₦airaland Forum

Lol the same assembly voted against LG autonomy. It's crazy he would vote against common sense and his own interest. The state assembly should simple make laws to check power in regards to autonomy.

Kabiru Adjoto, a three-time member in the Edo State House of Assembly is currently the 4th speaker in the outgoing sixth assembly. Before the current position, he was the deputy and chief whip of the house. In this interview with IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, he spoke on the assembly’s achievements under his leadership, the relationship between the executive and legislature in Edo, among other issues. Excerpts:

Edo State House of Assembly is being described as a ‘Rubber Stamp Assembly’, under your leadership as speaker. What is your take on this?

It is not just under my administration that the house has been described as a ‘rubber stamp assembly’. I am fortunate to be a member of the 4th, 5th and now the presiding officer of the 6th assembly. Throughout, these periods, they called us a rubber stamp assembly but it is more now. Sometimes, when I talked to the public, I see the relationship between the parliament particularly the Edo State House of Assembly and the executive as that of cooperation and not confrontation. When there are confrontations in a democracy there can’t be development. So, we have chosen as parliament in Edo State to always cooperate with the executive and the judiciary arms of government. That is the only way the people can benefit. If we confront the executive, the judiciary, then there can’t be development. If we do that, we can’t roll out bills that will be of interest to the people of the state or bills that will translate into development. In most cases, confrontation is purely because of finance. It is either the executive is not brining enough money to the parliament or the executive is taking too much. So, we say no to confrontation but chosen rather to oversight the functions and all that the executive is doing to make sure that every penny that we have appropriated for it is judiciously spent. So, people can see that we now have beautiful roads, primary healthcare, the best that other states are coming to learn from our model. See Edo Best programme and people are now withdrawing their children from the private schools to the public schools. When we look and see that our hospitals for the first time, are not mere consulting clinics, but giving drugs, patients adequately being taken care of by qualified doctors- if for these things we are called rubber stamp assembly, so be it. That means we have rubber stamp for good healthcare, good education, better life and payment of salary as and when due in the state. If that is what we are called rubber stamp for, in fact, we are happy to be called a rubber stamp assembly because the essence of democracy is better life for the people. So, if we are giving Edo people better life and they decide to nickname us a rubber stamp assembly for better life we are happy to take the name.

Do you regret the action of the Edo Assembly voting against autonomy for the State House of Assembly autonomy under your leadership?

In Edo State House of Assembly, we don’t do things without consultation. We consulted with our constituents. Yes, we voted against State House of Assembly autonomy for reasons. Like I said, we consult widely. We voted against it because there are lots of issues we considered during the operation of the constitution. When you look at the issue of autonomy critically, I have to be sincere with you, when you hear that people go into public office, they steal money and become richer than they were before going to the office, you know something is wrong somewhere. 

As a representative of the people, we looked at the issue of autonomy critically, and concluded that we can still achieve autonomy without necessarily altering the provisions of the constitution. Firstly, when you look at it, autonomy for legislators- that means everything about us will be first line charge. I told you earlier that we at the sixth assembly, we think about Edo people first. We are not saying we should not think about ourselves but the people first. Democracy is evolving. It will get to a time when the issue of autonomy will naturally come in. But at this stage, we the legislators are in charge of budgeting.

That means we can decide for example that the budget of Edo State will be N170 billion or thereby. We are the one doing the appropriation but the Edo State House of Assembly can decide that out of the N170 billion, we appropriate N70 billion for the house, appropriate N30 billion to the executive and N20 billion to the judiciary, because we know that there is financial autonomy. A time will come, God forbid, that if you don’t have people who think about their constituents, there will be serious mismanagement. Hence, we consulted with our people and they all for now objected to it. Though, the issue of autonomy is good but let it be gradual. We have to hearken to the voice of our people. Like I said, we are not representing ourselves. Our people objected to its passage because, they argued that at the moment it might likely be abused, because democracy in Africa is evolving and we cannot start comparing ourselves with western democracy. So, let us build strong institutions first, and when the institutions are very strong, you can now do other things. That is why as speaker I want to build the Edo State House of Assembly to be a very strong institution.

Democracy can only survive when institutions, legislature, executive, judiciary, civil society, the press is strong and independent. But, when they are not strong, not independent and you jump the ladder and want to start doing things that hitherto ought to have been done and built under a strong institution, it will collapse. We met at the speakers’ conference with the presidential committee to enforce the autonomy including all states’ chief judges. We are still discussing. There are lots of issues to be addressed before autonomy; particularly, the financial autonomy can be practicable. For example, with the autonomy does it mean we now have three executives in a state? It would mean that a speaker of a state House of Assembly will embark on capital projects, with the chief judge of a state also embarking on capital projects alongside the governor of the state. So, we have to define the roles and it is when these roles are properly defined in a democracy that you can be talking of financial autonomy. So, with superior arguments, our people came, they discussed with us and we rejected it. So, it is not our decision per se. It is the decision of the Edo people because to them it is not yet time and we should build institutions first, very strong democratic institutions before we talk of financial autonomy.

Source: https://businessday.ng/politics/article/we-are-happy-to-answer-rubber-stamp-lawmakers-edo-assembly-speaker/

Buhari shouldn't intervene in this issue. It doesn't benefit him to stop NFIU. It their guidelines stick he gets credit. If the courts strike it down it's his fault since he didn't ask NFIU to intervene. The governor can let court decide if they feel the executive is overreaching.

I feel NFIU will win. The final solution is to get state assemblies to amend constitution. The president could eliminate security votes through Executive power. If he's interested in fight corruption and insecurity that's a place to start.

Governors of the 36 states under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, may take the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to court over its directive that they should not tamper with funds accruing to local government areas from the Federation Accounts, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

The decision to approach the court may, however, wait until the governors exploit their option to use dialogue to resolve the issue.

Our correspondent learnt that one of the means of dialogue reached at the meeting of the NGF in Abuja on Wednesday was for its leadership to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the NFIU directive.

The NGF, it was also learnt, discussed the possibility of meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to inform him about what they considered as the illegality of the NFIU’s directive.

The new Chairman of the NGF, who is also the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, told our correspondent that the possibility of approaching the court had not been ruled out on the matter.

But he added that the forum would explore all avenues before considering legal option.

“The possibility of approaching the court on the issue is high and has not been ruled out. But we will explore all the avenues for dialogue first. June 1, which the agency gave as the date for implementation of the directive to banks and the local government areas, is fast approaching,” Fayemi added.

Under Nigeria’s revenue sharing formula, the Federal Government takes 52.68 per cent from the federation account, the 36 states 26.72 per cent, while 20.60 per cent is handed to the 774 councils.

However, governors created a join account with local governments in their states through which they control what comes to the local government areas.

The NFIU, on May 1 issued a guideline to reduce vulnerabilities created by cash withdrawals from local government funds throughout the country.

The guideline, amongst others, seek to systematically restore councils financial autonomy.

It also limited the cash amount that could be withdrawn from any local government to N500,000 a day.

But the outgoing chairman of the NGF, who is also the Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, maintained that the NFIU order issued  governors not to touch revenues disbursed to local governments every month from the federation account, was unconstitutional.

He said they would take the matter to Buhari to let him know the agency constitutionally lacks power to issue such orders.

He had said after the NGF meeting on Wednesday, “The Forum is concerned with recent guidelines of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit which seeks to impose restriction on the powers of states and local governments to operate within constitutionally approved parameters.

“The new guidelines have no legal basis under the NFIU Act and are contrary to constitutional provisions which put the State Joint Local Government Account under the legislation of the state Houses of Assembly.

“The guidelines will also be detrimental to the interest of the states and local governments by crippling programmes such as the Universal Basic Education programme, Primary Health Care Under One Roof as well as the payment of the salaries of teachers, medical doctors and health workers among others which are primarily funded by state governments.”

Source: https://punchng.com/lg-funds-after-meeting-with-buhari-govs-may-sue-nfiu/

Bump

They're finally addressing their fault in the matter. It clear they dodnt have scanners at most of the airports. Now we know the scanners dont detevt drugs at kano International.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says scanners at some Nigerian Airports are not working optimally.

The official made this known before the ad-hoc committee set up by the Senate to look into circumstances that led to the arrest of Zainab Aliyu in Saudi Arabia in December 2018, over planting of a banned drug, Tramadol, in her luggage .

The committee was headed by Kabiru Gaya (APC-Kano).

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa, who is also Chairman designate of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NDC), alleged that some foreign airlines were running drug cartels in connivance with some Nigerians at international airports across the country.

"They operate alongside local collaborators. It is not Air Peace, not Arik Air," she said .

Meanwhile, the Airport Chief of Security of the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN), El-Yakub Lamir, disclosed that scanners at the Aminu Kano International Airport in particular, were not configured to detect drugs.

He said that there were 15 security agents involved in checking luggages at the point of entry and exit but that they had been reduced in number due to public complaints.

In his remarks, Mr Gaya, charged the officials of NDLEA to increase the number of sniffer dogs in all the international airports across the country to a significant figure to help detect drugs.

He further called on officials of FAAN to upgrade the scanner at the airports to detect drugs.

He commended Ms Aliyu's father for providing information on her arrest.

He assured that, as soon as the committee was done with its investigations, it would submit a report to the Senate before the end of the 8th National Assembly.

The Senate had mandated the adhoc committee to investigate alleged planting of banned drug in Ms Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar's bags, which led to their arrests in Saudi Arabia, for which she was detained for four months.

They were both let off when the Nigerian Government was able to establish that the drugs were planted in their bags by a drug cartel at the Aminu Kano International Airport where they boarded for Saudi Arabia.

Ms Aliyu, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, and Ibrahim Abubakar, were arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking.

Ms Aliyu was arrested in December 2018 at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina.(NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/331217-drug-trafficking-nigerian-airports-scanners-not-functioning-well-buharis-aide.html

naijaguy123456:
Who will enforce that ?

Police and or meter patrol i guess. Traffic tickets, car boot and towing will get people in line.

How does disorder and chaos benefit the masses. Parking cant be free in over crowded areas. It will cause gridlock and ruin free flow of traffic. Some people just like whining for sake of it.

Why only Abuja or does everyone else already have this powers?

The Senate at plenary on Thursday, concurred to a House of Representatives Bill seeking to establish the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) traffic management service.

The adoption followed the presentation of the bill entitled: "Directorate of Road Traffic Administration Service Bill, 2019" by the Leader of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

The bill sought to establish a directorate charged with the responsibility of enforcing parking laws as well as regulating road traffic management and motor vehicle administration within the FCT.

It further empowers the FCT Administration in collaboration with the FCT Internal Revenue Service, to embark on total enforcement of parking rules.

The directorate would also be responsible for producing and administering vehicles' and drivers' licences in collaboration with relevant federal agencies.

It would also regulate, register, revoke, license and renew motor vehicle documents including issuance of vehicle identification number plates within the FCT.

It would also conduct road worthiness test and issue such certificates to all categories of vehicles for the purposes of ridding the FCT of non-road worthy vehicles.

The directorate would also be responsible for the training and testing of drivers to ensure competence for issuance of drivers licence.

It would also regulate and enforce the use of bus stops and bus terminals, accredit driving schools while enforcing ban on the use of motorcycles as a means of public transport in the FCT among others.

Meanwhile, six other bills were equally adopted by the Senate.

They are - University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and Veterinary Specialist Hospital Abuja (Constitution 0f Boards) Bill, 2019, National Biosafety Management Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, National Biosafety Management Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and Defence Intelligence Agency Civilian Pension Board (est,etc) Bill 2019.

Also adopted are the University of Maiduguri Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Obafemi Awolowo University (Transitional Provisions) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

(NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/331368-senate-house-pass-bill-re-introducing-park-and-pay-in-abuja.html

The Bank of Agriculture announced it was joining forces with the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission to chase loan defaulters. As at the time of writing, there has been no major headway on this.

This would be an interesting FOI request. What're the loan requirements. I i want to know the percentage of defaulters, what states and why.

In 2018, it also approved a N60bn ($222m) subsidy programme to drive down the price of rice in the market.

Lol if Nigeria subsidizes rices, ban imports and provides low interest loans and smuggled rice is still cheaper it's gameover.

Nigeria's government is still pursuing the line that its rice self-sufficiency programme is a success, despite startling evidence to the contrary.

In Nigeria, as in many countries in West Africa, rice is a staple. When a crisis a decade ago caused an acute rice shortage imports rose dramatically, and while an estimated 71% of Nigerians work in agriculture the country has never managed to achieve self-sufficiency. Since 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has made rice self-sufficiency a flagship policy with a combination of farmer incentives and an import ban.

Nura Baure, chairperson of the Rice Farmers Association in Daura, Buhari’s hometown, is a staunch defender of the rice revolution. He told journalists last week that about 1,108 rice farmers in the locality were set to receive loans for 2019 under the first phase of the much-touted Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP). The second phase is scheduled to begin in June, with 5,800 beneficiaries.

The Central Bank of Nigeria set up the ABP in 2015 to empower farmers in cooperative societies to get loans at single-digit interest rates – far lower than those offered by conventional lenders. Buhari symbolically launched the initiative in November that year in Kebbi State – one of the states with the highest rice production capacity nationwide.

Government and tinted spectacles

To outward appearances the programme has been a true success – at least in the eyes of the government.

● Last year, Godwin Emefiele, governor of the central bank, announced that more than 2.5m jobshave been created since the advent of the scheme, with more than 862,000 farmers participating.

● In 2018, agriculture minister Audu Ogbeh also sensationally claimed that Nigeria’s rice revolution had led to a drastic fall in imports from Thailand, leading the Thai ambassador to come to his office bemoaning the closure of seven rice mills. The diplomat denied this, accusing Ogbeh of distorting the facts.

● Ogbeh’s colleague, the also-bespectacled Lai Mohammed, also claimed rice imports were declining. He refuted a US department of agriculture report that claimed Nigeria had imported 3m tonnes of rice in 2018, 400,000tn more than the previous year. “I want to say categorically, again – without fear of contradiction – that the Anchor Borrowers’ rice programme is working. Nigeria has been able to reduce by 90% the $1.65bn it was paying on rice importation. The number of integrated rice-processing mills increased from 13 to 25,” the information minister said in a statement.

Giant with feet of clay

According to Bloomberg, Nigeria was the world’s third-largest importer of rice in 2018.

On 21 May, Nigeria’s Premium Times released the results of a comprehensive investigation that showed the ABP had, in fact, spectacularly failed. An overwhelming majority of farmers had failed to pay back their loans. Another fraction never received the money.

● Apart from complaints about expired herbicide and bad seeds, it turned out that many of the farmers had been selected on the basis of political patronage and the monies were distributed in cash, rather than in bank accounts as stipulated to ensure the contribution of 5% as equity.

● According to a representative of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, “farmers collected loans and they thought it was national cake being distributed to them. There were some local government chairmen in the north that told them that they shouldn’t bother themselves to pay the money because, when they visited their farms, there wasn’t anything to show for the money they got.”

● Things got so bad that last June, the Bank of Agriculture announced it was joining forces with the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission to chase loan defaulters. As at the time of writing, there has been no major headway on this.

Still, the government is persisting with the implementation of the programme. This year’s new loans are proof of its relentlessness. In 2018, it also approved a N60bn ($222m) subsidy programme to drive down the price of rice in the market.

Bottom line:

Somehow, rice smuggling still thrives despite the government ban, and foreign rice brands, which are preferred by many Nigerians, remain more affordable than the local ones. It might pay for Abuja to be more introspective and to probe why it is cheaper to buy a commodity imported and smuggled into the country by any means possible than its homegrown version.

Source: https://www.theafricareport.com/13228/nigerias-obsession-with-rice-and-the-bottomless-subsidy-pit/

State assemblies can create and dissolve traditional institutions at will. They're creations of the state and funded by them. The only factor is it politically wise to do so. I doubt this development will cause any emotional distress like the splitting of Kano Emirate.

The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill for the creation of an additional Emirate Council to be known as Bazai Emirate.

This followed a bill presented to the House by the executive earlier read on the floor of the House by the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Abubakar Gummi, asking for the creation of the Bazai Emirate out of the present Shinkafi Emirate.

The bill also asked the law makers to upgrade the Senior District Head of Jangeru also in Shinkafi to a third class Emir and Kayayen Mafara to a Senior District Head in Talata-Mafara Emirate.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Assembly set up a committee last Monday to commence processes for the creation or otherwise of the new emirate and titles under the committee to be chaired by member representing Bungudu East in the assembly, Ibrahim Kwatarkwashi.

The committee presented its report on Tuesday after which the motion passed through its second and third reading, presided over by Mr Gummi.

The deputy speaker then said both the creation of Bazai Emirate and the upgrading of the statutes of the district heads in Shinkafi and Talata-Mafara had now been passed.

He then directed the Clark of the house to communicate the house decision to the executive for assent.

The new emirate will bring the number of emirate councils to 18 from the 14 local government areas of the state.

(NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/331093-zamfara-creates-new-emirate.html

Front Page: Lalasticlala

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According to the governor-elect, there was no truth that Okorocha had released N150m to his inauguration and handover committee for the May 29 program.

Lol that's petty.

Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri

Governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha, has said that the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has not released a dime for his swearing-in on May 29.

Ihedioha, who spoke in a statement issued by the secretary of his inauguration and handover committee, Ray Emeana, who doubles as the secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, said that the governor had refused to finance the inauguration activities.

According to the governor-elect, there was no truth that Okorocha had released N150m to his inauguration and handover committee for the May 29 program.

The statement read partly “Governor Rochas Okorocha has not released any money to the Emeka Ihedioha Inauguration Planning And Handover Committee.

“For the avoidance of doubts, Governor Rochas Okorocha and his outgoing government have not released any money to the Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee. The committee has not requested for any money either. Rather, the joint committee made up of the 31–member Ihediohia team and the 21–member Rochas Okorocha team met and adopted common resolutions on how best to proceed with the inauguration activities. Rochas Okorocha has since abandoned the mutual resolutions and proceeded with his “Internet-based Commissioning of Internet Sited Projects.

“Conscious of the importance Imo people attach to the May 29, 2019 handover date, the Ihedioha/Irona inauguration committee has proceeded with arrangements to deliver a world-class inauguration to Imo people come May 29, 2019.

“Arrangements to ensure this delivery include such activities such as providing clean environments within and around event venues including the Dan Anyiam and Grass Hoppers Handball stadia.

“Indeed, Imo is already agog with excitement. Currently, Owerri is the destination of choice for prominent Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. The hotels are fully booked. Flights into Owerri are filled up. The venues for the various programmes are wearing new and fresh looks.

“We can understand the frustrations of Governor Okorocha and the remnants of his e-rats, having realized that their efforts to derail the swearing-in of His Excellency, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha and Hon (Engr) Gerald Irona as Imo State Governor and Deputy Governor respectively have failed woefully.”

Source: https://punchng.com/okorocha-hasnt-released-money-for-my-inauguration-says-imo-gov-elect/

Bump

Based on his performance do you guys think he should retain his job?

Arguably, no ministry can boast of being in the news in the last four years more than the agric ministry, being headed by Chief Audu Ogbeh.

He is known for making numerous policy pronouncements with some feasible and many not.

Ironically, one of the major achievements this administration swanks with is the agricultural sector. Since assuming office, the present administration had initiated number of projects that are expected to power the wheel of economic diversification from the troubled oil sector.

Six months of taking over the mantle of leadership, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Anchor Borrowers' Programme for Rice and wheat in Kebbi State.

The programme was designed and financed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through a fraction of the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Fund at a single-digit of 9% (nine percent) interest rate loan to farmers.

Anchor Borrowers' Programme doing the magic

By October 2018, it was estimated that the programme has created 2.5 million direct jobs according to President Buhari with additional 1 million more indirect jobs also said to be created with a total number of 862,069 farmers cultivating about 835,239 hectares of land producing different crops.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele while addressing Banker Forum in Lagos said that many Nigerians are taking advantage of the administration's agric policies to venture into the domestic production of the 41 restricted items with remarkable successes and great positive impact on employment.

Rice is the star as other crops struggling

One of the crops under the ABP that has become the start of the administration is rice.

A president task force on rice and wheat headed by the Governor of Kebbi state Alhaji Atiku Bagudu was also inaugurated in 2016 with the specific objectives of creating production targets for rice and wheat in the participating states to determine the scope and particulars for government support needed towards the attainment of the set targets, and to consider and proffer the best off-take and marketing arrangements that will encourage maximum effort among the farmers/millers among others.

Aminu Goronyo, who is the National President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, said the ABP was the best thing that happened to the rice industry in the country as its production has increased to about eight million metric tonnes by 2019 from 5.5 million tonnes in 2015.

The increase in domestic production has forced down the rice import bill by almost 90 percent, according to Chief Audu Ogbeh, the country's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and figure from the CBN.

Although rice import is the ban by land borders, smuggling activities massively continue on the nation's porous borders-a situation that put pains in the heart of local producers and processors who continue to accuse some custom officials of abetting the activities.

While rice shines, wheat producers are crying of neglect despite launching rice and wheat task force together.

Alhaji Salim Mohammad, National President of Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria while speaking on the issue with Daily Trust said more focus on rice leads to less attention on wheat leaving the farmers at the mercy of flour millers who are the major buyers and offer ridiculous prices that does not commiserate the cost of production.

Also, the Maize Association Nigeria (MAAN), President Alhaji Bello Abubakar Funtua, said in 2018, a total of 38,000 farmers cultivating 55,000 hectares across nineteen (19) states in the country benefited from the CBN programme.

He stated that the total money assessed by maize farmers under the ABP is N9.3 billion across the country, adding that they produce more 20 million metric tonnes.

The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative

One of the major milestone in the fertilizer industry is since the coming of this administration was the bilateral agreement signed in December 2016 between the King of Morocco, His Royal Majesty Mohammed VI, and President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja during a visit of the former to Nigeria.

Under the agreement, OCP, a Moroccan state-owned company, which is a world leader in phosphate, is supplying phosphate to Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers of Nigeria (FEPSAN) for the domestic blending of NPK Fertiliser starting in 2017.

President Buhari in 2017 independence broadcast said; "Since December 2017, this Administration has produced over seven million 50Kg bags of fertilizer. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150 million in foreign exchange and N60 billion in subsidy. Fertilizer prices have dropped from N13,000 per 50Kg bag to N5,500."

However many farmers who spoke to Daily Trust said the fertilizer is not available everywhere and where it is available, the prices are often above the N5,500 to N6000-N7000 leaving many farmers unable to afford.

The yam export

Early in 2017, Ogbeh was quoted to have said that Nigerians could not finish the yams being produced in the country and that there was need to begin the export of the tuber produce.

He said, "we don't even eat all the yam we produce, most of it goes to waste." His statement attracted mixed reaction from the public, with some questioning if we have enough to eat domestically or is the export so important at the moment. But true to his words, the country started the first export on June 29, 2017 even though it reportedly met a brick wall soon after that as the produce was rejected in Europe for failing to meet export standard.

Ogbeh's many unfulfilled policy promises

Agric minister, Chief Audu Ogeh, a farmer himself has made many policy announcements, which according to him, will make the country self-sufficient in a very near future.

However, many of these pronouncements are usually dumped at the point where they are made.

Where are the Brazillian grasses?

Prominent among his promises is the grassing up of the 50,000 hectares of the grazing reserves with imported Brazilian grass seeds. None of the grazing reserves in the country saw those seeds and the battle between farmers and herdsmen ranges on.

What about his imported semen to impregnate our cows?

The minister also promised to import semen from abroad to impregnate our local cows in a bit to improve the local breeds for better milk and meat. Since making that promise, nothing has happened and it seems many of the female cows are still yearning to be impregnated.

Graduates willing to take part in Ogbeh's graduate farming scheme may still have to wait

Another promise was the provision of 5,000 of the 15,000 hectares of farm land in Kwali Area Council of the FCT for the youths, which Ogbeh himself visited along with journalists to assess. According to him, the land will be shared to graduate farmers interested in engaging in agriculture. Part of the land today is given to a coy for banana production. However, the graduate farming scheme promised didn't see the light of the day.

Cocoa farmers still waiting for their 6 million seedlings

Also, the minister had promised to provide six million cocoa seedlings to farmers in the south and western part of the country. The programme is still yet to be launched years after making the pronouncement.

Where is the replacement for Jonathan's GES?

The ministry also announced a replacement of the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) introduced by the immediate past administration for getting subsidized farm inputs to farmers through their mobile. Ogeh announced that Agricultural Input and Mechanization Supply (AIMS) to be established in all 774 local governments of the federation will replaced the scheme. However, the rainy season has begun in earnest but farmers spoken to say they cannot find such offices in their local government areas.

Creating cattle colonies

Chief Audu Ogbeh had announced that the present administration would establish cattle colonies for herders to check incessant crises between them and the farmers.

Daily Trust reports that this plan was included in the 10-year National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) approved by the Federal Economic Council early this year.

But since then, no cattle colony exists as at today-something the government must urgently look at as the rainy season, which is the heightened period of the conflict approaches.

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/counting-the-gains-and-pains-of-ogehs-many-agric-policies.html

"The state government spends N994 million per annum to treat and discharge water to Gombe metropolis, but majority of the populace are not paying their water bills," a source said.

If they dont pay cut off their service. What's your other option other than to bleed money.

States need expand water utilities to cover the whole state. Currently there's no Local government that's 100% by water board. Its weird how they cry about getting more power yet ignore areas where they seem to full control. NOIpolls say only 17% of respondents said they get water from public source. 3% of that total get it from public tap.

https://www.noi-polls.com/images//13.JPG
https://www.noi-polls.com/images//3.JPG

Residents in various states have continued to groan over the scarcity of water.

Last week, the Katsina State House of Assembly summoned the Commissioner for Water Resources, Salisu Gambo Dandume, to appear before it today as many residents rely on water vendors for their daily needs.

Lack of pipe-borne water in the Katsina metropolis and environs is believed to be due to the breakdown of water pumping machines at Ajiwa Water Works.

A resident, Malam Yusuf Ahmed of Layout Kofar Kaura in the city, said water vendors are exploiting the situation.

"Just imagine a truck with a dozen 25 litre gallons that we used to buy for N250 is now N500. That is if you are lucky to see the vendor. They are hot commodities now".

The state water board has been distributing water, using tankers, to the metropolis.

The Managing Director of the board, Babangida Mohammed, said 13 trucks were used daily to supply water twice in the town.

The commissioner said yesterday that water scarcity would soon be over as "government has procured new pumping machines and will, by next tomorrow (Tuesday) complete their installation".

In Kano State, areas like Gandu, Dakata, Yan Kaba and Zango, lack water. A resident of Gandu lamented that they had not seen tap water for almost a year. One of them, Mukhtar Isah, said: "Many of our houses have dug wells and that has been what we have been using for our water supply".

Residents of Sabon Gari said for over two years, the authorities had been trying to fix the water supply in the area. Tadeola Benson said the area had been in limbo due to lack of tap water for years.

In Gombe State, water scarcity is biting hard in Gombe metropolis and its suburbs, including few areas connected to the state regional water scheme, forcing residents to rely on commercial boreholes at exorbitant prices. The most affected areas are Tudun Wada, Bolari, Pantami, Herwagana, Kumbiya-Kumbiya, Jekadafari and Malam Inna.

Highbrow areas like GRA, New GRA, Federal Low Cost, Buba Shongo, Shongo Housing Estate, Orji Estate and Abuja Quarters are also suffering the water scarcity as residents, mostly wealthy people and politicians, rely on commercial water tankers.

"The state government spends N994 million per annum to treat and discharge water to Gombe metropolis, but majority of the populace are not paying their water bills," a source said.

In Yobe State, residents of Damaturu and its environs, said the recent collapse of the national grid had caused water scarcity as most of the boreholes, replied upon for water, could not function

But the General Manager of the state water corporation, Ahmed Usman, said: "Our boreholes are all working, the government is supporting us, our files get express approval from the governor. Monthly, we use 50,640 litres of diesel for our 82 boreholes and enhance water supply to our consumers in Damaturu".

In Kogi State, many rural communities are still having challenges in accessing potable water.

Residents of Lokoja and its environs faced acute water scarcity sometimes in March and April this year due to shutdown of the Greater Lokoja Water Works caused by mechanical issues.

However, reports that the issues have been resolved and water supply has since been restored to the public.

In Bayelsa State, most of the sources of drinking water are polluted, denying residents access to potable water as they depend on boreholes and water vendors.

Residents in Yenagoa are pleading with the state government to invest in water project.

In Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital and many rural areas in the state lack water. Areas worst hit are Ita - Eko, Sapon, Agbeloba, Ojere, Qarry Road, Isabo, Amolaso and Isale Igbein.

Residents of Amolaso, Abeokuta South Local Government, rely on the stream in the area which is a stone's throw to the Government House, Isale-Igehin, for washing and bathing.

A resident of Abeokuta, Segun Adesanya, said he spent a minimum of N3,000 on 2,500 litres of water in four weeks; while a student of Mashood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Wale David, said: "We had hoped that the rain would bring respite, but this has not happened."

But an expert in Water Engineering, Wole Adekoya, blamed water scarcity on population explosion, saying "It is everybody's responsibility to provide water. Government and citizens have roles to play. It's common knowledge that there is water scarcity in many areas, especially in Ogun State. And unfortunately, the little water that is available is being shared by the large population. So, population growth has contributed to the water scarcity".

In Rivers State, our correspondent reports that there is no functional public tap water system in Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, Oyigbo, Eleme, Etche and other parts of the state, making residents to rely on boreholes and water vendors.

Rural dwellers, who are the worst hit, rely on streams and creeks to meet their daily water needs.

Water vendors in the state make brisk business as they move from house to house to supply water to those in dire need.

This was despite the last year's inauguration of a water corporation committee by the state government with a charge to ensure sufficient water in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/residents-groan-as-water-scarcity-persists-in-states.html

Banter1:
are you happy with the way this governors are looting the LG treasury and starving the LG of their funds? If yes, then it's safe to say you're a very wicked person.

Are you dense, lor purposelessly missing the point? If yes you're a dumb person. I said the state assemblies need to pass local government autonomy.

The governor could win if they challenge this in court. The constitution gave them such powers hence the need for the amendment.

Section 162 (6), (7) and ( 8 ) of the 1999 Constitution offer some directions as to the legality of the state government to withhold or deduct from the local government’s share of the allocation.

(6) Each State shall maintain a special account to be called “State Joint Local Government Account” into which shall be paid allocations to the local government councils of the state from the Federation Account and from the government of the state.

(7) Each State shall pay to local government councils in its area of jurisdiction such proportion of its total revenue on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.

( 8 ) “The amount standing to the credit of local government councils of a state shall be distributed among the local government councils of that state and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the State not for the other.

BabaOwen:
What's the latest about states house of assemblies voting for local government?

They're dragging their feet. Most of the ststes wont vote up down leaving it unresolved.

They have good case if they challenged it in court. It doesn't matter either way. The prresure should be in state assemblies to vote for LG autonomy amendment. These amendments should have been an election issue but whatever.

Please dont say it's the governors stopping the state assemblies. When it was time to give themselves and state judiciary autonomy it happened quick.

voted for LG autonomy: Benue, Plateau, Niger, Bauchi, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Kwara and Ogun

Voted Against LG autonomy: Edo, Rivers and Imo

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from forcing states to stay off allocations meant for local government areas.

This was as the speakers of some state Houses of Assembly ask their governors to challenge the NFIU in court for meddling in states’ affairs.

Speaking with newsmen on Saturday, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Speakers’ Forum, Mr John Gaul-Lebo, described the NFIU as “meddlesome interlopers”, adding that the federal agency was going into an area it had no jurisdiction over.

Gaul-Lebo said, “They are meddlesome interlopers. They are going into an area they have no jurisdiction over and my advice is that the Federal Government and the National Assembly should focus more on creating a true constitutional autonomy for local government areas.

“Under the constitution, enactment of laws for local governments is under the purview of the state government via the House of Assembly. On the June 1 deadline, I believe the governors will challenge this in court and declare it illegal.

Source: https://www.herald.ng/lg-autonomy-governors-petition-buhari-want-to-retain-control-over-local-governments-allocations/amp/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DTUrrFg96Q

Lol these guys are funny. Cigarettes abd alchohol are more dangerous.

According to him, the port was concession to the company since 2006 and has made remarkable progress in terms of development.

Lol remarkable in what sense. The picture here doesn't look impressive compared to Kaduna or plateau dry port. Good luck on that loan though.

By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni

The Concessionaire of Funtua Inland Dry Port (FID) on Thursday said over 20 million dollars intervention fund would be needed to get the port operational within a year.

Mr Usman Iya-Abbas, the Managing Director of Equatorial Marine Oil and Gas Company Limited disclosed this during the inspection of the port with the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in Katsina.

According to him, the port was concession to the company since 2006 and has made remarkable progress in terms of development.

He, however, said that the devaluation of naira against dollar over the years affected the progress and the total cost to get it operational.

Iya-Abbas said that the initial cost of the project was put at about three billion dollars, but with the current exchange rate it was more than that.

“Initially, when the project started the feasibility study that was done, then, the entire budget was three billion dollars but as it is today, the devaluation of Naira over the years,

“The cost has really gone up beyond what it was initially estimated; before Naira was 170 to dollar, but today we know how much Naira is to dollar.

“If you do that, you will realise that the prices has really gone up and that is why we are approaching ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development located in Lome.

“They have come to inspect and to see the possibility of extending the facilities for the operations. We are looking at facilities between 20 and 50 million dollars.

“It depends on what type of intervention they can make, based on their assessment, we are hoping that after the exercise they can give us between 15 to 20 million dollars,“ he said.

He, however, said that once they get the intervention within six months to a year the dry port would commence operation.

“NSC has being very supportive to facilitate the work, the state government has being very cooperative; they have added some infrastructure to the port.

“They have also constructed the access road to the terminal and land acquisition.

“ Developing a port involves huge capital, cost from the purchase of equipment, to the infrastructure; we have spent a lot and we are ready to spend more.

“Initially, we had other investors like Golf Engineering Company in Germany; they indicated interest initially, with other local investors including the Chinese, and so we are hopeful.

“If we are able to get the financing between six months to a year, we will start operation because as it is now, the basic infrastructure has being laid, what is left is the trailer parks and ICT infrastructure.

However, the Director, North East Zone, NSC, Mrs Karimatu Othman said that the Funtua dry port was one of the port that shippers council oversee.

She said that the inspection was carried out to check the progress of work so far, stating that the major challenge limiting the progress was funds.

According to her, the concessionaire is in discussion with other international investors to get the funds needed for the project.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Funtua dry port is one of the seven Inland Dry Port approved by the Federal Government to be established under Public Private Partnership.

Others are located at IsialaNgwa in Aba, Erunmu in Ibadan, Heipang in Jos, Zawachiki in Kano, Zamfarawa in Funtua, Jauri in Maiduguri and ICNL in Kaduna. (NAN)

Source: https://www.nan.ng/news/funtua-dry-port-needs-over-20m-for-completion-concessionaire/amp/