‘For fairness, equity, Edo Central should produce next gov’

By Kelechukwu Iruoma

Ikolo Esan, a non-political and a social cultural organisation has appealed to political leaders in Edo State to pick the next governorship candidate from Edo Central.

The organisation said for fairness and equity, Edo Central senatorial district, which makes up the Esan speaking people of the state, should be allowed to produce the next governor in the state in 2016.

The organisation spoke through its National President, Prof. Gabriel Oteze, during its 2nd National Conference, at Ekpoma.

He said that the Edo South and North have had their turns for eight years each through Lucky Igbinedion and Adams Oshiomhole in the last two dispensations, adding that the organisation was disturbed by feelers,they were getting especially from Edo South, insisting that they want to produce the next governor in 2016.

According to Prof. Oteze, “If Esan land is truly a part of Edo State, irrespective of the humiliations and disregard we have suffered in the last couple of years at the state level, Esan politicians must not allow themselves to be pushed aside in the race that is just starting.”

How we uncovered fraud in pensions payment —Oshiomhole

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has revealed how the state government uncovered fraud in pension administration in the state, noting that while some pensioners were unable to get their gratuities, others had two vouchers in their names.

Oshiomhole

He has meanwhile ordered the scrapping of the state’s Pensions Board, saying that a bureau would be created to oversee the payment of pensions just as he announced that government will immediately key into a Contributory Pensions Scheme as a way to stem the incidences of fraud in pension payment.

The governor has, however, assured that within two weeks, local government pensioners will get paid as steps had been taken to ensure that henceforth, regardless of the amount of money accruing to local governments, they must make provision for the payment of council pensioners.

Oshiomhole, who has already sent the state Head of Service, Mr Jerry Obazele and Permanent Secretary, Information and Communications Technology Agency, Mr Dan Aigbavboa, on retirement, has also directed members of the state Pensions Board to report to the state Civil Service

Commission for proper investigation and disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.

He said, “Government is aware that quite a number of our senior citizens, particularly the ones who were in the employment of the local governments, covered by the Local Government Pensions Board, for some reasons have not received their pension for a couple of months.

“I need to make the point clear, because when I see their comments, they seem to indicate that the state government is responsible for the payment of their pensions. It is true that the state government has some level of responsibility to supervise and watch over the conduct of local governments. However, the local governments remain the 3rd tier of government and their roles and responsibilities are fully spelt out in the Constitution.”

“Since I assumed office, Edo State Government under my stewardship has never and will never interfere with the funds of local governments. However, following the recent sharp drop in the revenue accruing to the local governments from the federation account, many of our councils found out that after providing for payment of teachers salary, which we consider first line charge, what they have left was hardly enough to meet their salary obligations.”

Reps Begin Debate On PMB’s 2016-2018 MTEF, FSP

By Bode Gbadebo

The House of Representatives yesterday referred the 2016 – 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to its Standing Committees on Finance, National Planning and Economic Development, Debt Management, and Legislative Budget and Research for scrutiny and recommendations to the House.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday sent both documents – MTEF and FSP – to the National Assembly for consideration preparatory to the submission of the 2016 Budget Estimates.

The House resolution was sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion on the framework moved by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at plenary.

Debating the motion, lawmakers made observations on identified errors or omissions in the macro-economic plan of the federal government.

House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, argued that the configuration of the document did not take into consideration the actual projected accruable income and expenditure for the federation in 2016 and beyond pointing out the issues of fuel subsidy payments, and insights into how much would be available for sharing among the three tiers of government.

Ogor questioned the rationale behind such an omission and called for its withdrawal with a view to coming up with a more comprehensive analysis of income and expenditure envisaged in the fiscal years under consideration.

Gbajabiamila made a spirited efforts at defending the identified flaws by Ogor but was again countered by the opposition leader in the House, who insisted on having his questions answered first.

Consequently, Speaker Yakubu Dogara intervened in the arguments, saying that the omissions as noted may have been a mix-up arising from typographical errors as another copy of the document given to him addressed all the grey areas being observed by the Minority Leader.

The Speaker therefore called for an accelerated hearing on the document, which was subsequently passed by members present and referred to the relevant committees of the House for further actions and report back by next week Tuesday.

Power Supply Expected To Rise By 2,000mw In Months – Fashola

By Juliet Alohan

Based on the availability of adequate gas supply and subject to sufficient budgetary funding, the minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said that power supply could rise by 2,000 megawatts (mw) in the next 12 to 15 months.

He stated that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will build some critical infrastructure, subject to budgetary funding, to transport gas to the power plant that will add the 2,000mw to grid supply in the coming months.

Disclosing this at his inaugural media briefing in Abuja, Fashola said that apart from the availability of gas infrastructure other issues like environmental concerns and appropriate pricing for gas have had negative impact on power supply.

He noted, however, that the recent review of gas from $1.30 per unit to $3.30, although still below the $4.00 International market price will help bridge the availability gap.

On transmission network, he said, “Today’s reality is that available power is slightly larger than the capacity which it can support else we will experience persistent system collapse. So government, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has identified a total of 142 critical projects of which 45 are at 50 per cent and above level of completion. Of this lot a further 22 projects can be completed within a year.

“With budgetary provision, government intends to aggressively pursue completion to increase the carrying capacity of the generation companies to the distribution companies from which the transmission carrying capacity must expand well ahead of the generating capacity that will take care of future expansion in power generation,” he said

On tariff, the minister said that the issue is a complex one because it relates more to citizen’s attitude while government has set the tariff regime through the Multi-year Tariff Order (MYTO). He noted that government intentions of attracting investors to the fledging market which underscores privatisation shows clear intention of attractive pricing of product to the investors. Tariff, he said, is the price of producing power which covers generation, gas purchase, transportation, transformers, staff costs, all disaggregated and charged per kilowatt hour, to make the business of power profitable.

He appealed to Nigerians for better understanding on this contentious matter, adding that it will assist government in maintaining its credibility with investors. Urging citizens not to oppose the implementation of the tariff order when it comes upstream, Fashola said that the surest way not to have stable electricity is to oppose the tariff plan.

While restating government’s commitment to the power sector privatisation, Fashola reiterated the determination of government to continuously pursue a private sector led power sector while the government will continue to provide the enabling environment. He said that government has learnt from the experiences of countries like Brazil, South Africa, India, and Mexico, and that he has resolved to overcome the teething challenges in the sector.

While promising increased government spending with a view to improving transmission network and availability of gas supply to generation companies, he assured of an enhanced regulatory capacity through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). On the need to pay up the backlog of bills and ensure regular payment forthwith, he said that under his watch the ministry will see to the prompt payment of outstanding bills to distribution companies.

“Our ministry intends set the pace at the federal level and I hope that state governors, heads of agency, the national and states assemblies, military, police and other security agencies will ensure prompt payment of all their electricity bills,” the minister stated.

On electricity subsidy for poor rural dwellers, Fashola said, “Can this economy absorb all of that? Will it work better if everybody begins to pay for what they use? Those are tough choices but they have to be made,” he said.

 

INEC Probes REC, Others Over Disputed Bayelsa Gov Poll

‎ By Osa Okhomina, And Chibuzo Ukaibe

The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),Prof Yakubu Mohammad, has launched a probe into the roles of the Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),Baritoh Kpagih and other officials of the commission in the electoral crises that led to the inconclusive status of the December 5 Governorship poll in the state.

The INEC, as part of its investigation, has ordered the Collation officers and Returning officers in the existing eight local government areas, particularly those involved in the disputed rescheduled governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the state to submit their reports to the commission within 24 hours.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the INEC will be investigating cases of compromise and alleged acceptance of gratification from some political parties to frustrate the smooth conduct of the election.

It was also gathered that the directive may not be unconnected with the petition submitted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the commission, alleging bias, bribery and corruption against some officials of the state office of INEC and the illegality of the cancellation of the poll in the Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the state.

The flag bearer of the APC,Chief Timipre Sylva, had while reacting to the announcement by the INEC on the cancellation of the election in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the state, alleged that the processes leading the cancellation of the contentious poll in Southern Ijaw was marred with financial inducements and manipulations by officials of INEC by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

We’re Still Consulting -INEC

Three days after the poll was declared inconclusive, INEC is yet to fix a date for the supplementary election in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

INEC’s director, Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said the commission was still consulting over the matter.

Police avert violent clash between APC, PDP supporters

Police operatives have averted a near bloody clash between supporters of the APC and the PDP over protest against the decision by INEC to cancel the disputed governorship poll in Southern Ijaw LGA.

The anti-INEC protest, which was staged by hundreds of supporters of the APC from the Southern Ijaw area of the State, paralyzed most activities in the state capital and called on the National Leadership of the INEC to investigate the reasons offered for the cancellation and declare such the cancellation illegal.

According to one of the Protesters, Comrade Preye Apreala, the decision by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),Baritor Kpagih, to cancel the election in Southern Ijaw local government area was criminal and a violation of the electoral rights of the over 120,000 voters that participated in the poll inspite of threats.

The protesters, made up of scores of persons with disabilities and armed with placards with inscription such as “let the Southern Ijaw vote count”, “Buhari must save the APC in Bayelsa”, ”The cancellation of was Induced! Kpagih must face the law!!”, move from the APC secretariat located along the Sani Abacha expressway and through the popular Imgbi road.

But the protest, which was peaceful, nearly turned bloody following the decision of the suspected PDP youths....

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