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Nat Assets Sale: Senators Oppose Saraki
Senators, yesterday, opposed their President, Dr Bukola Saraki, kicking against the call for the sale of some national assets.
Many of the senators, who contributed as the debate on the recession in the country continued in the upper chamber, blamed the elite, including some lawmakers, for the economic problems of the nation.
Some called for the restructuring of Nigeria’s federalism while others called for a review of some fiscal policies, including the Single Treasury Account (TSA).
Leading the debate, Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Na’Allah, called on the government to reconsider its policy on TSA and its policy on domiciliary accounts.
He admitted that the intention for making the policies may have been germane, they were unfortunately affecting the economy adversely.
He said that the TSA policy had stifled the banks and as such, money was no longer circulating in the economy through loans, mortgages and other means.
“The President has good intentions but we have a few people who are not thinking correctly.
“I recall that I complained when the CBN stopped operation of domiciliary accounts within and outside Nigeria.
“These two decisions must be revisited and redirected to ensure that there is a platform for redistribution of income.
“The two critical decisions of fighting corruption should be revisited,” he said.
Sen. Andy Ubah decried the call for sale of national assets, describing it as wrong.
“If we sell our assets now to recover from this recession, what would we sell in the future if we ever slipped into another recession?
“We must seek an alternative way of recovering from this recession but sale of our assets is not the way out,” Ubah said.
The Majority Whip, Sen. Olusola Adeyeye, insisted that the nation must be restructured along the line of true federalism.
According to him, the states cannot keep coming to the federal to collect money while ignoring available resources and potentials in their states.
“Many have asked that we must restructure and I agree that we must restructure.
“If we restructure properly at least there will be a few places where stealing will not be going on at the same time. There will be some modest of exception that we can say what have they done right.
“I want us to look at this current constitutional review, the various exclusive lists and the various concurrent lists; let us look at where we have over-burdened the Federal Government.
“If we must revitalise the economy, we must have jobs and projects going in every local government, every federal constituency and every senatorial district of this country.
“Let us begin to implement the zonal intervention projects,’’ he said, adding that the bitter truth was that people in government also contributed to the problems.
“If we will save Nigeria we must reduce the cost of governance. Nigeria’s estacode is the highest in the world; we must slash it to 50 per cent.
“Obafemi Awolowo campaigned in 1978 that he was going to slash it and it has now grown into five times what it was in those days; we must slash it.
“When you go to our airports and you park your car, you pay N300; that is 75 cents, but in all modern economies you pay per hour.
“If we are going to find money, we must become creative.
“All of you with houses in Asokoro, Maitama and Apo and you don’t pay tenement rate; all of us must pay,” he said.
On his part, Sen. Sunny Ugboji, supported the need to restructure Nigeria “to enable it to operate true federalism’’, saying that states could not continue to come to Abuja to share the national treasure without producing something.
He condemned all persons who kicked against the past administrations when they wanted to save money for the country.
“When the last administration wanted to save money, many of the people who kicked against it are now part of this present administration.
“We must restructure Nigeria: restructuring doesn’t mean disintegrating but just to help every state to tap their potentials and this will help Nigeria too.
“Naira should be allowed to float, floating the Naira would make it impossible for people to get waivers to buy dollar at 197 when it is higher in the open market,” Ugboji said.
Kicking against call for sale of the nation’s assets, he said that there was need to cure the systemic corruption in Nigeria.
He, however, warned that Nigerians must not be portrayed as thieves as corruption was not peculiar to the country.
“Those who are canvassing that we should sell our assets are getting it wrong; we have sold some of them yet we are still here,’’ the lawmaker said.
Other senators however supported the sale of moribund government assets.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.