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Mark Assures Of Passage Of FoI Bill
Senate President David Mark yesterday assured Nigerians that the Senate would pass the Freedom of Information Bill already passed by the House of Representatives.
Mark gave the assurance when the executive members of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) led by its President, Chief Olushola Ogunshola, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
“Ordinarily, there is no need for you to come because we have assured that we are going to pass the bill. “The bill is not for the media alone but for everybody. However, there is need to guarantee that the media will use the bill responsibly,’’ he said.
He added, “Passage of the bill into law is not a problem but we must show enough restraint and responsibility in order to avoid recklessness in the discharge of our duties. The media must be able to protect the ordinary man from abuse and recklessness by some of its members.”
Mark noted that the Nigerian Press Council had failed in its duty of sanctioning any media organisation found to have gone against the ethics of the profession.
Earlier, the President of the NPAN, Ogunshola urged the Senate to pass the Freedom of Information Bill.
He also pleaded that the Senate should not change the name of the bill to Access to Information as done by the House of Representatives.
Ogunshola noted that although the bill was passed by the last National Assembly but was not signed into law, noting that there was still another historic opportunity for the current National Assembly to pass it.
“There is still another historic opportunity for you to pass the bill and allow President Goodluck Jonathan to sign it.
Nigerians will remember you for that. The bill should be passed before the general elections,’’ he said.
He said that efforts had also been made to correct the initial misconceptions about the bill.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Muhammed Abba-Aji, had denied reports credited to him on Igbo presidency and the Freedom of Information Bill.
Abba-Aji was quoted in the media as saying that there was no vacancy for the Igbos in 2015 and that he would prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan not to sign the Freedom of Information Bill.
Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Abba-Aji said that he had not at any time made such a statement.
“I hereby categorically state that I have not at any time made such a statement.
Contrary to this statement, I strongly believe that my Igbo brothers and sisters have equal rights with all members of other ethnic groups to seek any public office including the exalted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As it relates to Vice President Namadi Sambo, it is entirely my personal view, which he neither desired nor solicited. I therefore, hereby withdraw it, and regret any misunderstanding that it might have generated,” he said.
He added: “On the issue of the Freedom of Information Bill, what I did was to draw attention to the conflict that in my view, it is likely to have with Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it relates to the oath of office and the Official Secrecy Act, which is yet to be repealed.
“I also tried to make the distinction between the Freedom of Information Bill, which seeks to compel public officers to reveal official matters and the Freedom of Press, which is already enshrined as Section 39 of the Constitution.”
However, mixed reactions have greeted the amended Electoral Act, especially the aspect that stopped the removal of governors through the courts.
Some politicians, who spoke to newsmen in Lagos yesterday, said that the removal of the power of the court to remove a sitting governor was in order.
However, others argued that it would give governors, who won an election through rigging, a second chance to rig.
Our correspondent reports that the former Electoral Act 2006 empowered the judiciary to nullify elections and give the mandate to the authentic winner of an election.
The newly amended act strips the court and the tribunal of the powers to remove from office a sitting governor for irregularities except through a re-run election.
When a sitting governor is found guilty, he should be disqualified from that election and its party should nominate somebody else,’’ Onimisi said.
But Malam Yusuf Buba, National Chairman, Advanced Congress for Democrats (ACD), commended the National Assembly for the amendment.
According to him, the power given to the judiciary to remove a sitting governor found to have rigged into office could corrupt the judiciary.
“If the power still lies with the judiciary, it can make it corrupt, but a re-run election will make it easier for people to come out and still exercise their civic rights, he said.
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, congratulated Governor ChukwumaSoludo on his re-election, calling the result “an affirmation of visionary leadership” and promising closer federal–state collaboration with Anambra.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Soludo the winner of Saturday’s off-cycle poll after he swept all 21 Local Government areas.
In a statement he signed and released yesterday, Tinubu praised voters, security agencies and INEC for a peaceful exercise and urged the governor to be “magnanimous in victory.”
He also commended the new INEC chairman, Prof. JoashAmupitan and charged the commission to sustain higher standards in future polls.
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He wrote, “I must also congratulate the people of Anambra State, the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission on the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship election.
“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.
“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that indeed knowledge is power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people, undergirding accountability, transparency and prudent management of people and resources.”
Tinubu reminisced on his visit to Anambra State in May, where he inaugurated some projects executed by the Soludo administration.
During the visit, he highlighted the good thinking behind the landmark projects being embarked upon by the governor, whom he called “Mr Solution.”
“That experience is indeed remarkable and will remain indelible in my mind,” he stated.
The President commended Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, brilliance, and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra, saying, “Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.”
Assuring Soludo of his support, the President urged the former Central Bank Chief to be magnanimous in victory and to seek the cooperation of his opponents in the just-concluded elections.
He stated, “I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government.
“The victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.
Tinubu also thanked the new INEC Chairman, Amupitan, and his team for conducting what, according to him, observers have described as a credible election, “based on the reports I have received thus far.”
“I charge the commission with maintaining the standards and further improving its performance, so we can continue to strengthen and deepen our electoral system,” said Tinubu.
Soludo’s victory extends APGA’s two-decade dominance of Anambra politics and makes him the third governor in the state’s history-after Peter Obi and Willie Obiano-to win a second term.
Tinubu said he looks forward to “continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government,” adding that Soludo has brought “discipline, grace and a fresh perspective” to governance in the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
