News
PIB: Senate queries N98.4m payment for enlightenment campaign
The Senate has queried the Ministry of Petroleum Resources over the payment of N98.4 million for the printing of leaflets for awareness programme for the Petroleum Industrial Bill (PIB) without due process.
Its committee on Public Accounts has, therefore, accepted the 2015 Auditor-General of the Federation’s Report, which exposed mismanagement of public funds in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The report stated that contrary to the procurement process, an entry in the cash book for N98.4 million was made in favour of a company for printing of leaflets for awareness campaign programme for the PIB.
“There was no formal award of contract and it was also observed that the approval for the payment was via memo presented by the Director (Press) to Ministerial Tender Board meeting of 9th and 11th October 2013,” the report said.
The report added that the permanent secretary had been requested to take disciplinary measures against the erring officers in line with provisions of extant regulations.
But the Ministry of Petroleum, in a written response, said: “Adequate publicity was made: M/S Dangrace and Partners Limited were selected based on proven capabilities and competence.
“It should be stated that veritable costing proposals were submitted and approved before the authorisation for the award and production of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) leaflets. The department complied with necessary rule and procedure.”
However, the Auditor-General in another query called to question the payment of N39.7 million to the account of two staff of the ministry for project monitoring in 2014.
The query noted that contrary to the e-payment policy of the federal government, the total sum of N39.7 million was paid to 178 staff of the ministry for project monitoring and evaluation in 2014.
“Instead of direct payment to individual accounts, the disbursement was paid into two accounts vide PV. Nos. MPR/CAP/828/2014 and MPR/CAP/826/2014 of 02/12/14.
“It was curious that 178 officers in the division of the ministry could be involved in project monitoring and evaluation at the same time. Other irregularities observed included duplication of officers names, duplication of locations, monitoring of projects outside the statutory purview of the ministry and its parastatals, payment of Duty Travel Allowance (DTA) and other travelling allowances to staff for monitoring parastatals located in Abuja,” it stated.
The report said there was no evidence presented for audit review by the M & E division for the project monitoring exercise carried out by the 178 officers despite the payment of N1.4 million to coordinating secretariat for such purpose.
The report also said that the expenditure couldn’t be accepted as a legitimate charge against public funds.
But the petroleum ministry, in a written response, said: “The two staff were appointed as the project accountants for the project. People were grouped and assigned to various projects for prudence and accountability.
“Reports were submitted to the appropriate department. Due process and procedure were followed in the best interest of the service.
“Duplication of officers’ names and locations were due to officers visiting different places after grouping. No officer was paid DTA for monitoring parastatals within Abuja. “
Not satisfied with the response of the ministry to the queries, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Account, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, has written to the ministry asking that the indicted officers be made to return the money to the Federation Account.
News
Nigeria has become a warfront, expect no new investors – Danjuma
Nigeria has become a warfront, expect no new investors – Danjuma
The former Minister of Defence General Theophilus Danjuma has described Nigeria as a total disgrace and laughing stock to the rest of the world.
Danjuma said this on Friday in Nwonyo village in Ibi Local government area of Taraba State during his speech as the Chairman of annual Nwonyo Fishing and Cultural festival.
The elder statesman said that Nigeria is regrettably a war front and theatre of absurdities that leaves a sour taste in the minds of people in every sane society.
He maintained that it is imperative for Nigerians and Nigeria as a country to put it’s house in order and put a check on the glaring insecurity and other vices that are bedeviling the country.
According to Danjuma, “the festival stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Taraba State that we cherish and celebrate with great pride. It showcases our cultural values and serves as symbol of our unity. Let us take a moment to reflect on the significance of the occasion. It is a symbol of resilience a d determination of our people in the face of daunting challenges.
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“Let us renew our commitment to promoting peace, harmony and celebrate the bonds that unite us as one family. May this occasion be a reminder of who we are and the strength that lies in our unity.
“We must put our own house in order and have peace in our state and throughout the country if we want this to be truly an international festival. There is no sane foreigner who will come to celebrate with us if we continue to disgrace ourselves as we do.
“As we are today in Nigeria, we are a disgrace to the whole world. The whole country is a war front of our people killing our people. We are a laughing stock to the rear of the whole world. We must put our house in order. We must make our roads safe and stop kidnapping people. We must learn to live together as a country and as a people”.
In his remarks, the Taraba State Governor Dr Agbu Kefas and his remarks said that his government is committed to ensuring justice and peace so that development can take its rightful course.
Kefas maintained that Taraba State, as a nature’s gift to the nation, must be showcased to the rest of the world so that the enormous potentials of the state could be fully utilised.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Governor of Adamawa State Governor Ummaru Fintiri commended the Taraba State government for reviving the festival after Ten years of negligence and urged the people to use the occasion to unite and live harmoniously.
Nigeria has become a warfront, expect no new investors – Danjuma
News
Police say Nigerians’ hatred for cops fueling security crisis
Police say Nigerians’ hatred for cops fueling security crisis
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has said Nigerians’ deep-seated resentment for officers is affecting security in the country.
The PCRC disclosed that the hatred towards police by Nigerians mitigates against tackling the perennial security crisis that plagues the nation, saying the situation is unsettling.
The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mogaji Olaniyan made this known while addressing newsmen during the 40th celebration ceremony of the Committee held in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Olaniyan bemoaned the widespread hatred, saying the PCRC is enhancing a permanent relationship between members of the community and the police in order to end the ugly narrative.
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He emphasized that this pent-up disdain must be tackled to build a healthy and cordial relationship between the people and the police, ultimately enhancing security across the nation.
He explained that parents instil the hatred of police in their children at an early as the police are used as instrument of fear to control children.
Olaniyan said “We are calling that people should love the Nigeria Police, this is what they lack right from childhood we have created enmity between our children and the Nigeria Police.
“This hatred starts from our home. For instance if parents want to scold their children they will say ‘I will call the police for you. This is why our children grow up with hatred for the police and that is why we are trying to stop this narrative.”
Olaniyan, however, called for an urgent need to address what he called widespread hatred towards the officers of the Nigeria Police.
Police say Nigerians’ hatred for cops fueling security crisis
News
Yahya Bello: Kogi lawmakers face pressure to impeach Gov Ododo
Yahya Bello: Kogi lawmakers face pressure to impeach Gov Ododo
Fresh trouble may be brewing in Kogi State due to a move to impeach the Governor, Usman Ododo.
This is as a human rights lawyer, Deji Ajare, has urged the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Yusuf, to begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Ododo over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
Ajare conveyed his call in a letter addressed to the speaker, submitted through the clerk of the House on Friday.
Regarding the governor’s use of his motorcade to transport the embattled former governor, Yahaya Bello, Ajare deemed it harboring a fugitive, obstructing justice, and misusing state resources.
“In the light of the above allegations and the inherent potential breaches of statutory duties imposed by the Constitution and other relevant laws of our country, these actions, if proven true, amount to gross misconduct and warrant immediate investigation and commencement of impeachment proceedings.
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“I hereby call on the Kogi State House of Assembly under your leadership to initiate a thorough inquiry into these allegations by Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, to ascertain the truth and to hold Governor Usman Ododo accountable if the allegations are found to be true.
“I also urge the Kogi State House of Assembly to cooperate with national law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC, to ensure all individuals involved are available for questioning and to facilitate a smooth investigation”, he said.
Ajare implored swift and decisive action from the House of Assembly, emphasizing the detrimental effects of the alleged misgovernance on the people of the state.
Responding, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mohammed Yabagi, stated that neither the Clerk nor the Speaker had received such a letter.
Yabagi added that the House had not seen valid reasons to initiate impeachment processes against the governor, asserting that there was no evidence of the governor preventing security agencies from arresting Yahaya Bello.
“As far as the Assembly is concerned, the Assembly supports all constitutionally recognized security agencies. We have not seen any reason why the House should commence any impeachment processes,” he said.
Yahya Bello: Kogi lawmakers face pressure to impeach Gov Ododo
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Nigeria has become a warfront, expect no new investors – Danjuma
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