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Senate Summons Budget, Finance Ministers Over Niger Delta Ministry’s Budget
The joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and his counterpart in the Budget and Economic Planning Ministry, Abubakar Bagudu, to appear before it in furtherance of the budget defence for the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.
The summon is a sequel to the appearance of the Minister for Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, before the joint committee chaired by Senator Jide Ipinsagba yesterday.
During the interface, a member of the committee, Senator Seriake Dickson, raised a motion to adjourn the sitting indefinitely until both Ministers of Finance and Budget and Economic Planning appear with the Minister of Niger Delta Development to shed more light on the poor budgetary envelope for the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, fund released for projects among others.
Earlier, the minister had shared with the joint committee, the 2023 budget performance and answered questions about project execution, project abandonment, fund releases, and a commutative debt portfolio of the ministry totaling over N50bn.
Momoh said for the 2023 budgetary provision of N11bn only N4bn was released from the capital budget which represents about 37% which he described as inadequate to meet the challenges of the region.
He said, “This gross inadequate budget has led to project abandonment and unpaid projects and so, this paucity of funds can lead to the derailment of the mission and vision of the ministry.”
While answering questions on training and empowerment for women and youths in the region, the minister said there was nothing the ministry could do, if money is not released for training and empowerment and as such, the training and acquisition of knowledge is slowed down.
He said, “We have signed a performance bond with the president but with a paucity of funds there’s nothing we can do. The purse of the nation is in your hands as lawmakers; we need you to empower the ministry to deliver. We do hope that with your approval, you will give us support for more and better funds release in the 2024 budget.”
On whether Mr. President was aware of the situation in the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, the minister said, “I cannot say he’s aware – it would be pretty difficult for the president to know all the details of happenings in all the ministries.”
The minister agreed with the legislators on why the government cannot award contracts without payments amidst a litany of abandoned projects.
He said, “I share your view. The government cannot continue to award contracts to people and would not pay.
“The system of securing cash is cumbersome. Sometimes you award a contract without knowing how much you have in your purse.
“I am talking of a cash plan system which is giving a lot of headaches. If a contractor completes his job, it’s expected that within one or two weeks they should get payment but you have to apply for it and upload it to the Ministry of Finance, which delays the system. You need you to intervene in this regard.”
The minister added, “When I was outside, I saw things the way you’re seeing it now but now that am inside, I now understand. On poor budget performance of 37%, I agree it’s poor. It’s a statement of fact. I also share the issues you raised on the procurement process.
“I agree with that in entirety. I want to say one thing – we are in a transition year, and you cannot expect performance to be higher than 40%.
“I came on board in August when they were still running the 2022 budget and not quite a while ago they started running the 2023 budget. Once the National Assembly passes this appropriation, we will start work in earnest. You can be sure of speedy completion of projects.”
On the 2023 budgetary provision of N10bn, the minister said, “This sum cannot construct 3km of road in the heart of the Niger Delta. We need to also ask if there were adequate resources for all of these. The answer is no. We have requested additional funding even through Sukuk but we are still waiting for a reply.”
He said, “The staff in the ministry know how I operate. If you give me money today to complete a project, give me 3 months and see action if I will not deliver. On the 2024 budget, I will monitor them to make sure they are executed and I will hold my directors responsible if anything fails.
“On signature projects – we need to ask ourselves what we mean. The Ministry of Niger Delta has a star project which is the East-West road which was my focus when I came on board. But I was told that since 2021 it has been reversed to the ministry of works which should be a star of signature project for the ministry.
“This is an interventionist ministry such as maintaining peace in the region which doesn’t signify a signature project. Left to me, the sum of N18B being the envelope for the year 2024 can be put on three signature projects and I will ask the president to come and commission projects but we cannot do that because being an interventionist ministry handling 9 states, we have to spread the projects”.
Momoh concluded by saying, “What I can assure you is that with me in the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, things will be done differently, I can tell you authoritatively”, he assured.
Dickson in commendation said, “You’re a very experienced person and we know that with you, the ministry is in good hands. We are ready to encourage and support you.”
He moved the motion for the suspension of the budget defence and it was seconded by Senator Mudashiru Lukeman.
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.