The Nigerian Senate Committee on Local Contents has expressed discontent over the delay in the execution of the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline Project.
Brentex CPP Ltd., the local firm handling the project, was told on Tuesday to speed up on the $1.27 billion component of the project by the Senate committee chaired by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The committee tackled the management of Brentex CPP Ltd., on the $127 billion stations component of the contract during an interactive session with them and insisted that the 10th Senate would not accept excuses under any guise.
While answering questions, the chairman of Brentex CPP Ltd., Sani Abubakar, lamented to the committee that part of the delay in the execution of the contract is the attempt by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., NNPCL, to de-scope the $1.27 billion station component of the contract.
He said: “NNPCL has written us that they are de-scoping the $1.27 billion stations TGS component of the contract and we have been in discussion with them for the past 18 months. So the delay in the execution of the contract is not from us but from NNPCL.”
But the chairman of the committee, in her response, told the Brentex chief executive that, based on information at her disposal through documents submitted, NNPCL is making the move to take the stations component of the contract from Brentex due to the delay in execution.
“Should I tell you, you are refusing to mention something? The reason why NNPCL is considering descoping is that they are not satisfied with the pace of work.
“Let’s be very honest, they said it was supposed to be completed in 2022; it wasn’t completed, and they gave you the first extension to 2023 and even recently extended it again to complete everything by May 2025.
“To the very best of every stakeholder’s knowledge, the stations are in your control because they still make up part of the $1.27 billion, as you said and the only person delaying is you.”
Natasha told the company to submit every correspondence between them and NNPCL.
$2.8bn AKK gas pipeline: Senate queries delay in execution
$2.8bn AKK gas pipeline: Senate queries delay in execution
Burna Boy emerges first African artiste to hit two billion streams in UK
Grammy Award winner, Burna Boy, has become the first African artiste to hit the two billion streams mark in the United Kingdom.
The “Twice as Tall” crooner was presented with a Brit Plaque at his sold-out show at Koko Camden in London on Monday night, in recognition of the feat.
This milestone came barely a few weeks after he was presented with a Brit 1 billion streams plaque at his sold-out show at the London Stadium in June.
In a viral video where he was receiving the Brit 2 billion streams plaque, Burna Boy said: ‘I fought for it’.
He said, “Thank you very much. I appreciate you. Ehen, now that’s it. You’ve to fight for your right.”
One of the presenters inferred saying, “You already have it. You don’t need to fight.”
Burna Boy rebuffed adding, “No. You know, we have to fight for our rights.”
The acclaimed ‘African Giant’ has continued to grab headlines on account of his scintillating performances across Europe and other parts of the globe.
In the first half of the year, he performed in major concerts selling out venues in the United Kingdom, cementing his global appeal and acceptance as “Afrobeat Ambassador.”
(NAN)
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FG, states, LGs shared N1.35tn in June
The Federation Account Allocation Committee has disclosed that the three tiers of government shared a total sum of N1.35 trillion in June.
The amount shared was out of the total sum of N2.48tn revenue generated by various agencies and N150m more than the N1.2tn shared in May.
A statement by the Director, of Information and Public Relations, Finance Ministry, Mohammed Manga, on Tuesday said the Federal Government received a total sum of N459.776bn, the States received N461.979bn, the Local Government Councils got N337.019bn.
The Director however didn’t confirm if LGCs administrated by the caretaker committee received statutory allocations as directed by the Supreme Court.
Last week, the apex court ordered the Federal Government to immediately start the direct payment of local government funds to the latter’s exclusive accounts.
The court ordered immediate compliance with the judgement, stating that no state government should be paid monies meant for Local Governments.
The statement read, “The Federation Account Allocation Committee, at its July 2024 meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, shared a total sum of N1,35tn to the three tiers of government as Federation Allocation for m a gross total of N2,48tn.
“From the stated amount inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax, Electronic Money Transfer Levy, Exchange Difference, and an Augmentation of N200 Billion, the Federal Government received N459.776 Billion, the States received N461.979 Billion, the Local Government Councils got N337.019 Billion, while the Oil Producing States received N95.598 Billion as Derivation, (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue).”
It added that the sum of N92.11bn was given for the cost of collection, while N1.037bn was allocated for transfer Intervention and refunds.
It said CoCompanies’ncome Tax and Value Added Tax increased significantly, Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer levies increased marginally while Petroleum Profit, Royalty Crude, Rentals and Customs External tariff levies recorded considerably decreases.
The sum of N92.11bn was given for the cost of collection, while N1.037bn was allocated for transfer intervention and refunds.
The Communique issued by the committee at the end of the meeting indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax for June 2024, was N562.685bn as against N497.66bn distributed in the preceding month, increasing to N65.020bn.
The Communique stated, “From that amount, the sum of N22.507bn was allocated for the cost of collection and the sum of N16.205bn was given for transfers, intervention and refunds.
“The remaining sum of N523.973bn was distributed to the three tiers of government, of which the Federal Government got N78.596bn, the States received N261.987bn and Local Government Councils got N183.39bn.
Accordingly, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N1.24tn was received for the month. From the stated amount, the sum of N68.95bn was allocated for the cost of collection and a total sum of N1.02tn for transfers, intervention and refunds.
The remaining balance of N142.514bn was distributed as follows to the three tiers of government: Federal Government got the sum of N48.95bn, States received N24.83bn, the sum of N19.14bn was allocated to LGCs and N49.59bn was given to Derivation Revenue (13 per cent Mineral producing States).
Also, the sum of N16.35bn from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy was distributed to the three tiers of government as follows: the Federal Government received N2.354bn, States got N7.85bn, Local Government Councils received N5.49bn, while N0.654bn was allocated for the cost of collection.
The Communique also disclosed the sum of N472.19bn from Exchange Difference, which was shared as follows: Federal Government received N224.51bn, States got N113.88bn, the sum of N87.79bn was allocated to Local Government Councils, N46.01bn was given for Derivation (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue).
It further disclosed an Augmentation of N200bn which was shared as follows: the Federal Government got N105.4bn, the States received the sum of N53.44bn, while the sum of N41.200bn was allocated to Local Government Councils.
Companies’ Income Tax and Value Added Tax increased significantly, while Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer Levies increased marginally. Petroleum Profit, Royalty Crude, Rentals and Customs External Tariff levies recorded considerable decreases.
According to the Communique, the total revenue distributable for the current month of June 2024, was drawn from Statutory Revenue of N142.5bn, Value Added Tax of N523.98bn, N15.69bn from Electronic Money Transfer Levy, N472.19bn from Exchange Difference and Augmentation of N200bn, bringing the total distributable amount for the month to N1.36tn.
“The balance in the Excess Crude Account as of July 2024 stands at $473,754.57,” the Communique said.
Mobilise resources to support victims of rainstorm – Niger lawmakers urge govt
Members of the Niger State House of Assembly have called on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, mobilise manpower and resources to assist victims of rainstorms in Kpautagi community of Mokwa Local Government Area of the state to ameliorate their sufferings.
The resolution was reached during plenary following a motion brought under Matters of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Zakari Ndagi Kinbokun, the member representing Mokwa Constituency.
Kinbokun explained that on July 5, 2024, Kpautagi community experienced a heavy rainstorm that destroyed a lot of properties worth millions of naira, as homes and business premises were flooded and two drainages blocked.
He also disclosed that over 20 farmlands were submerged and many crops were destroyed, just as several livestock perished during the rainstorm.
According to him: “The executive arm of government needs to urgently mobilise its manpower and resources to assist these victims by providing immediate support for repairs and reconstruction of damaged buildings, assistance to farmers who have lost crops and livestock.”
Subsequently, at the end of the presentation, the House deliberated on the motion and unanimously adopted the prayers.
Mobilise resources to support victims of rainstorm – Niger lawmakers urge govt
Anambra vigilante arrests eight gunmen as police comb relaxation centres
No fewer than eight persons suspected to be gunmen in Anambra State have been arrested by the operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Services in Awka and its environs.
The state Commissioner for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikodi Anarah, confirmed the arrest to journalists in Awka, on Tuesday, adding that the vigilantes also recovered some arms and ammunition from the suspects.
There have been a series of gunmen attacks in the state since Saturday where no fewer than four persons were kidnapped in the process.
On Saturday, about three yet-to-be-identified persons were kidnapped along the Ifite-Amansea-Awka Road and Agulu-Oraukwu Road in Awka South Local Government Area and Anaocha LG respectively.
In recent times, the state capital has recorded about 14 incidences of kidnappings and cult-related killings.
It was gathered that, among the arrested suspects, three were intercepted at the Amansea boundary of Anambra and Enugu states, while four others in their late 20s allegedly involved in snatching of phones from unsuspecting commuters in Keke tricycles were arrested in Awka, the state capital.
Anarah said the arrest followed a response to the spate of killings and kidnappings that have been experienced in the area for almost a week now.
He said within the period, three persons who were said to have been kidnapped regained their freedom following a tip off by members of the public about their hideouts.
It was also gathered that the suspects were operating from outside the state and going out of Anambra State after successful operations.
Anarah said, “The AVG arrested about eight suspected gunmen terrorising the state in recent times.
“Although information about the suspects cannot be made public as it would affect investigations and operations of security operatives.”
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Anambra Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police have commenced the combing of relaxation centres in the state to fish out other criminal elements.
Ikenga said the police had earlier warned against harbouring cultists in the state.
He said, “The command has reiterated its advice to proprietors of hotels, drinking bars and other relaxation centres to be mindful of the characters of those that patronise them as the government would not hesitate to close down anyone that is discovered as a take-off point of operations by those criminal elements.”
Gov Otti warns new appointees against stealing, bribery
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has sworn in his newly appointed special advisers, heads and members of government agencies in the state, warning that they must avoid corrupt practices.
The governor who spoke at Government House, Umuahia, pointed out that his administration is 100 per cent accountable to the people of the state and God.
He charged the appointees to work round the clock and live above board by not stealing, taking or demanding bribes in the course of discharging their duties.
Otti, who said that his administration has been fair to all sections of the state in the allocation of resources, warned the new appointees against indulging in parochialism and provincialism.
He said: “To be honest, this is not an assignment that will earn you the whole riches in the world because stealing, asking for, and taking kickbacks, or engaging in phoney deals, the type that fattens the bank accounts of individuals while impoverishing the public, are completely forbidden. The consequences of noncompliance can be very heavy.
“This administration has zero tolerance for corruption and the fastest way to get yourself out of the team is to engage in dishonest practices. For clarity, let the warning be given in advance that once we establish any case of self-serving activities that go against the values we subscribe to as a government, we shall be left with no option but to ask you to leave and perhaps hand you over to the law enforcement agencies for further investigations.”
He promised to guide and provide the appointees with every resource they need to operate effectively, even as he advised them not to be distracted by criticism from the opposition whenever they are doing the right thing.
The Abia governor further said that resources available to the state have consistently been channelled to develop critical areas of need.
Those sworn in were Kenechukwu Nwosu, Special Adviser on Education and Green Amakwe, Special Adviser on Promotion.
Those inaugurated were chairmen and members of the Abia State House of Assembly Service Commission, Abia State Commission for Welfare of Disabled Persons, and Abia Civil Service Commission.
Gov Otti warns new appointees against stealing, bribery
Two arraigned for stealing prepaid metre in Osun
One Musibau Adisa, 55, and Busari Tajudeen, 51, on Tuesday, appeared before an Osun State Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo for stealing pre-paid metres.
The defendants, who were said to have stolen the metre at Arogunmosa Area of Osogbo, were arraigned before a Magistrate, Mr Adekanmi Adeyeba.
Addressing the court, a police prosecutor in charge of the matter, Mr Rasaq Olayiwola, said the defendants in May 2024 at Arogunmosa Area, Oke-Baale, Osogbo stole the meter with No. 45060226300, belonging to Ibrahim Semiu.
Olayiwola said the defendants allegedly sold the item.
According to him, the defendants also obtained a sum of N80,000 from Oluwakemi Adeniji, under the pretence of selling a prepaid meter to her.
The offences allegedly committed were said to have contravened Sections 516, 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II Laws of Osun State, Nigeria, 2002.
Mr Kaisemobi Ngwoke, who had announced the appearance for the defendants, urged the court to grant them bail in the most liberal term.
In her ruling, Mr Adeyeba granted the bail application in the sum of N50,000 with one surety each and adjourned the matter to August 20, 2024, for a hearing.
Court halts PDP congress in Rivers, restrains national leaders
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, its national chairman, national financial secretary, and national organising secretary from holding or carrying out the congress, scheduled for July 27, 2024, in Rivers State.
The presiding judge, Justice Sobere Hambo, in an ex parte application brought by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, David Omereji, and 10 others against the defendants, also stopped them from holding the congress at any other location or date pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.
The court issued an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, either by themselves or their agents, from taking further decisions or giving directives to extend the tenure of the state, local government, and ward executives of PDP.
Justice Hambo adjourned the matter until July 19, 2024, for the motion on notice.
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Court halts PDP congress in Rivers, restrains national leaders
Kaduna fixes October 19 for LG election
The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed October 19, 2024, to conduct elections in the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
KADSIECOM chairperson, Hajara Mohammed, announced the date and timetable on Tuesday during a meeting with political parties and other concerned individuals in the State.
She noted that the current council members were sworn into office on 1 November 2021 and will end their three-year tenure on 31 October.
She said KAD-SIECOM is responsible for organising the elections of chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and councillors in the state.
“In consonance with the provision of section 25(1) of the KAD-SIECOM Law 2024, the general public is hereby informed that the LGA council election will be held in Kaduna on Saturday, 19th October 2024, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“The commission issues the election timetable today, Tuesday 16th July 2024,” she said.
The chairperson further said the 2024 election guidelines have been released with the election timetable.
She assured concerned parties that the commission was ready to conduct the election on the set date.
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Oyo will do what is right, says Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that his government will not allow the people of the state to suffer from the fallout of the Supreme Court judgment which granted financial autonomy to local governments in the country.
Makinde maintained that the judgment had created a constitutional lacuna that would throw up different challenges at the local government level, saying that though he was not opposed to transparency in the councils, the Supreme Court judgment “is not a silver bullet that will wash away” Nigeria’s problems.
The governor stated this on Monday during an Advisory/Consultative Committee Meeting comprising stakeholders in the local government system.
He noted that he convened a meeting of all relevant stakeholders in the local government system so that they could outline the major challenges at the councils and develop solutions that would ensure a seamless implementation of the process in a way that would ensure that the people of the state do not suffer.
This was contained in a release issued by the Special Adviser (Media) to the state governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Tuesday.
According to the governor, his administration knows and has been doing what is right, including conducting two council elections to ensure caretaker committees don’t man the affairs of councils, clearing of backlog of debts owed workers and pensioners at the council level and fixing infrastructure deficit in the Primary Health Care sectors and the inner roads.
The meeting, held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, had in attendance council chairmen, the leaderships of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies that have connection with the local government system.
At the end of the meeting, the governor set up two committees saddled with the responsibilities of reviewing the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and coming up with recommendations that would ensure that the change did not affect the people of the state negatively.
The statement reads, “I called this meeting because I felt that even though we have not seen the Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court, we have to be proactive and discuss the decision of the Supreme Court as it concerns financial autonomy of the local government councils because I believe a lacuna has been created between the decision and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that we all swore to uphold.
“The law is the law, and when there is a conflict, yes, we should go to the court. But it behoves us to look for our own homegrown solutions that can ensure that we have transparency and that our people do not suffer. This is because when two elephants are fighting, it is the grass that will suffer.”
Makinde noted that his administration inherited a local government system that owed a backlog of salaries, gratuities, and pensions.
He added, “I am saying this because Oyo State will get out of this even stronger. We are people who know what is good for our people. Before we came in, leave bonuses were last paid in 2017, and we have paid for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The Primary Health Care facilities and inner roads were all in bad shape. But we have been working collaboratively with the LGs to deliver dividends of democracy to our people.
“We were able to clear those salary arrears. We paid N18bn in pension and gratuities over this period. We upgraded about 209 PHCs, equipped about 264, and completed 60 model schools. We constructed and renovated hundreds of primary school classrooms and fixed some of our roads.
“But there are still challenges that we have to address. We still have a backlog of gratuities and pensions. The local governments owe about N55 billion in pension and gratuities. We are developing infrastructure that would push the economy and raise the living standard of their people, and push their economy towards sustainable goals.”
Briefing newsmen shortly after the closed-door meeting, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, stated that the two committees set up by the governor had been given a time frame of four to six weeks to come up with the homegrown approach to addressing the lacuna created by the Supreme Court judgment.
Also speaking, the state Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Biodun Aikomo, said the governor took a proactive step by setting up the committees, as, according to him, the step would help address the crisis that might arise as a result of the judgment.
Aikomo added that the governor had shown that he is committed to the welfare of the Oyo State people and the development of the state.
The meeting had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olajide Akintunde and other government functionaries.