News
NASS Task Leaders On Economic Dev … Debates Pre-Budget Framework
The Senate yesterday urged the federal, states and local governments
and all leaders in Nigeria to work harder to return Nigeria to economic growth,
sustenance as well as strengthen national unity.
The Senate made the call following the debate on a motion congratulating Nigeria and Nigerians on its 52nd Independence Anniversary sponsored by Sen.Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) and 107 other senators.
Leading the debate, Enang noted with delight that Nigeria
was gradually developing its domestic production capacity as an independent
nation.
Senate President David Mark, who presided over plenary
session, said that for Nigeria to remain one, united nation till date, was a
great achievement.
Mark noted that although the country might not be where it
ought to be, for now, it was making giant strides toward attaining its desired
destination.
The Senate president said that Nigeria needed political will
to take its policies to logical conclusions either at the executive level or
legislative level.
Mark said unless section 7 of the Constitution was amended,
the National Assembly would not be able to do something about the current
situation.
He, however, expressed optimism that if the state
governments would do even a little better than that what was currently
obtainable, the situation would be a lot different.
Mark noted that only Lagos was generating its own revenue
adding that other states were largely depending on federal allocation.
The Senate president said he completely disagreed with Sen.
Uche Chukwumerije (PDP-Abia), who described Nigeria as a failed state.
He said there was no doubt the country had challenges but
expressed optimism that with the right political will the challenges would be
surmounted.
The Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, urged
senators to remain patriotic and nationalistic, assuring them that all hope for
Nigeria was not lost.
Sen. Pius Ewherido (DPP-Delta) in his contribution,
congratulated Nigerians especially the ordinary masses, saying they were the
real victors.
Ewherido called on the National Assembly to take budget
implementation seriously, reminding them that it was one way to execute
projects that would impact, positively, on the lives of the ordinary Nigerians.
He stressed the need for effective funding of local
governments to ensure that they met the challenges of economic growth and the
need of the rural populace.
Meanwhile, the Senate
on Tuesday began work on the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and Fiscal
Strategy Paper (FSP) by referring the document to its Committee on Finance and
National Planning.
President Goodluck Jonathan had forwarded the MTFF and FSP
to the Senate for approval in accordance with sections 13, 12 and 11 of the
Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.
The MTFF is the basis upon which the 2013 Appropriation Act
is structured.
There are certain key areas in the document that need to be
agreed upon by the Senate before the 2013 budget can be approved.
One of such issues is the benchmark of crude oil which the
MTFF document has placed at $75 per barrel. Another is oil subsidy, which the
Senate needs to agree on before the budget can be approved.
It would be recalled that Jonathan had last week
communicated to the Senate through a letter, his intention to present the 2013
budget at a joint sitting of the National Assembly on October 4.
Bearing in mind the importance of the need to submit the
2013 budget early to the National Assembly, Senate President David Mark advised
the committees to expedite work on the document.
Mark said the document should be returned to the Senate next
Tuesday.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the 33.5-kilometre Elele–Umudioga–Egbeda–Ubimini–Ikiri–Omoku dual carriageway is nearing completion and will be ready for inauguration by early May.
Speaking after inspecting the project last Wednesday, the governor disclosed that the N80.8 billion road project, currently at about 90 per cent completion, is on track for delivery before the end of April.
The project, which links Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company with a 24-month completion timeline.
Fubara expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, describing the road as a landmark achievement of his administration.
He noted that beyond infrastructure, the project symbolises progress and purposeful governance.
Highlighting its economic and security value, the governor said the road serves as a vital link to Omoku, a major gas hub, and would significantly enhance business activities in the area.
He recalled that the corridor was previously notorious for kidnapping and armed robbery but said the ongoing development had transformed the security outlook.
According to him, improved accessibility will enable security agencies to respond swiftly to emergencies, effectively curbing criminal activities that once plagued the route.
Fubara commended the contractor for adhering to the project timeline, expressing confidence that the road will soon be completed and opened to the public.
Recall that the governor had, during the flag-off ceremony in May 2024, disclosed that the project is funded from the State’s internally generated revenue savings.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
