokesman of the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Hon Zakari Mohammed.
Zakari, who was addressing newsmen on the adhoc committee’s report declared that the House would insist that the recommendations of the committee, when adopted, be fully implemented by the executive arm of government . On how to ensure that, Zakari was quoted as saying, “ we shall use all our legislative powers to ensure that after adoption, the report sees the light of the day”.
“It is simple. You know that there are certain things that the executive needs from the legislature from time to time. We will make it a pre-condition that unless this is done, we won’t do this. So, what are we talking about? We can take it from any angle”.
That approach is indeed dishonourable and a clear invitation to anarchy. It is not only siege mentality, it smarks of blackmail and arm-twisting. Like the House, the executive arm has the right to be independent minded.
Tit-for-tat in governance amounts to jungle justice and should be discouraged. If the lower chamber chooses to deny the executive arm’s request of a nature of urgent public need, and the executive in reprisal refuses to release funds to the National Assembly, then the latter opens impeachment proceedings and then the executive arm employs the state security on law makers, in a ding-dong affair, where will the country be headed?
Instead, the House should first discuss the report, approve same, give it the necessary legal backing and ensure that a proper case is built for implementation by government. Otherwise any action against an indicted officer or agency will collapse like EFCC’s prosecution of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori- lack of merit.
What is instead required is the synergy which the adhoc committee found lacking among ministries, so that both the Executive and Legislative arms would, together, eliminate the wastage apparent in the subsidy scheme and save the nation and her citizenry the near frequent cases of fuel scarcity, hike in price of the commodity and illegal bunkering.
To achieve that, no arm should play to the gallery or attempt to seek phoney popularity with the people but be procedural in action and reasonable in words to avoid more costly mistakes that would not only pitch the citizenry against government or even but also free the guilty and punish the innocent.
My agony is that it is only the Jonathan Presidency that has opted for such self-probe, while, others looked the other way only to incite, now and again, the people against their government.
President Jonathan and Diezani Allison-Madueke
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.