News
Reps Begin Debate On 2014 Budget
L-R: An economist with World Bank, Miss Halima Zama, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Head, Private Sector and Finance, World Bank, Mr Michael Wong and Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo, during the visit of World Bank’s Team to the governor in Ibadan, yesterday
The House of Representatives yesterday commenced debate on the general principles of the 2014 Appropriation Bill after adopting the report of its six-man committee on the matter.
The Majority Leader, Rep. Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP-Oyo), who led the debate, urged members to put away individual differences and consider the budget for passage.
“As representatives of the people we must put individual differences away and look at national interest,” she declared.
The Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Abdurrahman Kawu (APC-Kano), said that proposals in the 2014 appropriation bill were in sharp contrast with the provision of the law.
He said that in spite of promises to device ways of increasing capital expenditure, the government continues to increase recurrent expenditure which has little or no impact on the lives of his people in Kano.
According to him, the 2014 appropriation bill tends to cater more for the militants than the country’s national security agencies.
He said that N63 billion was expected to cover stipends and allowances of 30,000 Niger Delta militants, reintegration of transformed ex-militants and amnesty programme.
Kawu said the total capital budget allocated to the Ministry of Defence, Nigeria Army, Navy, Air Force and Police formations is pegged at N41.08 billion.
“We must ensure that we compel all government officials, including ourselves to make sacrifices on behalf of our people who had long been starved of social safety net by reducing the recurrent expenditure and frivolous spending that accompanied this 2014 appropriation bill.
“We must ensure that 2015 politicking does not distract us from playing our oversight role on this budget,’’ he said.
Rep. Rafeeqat Onabamiro (APC-Lagos) said that the allocation to the military was inadequate considering the current security challenges facing the country.
Rep. Ganiyu Olukolu (APC-Lagos) said that the rate of increase in domestic debt was alarming, and suggested the education of MDAs on Internally Generated Revenue.
Rep. Karimi Sunday (PDP-Kogi) decried the paltry sum allocated to the education sector in spite of the demands by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for improved welfare.
He enjoined members to ensure that the Road Sector Reform Bill was passed to address the problem of deplorable roads in the country.
The debate was adjourned to Wednesday when more members would make their contributions.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has directed the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to submit to the House, estimates for 31 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), insisting that the submissions should be made available before the conclusion of consideration of the budget.
This directive was given after the House adopted the recommendations of the report of a six-man committee it set up to determine whether the executive had complied with extant rules in submitting the budget proposal to the National Assembly.
The House on January 4, constituted a six-man committee to advice it on the propriety of continuing debate on the budget based on issues of breach raised by Rep. Emmanuel Jime (APC-Benue).
Jime in his motion had urged the House to reject the budget as laid by the executive for non-compliance with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
Presenting the report, Rep. Albert Sam-Tsokwa (PDP-Taraba), the chairman of the committee, said that the section 21 Jime relied on does not in any way contradict section 81 of the 1999 Constitution.
Section 81 required Mr President to be prepared and lay before the National Assembly the Appropriation Bill.
It also required that in complying, the minister should ensure that the budget estimates of 31 government corporations be attached to the bill.
Sam-Tsokwa said that Jime’s point of order was well founded and sustainable but advised the House to continue with the consideration of the budget in the national interest.
“Hon. Jime’s point of order is well founded and sustainable. However, considering national interest, the House of Representatives should proceed with the consideration of the 2014 Appropriation Bill.
“The Minister of Finance is requested to comply fully with the mandatory provisions of Section 21 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act before the conclusion of consideration”.
In a remark, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said that the report would further guide the House in passing the budget.
He noted that many members allowed their personal interest to becloud national interest.
Tambuwal enjoined members to moderate their utterances on the floor of the House as they contribute to national issues.
The speaker maintained that based on the importance of the Bill, the House would proceed with the consideration but added that, the minister should comply with the provisions of the Act.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi