News
Reps Begin Debate On 2017 Budget
The House of Representatives, yesterday, begun debate on the general principles of the 2017 Appropriation Bill of N7.298trillion submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Leading the debate on the bill, the Majority leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, noted that the 2017 budget was designed to expand public private partnership and complete ongoing infrastructural projects that will impact positively on the economy.
Gbajabiamila also expressed confidence that the budget will help reboot the economy with its massive capital injection and payment of local debts to contractors.
However, he stressed the need for the House to revisit the Steve Oronsanye and Ahmed Joda Reports on the proposed merger of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to reduce cost of governance and free up money for capital expenditure.
Gbajabiamila also called for more funds to be injected into the tourism sector to help in the diversification of the economy.
In his contribution, Rep. Mark Gbila (APC-Bernue), advocated for a review of the country’s monetary policy to fast track economic recovery.
Also speaking, the Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas, expressed optimism that the oil production quota pegged at 2.2 million barrels per day in the 2017 budget was achievable.
However, Rep. Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta), faulted the N305 to a dollar that the budget was predicated on, saying it is unrealistic due to exchange rate volatility.
The debate on the 2017 Budget continues today.
The House had last week approved the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, thereby paving way for the consideration of the 2017 budget.
The House had adopted an Exchange Rate of N305 to 1 dollar crude oil benchmark of $44.5 per barrel and the pegging of crude oil production of 2.2 million barrels per day for the 2017 budget.
Similarly, the House of Representatives, yesterday, gave its committees on Anti-Corruption, Environment and Habitat six weeks to investigate former President Gooodluck Jonathan’s “Clean Stove For Rural Women scheme” contract of about N9.287 billion.
The resolution followed a motion by Rep. Abiodun Faleke (APC-Lagos), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.
Faleke noted that the Federal Executive Council had approved a contract for the supply of 20 million units of clean stove and wonder bags under the clean stove scheme for rural women.
He added that the contract was at a unit cost of N464.00, amounting to about N9.287billion.
The lawmaker said that following the approval of FEC, the Federal Ministry of Finance released the sum of N5billion to the Federal Ministry of Environment for the execution of the project.
He further disclosed that Integra Energy Renewable Services Limited was awarded the contract for the supply of the 20 million units.
Faleke also said that the company was paid the sum of N1.3billion out of the N5billion released by the Ministry of Environment as mobilisation fee without due process.
The lawmaker expressed concern that less than 750,000 units were said to have been assembled and delivered at the velodrome of the National Stadium, Abuja, which was commissioned by former Vice President, Namadi Sambo.
He noted that there was no beneficiary present at the commissioning nor was anyone later given the stove to achieve its intended purpose.
The mandate of the committee saddled with the investigation will be to find out details of the contract, number of units supplied, their mode of distribution and names of beneficiaries on a State by State basis.
The committees would also determine the status of the balance of N952million with the contractor, since 750,000 units of the clean stoves were supplied at a unit cost of N464 at the value of N348million out of the N1.3billion paid out.
The status of the balance of N3.7billion which was outstanding from the initial payment to the Federal Ministry of Environment will also be confirmed by the committee.
The committees would also determine whether or not the clean stoves and wonder bags project had assisted in eradicating desertification in Nigeria for future consideration.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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