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Senate’s Hammer Dangles Over Customs Boss
The Nigerian Senate yesterday summoned the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali over the issue of Customs Duties in respect of vehicles.
The Senate also categorically directed that the CG appears in the Senate with the appropriate uniform of the Customs Service on Wednesday, March 15, unfailingly.
This Summons followed a Point of Order raised by Sen. Dino Melaye on a publication in Daily Sun Newspaper of March 9, 2017 which reads: “Customs dares Senate.. says no going back on implementation of duties on old vehicles.”
Senate had last month directed Customs to stop the plan to punish anyone who failed to pay duties on vehicles within a month of bringing same into the country.
The resolution followed a motion by Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Bala Na’Allah who described the new policy as a serious matter.
Senator Melaye, in his presentation argued that the Legislature remains the most important arm of government and questions the rationale behind disrespect to the National Assembly resolution as he pointed out that the Nigeria Customs cannot function without the National Assembly.
Senator Dino said that government existed to serve the people and not the people in government and if the Senate had taken a position in the interest of Nigerians and an institution of government will disrespect the Senate, it is unacceptable
His words “The Customs cannot spend or survive without appropriation and oversight. And if this Senate will take a resolution and an agency of government will have the guts and the strength to disregard the institution of the senate, it is not good for democracy.”
“I hope this was a misrepresentation that they did not take that position. This comment can only be made in a military government, where an individual, a parastatal or an institution of government will confront the power of the Senate.”
“The senate therefore resolves as follows that we invite the comptroller general of customs to appear in plenary and in uniform to either justify or falsify this statement. If after his appearance he insist that he said it then I will recommend him for psychiatrist test.
Contributing yo the issue on the floor , Sen. Solomon Olamilekan said there was the need to put to a stop the unbecoming attitudes of the Custom’ s boss which he described as “ the high-handedness of the Comptroller-General of Customs”
His wordsc “The Comptroller-General is carrying out the affairs of Customs as if he is the Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria. If he cannot wear the uniform, then it is an insult to the Customs,”
“Mr president, going forward I think it is high time that this senate or the National Assembly amend the existing laws that put up these agencies (FRSC, NCS, Fire Service) so that all the heads of these agencies will be subject to confirmation from the National Assembly and I can tell you this under the comptroller general we have today, customs is not doing better, customs is doing worse, customs now operate as gangsters , customs now goes after vehicles , trailer load of rice”
Sen Olamilekan called on the National Assembly to amend the existing law that put such agencies so that the Heads of the Agencies would be subjected to confirmation by the Assembly.
The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan in his contribution said that whatever government was doing should be in the interest of Nigerians.
“We must invite the Comptroller-General to explain what he intends to do. We must not rely completely on what the Newspaper said.
The Senate Leader also called on the authorities of Customs to come up with strategies that would stop the infiltration by smugglers into the country.
In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary noted that the activities of customs lately were of concern for all .
“Part of our responsibilities as parliamentarians is to maintain peace. And if there is anything that will cause a breach of the peace, then it is our responsibility to ensure that we stem it.
Ekwerremmadu also emphasised the need for the nation to fight impunity just as much as “we fight corruption”
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
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.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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