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Shouts Of The Pocket …Or Pure Executive Power Play?
Each time the mass media imput selfish motives of germane national concerns by patriotic Nigerians in apparent rehash of debatably fallacious saying: ‘Man is moved to action not by man’s intellect or reason but by man’s desires and appetites’, I feel a nagging pain in my groins.
But when same is ascribed to genuine protests by public institutions or knowledgeable Nigerians like members of the Honourable House of Representatives, it should rise above My Agony to become a National worry.
In the past few weeks, for questioning the seemingly slow and selective implementation of the 2012 budget, members of the House have themselves become subject of national debate and victims of the hasty conclusion complained of in the opening of this discourse.
Curiously,the ‘sin’ of the House seems, the threat to impeach the President and head of the Executive Arm of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan for, among other concerns, an alleged lackluster implementation of the 2012 budget. As demanded by law, the President’s appropriation bill of N4.55 trillion had been sent to both chambers of the National Assembly for proper scrutiny and possible passage. In the process, the National Assembly approved N4.88 trillion, an addition of about N33 billion.
However, President Jonathan before signing the Appropriation Act into law pegged it at N4.7 trillion. That ceremony of signing into law, the 2012 budget took effect April 13, 2012, thirteen (13) days into the second quarter of the fiscal year.
Now, the House’s key grouse with the executive arm is that the implementation of the budget is below average, standing at about 34 per cent by the end of the second quarter, ending June 30, 2012. Secondly, that approved budgetary allocations to ministries and agencies were being released piece-meal, in a manner that compromised anticipated development milestones. Thirdly, that the executive arm picks and chooses which projects and institutions to fund without recourse to national projections, needs and aspirations and finally, that the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, be made to explain why the House should not have cause for worries, by providing facts to contradict conclusions reached, based on valid information from the office of Federal Accountant General.
For raising these concerns, some Nigerians, using a section of the media have repeatedly imputed that members of the National Assembly were saying things different from what they truly worry about. That the major reason for protest is not the slow pace of work to Federal roads; failure to address the country’s energy needs; poor handling of the nation’s security challenges; alleged unco-ordinated education and health sectors reforms or even non-implementation of the National minimum wage by any state of the Federation.
Instead, they claim, the House members’ anger stems from the delay in release of funds for their own constituency projects, a major source of wealth generation for individual members, in recent years.
All these insinuation have been denied by the House. Infact, chairman of the House Committee on Media, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, last week told journalists that the House is troubled by the stubbornness of managers of the nation’s finances who refuse to allocate funds to projects that are of direct need to the Nigerian people. He denied insinuations that the smooth implementation of the 2012 budget was being hampered by the Assembly’s tinkering with the budget proposal, resulting in the increase from N4.55 trillion proposed by President Jonathan to N4.88 trillion, that the National Assembly eventually approved.
According to him, once a budget is passed into law, it becomes a legal document which must be adhered to and not left to the whims of the Executive arm, to pick and choose which to implement. Zakari dismissed as untrue, claims by the Finance Minister that the implementation of the budget was on course and said the executive arm is simply suffering from military hang-over, a veiled reference meaning totalitarianism often associated with military regimes.
If these are indeed so, Nigerians ought to be worried. But they should be more worried if in the long run, it is proved that the House’s protests are actuated by malice arising from the Executive arm’s insistence that public funds cannot be released for projects without passing through due process, which is also a legal document that ought to be adhered to, religiously.
Addressing newsmen a forth-night ago, Co-ordinating Minister of the economy, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala insisted that public funds must be spent responsibly, after due process has been followed, saying, those days when public funds were released for projects, without necessary adherence to approved milestones, were over. According to the Finance Minister, implementation of the budget in most respects had gone far beyond 50 per cent while other areas are far above 34 per cent.
Apart from challenges posed by failure of some contractors to meet laid down guidelines on project implementation with emphasis on transparency, capacity and competence, some over-priced works are yet to be defended by affected contractors. The bottom-line is that while, the federal government is committed to pursuing its development agenda, it is no longer prepared to release funds recklessly without proof of readiness, competence and capacity to meet set standards.
Are constituency projects, proposed by law-makers part of such works desiring answers and structural appraisals? Yes. If so, House members need not be ashamed of it, afterall, all such projects, as provided for in the budget, are intended for their constituencies and by larger implication, all Nigerians.
Yes, Nigerians are aware that some members of the National Assembly in the past used such appropriations for their personal needs and wants, covering expensive auto-mobiles, built palatial mansions in choice areas of various Nigerian cities and used the difference to conduct free eye tests in one or two villages but there is no signal yet that the present crop of honourable members would do the same.
Apart from the stains to their reputation, caused by allegations of demanding and receiving bribes from institutions and oil companies under their various probes, and the story of a loud-mouthed member in the crusade for impeachment, now known to have been barred from legal practice on account of fraudulent transactions, members of the House have shown considerable honour.
It is also honourable to be worried that their constituency projects are being delayed. But a more honourable way would be to say so and not query the mode of budget implementation. As they have thus far done.
For instance, the budget became law on April 13, 2012. If by end of June, 2012, the executive arm has hit between 35 and 55 per cent, in spite of the numerous distractions caused by security concerns, President Jonathan demands commendation not impeachment threat. Another is the fact that Nigeria, in years passed, did not get real value for public works ordered through plum contracts, therefore, one of the best ways of fighting corruption and ensuring adherence to details in project implementation is proper monitoring. In this regard, it becomes foolhardy for government to release 100 per cent funds for projects undone.
Under the due process regime, certain steps must be taken before mobilisation is granted and another tranche released after meeting specific milestones. This means, implementation of a given budget cannot be judged only by the amount of funds disbursed but also by the level of works and the speed with which various ministries, agencies and even contractors meet certain targets.
That being the case, dangling of impeachment threat over perceived delay in implementation of the budget, which passage was also delayed in the first place, inadvertently lends credence to the allusion that members of the National Assembly are not fighting the people’s wars but theirs.
My Agony is that try as I have in ages to believe in myself, I am heading to the sad conclusion that most times, “greedy” men are moved to action not by their intellect or reason but by their desires and appetites.
I pray some members of the House of Representatives do not take me there. At least not yet.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Senate President Mark And Okonjo-Iweala
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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.