News
2018 Budget Padding: CRSHA Summons SSG, Others
Cross River State House of Assembly has summoned Secretary to the State Government, Barr Tina Agbor, and others to clear the air on their alleged involvement in the doctoring of the 2018 budget with a view of explaining their part in the illegality.
Our correspondent gathered that others invited together with the SSG include the Special Adviser, Department of Public Transportation (DOPT), Mr Emmanuel Mbora, Special Adviser, Budget Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Abang Moses Onoh, Chairman, Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA), Mr. Mfon Bassey, and Chairman Internal Revenue Service, Ogar Akpanke A.
In a press release with reference No: HA/ADM/66/330, dated 27th August 2018 and signed by Director Legislative Matters/Head of Chamber, Adie, Akabisong A, on behalf of the Clerk of the House, the Legislative Body said it has also set up a Special Committee to investigate the allegation which it described as ‘grievous.’
The release read in part: “The House considers these allegations grievous and capable of generating crisis in the commercial transport sub-sector of the State. For the avoidance of doubt, the House has not amended nor reviewed or transferred any provision or revenue heads in the 2018 Appropriation Law in favour of any MDA particularly Department of Public Transportation.”
In an invitation letter dispatched to the affected officials, the House said “the purpose of this letter is therefore to request you, all parties to this transaction, and critical stakeholders in the commercial transport sector to desist forthwith from implementing the aforementioned communiqué and wait for the outcome of the investigation. Arrangement for your appearance before the Special Committee will be communicated to you in due course.”
It would be recalled that the Chairman, CTRA, Mr Bassey, had on August 15 petitioned the Commissioner of Police requesting for an investigation and prosecution of the Special Adviser, Department of Public Transportation (DOPT), Mr Emmanuel Mbora, and the Special Adviser, Budget, Abang Moses Onoh, for an alleged conspiracy and forgery of budget estimates contained in Cross River state appropriation law, 2018 with the backing of the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Barr Tina Agbor. He also petitioned the House of Assembly asking for investigations into the saga.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
-
News1 day ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News1 day ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Niger Delta1 day agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support