News

HoR advocates increase in budgetary provision for NDLEA

Published

7 months ago

May 17, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigerian house of representatives has advocated the increase in budgetary provision for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to enable it meet up with the task ahead of it.

The call became obvious when the House of Reps Committee chairman on Drugs and Narcotics Hon. Abass Aboworin Adigun allayed fears that if the agency is not empower to combat drugs offenders headlong, the future of the country will be in jeopardy.

The house Committee on Drugs and Narcotics made the call on Thursday in Abuja during an interacting session with the management of the agency on the way forward for it operation.

Also, the chairman noted that the only way the agency can be properly funded is to move it from the office of the special duty to the presidency where it funds would be coming directly from the presidency, saying it is the only way to improve the fight against drugs abuse.

Meanwhile, he joined his Committee members in commending the good job the agency under the former Lagos State military administrator is doing despite been under funded and urged the leadership of the agency to keep the fire burning pending when the bill to move the agency to presidency is passed by both chambers and forwarded to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for accent.

He added that the house has already passed the bill, and expressed optimism that the red chambers will do same to enable the agency have more bites in the fight against drugs offenders.

According to the committee chairman, “My committee research has shown that we are in trouble in this country because most of the youths that will be the leaders of tomorrow are into drugs, and the worse is that some of the house wives are also into drugs. While their children are out there taking drugs their mothers are doing it right inside the homes which means such families are gone.

“Let it be for the record,the agency NDLEA has not been helped by the federal government of Nigeria. Why do I said so, like I said, I looked into their capital and overhead in 2022, 2023 and 2024 budget, there is nothing to ride home about, compare to other agencies and for that to change, the agency needs to move to the presidency” he said.

Meanwhile, the chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), while addressing the Committee made passionate appeal for the setting up of a special court to enable the agency expedite the process of prosecution and conviction of offenders as at when due.

He noted that as it is at the moment, prosecution of offenders and conviction is delayed because the regular courts are overwhelmed with several cases, as such the call for several adjournment for a case that should ordinarily be decided within three months, but ends up been delayed for years.

“For my agency to expedite action in the process of prosecution and conviction, we need a special court to handle our cases because the regular courts are overwhelmed with other cases as such delaying accelerated hearing on our cases. Of

“A case that ordinarily should ends within six months is been dragged for years because of several adjournment, so we are appealing that a special court is created for the agency to enable it fast tract the process of prosecution and conviction.

Marwa, noted that the task of educating the young ones on the dangers of drug abuse also rest squarely on the politicians. He added that politicians themselves are into drugs, therefore, they need to go back and educate their supporters on the need to stop taking drugs.

For emphasis Marwa said, “Our job at the agency is to make sure we denied people access to drugs.”

News

Civil Society Groups Urge FG To Halt Oil Asset Divestments in Niger Delta

Published

3 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to stop all ongoing and planned divestments of oil assets in the Niger Delta region by oil companies.

This demand was outlined in a petition titled “Urgent Call to Halt All Divestment in the Niger Delta, Including Shell’s Refused Sale of SPDC Shares”, addressed to President Tinubu on December 16, 2024, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas on December 18, 2024.

During a press briefing in Abuja, Mr. Isaac Botti, Programmes Coordinator of Social Action Nigeria, and Reverend Nnimmo Bassey, Founder of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), highlighted the severe environmental and social impacts of oil exploration in the Niger Delta. They stated:

“We are here as representatives of Nigerian society organizations, community leaders, and concerned citizens to address a grave and urgent issue that threatens not only the people of the Niger Delta but the environmental and economic interests of Nigeria and the social future of all Nigerians”, he said.

The Coalition expressed concern over the divestment process by International Oil Companies (IOCs), particularly Shell’s proposed sale of its remaining shares in the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to the Renaissance consortium, as well as similar moves by companies like TotalEnergies.

They warned that these actions could undermine national interests and exacerbate environmental damage in the region.

The Coalition detailed extensive damage caused by decades of oil exploration, including:

Water Contamination: High levels of hydrocarbons in water sources have rendered them unsafe for drinking.
Soil Degradation: Continuous oil spills have destroyed farmlands, threatening food security.
Biodiversity Loss: Entire ecosystems have been decimated by oil spills.

Citing reports by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC), the Coalition provided alarming statistics. UNEP revealed benzene levels 900 times above safe limits in Ogoniland, while chromium levels in Bayelsa were over 1,000 times higher than World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

The BSOEC estimated it would cost at least $12 billion to remediate Bayelsa over 12 years, with a broader cleanup across the Niger Delta requiring $100 billion. Comparatively, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the U.S. saw BP pay $60 billion for damages from a single incident.

The Coalition emphasized that past divestments by Shell, ENI/AGIP, and ExxonMobil have left unresolved environmental liabilities:

Shell’s sale to Aiteo in Nembe resulted in worsening pollution without proper cleanup efforts.
ExxonMobil and ENI/AGIP similarly failed to ensure adequate environmental management post-divestment.

These cases have set a troubling precedent of IOCs avoiding accountability for environmental degradation.

The Coalition urged the federal government and the National Assembly to take immediate action by:

Halting all IOC divestments until historical environmental liabilities are addressed.
Ensuring inclusive consultations with host communities before divestments.
Mandating that Shell, TotalEnergies, and other IOCs fund cleanup and remediation efforts.
Upholding the regulatory independence of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Creating an Environmental Restoration Fund to support long-term remediation.

They also demanded profit-sharing opportunities for host communities and the inclusion of gas flaring cessation in divestment agreements.

The Coalition stressed that approving Shell’s SPDC share sale without addressing environmental and social liabilities would undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and well-being.

“Approving Shell’s or TotalEnergies’ divestment in its current form without addressing the profound environmental and social costs would be a grave injustice to the people of the Niger Delta and could lead to significant unrest in the region.”, it stated.

The Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring environmental justice and called on President Tinubu and the National Assembly to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians over corporate interests.

News

NUJ-FCT Council Commiserates With Emmanuel Fateman Over the Loss of Wife

Published

3 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Nigeria Union of Journalists ( FCT ) Council has commiserated with Mr. Emmanuel Fateman of the Inside Source Magazine over death of his dear wife, Mrs Temidayo Fateman.

Mrs Fateman reportedly died in the early hours of Wednesday December 18th 2024 after a brief illness at Alliance Hospital, Garki, Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle and made available to journalists on Thursday in Abuja, he described the late Temidayo as a woman with a large heart who is passionate to the cause of humanity.

The statement reads: “ With heavy heart, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council is using this medium to express our sympathy to Mr. Emmanuel Fateman and his entire family over the demise of his wife, Mrs. Temidayo Fateman.

“Words alone cannot express the sorrow we feel for your loss. We hope you will find comfort in the love and support of those around you.

“She ran the race that God set before her. We are sad that she is no more here with us. But we will always celebrate the memory and legacy that she left behind.

“Temidayo is an embodiment of humility, dedication and love. She is a shining star and role model to the younger generation.

“To us at the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) her death was a rude shock and It is unfortunate that she also left us in a painful way when we are trying to recover from the shock arising from the sudden deaths of many of our colleagues, wives and relatives.

“We want to use this opportunity to express our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family she left behind”.

41 years old Temidayo hailed from Abeokuta, Ogun State and is survived by her husband and two children.

The burial arrangement will be announced by the family in due course.

News

Reps Debate 2025 Budget Estimates, Demand Better Allocation for Security, Agriculture

Published

7 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has approved the 2025 budget proposal for a second reading, calling for better funding for security and agriculture.

During Thursday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, lawmakers debated the N49.7 trillion budget presented by President Bola Tinubu.

The debate was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere to authorize withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Rep. Ihonvbere who called for support, emphasised that the budget addresses key national challenges, “This proposal focuses on issues affecting Nigerians. It deserves swift consideration and passage”.

The budget highlighted defence, infrastructure, and human capital development. Defence and security were allocated N4.91 trillion, infrastructure N4.06 trillion for key highways, while education and health sectors received N3.52 trillion and N2.48 trillion respectively. The budget projects N34.82 trillion in revenue, leaving a N13.39 trillion deficit to be financed through borrowing.

Key economic assumptions include reducing inflation from 34.6% to 15% and improving the naira exchange rate from N1,700/$ to N1,500/$. Oil production is targeted at 2.06 million barrels per day.

Lawmakers’ Contributions

Rep Abdussamad Dasuki, lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal federal constituency of Sokoto state, commended President Tinubu’s leadership but called for a review of budget estimates. He also criticized the allocation to the North-West Development Commission, questioning the criteria used.

“On paper, this budget looks robust, but in dollar terms, it falls short. The Finance Committee must address this,” he urged.

Rep Ismaila Dabo (Bauchi) emphasised the need for adequate funding for agriculture, citing rising food prices. He also urged the government to focus on revenue generation rather than excessive borrowing.

“Inflation on food is unbearable. Agriculture needs proper funding to ease the burden on Nigerians,” he said.

Rep Ahmad Jaha, representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok, Federal constituency of Borno state stressed the importance of security funding.

“Security is crucial to achieving other targets, including oil production. The N4.91 trillion allocated is inadequate,” he noted.

Rep Jeremiah Umaru from Nasarawa State, questioned the allocation to the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), even as he cited the absence of a constituted board and argued that the allocation was premature.

Deputy Chief Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi advocated increased funding for the South-East Development Commission (SEDC).

“The allocation for the SEDC is insufficient for its take-off. More funding is needed,” he argued.

Concerns Over Projections

Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda criticized the economic targets, and said that they are unrealistic.

“Reducing inflation to 15% and improving the exchange rate to N1,500/$ are overly ambitious. These projections do not align with current realities,” he stated.

Call for Peace Initiatives

Rep Chike Okafor from Imo state, urged the Federal Government to explore non-violent solutions to security challenges, including the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

“Releasing Kanu could aid peace efforts in the South-East,” he said.

The House adjourned plenary until January 14, 2025.