News

Diri to open defence at Bayelsa petition tribunal next week

Published

10 months ago

February 25, 2024

Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, are expected to open their defence next week before the state governorship tribunal sitting in Abuja.

The All Progressives Congress and its candidate in the governorship election, Timipre Sylva, are challenging the re-election of the governor and his deputy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Diri the winner of the election after polling 175, 196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sylva of the APC who scored 110,108 votes.

Dissatisfied, Sylva and APC approached the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Diri as the winner of the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

Sylva and the APC are contending that elections were held in some polling units in three local governments of Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Nembe where INEC and the other respondents claimed there was no election.

The petitioners claimed that if the results from these local governments were added to their votes, they won the election.

They urged the tribunal to hold that election held in the said polling units across three local governments and declared them the winner.

At the opening of the hearing on the petition on February 14, 2024, INEC presented evidence to the tribunal to substantiate its claim that voting did not take place due to the alleged diversion of materials and disruption of the electoral process over the alleged bypass of the BVAS machine.

However, the petitioners on Thursday, after calling four witnesses sought for an adjournment to enable them to call more witnesses to prove their case.

Since the request for adjournment was not opposed by the respondents, the Chairman of the three-member panel of the Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, announced Monday and Tuesday next week for the continuation of the trial.

The petitioners are expected to close their case next week, after which the governor, his deputy, and the PDP will open theirs.

News

Ugochinyere Lacks the Right to Speak for Rivers People – Rep Bob

Published

1 hour ago

December 11, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The member representing Abua/Odual and Ahoda East Federal Constituency of Rivers State, Rep. Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers) has said that the spokesperson of the opposition lawmakers in the House, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere does not have the legal right to speak for the people of Rivers State.

Rep. Bob who stated this on Wednesday at a media briefing with Journalists in Abuja, accused Ugochinyere of operating outside his legal and legislative boundaries, constantly abandoning his constituency to speak on issues affecting Rivers State and creating problems in the state.

The Rivers lawmaker said though Ugochinyere is a federal lawmaker, it does not confer legality on him to speak on issues affecting Rivers State, adding that only Lawmakers from the state who are aware of the issues can speak for the state.

He accused Ugochinyere of carrying out activities in the House which should not be condoned, alleging that he is being used by a Rivers son to perpetuate the illegality he is carrying out.

According to Bob, rather than concentrate so much attention on the issues in Rivers, “Ugochinyere should pay more attention to developments in Imo state where children cannot go to school on Mondays and traders and workers cannot go about their lawful duties on Mondays”.

He described it as unfortunate that Rep. Ugochinyere who cannot speak on development in Imo state was spending so much energy on Rivers state, saying that the duty of the lawmaker is representation, lawmaking and oversight.

He said “Ugochinyere lacked the capacity to engage in the lawmaking”.

“I’ve not seen him engage in any lobbying activity in the House of Representatives. He’s been here for a year plus now”, he added.

He said further that sections 49 and 72 of the Constitution tells you clearly that no federal constituency or state territories and by implication, you cannot speak for any place other than where you represents.

“I have tried to put these issues before the House leadership, to call them to order. We as a caucus have written to the leadership and to the Speaker particularly, specifically, to take action on this”, he added.

While questioning Ugochinyere’s rise to becoming the chairman of a major committee in the House as a first timer in the House, Bob asked the Speaker to remove him as chairman of a standing Committee of the House.

News

Bill for Establishment of Additional Specialist Eyecare Centres in Nigeria Pass Second Reading

Published

1 hour ago

December 11, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has passed through second reading, a Bill seeking to amend the National Eye centre Act, 2004, to provide for the establishment of more specialist eye care centres.

The proposed legislation was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson and 5 other lawmakers on Wednesday at plenary.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Kalu noted that the bill seeks to enhance access to qualitative eye care services across the six geo-political zones of the nation.

According to him, the proposed amendments seek to address the pressing need for more specialist eye care centres to cater for the growing population and address the rising cases of eye diseases in the country.

Making reference to reports, he lamented that preventable and treatable eye conditions are a leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors remaining prevalent in many parts of the country, especially the rural areas where access to specialized care is limited.

He expressed optimism that the proposed amendments will rectify this situation by expanding the establishment of National Eye Centres to strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

He added that by doing so, we aim to provide a framework that will enhance and improve access to quality eye care, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to geographical barriers.

Kalu said, “I rise to lead the debate on the general principles of a Bill for an Act to amend the National Eye Centre Act, Cap N38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which seeks to enhance access to qualitative eye care services across the six geo-political zones of our beloved nation. The proposed amendments seek to address the pressing need for more specialist eye care centres to cater for the growing population and address the rising cases of eye diseases in the country. The Bill was read for the first time on Wednesday, 20thDecember, 2023.

“As we are all aware, access to quality healthcare services, especially in specialised areas like eye care, is crucial for the well-being of our citizens. The statistics reveal that preventable and treatable eye conditions are a leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors remaining prevalent in many parts of the country, especially the rural areas where access to specialized care is limited. Unfortunately, the existing National Eye Centre in Kaduna, though commendable in its efforts, is unable to adequately meet the eye care needs of our vast and diverse nation. This inadequacy has led to disparities in access to eye care services, particularly for those in remote or underserved areas.

“The proposed amendments, thus aim to rectify this situation by expanding the establishment of National Eye Centres to strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country. By doing so, we aim to provide a framework that will enhance and improve access to quality eye care, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to geographical barriers. We hope to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location, can access quality eye care services. This is not just a matter of healthcare; it is a matter of equity and social justice. This Bill which seeks to enhance and improve access to quality eye care in Nigeria has the following key provisions.

“The creation of 5 additional Specialist Eye Care Centres spread across the remaining 5 geopolitical zones of Nigeria not originally covered by the principal legislation which only provided for an Eye Care Centre in Kaduna, North West Nigeria. The establishment of separate Boards to govern each centre and academic committees to oversee academic affairs. These bodies will not only ensure effective management and coordination of the Centres’ activities by overseeing their day-to-day operations, but shall also drive research and educational initiatives in ophthalmology, thereby fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in eye care. In presenting this bill, we are reaffirming our commitment to the visual health and well-being of every Nigerian. By establishing additional centers, we can decentralize eye care services, reduce travel costs for patients, and ultimately protect and preserve the precious gift of sight for all citizens. Honourable Colleagues, I urge you all to support this Bill as it represents a significant step towards improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly in the critical area of eye care. Together, let us illuminate the path to a future where quality eye care is not a luxury but a fundamental right for every Nigerian.”

Thereafter the bill was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Rep Tajudeen Abass, who presided over the session and it was passed and referred to the committee on speciality Healthcare.

News

Reps To Probe Nigeria Customs Over Smuggling Activities At Badagry Border

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has moved to investigate the Nigeria Customs Service over smuggling of cars and bags of rice through Badagry under the watch of the officers.

This motion was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, Member, Representing Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State on the “Need to Investigate the Activities of the Nigeria Customs Service”, on Wednesday at plenary.

Rep. Whingan noted that Section 4 (b, e, and f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is mandated to collect revenue, prevent smuggling and customs fraud, and ensure the security of Nigeria’s borders.

But according to him, recent reports by “Sahara Reporters on November 18, 2024, exposed the mass smuggling of over 2,000 cars carrying 6,500,000kg of rice through Badagry under the watch of Customs officers. Videos published by investigative joumoalist Fisayo Soyombo provided evidence of complicity by Customs officers in these illegal activities”.

He also noted that, “Reports of brutality have emerged, including an incident along the Badagry-Seme Expressway on December 1, 2024, where officers from the Nigerian Customs Service, in collaboration with soldiers, violently assautted two transporters, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik. The victims were suspected of documenting smuggling activities, leading to threats against their ives and a standoff that required intervention from residents and police”.

He expressed worries that smuggling has severe economic consequences, including undermining local industries, reducing government revenue, promoting unfair trade practices, and flooding markets with substandard and potentially harmful products.

Rep. Whingan added that the actions of some officers within the Nigerian Customs Service contravene its core mandate, erode public trust. and raise concems about the oversight of joint security operations involving military personnel.

The motion reads: “Concerned that: Despite the presence of multiple checkpoints during the day, particularly in Badagry and other border communities in the nation, economic activities and legitimate trade are paratyzed by excessive scrutiny and extortion by Customs officers and other law enforcement personnel. At night, these same Officers reportedly enable or tum a blind eye to rampant smuggling activities, undermining public trust and perpetuating economic hardship Small businesses, such as fice farmers and poultry producers, ore unable to compete with the influx of contraband goods, leading to job losses and impoverishment, Furthermore, the erosion of law and order in border regions like Badagry threatens community stability, leaving citizens vuinerable ond disillusioned.

“Further Concerned that the complicity of Customs officers in smuggling operations and the use of violence to intimidate civilians pose significant risks to national! security, economic stability, and the rule of law.

“Recognizes that The integrity of the Nigerian Customs Service is essentiol for securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and upholding the economic and social well-being of the nation. Addressing these lapses 5 critical to restoring public confidence and ensuring fhe sovereignty of the country”.

The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the Committees on Customs and Excise.and Defence, to investigate the operations and activities of the Nigerian Customs Service across Nigerian borders, with a specific focus on smuggling activities, allegations of complicity, and incidents of brutality. and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.

The House also madates Committees to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs patrols, ensuring their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.

The Committees on Defense and Customs and Excise to recommend appropriate measures to enhance oversight. accountability, and efficiency within the Nigeria Customs Service to restore public trust and safeguard Nigeria’s economic and national security interests.