News

Senators divided over source of funding for regional commissions

Published

13 hours ago

October 25, 2024

Lawmakers in the Red Chamber were divided on Thursday over the source of funding for the newly created Zonal Development Commissions.

The argument unfolded as the Senate and House of Representatives moved forward with legislation to establish these commissions, which were also stripped of operational immunity for their boards and executives.

The disagreement emerged during the clause-by-clause consideration of the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which serves as the structural template for other zonal commissions.
Central to the debate was the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ recommendation that 15% of statutory allocations from member states be directed toward funding these commissions.

Several Senators, including Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos East), and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), voiced concerns over the proposed funding model.

Senator Abdullahi warned that the provision could lead to legal challenges from state governments, as no state would willingly allow its statutory allocation to be reduced.

“Mr President, distinguished colleagues, the 15% of statutory allocations of member states recommended for funding their zonal development commissions would be litigated against by some state governments,” Abdullahi said.

Seeking to clarify the matter, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, quickly intervened.

He explained that the 15% allocation would not involve a direct deduction from the states’ funds.

He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, the 15% of statutory allocation of member states, recommended for funding of Zonal Development Commissions by the federal government, is not about deduction at all.

“What is recommended, as contained in the report presented to us by the Committee on Special Duties and being considered by the Senate now, is that 15% of the statutory allocation of member states in a zonal development commission would, by way of calculation by the federal government, be used to fund the commission from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Each state has a monthly statutory allocation, 15% of which, as contained in this report being considered, will be calculated by the federal government and removed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for funding of their Development Commission.”

Despite Barau’s explanation, several senators remained unconvinced and expressed their desire to contribute to the debate.

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stepped in, asserting that the provision was constitutionally sound.

“We don’t need to debate whether 15% of statutory allocations from member states in a commission would be deducted,” Akpabio said, citing Section 162(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or the Federation Account.

“Fifteen percent of the statutory allocation has been recommended by the Senate, and by extension, the National Assembly, for funding these zonal development commissions. Anyone who wishes to challenge that in court is free to do so,” he added.

Akpabio then called for a voice vote, and the majority voted in favour of the provision.

In his remarks following the passage of the consolidated bills, Akpabio expressed gratitude to the Senators for their efforts in finalising the Zonal Development Commissions.

He noted that these commissions would provide a foundation for the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.

The bills passed include the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, the North West Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the South-East Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 and the North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 were previously passed.

News

Reps Query Minister Of Works Over Shameful State Of Nigerian Roads

Published

1 hour ago

October 25, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…call for replacement of management of ministry

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has queried the ministry of Works over the deplorable state of the Nigerian roads, calling for a total replacement of the management of the ministry.

Chairman, Commitee on FERMA, Rep. Remi Oseni issued the query during an interactive session with the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Minister of Works on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the chairman, the ministry despite been allocated huge amount of money has not utilized the resources in fixing bad roads across the country.

Rep. Oseni express displeasure at the response of the representative of the Minister of Works, who is the Director Bridges and design, Bede Obiora, when he said the roads were bad due to the unavailability of funds by the ministry.

Obiora said: “The Ministry does not know how to address the challenges. But the issue is when you ask for resources, are those resources available? That is the big challenge. Yes, we’ve heard your request, about the 20 percent. We will do what we can. But, Mr. Chairman, you agree with me that it is still the National Assembly that does the appropriation, not the ministry. All we do is to do a proposal. The final result we get is after the appropriation by the National Assembly.

“So, we will still be bringing back the same request you gave us to your committee and urge you to assist us in clear terms about how this problem can be solved. The big challenge is the resources. Whether you go to budget, whether you go to visit the president, anywhere you go, the challenge is I need 1 billion Naira, what is available is N100,000. So, the issue now is how do we manage this little resource to address this enormous challenge”.

In response the Chairman of the Commitee insisted that the ministry has over the years not made repair of roads a priority, rather they award contract on yearly basis without maintaining already constructed roads.

“Where we find ourselves call for serious dedication, it calls for a total replacement of the management of the entire ministry for everyone of course to be identified

with the challenges that we are going through in the area of this road.

“We are not here for business of whether you want to do the job or you don’t want to do the job. How can you be telling us that there is no resources? In less than one minute, from everything that everybody has said, it’s a clue. You have no plan for us as a nation.

“It’s unfair to us as a nation. Tell me specifically where we have good roads. You are not concentrating your attention on fixing existing bad roads.

“Don’t tell me about the issue of resources. I’m sorry, we will not accept this. And if you want us to escalate things, let’s go into debates. What you are wasting on things that are not relevant for now to address other issues are much more important than what you are doing. I put it to you. If we are not honest enough to address some of these issues, you would have solve this problem at once.

“We are wasting our resources than solving our problems. I am not interested in emotion. I am concerned about how to fix Nigerian roads.

“We are not here for apology or asking whether you want to do it or you don’t want to do it. And that is why I feel sad that the Honorable Minister is not here in person. So that we can open our minds and see how we can fix our problem.

“There is no way you can relate the way we are feeling as individuals. We did not invite you because we wanted to see the Minister’s face. We invited you because we wanted to solve the problem. And tell us in a clear and scientific way. For us, you are only telling us you know there is no resources. And that is the end of the essence of your being here.

“It’s simple. Go and tell them that we don’t have resources. So, what is important is go and solve Nigerian road challenges.

“Go and review your job methodology. If you have an existing rule, you are not concentrating on how you want to get them resolved. And you are only concentrating on awarding contracts that you know they are not ready to execute.

“It’s not fair. Now, that brings me back to the issue of these resources that we are talking about. Sir, 60%, I don’t want to exaggerate, of why almost all the roads fail at the same time, has to do with the quality of your work.

“Poor quality delivery. I told them, I saw some of your contractors working across the country. You will be ashamed that you are supervising the jobs. I was at some sites. I was almost calling the minister when they told me that the job was awarded by Minister of Works. So, don’t discuss resources. You will take me out of this place.

“Majority of the roads that they are repairing on a daily basis, or they are maintaining on a regular basis, are roads that will last 2-3 years, they are bad. Sir, that road failed less than a year after it was completed. You are still separating the state contractors to execute major highways in the country. Don’t discuss resources.

The committee however demanded that the ministry go back to the drawing board to put an end to the state of roads across the country.

News

Finally, Four Astronauts Return To Earth After Two-Month Delay By Boeing Capsule Trouble

Published

2 hours ago

October 25, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

SpaceX’s capsule carrying NASA’s Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russia’s Alexander Grebenkin splashed down off Florida’s coast after a mid-week departure from the space station, AP reports.

After an extended stay aboard the International Space Station, four astronauts safely returned to Earth early Friday morning, landing in the Gulf of Mexico before dawn.

Originally set to return two months ago, the crew’s homecoming was delayed due to issues with Boeing’s new Starliner capsule, which returned empty in September over safety concerns.

Hurricane Milton further pushed back their return, followed by high winds and rough seas.

Barratt, the only mission veteran, praised the ground team’s efforts, stating they had “to replan, retool and kind of redo everything right along with us … and helped us to roll with all those punches.”

The four astronauts launched in March and are now replaced by two Starliner test pilots, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, and two other astronauts launched by SpaceX four weeks ago. This new crew will remain on board until February

With the astronauts’ return, the station now holds its usual crew size of seven, comprising four Americans and three Russians, following months of overflow.

News

World Polio Day: 138 Polio Cases In Africa, Nearly Half Infected Children From Nigeria – UNICEF

Published

4 hours ago

October 25, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as west, central African celebrities release new song to drive immunization

By Gloria Ikibah

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that as of 22 October 2024, there have been 138 polio cases in Africa, and nearly half of infected children came from Nigeria.

As a result of this, leading music stars and celebrity actors from across West and Central Africa have come together to release a new song titled No More Zero Dose to help bring childhood immunization back on track.

The song which was released on World Polio Day, brings together 12 of the region’s top musicians and UNICEF Champions – Cobhams, Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Master Soumy, Mawndoe, Omawumi, Qing Madi, Sekouba Bambino, Spyro, Stanley Enow, Timi Dakolo and WAJE to send a clear message: every child deserves to be protected by vaccines.

It focused on the urgent need to reach zero-dose children, those who have not received any vaccinations, and protect them from preventable childhood diseases like polio, measles and more.

UNICEF, in a statement made available to Naijablitznews.com reveals that West and Central Africa is the region with the lowest immunization coverage in the world.

The statement reads: “Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) coverage for the region was 69 per cent in 2023, down from 72 per cent in 2019.

“The region has also experienced multiple vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in recent years, including polio, measles, diphtheria and yellow fever.

“So far this year (as of 22 October 2024), there have been 138 polio cases in Africa, and nearly half of infected children were in Nigeria. In 2023, there were 506 polio cases in Africa.

“With nearly 4.3 million children across the region not receiving vital vaccines, ‘No More Zero Dose’ delivers a call to action through music. By fusing vibrant sounds with a message of hope, love, and protection, these artists hope to inspire listeners to join the movement to protect every child.

UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, restated the commitment of UNICEF to ensuring that no child is left behind, especially those in hard-to-reach areas.

“Zero-dose children are the most vulnerable, and ensuring they receive life-saving vaccines is critical for their future. This song amplifies that message. We can and must reach every child and eradicate polio.

“As a UNICEF Champion, I urge everyone to join us in the fight against preventable diseases like polio. Together, we have the power to protect every child’s future and eradicate these diseases for good,” said Nigerian music producer Cobhams Asuquo, who spearheaded the collaboration. “Let us work to ensure that every child receives the vital vaccine they deserve, protecting their future and our world. Join us in this mission—let’s spread hope and health across Africa.”

UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, said the project is significant for Nigeria, a country still facing a high number of under vaccinated children.

“The release of the No More Zero Dose song featuring 12 talented artists from across West and Central Africa, eight of whom are from Nigeria, reflects the deep commitment to ensuring that every child receives life-saving vaccines. Music is a powerful tool for change, and through this collaboration, we are amplifying the message that no child should be missed”, she said.

No More Zero Dose has been launched on YouTube and will soon be available on popular streaming platforms. As the region marks World Polio Day, this collaborative effort serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, the fight to end zero-dose cases continues.