News
Reps Unfold Agenda For Nigerians …To Cut Cost Of Governance
L-R:Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Nebolisa Emordi; former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Retired Col. Hamid Ali, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari, during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Monday
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara yesterday said it would implement a legislative agenda aimed at improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
Dogara said this in his presentation of a draft of the legislative agenda of the 8th House of Representatives in Abuja.
The Speaker said the agenda outlined steps and prioritised legislative actions required to achieve set goals and objectives.
According to him, the legislative agenda takes lessons from the experiences of the 7th House of Representatives and seeks to consolidate the gains and achievements thereof.
“The House recognizes that there remains widespread citizens’ distrust of public institutions and government generally.
“It is also recognized that there is a lot of public misconceptions and misperceptions about the functions and contributions of the legislature to Nigeria’s overall socioeconomic and political development.
“Yet, the legislature’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy remain critical and important.
“The 8th House of Representatives will assert its role in providing leadership in the areas of accountable and transparent government, citizens engagement, as well as constituency representation’’, he said.
Dogara added that the 8th House of Representatives would collaborate with the Senate and other arms of government to legislate for the common good of the Nigerian people.
“Our legislative activities will cover critical spheres of life in Nigeria.
“The House will legislate to achieve reforms in economic development, tackle poverty and unemployment and confront the scourge of corruption and terrorism/security challenge.
“The House will also give priority to legislations to address environmental challenges such as desertification, erosion and pollution.
“The 8th House of Representatives will legislate to cut the cost of running government, reduce wastage and tackle revenue leakages’’, Dogara said.
The speaker stressed that the House would play its part in rescuing the country from hunger, poverty, disease, social, economic, political and infrastructural challenges.
He said “the 8th House of Representatives, as peoples’ parliament, will be sensitive to public demands for transparency and accountability.
“Our legislative actions would therefore seek to build public confidence and trust and be responsive to citizens’ questions regarding the conduct of legislative business.
“The House will work for public good and serve as the institution that defends the rights of the people to an accountable and transparent government.’
Meanwhile, some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday in Abuja demanded a 60 per cent downward review in the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members.
Other stakeholders, have however, demanded a cut of as much as 90 per cent from the members salaries and allowances as well as the scrapping of allocation for constituency projects.
The CSOs, during a protest at the National Assembly’s gate, said that the demand was important in view of the number of Nigerians living in poverty and the country’s revenue.
The Executive Director, Conscience Nigeria, Mr. Tosin Adeyanju said the CSOs staged the protest because Nigerians were angry about the jumbo pay to lawmakers and appointees despite the country’s economic reality.
Adeyanju said Nigerian lawmakers were the highest paid in the world, adding that “we need this money to develop our infrastructure’’.
“In 2013, the National Assembly allocation and budget was about N50 billion; by 2015, it has astronautically jumped to about N120 billion for just 469 people. Is it justifiable?
“For a country that has over 180 million people, and in a nation that is in economic crises with huge dependence on oil revenue that has dipped by 50 per cent, we need to save Nigeria from imminent collapse or is it that they want this country to turn to another Greece,’’ Adeyanju said.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to lead by example and to ensure that the number of political appointees was reduced and their wages cut by 60 per cent.
“Political position must be made less attractive so that political assassination can stop and cost of electioneering in the country can reduce,’’ Adeyanju said.
The CSOs listed “Details of remuneration of Nigerian senator’’ in a flier distributed by the protesters.
In the flier, the basic total monthly pay per senator is N29.47 million amounting to N353.76 million $2.18 million) per annum for each senator.
The breakdown of the payment pay put the Basic Salary (BS) at N2,482, 245.50; Hardship allowance (50 per cent of BS) amounts to N1,242,122; Constituency allowance (at 200 per cent of the BS) amounts to N4,968,509 and Newspapers allowance (at 50 per cent of BS) amounts to N1,242,122.70.
The monthly salary also includes; Wardrobe allowance (25 per cent of the BS) which amounts to N521,061.37; Recess allowance (10 per cent of the BS) which amounts to (N248,424.55) and Accommodation allowance (200 per cent of the BS) amounting to N4,968,509.
Others are; Utility allowance of 828,081.83 (30 per cent of BS); Domestic allowance of N1.86 million (70 per cent of BS) and Entertainment allowance of N828,082 (30 per cent of BS).
Others are; Vehicle maintenance allowance of N248,426, (75 per cent of BS); Severance Gratuity allowance of N7.5 million (300 per cent of BS) and Car allowance of N9.9 million (400 per cent of BS).
Adeyanju said the figures were obtained from a research conducted by the organizations, adding that if the lawmakers NASS disagreed, they should come out with their facts.
Also speaking with newsmen, Dr Pregrino Briamah, a co-convener of the protest, Dr. Pregrino Briamah called for 90 per cent downward review of the lawmakers’ salaries and allowances as well as an immediate termination of constituency project allowance.
Briamah said that the CSOs would not wait for the downward review by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), who he said, lacked the credibility to do it.
He said a copy of their letters was already sent to President Buhari.
“We demand that the presidency should commence an immediate termination and investigation of the Directors of RMAFC or a total and radical overhaul of the agency.
“We also demand that there should be 100 per cent transparency and oversight.
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