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Pass Anti-Terrorism Bill -Jonathan …Withdraws Mamman, Anka From INEC List
President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the Senate to pass the Anti-Terrorism Bill and Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill before the end of June.
In a letter dated April 29 and addressed to Senate President David Mark, Jonathan noted that the two bills were presented to the Senate in 2009 and were still awaiting consideration and passage.
He noted that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had identified strategic deficiencies in Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism regime.
The president said that the identified deficiencies included the absence of a comprehensive anti-terrorism law and the absence of standard provisions in the current anti-money laundering law in accordance with FATF Special Recommendations.
He said that the Inter Ministerial/Agency Team set up in October 2009 had since engaged the FATF Review Group and had submitted a National Work Plan to address the identified deficiencies.
“You may also wish to be informed that at the last face-to-face meeting with the FATF Regional Review Group in Bahrain in February, Nigeria made a commitment to the review process and guaranteed that the Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill before the National Assembly would be passed on or before June 30, 2010, other things being equal,” he said.
Jonathan said that the FATF was determined to apply requisite sanctions if Nigeria showed no serious commitment to addressing the identified deficiencies.
The president noted the grave political and economic consequences of Nigeria being blacklisted again by the FATF if the deficiencies were not addressed.
He said that the consequences of Nigeria being blacklisted again would lead to international investors being scared to invest in Nigeria while “those willing to do will request for the most stringent conditions”.
“Some countries will not honour international financial instruments emanating from Nigeria, including Letters of Credit.
“Nigeria’s international image will be highly dented as a country without the political will to cooperate in the global war on terror.”
In a related development, President GoodLuck Jonathan has withdrawn the nomination of Major Gen. A.B Mamman (Rtd) (Zamfara ,North West) and Ambassador Mohammed Z. Anka (FCT, North Central) from the list of ten nominee- National Electoral Commissioners.
President Jonathan had in a letter dated June 17, 2010 to the Senate president, David Mark sought the indulgence of the senate to remove the two of them from the list earlier submitted to the upper chambers for confirmation.
According to Mr. President replacements for the duo will be forwarded to the Senate in due course.
Though no reason, by the letter was given by President Goodluck, a source close to the presidency has raised the issue of federal character ; the evident inbalance in the regional representation in the list as the major reason for the withdrawal of the two.
The list earlier sent to the Senate for confirmation of the Chairman and ten National Electoral Commissioners has Prof. Attahiru Mohammadu Jega as Chairman of the Commission (Kebbi- North West) ,Mrs Amina Bala Zakari, member(Jigawa – Nort West) and Ambassador Mohammed Z. Anka; member (Zamfara- Nort West).
Also in the list of members are Engr.(Dr) Nuru Yakubu (Yobe- North East), Col. M.K. Hammanga; (Adamawa- North East), Dr. Abdukadir Sulaiman Oniyangi (Kwara- North Central) and Major Gen. A.B. Mamman (FCT-North Central).
Others are Dame Gladys Nne Nwafor (Abia- South East), Mr Ismael Igbani (Rivers- South West), Mrs Thelma Iremiren (Delta- South South) and Prof. Lai Olurode (Osun- South West).
Briefing correspondents, the Senate’s spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, said Mr President having sent them the list of nominees for confirmation, in accordance with section 154(1) and (3) of the 1999 constitution the Senate had considered this and resolved to screen the Chairman, Prof. Jega in a committee of the whole on live telecast instead of allowing the committee on INEC to do that and send them their report. This he, said will grant the entire the senate have the opportunity to ask the nominee as much question as possible while the live telecast , Wednesday will enable Nigerians have first hand view of the screening session.
Nneka Amaechi- Nnadi (Abuja)
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
