News
Reps Defer Debate On Constitution Amendment Report; As Senate Rejects 6yr Single Term …Grants States Power On Aviation, Railway
A cross section of participants at the Civil Service week in Port Harcourt, yesterday
The House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja deferred the consideration of the 1999 Constitution amendment report today.
This resolution followed complaints by some members that they did not have copies of the report to be considered.
The ad hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution presented their report to the House on July 4.
Earlier, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, advised members to avoid propagating their own interest against that of their constituents while considering the report.
Tambuwal said, “My advice is that we proceed with the wishes of the people. When it is time to vote, we should not vote against the wishes of our people.
“We should proceed with the wishes of the people and not that of some political leaders in our constituencies.”
He said that some Nigerians had advocated subjecting the amended constitution to a referendum, whereas the constitution had clearly spelt out ways it could be amended.
“The constitution has prescribed the procedure for amendment and we cannot go outside it.
The Senate by its voting on the alteration of some clauses in the Constitution of the Federal Republic, yesterday finally laid to rest the recommendation for a 6 -year single term for President, vice president and Governors and their deputies and voted massively against the clause.
Contrary to expectations the clause for autonomy for local governments, in spite of the support it enjoyed during the debate also failed to scale through as most senators voted against the alteration.
The change of the name from Nigeria police force to Nigeria Police Service also was scuttled by the senators just as their votes succeeded in saving NYSC from being scrapped.
Alteration of section 195 of the Constitution which provides for Separation of the office of the Attorney General, from the Minister of Justice’s position and same for the state attorney-general and the commissioner for Justice was also voted against.
However, the Senate by its voting was able to grant states legislative jurisdiction in the area of aviation, environment, healthcare, railways, and labour issues. As they were removed from Exclusive list to concurrents Prisons, public complaints, road safety and arbitration were retained in the Exclusive list.
The voting on the clauses which lasted for about five hours was a true indication of complexities in the exercise as it became very difficult for most of the clauses even those perceived as worthy of alteration (and could have scaled through by simple majority) to get the required two-third majority for any alteration.
The Senate session had 101 senators in attendance including the Senate President who is the presiding officer and who votes when only one vote is required to attain a particular decision
Amongst the recommended alterations, which failed to fly as the senators voted, were section 29. which sought to delete its subsection (4)(b) making marriage status enough qualification for renunciation of citizenship instead of only age of 18.
This clause, however stirred up drama as Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara) was quick to kick against it on the note that if altered it would go against dictates of Islam as Islamic marriage can be conducted at any age. Yerima, it would be recalled has been in the news and public discuss as the Senator who married a 13+year old girl (adjudged under-aged by civil society groups).
However, Yerima had it in his favour as those for the deletion of the claude got only 60 votes against the required 73 votes (2-3rd majority)
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe briefing Journalists after plenary explained that the Senate had only those clauses to vote on as those were the 30 clauses recommended by the Senate Committee on Constitution chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeremmadu.
Senator Abaribe noted that some of the popular issues as states creation could meet up with the requirements to be slated for voting.
On the recommendation for removal of immunity clause, Abaribe said the clause was not part of the senate debate and therefore, not amongst issues for voting.
The Senate is to hold a valedictory section for their late colleague.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi (Abuja)
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.