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Rumbles Over 2016 Budget …What Federal Executive Didn’t Do
Buhari and Amaechi
When about a month ago, the original copy of the 2016 Budget presented to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly disappeared, the Senate raised an alarm. After blames and counter blames and from what we today know, it has become clear to Nigerians that it was not a false alarm.
The truth was that the original document was indeed removed and certain corrections made, which Senators called padding. Some Senators fingered one of Buhari’s aides on National Assembly Matters for complicity in the smuggling-in of fresh issues into the original fiscal document.
What is clear to Nigerians today is that the Transport Ministry’s Calabar-Lagos rail project was one of the additions made to the budget after its disappearance.
When the matter was resolved or thought to have been resolved, the executive concluded that the Senate would work with the amended version, based on which Transport Minister, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, was allowed to waste his time defending the new insertion. Unfortunately, Amaechi may be close to the President, but is not the President.
Senate sources apparently resolved to abide by the Constitution which makes Buhari the lone official with powers to withdraw, amend and return the Budget document he presented. None other, has the power to add or subtract from the fiscal document and rather than toe the constitutional path, the executive through Amaechi hoped that all things were possible.
After claims and counter claims over the non-reflection of the Calabar-Lagos Rail project in the original budget copy Buhari presented, the Media Adviser to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr James Akpandem, last Tuesday insisted that the relevant committees of the Parliament received the document.
Relevant Committees? The Budget was presented to the Senate by President Buhari. It is the Senate that should assign necessary sections to various committees of the Senate. Did Akpandem imply, as perceived by many that it was during the committee stage that documents concerning projects not originally captured were forwarded? Likely.
This is because Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdullahi Sabi was unequivocal when he debunked claims by some members of the executive that the controversial N60 billion Calabar-Lagos rail project was captured in the original Budget copy presented by Buhari to the NASS.
Senator Sabi insisted that ‘contrary to the position of the executive that the Amaechi project was captured in the budget, (it) was not included’, and asked the executive to stop instigating Nigerians against the legislature which according to him, has done so much in the budget to ensure dividends of democracy were speedily delivered to them.
Akpandem’s statement tacitly confirmed the Senate’s position when he said in his statement, ‘it will be recalled that the Budget office (of the Executive) made a number of errors IN THE INITIAL PROPOSALS (emphasis mine) of a number of ministries’.
He went further, “These errors were all corrected by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the corrected versions were submitted to the relevant Committees of the National Assembly. This INCLUDED THAT OF THE MINISTERY OF TRANSPORT (emphasis mine).
Whose duty is it to correct mistakes made in a fiscal document presented to the National Assembly by the President? Only the President. Otherwise, any Ministry could amend its own allocation through the Assembly’s Committee and alter the original document.
If the Budget Ministry, an arm of the Executive inadvertently omitted a project as important as the Calabar-Lagos rail project, the option should not have been to secretly withdraw the original document and replace it with the corrected version and expect the law makers to accept because it affected Amaechi. The right thing to do, as professed change agents, was to acknowledge the omission or mistakes made by the Budget Department, officially withdraw the budget proposal, make the desired corrections and infusions, and have the President return the corrected version to the National Assembly for their work.
Since no one was punished for what became known to Nigerians as padding of the budget, there is no telling what cannot be done. So, a careful Senate ought to go strictly by the books, meaning, working on the original proposals presented to it by President Buhari and nothing else.
Amaechi may be close to Buhari and so can get away with most things. He left office without handing over to a successor and got away with it. He shut down an arm of the government, the Judiciary in Rivers State for nearly two years and got away with it. He traversed the state during the rerun elections guided by armed soldiers against the electoral law which limited his movement to Ubima, and got away with it.
So why should a simple inclusion of a project ‘inadvertently’ left out by the budget office be such a problem to him? It must have been with that mindset, that Amaechi apparently appeared before the Senate Committee defending what was not part of his hosts’ original mandate. So, they allowed Amaechi to defend what he alone had a mandate to defend and not what his listeners wanted to hear.
According to Akpandem, “the amended Ministry of Transport budget was accepted by the relevant committees and that was the version defended by the Minister of Transport and his team”.
The question is, if the Calabar-Lagos project was in the Ministry’s proposal in the original budget presented to the NASS by Buhari, what was contained in the amended version? What was that, that was amended?
The APC-led Federal Government should come to terms with reality. This is a democracy where, separation of powers is key and clearly outlined. The Executive arm should perform its functions properly and allow the Legislature perform its own duties.
The Budget was a product of the Executive arm. Only after a thorough perusal, study, debate and eventual adoption, is the President expected to present same to the legislature. From that moment, the document belongs to the National Assembly.
It is the duty of the law-makers, also as elected representatives of the people, to study the document and eventually pass it into law. That is when the budget becomes a national document, belonging neither to the executive nor the legislature.
Therefore, the Federal Government must do the needful. Blame itself for the initial errors, President’s failure to recall the document amidst rumours of padding and failing to represent a vetted and final copy. Sad as it is, there is some iota of truth that the Calabar-Lagos rail was not captured in the original budget presented to the NASS.
The Budget Ministry’s Media Adviser paid so much premium to the Calabar- Lagos rail project, claiming the N60 billion provided in the budget for it and the Lagos-Kano rail lines, respectively, is counterpart funding to support the Chinese financing the projects.
“These projects are part of the strategic implementation plan of the government which was disclosed by the Minister of Budget and National Planning at the National Economic Council retreat in March 2016.”
So why is such a key project now an issue of contention? Why are Nigerians getting the impression that all the denials of disappearance of original copy of the 2016 Budget and half truths about non-padding, are all to protect an over-sight by the Transport and Budget Ministries? Why is it difficult for self-acclaimed change agents to accept mistakes, make amends and move forward, rather than invent new lies to correct initial lies?
My Agony is that the Executive arm gave Nigerians the impression that the Senate saw and deliberately removed the Calabar-Lagos Rail project from the budget as presented to it by the President. Not knowing that it was President Amaechi that forwarded and defended his own version.
But there can only be one President, that’s how the Senate and Nigerians view it.
Methinks, the Federal Government should forward a supplementary budget to cover its obvious slip, as demanded by the Senate and not waste time bickering over when and how the rail project was and was not injected into the 2016 appropriation bill, now passed.
But first, President Buhari should sign the budget into law.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
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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.
