Mark Receives Heroic Welcome At Senate

Former Senate President, Senator David Mark

Immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark, on Wednesday returned to a heroic welcome at the Hallowed Chambers.

Mark, who is currently the longest serving senator in Nigeria, was sworn in for the six record time by the Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

The exciting moment came, as Mark stepped forward to take his oath of office, which was administered on him by the Acting Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Effiong Nelson.

NESG: Why the Legislature Must Give Priority to Business Environment

The Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has underscored the importance of the legislature in ensuring a conducive and business-friendly environment for the growth and development of any economy. 

The Chairman of the Board of the NESG, Mr. Kyari Bukar, who stated this during the formal presentation of the Business Environment Legislative Review Report to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki in Abuja, said that without such proactive interventions, the nation risks losing the few jobs available as well as the opportunity of moving significantly upwards in the doing business ranking and the world economic forum competitiveness ranking. 

He commended the 8th National Assembly for its efforts and commitment at ensuring that there are appropriate regulatory and legislative instruments to make the business environment in Nigeria conducive for investments to thrive.

Bukar said: "A friend of mine keeps saying that there is really no difference between running a business and running a country. If you don't have proper governance processes and in the case of a nation, legislative and regulatory framework in place, you still do not have sustainable outcome. 

"This is why our legislature has a critical role to play for exercising its powers to make, amend or repeal the necessary laws that will facilitate the development of small and medium enterprises. 

"Permit me to note that without the legislature giving priority to the Business Environment, the nation risks losing what little jobs are currently available as well as risks losing the opportunity of moving significantly on the doing business rankings or indeed the world economic forum competitiveness rankings as it is common knowledge that our poor performance is largely as a result of constraints in the business environment. 

"I am however pleased to note with confidence that the 8th National Assembly has demonstrated its commitment to making the business environment right in Nigeria," he said.

The NESG boss said the formal presentation of the Business Environment Legislative Review Report to the National Assembly marked a significant milestone in the history of the nation's democracy "with regards to interaction of the legislative arm of government whose premise the Nigerian public is yet to fully understand and harness since the advent of democracy."

While acknowledging the "visionary leadership of the 8th Assembly" and its dedication to public engagement with the citizenry and public sector targeted at making Nigeria a modern and globally competitive nation, Bukar said: "The report is an embodiment of the canvassed shift for government to be proactive and strategic with regards to creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive sustainably. 

"The imperative for this being that over 37 million micro and medium enterprises exist in Nigeria and contributing approximately 50 per cent of GDP in nominal terms and account for 84 per cent of all jobs.

"It is therefore imperative that the business environment is urgently addressed in order to mitigate negative impacts associated with current economic downturn as well as for the repositioning of Nigeria within the global economy," he said.

He said he was also pleased that the leadership of the National Assembly is already considering a business environment roundtable with the private sector where the findings and recommendations of the report are "expected to form the agenda of the round table with the aim of developing the right tools and instruments to accelerate business and investment across various segments of the Nigerian economy." 
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Senate Tasks NPF, NDLEA, NAFDAC, PCN On Drug Abuse

Senate on Tuesday urged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) to develop a collaborative approach towards curbing the incidence of drug use and abuse within the country.

They also urged the Federal Government to restructure and reposition the NDLEA to be able to meet the challenges of evasive drug traffickers, using Nigerians to traffic drugs.

These were sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa and 21 others, and entitled: Nigerians' Involvement in Illicit Global Drugs Trade and Increase in Domestic Drug Abuse by Nigerian Youths.

The Red Chamber further mandated its Committee on Drugs and Narcotics to consider an urgent amendment of Section 23 of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria Act to include the sale of prescription pills over the counter as an offence punishable by the Act.

Presenting the motion, Ashafa expressed worry that the involvement of Nigerians in the dangerous enterprise is tarnishing the image of the country.

"Our nationals are viewed with suspicion and subjected to demeaning treatment at airports across the world as a result of this negative perception," he added.

He noted with serious concern the engagement of some Nigerians in the usage and smuggling of hard drugs into South-East Asian countries and other parts of the world.

"The Malaysian authorities have again issued a strong statement that 40 percent of the foreigners being arrested for drug offences are from Nigeria. So far, 30 out of 80 foreign students arrested in 2015 were Nigerians, in a country, where drug trafficking attracts the supreme retribution.

"In their desperation, these Nigerians are disguising as university students, colluding with drug syndicates (predominantly outside Nigeria) there to undermine the visa system and gain entrance into Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other drug traffic routes." he said.

He expressed disappointment that the Federal Government has not done anything to curb the menace, despite the fact that Nigeria currently tops the list of the countries involved in drug trafficking and drug use in West Africa.

"The Federal Government has not swung into strategic action to curb the menace of drug couriers and their sponsors both in and out of Nigeria. The NDLEA is doing its best within its powers, as presently constituted.

"Young Nigerians are being distracted and derailed by the high prevalence of drug abuse/trafficking and as such have become willing tools for crime/ criminal syndicates who find it easier to brainwash young Nigerians in their state of alternative reality or what they refer to as ‘highness’.

"The scenario in Nigeria is also unnerving, in a 2012 report, the International Narcotics Control Board said that Nigeria, was a transit point for cocaine from Latin America destined for Europe. Nigeria also topped the list of the countries involved in drug trafficking and drug use in West Africa, and also the list of drug couriers arrested in Europe in 2011 and 2012," he concluded.

Senate Extends N144bn FCT Capital Budget Implementation

Senate passed into law on Tuesday an amendment bill, seeking to extend the implementation of N114 billion FCT Budget to March 31, 2016.

We recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had, last week Tuesday, sent the bill to the Senate. Buhari requested that the document be passed to enable him effect the extension of the implementation deadline.

The Red Chamber resolved to heed the request, and gave the bill accelerated hearing. Consequently, the bill was considered for Second and Third readings, and finally passed.

In his remark, the Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, directed its Conference Committee to harmonise its figures with the House of Representatives.

Earlier, while presenting the bill for Second Reading, the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, noted that the 2015 FCT Budget was approved on May 28, 2015, allowing only seven months for the implementation.

He said that in order to meet the obligations of the FCT as requested by Buhari, the Senate should give accelerated passage to the request.

Ndume explained that in view of the seven months period, the FCT Budget implementation only stood at 40 percent, hence the need for the extension.

Buhari also pointed out in his letter to the Senate that the late assent of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the document allowed the FCTA only seven months in 2015 for implementation, which he said was not enough to fully implement the Act.

He further explained that the delay in signing the appropriation bill into law, also affected its implementation in respect of capital projects and other expenditures, resulting in numerous payments for critical and essential projects remaining outstanding.

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N70bn Contract Fraud: NDDC, Auditor General disagree over figures

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday in Abuja, disagreed with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) over figures discrepancies in contract awarded between 2008 to 2012.

While briefing the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, the OAGF had alleged that over N70 billion worth of contract by the NDDC between 2008 and 2012 were unaccounted for.

The OAGF had in 2015, submitted its report to the senate committee alleging that the NDDC paid the amount for about 1723 contract and paid mobilization fee while the contractors didn’t report to site.

According to the report: ``further scrutiny of the records revealed that 90 per cent of these contracts were awarded between 2011 and 2012 and some of these contractors had about four jobs.

``The N70 billion did not even include some contractors who went to site but had very minimal achievement and those whose contract had been declared as stalled,” it said.

The OAGF therefore said that the blame should not only go to the contractors but also to the past management of the NDDC who were awarding contract without site identification.

However, Mr Jimoh Egbejule, Director of Finance of the NDDC said that it discovered in its records that only N11 billion was paid as mobilization fee during the period.

He said that the commission had contracted a consultant to look into its books and only N11 billion was discovered as mobilization paid within the period under review.

However, representatives of the Accountant General’s office, who were at the public hearing insisted on the initial figure of N70 billion.

In view of the disagreements, the committee chaired by Sen. Andy Uba gave the institutions four weeks to meet and reconcile their records then report back to the committee.

Sen. Ubah while noting that the Managing Director of the NDDC was still new and had no knowledge of the issues said that the committee would reconvene in one month to consider the report.

``I want to assure Nigerians that the 8th Senate Public Accounts Committee will ensure that there is transparency, probity and accountability in the management of public funds.

``All government financial transactions must be conducted according to financial regulations, extant acts and the constitution.

``The committee will like to urge all MDAs to respond promptly to its requests and summons to avoid sanctions,” he said.

While responding to questions after the public hearing, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, Acting Managing Director of the NDDC said that there could be some errors in the report she apologized for the discrepancies, saying that the commission would immediately get to work and investigate the details of the Auditor General’s report.

The new MD added that the commission will not shield any contractor that is found to have defaulted in any way in the contracts.

``Government is a continuum and there are documents to look at: quite frankly the Auditor General’s queries are in the interest of the country.

``The Senate Public Account Committee is to hold institutions accountable to the people of Nigeria. For us we will go back we sit with the Auditor General’s office, we will look through our records and respond to each query one after the other.

``You also have to understand that sometimes in documentations, there will be inconsistencies but not necessarily indicative of fraud.

``Once the Auditor General’s Office finishes a check, they will raise queries and it is for he institution to respond to those queries and once they respond the AGF will then produce a report.

``We welcome this and we can assure you that there will be no sacred cow, there will be no hiding place, we will respond in all honesty, we will not shield any contractor,” she said.

Saraki To Receive Report On Business Environment In Nigeria

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki will on Monday (February 29th) formally receive the Business Environment Legislative Review Report developed by a team of Legal Advisers to the ENABLE-DFID programme, led by Prof Paul Idornigie (SAN).

A statement from the Office of the Senate President in Abuja stated the report initiated by the Senate President was in fulfilment of the Legislative Agenda of the 8th National Assembly geared towards creating a business friendly environment in the country.

The statement added that: "Following the legislative agenda of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 8th National Assembly, and in consultation with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) and other key private sector stakeholders; the Office of the Senate President initiated a review of the institutional, regulatory and legal instruments currently constraining and impeding business activity in Nigeria. 

"With the technical aid and support of ENABLE-DFID and GEMS 3 programmes, a team of experts conducted a business environment legislative review covering the entire raft of legal structures affecting businesses today. The underlying objective of the review is to provide a framework for the assessment and improvement of legislation and policy affecting businesses in Nigeria"‎, the statement added.

Prof. Paul Idornigie led the team of Legal Advisers that conducted the research of business environment acts and bills and developed the Business Environment Legislative Review Report.

The report is expected to propose priority legislative areas that will provide a solid foundation of evidence to set priorities for new and revised business environment legislation by the National Assembly.

“With the reform of key sectors of the economy, there is a critical need to facilitate an enabling environment for private sector participation. There are Bills pending before the National Assembly that are of priority importance to doing business and overall private sector development in Nigeria, especially in infrastructure delivery”‎, it stated.

Expected at the presentation which will take place at the National Assembly on Monday are the the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara; World Bank representatives; the Chairman of the NESG, Mr. Kyari Bukar, the Nigerian Bar Association - Section on Business Law  (NBA-SBL) representatives led by Asue Ighodalo; and private sector and media stakeholders.

Saraki Assures On Sustainable Economic Policies

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has said that the 8th Senate will collaborate with the Executive to ensure that the policies and programmes of the present administration aimed at reviving the economy are sustained on a  long term basis.

Saraki according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, stated this  when he received the national executive of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) led by its President, Professor Olugbenga Okunola.

He said the Senate is on a mission to ensure that the country harnesses her non-oil resources and achieve full diversification of the economy.

Saraki said: "For us in the 8th Senate we have said it that our focus is to continue to give support to those sectors of our economy that will provide employment, increase the earnings of government and the growth of the economy in general. 

"And if you are talking about the growth of the economy, you have to give  particular consideration to the mining sector. And what do we need to do to get that done? I want to assure you that the message I will like you to take away is that the 8th Senate is ready to give all the support in ensuring that we truly begin to harness the hitherto the unexplored and neglected potentials that we have. 

"We have been talking about these potentials for a long time. It is time to talk about realising the potentials and translating them to economic power. how to bring. That is our own vision and mission. 

"We have all seen the downside of being a mono-product economy. We are all suffering from it now. When you see what is happening to our revenues, our foreign exchange inflows and particularly what is happening to even the foreign exchange rate due to our over dependence on crude oil. 

"The projections that it is going to be down for a couple of years means that any serious minded country needs to look at the options available. And some of the things we are seeing now is because there is a lot of speculation out there. 

"A lot of the speculators believe that we don't have the political will to see through some of the policies and programmes aimed at diversifying the economy and that is why you see a lot of them are betting against the Naira. That is why you see all of a sudden, the Naira is rebounding because they are beginning to see that it appears that this government is committed on its policy.

"I want to assure you that we are committed. The political will is there. We are very determined to see that we diversify. All these things you are talking about are well known to a lot of us. The frustration has een that we have not been able to see it through. I want to assure you that this Senate is committed to ensure that we support the executive in sustaining these long term polices. This is important and that is where we must start from," he said.

Earlier, Professor Gbenga Okunola, said the Society visited the Senate President to among others appreciate what the 8th Senate has been doing. 

He said: "We have been talking about diversification of the nation's economy over the years....I think as a society, as professionals, this is what we have been clamouring for over the years that we are sitting on buried riches and that the government is now saying that they want to take this serious gladdens us. 

"That is why we are here to appreciate this government for what they are doing and we are ready to offer our professional help - we are not talking in terms of financial reward - but this is one thing we want to offer our country," he said.