Front Pix
No, Not Again …NASS On Oteh, Sanusi, Nat. Peace
Lawan And Oteh
The real beauty of representative democracy, with three arms
of government; the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary lies in an effective
separation of powers that guarantees proactive checks and balances. It is even
more beautiful if such checks are bereft of frequent muscle flexing by any arm
or creating seemingly endless recourse to ego trips and superiority contests.
Both the founding fathers and later day framers of the
Nigerian Constitution, weighed several variables, including the undeniably
likely excesses of absolute power, national stability and cohesion, speedy
policy decision-making in handling impending
national calamity and indeed the limits of human excellence before
settling for the Presidential system of government with bi-cameral legislature.
Afterwards, it was the expectation that the executive arm,
headed by a President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria shall run the government, the legislature shall make laws
for the well-being and survival of the people and their government while the
judiciary will interpret the law and ensure equity and justice at all times.
However, even with these distinctions, there are very often,
operational over-laps, especially between the legislative arm and government,
due largely because of the over-sight functions of the former. For sure, such
over-laps are clearly addressed by the constitution and if properly
internalised by all concerned should be enough to guarantee proper
understanding of one another’s reach and limit.
Strangely, the 7th National Assembly, particularly the House
of Representatives seems to be a little over-reaching on issues concerning
punishment and or removal from office, key operators of the executive arm,
without sufficient recourse to the Presidential discretion on such matters. An
example is the insistence by the House that the Director-General of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms Arunma Oteh be sacked from office,
over what it called incompetence, organisational ineptitude and lack of
requisite qualification to superintend that sensitive office.
That saga, started early this year with the House’s probe of
the SEC operations, which in its wake, opened accusations and
counter-accusations of Reps members allegedly demanding and receiving freebies,
had resulted in the suspension of both the House Committee leadership and the
DG herself. But after necessary investigations by the executive arm as
empowered by the constitution, and not found wanting afterwards, Oteh was
recalled to assume office.
With that procedure followed and duly concluded, one would
have thought that the matter would be laid to rest. It is even more so, in view
of the long list of pressing national concerns demanding proactive response by
the National Assembly. Such issues include the raging debate on State Police,
need to review aspects of the 1999 Constitution that tend to impede national cohesion,
encourage corruption and under value the essence of national security.
Other pressing issues are; the resurgence of the vexatious
on-shore and off-shore dichotomy, polarisation of the nation along North-South
lines, state of Federal roads, poor allocation and attention to education,
electoral reforms, need for well-equipped security institutions and above all,
controversies bordering on political tenure of some public offices.
These and many other issues like the Freedom of Information
Bill, since signed into law but constantly observed in the breach, disparities
in exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, Nigeria’s monolithic
economy and the need to create jobs for the teeming unemployed, should enjoy
urgent attention. In the midst of all these, it is difficult to appreciate how
the removal from office of Ms Oteh should be such national emergency. But it
is, now.
Last week, in what seemed an ultimatum to the executive arm,
the House of Representatives, shortly upon resumption from its recess, resolved
that the SEC, DG must be sacked and directed its Committee in charge Legislative Compliance to
report details of compliance within 14days. And thereafter?
Insisting that it was not prepared to back down on its
earlier resolution on the matter, the House passed a resolution requesting the
president to remove Oteh from office for allegedly being unqualified by law to
occupy the position (being) incompetent and her (alleged) inability to manage
the organisation. The House went further to warn that it would thenceforth
cease to accord any recognition to Oteh or deal with her as Director General of
SEC.
The question is, does the legislative arm have the
unhindered power to sack a member of the executive arm? Or does the House have
limitless power to direct the President to sack the DG of SEC without proper
executive investigation to authenticate reasons advanced for such call? As the
body that initiated the probe of the SEC, should the House also sit in judgment
over the DG’s survival? Does that not amount to being a judge in one’s own
case?
Rather than heat-up the system or further endanger a
delicate executive-legislative harmony, will it not be germaine for the House
to seek legal interpretation and where it has specific allegations of
misdemeanour and of incompetence seek
judicial intervention? Considered singularly and collectively, these issues,
should not rise-up to the level of endangering inter-arm understanding and
end-up heating up the system.
If is true that as part of its oversight functions, the
National Assembly could raise questions and even probe the activities of the
executive arm and after such attempts advise the President accordingly.
Such resolutions are, at best, advisory and purely at the
discretion of the Executive.
Curiously, even if the President inaugurates the
legislature, just as he appoints the Chief Justice of the Federation along with
the Supreme Court justices and the President of the Court of Appeal, based on
recommendations from the National Judicial Council, he does not enjoy the power
to sack at will, any one of them unilaterally, neither has the President
recommended the re-call of the erring law maker. And they are a hand-full.
Even when the Lawan/Otedola bribery scandal almost dragged
to the mud, the high reputation of the House of Representatives, not once did
the Executive arm insist on the recall of the Reps member. Why the haste to do
so, on the part of the NASS at every single provocation?
The other day, the Central Bank Governor, Malam Sanusi
Lamido Sanusi was a target. His sin was that he questioned the high take-home
pay of National Assembly members and in the heat of the Oil Subsidy probe by
the House, insisted on the constitutional autonomy of the Central Bank and
refused to submit the apex bank’s annual budget proposals, for legislative
scrutiny.
For that seeming ‘intransigence’, the 7th National Assembly
seems bent on amending the law guiding the operations of the Central Bank,
clearly over-looking the reasons behind such independence. In most democracies,
the apex bank enjoys such autonomy because of its enormous responsibilities in
checking excesses of commercial banks against interests of customers, timely
currency restructuring, fixing interest
rates based on global pressures and indeed checking inflation through proper
economic management and policies.
The world is now a global village, and one economy depends
on another. In such instances, a national bank must be on top of the situation
and regularly take timely decisions to simulate areas that require simulating
and also bail out sectors which fall could spell economic doom to the nation.
Such an institution needs not be subjected to the familiar
vagaries of partisan politics and indeed
parliamentary muscle-flexing. That perhaps accounts for the operational
autonomy and independence of the Central
Bank in the first place and need not be compromised because of what the
legislative arm considers to be high-handedness on the part of the serving
Governor of the apex bank.
Rather than jeopardise the immense advantages of an
independent Central Bank, necessary safeguards should be put in place to check
the likely excesses of future office-holders. Otherwise, it will be
misinterpreted to mean that the Central Bank is being targeted for the sins of
its Governor.
Already, the decision of the
National Assembly, to suspend the currency restructuring process,
without, at worse hearing from the Central |Bank governor, is being perceived as not only hasty,
considering that no referendum has been done to test the project’s popularity
or otherwise, but that it is being rejected solely to punish Sanusi.
The National Assembly should not only rise above fighting
its own battles, it should appear so, and do the business of legislation that
will touch Nigerians, directly, Oteh as DG or not will not address poverty in
the Niger Delta, nor encourage educational pursuits by any Boko Haram faithful.
It will not also improve electricity power generation for Nigerians. Or will it
force all state governors to implement the N18,000 national minimum wage
approved for civil servants.
What the legislative muscle-flexing will achieve, at best,
is re-acclamation of the might and majesty of the National Assembly as an
institution on whom no effective over-sight can be exercised. And by extension,
the most powerful arm of government? Strength and wisdom’, once warned former
US President Bill Clinton, are not opposing values. They must move
hand-in-hand.
My Agony is that Oteh and Sanusi had at one time or another
annoyed the National Assembly with their unrestrained outbursts in criticisms
and sensitive expositions: Oteh, on claims of Reps members demanding bribe from
her and Sanusi flaying the high take-home pay of the legislators. And these
examples dress NASS in the garb of a giant fighting own wars, nay Nigerians’.
Methinks, when these interests clash a probable course to
follow-should be the intervention of the
Judicial arm so that no single arm assumes role of prosecutor and judge in its
own case.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Front Pix
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.