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Reps to hold security summit in Q4 of 2024 – Speaker Abbas

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives is set to hold a security summit in the last quarter of the year 2024 to address the growing attacks by gunmen across Nigeria.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas disclosed this in his resumption speech during Wednesday’s plenary session.

He urged lawmakers to step up efforts to deliver the benefits of democracy to Nigerians and praised the recent achievements of security forces in the fight against terrorism.

Abbas said, “The House of Representatives will hold a high-level security summit in the final quarter of the year to tackle the country’s security challenges. Key stakeholders like the executive, security agencies, policy experts, and civil society organisations will be involved. The focus will be on legislative reforms to strengthen our security institutions, improve cooperation among agencies, and enhance intelligence use against threats such as insurgency and banditry.”

The Speaker noted that the military had “successfully neutralised over 150 terrorists and major bandit leaders,” and that improved collaboration with neighbouring countries and better intelligence sharing reflected the government’s commitment to restoring peace.

He also emphasised the need for close cooperation with the executive arm of government.

“We are committed to working in harmony with the executive for the greater good of Nigeria, while preserving our independence as a legislative body,” he added.

Speaker Abbas also reflected on the achievements of the House before the recess in July.

“Before the break, we passed several important bills and conducted oversight that impacted the lives of citizens. With 1,351 bills introduced and 89 passed, we’ve made significant progress in areas such as electricity, healthcare, and financial accountability.”

Looking ahead, he said the House would prioritise issues like economic reforms, youth empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure, and education.

“We will pass laws to drive economic recovery, attract investments, create jobs, and provide immediate relief to vulnerable populations,” Abbas stated.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council for approving economic stabilisation bills, which offer tax relief to businesses and workers.

“The House is prepared to receive and pass these bills to ensure economic stability”, he asserted.

Abbas outlined the priorities for the second session (2024-2025), which include the full digitisation of legislative records, gender equality, and strengthening oversight of the security sector, and he also highlighted the importance of several key bills, including amendments to the Armed Forces Act and the Police Act to improve internal security and community policing.

The Speaker praised President Tinubu’s proposed Disaster Relief Fund, aimed at helping communities affected by natural disasters like floods. He also underscored the importance of the Whistleblower Protection Bill, which provides safeguards for reporting corruption, and the National Audit Bill, designed to improve financial oversight.

Abbas further noted the commitment of the House to constitutional reforms, including the devolution of powers, promoting women’s political participation, and advancing electoral reforms.

News

Reps Urge NNPCL, Dangote Refinery to Allow Independent Marketers Lift Petrol

Published

7 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery to allow independent marketers to begin lifting petrol from the new refinery.

This decision followed a motion by Rep. Oboku Oforji, who represents Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State.

During the debate, Rep. Oforji pointed out that although the Dangote Refinery started operations on September 15, 2024, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, only major marketers have been allowed to lift products so far.

He said, “The House is concerned that giving NNPCL and major marketers exclusive rights to lift fuel creates a monopoly, which is unfair. This is the same NNPCL that has mismanaged our crude and refineries for years.”

He added that if this monopoly continues, the fuel scarcity affecting Nigerians will persist, with harmful effects on the economy.

Rep. Oforji also quoted the late MKO Abiola, who had once criticized the lack of transparency and accountability in NNPCL.

“The House is worried that excluding independent marketers from lifting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is not beneficial,” Oforji said.

He further mentioned that representatives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) fear they may have to resort to importing fuel to keep their businesses alive.

The lawmaker commended Dangote Group for starting petroleum refining in Nigeria, stating that this could signal the country’s move towards energy self-sufficiency.

“The House recognizes that with this milestone, Nigeria is on the path to saving costs, attracting foreign investment, and boosting its economy through fuel exports and reduced foreign exchange spending,” he added.

Rep. Oforji emphasized that due to the high demand for fuel, it’s crucial that independent marketers are allowed to lift products from the Dangote refinery.

To improve fuel availability, the House urged Dangote Refinery to establish or collaborate to set up depots across the country.

Meanwhile, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has formed a panel led by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere to work with the Senate in investigating the petroleum sector crisis and finding solutions.

Other members of the committee include Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Rivers), Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), and Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), among others.

News

FG moves to allow payment in Naira to NIMASA, NPA

Published

8 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The federal government is proposing the collection of charges, fines and others, by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), be in naira rather than in foreign currencies.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, spoke on Wednesday during a press briefing at the state house in Abuja.

According to Onanuga, the proposal is part of the economic stabilisation bills (ESBs) to be presented by President Bola Tinubu to the national assembly.

On Monday, the federal executive council (FEC) approved the economic stabilisation bills seeking amendment of tax policies.

Onanuga said the plan is part of an effort from the federal government to prioritise the use of naira and reduce pressure on the foreign exchange (FX) market.

“The second one has to do with the operating laws guiding NIMASA and Nigerian Port Authority (NPA). The amendment under that in the economic stabilisation bills is that all their fees, charges, levies, fines and other monies accruing to them and payable to those agencies will now be paid in naira at the applicable exchange rate,” Onanuga said.

“Hitherto, those agencies were charging in dollars but now collect it in naira. This government wants to put a lot of emphasis on our national currency instead of everything being dollarised in our economy.”

Since the unification of the naira on June 14, the country’s currency has significantly deteriorated, depreciating from N471.67 per dollar to N1667.42/$ in the official market as of Wednesday.

As part of its effort to reduce demand for dollars, the federal government said on October 1, it would commence the sale of crude oil in naira to the Dangote refinery and other local refineries.

News

Three arrested in Benin Republic over alleged ‘coup’ conspiracy

Published

9 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior.

Benin prosecutors announced that three notable individuals, including a commander of the presidential guard, have been detained under suspicion of orchestrating a “coup d’etat” in the small West African country.

The other two individuals accused of plotting a coup are a former sports minister and a businessman with close ties to President Patrice Talon.

Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, revealed that the alleged coup was scheduled to occur on Friday.

“It seems the Republican Guard commander responsible for the president’s security was recruited by Minister Oswald Homeky and Olivier Boko to carry out a forceful coup on September 27, 2024,” the prosecutor stated.

Homeky was apprehended around 1:00 am on Tuesday while transferring six bags of money amounting to 1.5 billion West African CFA francs ($2.5 million) to the commander, Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre.

Boko, a close associate of President Patrice Talon, was arrested separately overnight from Monday to Tuesday in Benin’s economic hub of Cotonou, the court disclosed.

He had recently hinted at his intention to vie for the presidency in 2026, as Talon is barred by the constitution from seeking another term when his second term concludes.