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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 Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
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.
