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‘Jonathan Must Appear Before Reps’ …Senate Orders Arrest Of Marna, Others
The House of Representatives yesterday responded to critics of its invitation to President Goodluck Jonathan over the spate of bombings in the country.
The lawmakers said they have the constitutional backing to do so.
The Representatives also reminded Mr. Femi Otedola that he is as guilty, being a bribe giver, as Farouk Lawan who allegedly collected it.
The reponse of the lawmakers was coming on the heels of Otedola’s reaction to the reinstatement of his companies on the list of those that collected foreign exchange but failed to utilise it for the purpose of importing fuel.
Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed at a media interactive session on Thursday emphasized that the House has not erred by inviting the President for an interface on the security situation in the country.
he said: “ There is no exception, the House makes an application on issues bordering on what has been of national concern and in this instance, the President and Commander-in-Chief who happens to be the father of the nation, we think he is the best person to throw light on efforts taken so far.
“Of course we are saddened by the occurring violence in the country, the bombings and criminal activities but we believe that as a nation and representatives of the people, if we don’t take a position on the matter things will go on unabated.
“With the way this violence has been spreading, we believe that we need to get proactive and the best way to do it is to get Mr. President and his Service Chiefs to interface with us and be able to know what exactly the constraints are and what are their efforts.
Saying that the Representatives were not unaware of the debate the invitation has generated, Mohammed noted that some critics believed that the House overstepped its bounds with the invitation.
He said: “I want to say clearly here that we have not, in anyway overstepped our bounds. We said it in our legislative agenda that we intend to interface with other arms of government to the benefit of Nigerians and this is just one of it.
“Remember, Mr. President at the wake of subsidy introduction had to invite us to the Villa, we had light lunch with him, 360 of us, including 109 Senators, we were in the Villa, nobody complained, we listened to him and told him our own piece of mind as far as the subsidy issue is concerned.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian Senate, yesterday, adopted 104 out of 126 recommendation of its probe committee on pension fraud, ordering the immediate sack, arrest and prosecution of the embattled chairman of the pension task force team, Mr Abdulasheed Maina , 27 senior police officers, among others, over N275billion pension fund.
While the Senate moves to address the rot in the Pensions system, another N58billion pension money has been declared missing in the office of the Head of Service, where the sum of N1.7billion meant for payment of death benefits to the families of late workers were allegedly diverted by some senior officers. Already, some staff of the ICPC were also indicted in the monumental fraud.
Adopting the committee’s report, the Senate specifically ordered Maina and his team to refund another N15billion allegedly diverted into personal pockets by the task force team.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) is to further investigate the transfer of the N4.6billion from the UBA to Union Bank plc and the transfer of another N7.6 billion from Zenith bank to Union bank.
It asked the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to recover another unspent N43. 2billion pension fund deposited in various banks.
Senate President, David Mark at plenary expressed deep disappointment over the looting and warned that if found out to be true, Marina and his co-travellers must relise that they have reeped from the blood of innocent pensioners.
Mark at the stormy session also threatened to sign the warrant of the arrest of the embattled chairman of the pension task team in the event he fails again to appear before the panel to explain his role in the alleged looting of over N275billion pension money.
He said that anybody indicted in the fraud would face the music no matter how highly placed he or she is in the society.
Senate resolution followed the adoption of the senators recommendations on the missing funds.
Throwing some light on the amount, Vice Chairman of the committee, Kabiru Gaya, said the records of the balance of N58.715billion was still missing at the office of the Head of Service.
He said, “within six years, the Head of the civil service received a total of N216billion as pensions. It only spent N154billion, remaining a balance of N58.7billion.
“We made efforts to get records of the balance of N58.7billionthroughout the period of the investigation and we did not get any.”
He noted that about N1.76billion earmarked for the settlement of the families of dead pensioners was diverted by the office of Head of Service to recurrent expenditure leaving the families without the benefits.
The panel in its recommendation specifically observed an entrenched corruption and fraud at the pensions department of the Head of the Civil Service.
But the senate at the end of the robust debate on the report said that the executive must implement the pensions report as adopted by the Senate to prove that it is not complicit to the corruption and pillages revealed in the nation’s pensions system.
The Senate agreed with the committee that “the unspent balance of pension funds to the tune of N58,715,239, 159.66 should be mopped up by the Accountant General of the Federation and transferred to the pension arrears with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Where the funds could not be traced in such accounts, the accounting officer should be held responsible
The Senate also identified a total of N43.21billion of Police Pensions as unspent.
The committee had noted that a total of N1.025trillion was received by all the pension offices between 2005 and 2011, but only N751.444billion was spent within the period, leaving a balance of N273.941billion.
The Senate resolved that “the outstanding pension fund balances of N273.941billion in all the pension offices of the Federal Government be mopped up by the Account General of the Federation and be used to settle all outstanding pension entitlements.
The report noted that the fake and dead pensioners which the exercises are intended to weed out are protégé of the relevant pension officials.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru (right) representing the governor cuts the tape, assisted by Prof Ebiagberi Alagoa (centre), His Eminence Chukumela Nnam Obi II (left) at the first Rivers Tourism Summit, at Assembly Auditorium, Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
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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.