Politics
2010 Budget: Bayelsa Assembly Okays N187bn
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has passed the State’s Appropriation Bill into law. At the final approval, the House jacked up the proposal from N178.56 billion submitted to it last December by Chief Timipre Sylva to N187.5 billion.
The Assembly Deputy Leader, Hon. Hawkins kalabo representing Southern Ijaw Constituency II, set the ball rolling when he moved that the bill be introduced for third reading for the House to consider its adoption.
His motion was seconded by his colleague representing Southern Ijaw Constituency Hon. Kroukia Dorgu.
Thereafter, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu directed the reading of the bill for members to make final impact and at the end of which, the House overwhelmingly endorsed the passage of the Appropriation Bill.
Also, the state Judiciary Workers Bill 2007 was passed into law. The bill seeks a review of salaries, allowances and fringe benefits paid to the state judicial workers.
The passage of the bill follows the adoption of the report of the House Joint Committee on Judicial and Justice and Public Service and Establishment Committees on the Judicial Workers bill at day’s sittings.
The motion for the bill’s third reading was moved by Hon. Hawkins Kalabo, and seconded by Franklin Otele representing Yenagoa Constituency III.
The Speaker, Hon. Seibarugu, presiding, noted overwhelming debate of members in favour of the bill called for voting after necessary correction had been made.
Addressing the House later, the Speaker expressed appreciations to members for their commitment and sense of duties in ensuring the passage of the two bills into which according to him would help to facility the trend of development in the state.
He remarked that because of the importance of the bills, especially that of appropriation, they forteited their Christmas break.
The speaker lamented that going on break had always been misinterpreted by critics in the state who accused the lawmakers of incompetence and laziness.
“One thing with going on break is that any time we embark on break, some people say that this House is not doing anything, but they have forgotten that many other Houses of Assembly hard since gone on their break”, he said.
He therefore, announce a break of one month that will expire on April 20, after which the House will reconvene for its normal duties.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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