₦airaland Forum

Reps query N155bn fuel subsidy in 2012 budget proposal

BY BEN AGANDE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE
ABUJA — THE leadership of House of Representatives, yesterday, raised eye brows over the insertion of N155 billion by the Federal Government in the 2012 budget proposal for payment of fuel subsidy arrears, in addition to the N1.3 trillion spent as at September 2011.

The Farouk Lawan-led ad-hoc Committee on Subsidy Regime asked Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance to provide the bank statements, details of quantum of crude oil extracted, volume of PMS consumed per day and relevant documents on the payment of fuel subsidy from Federal Ministry of Finance as well as the unilateral withdrawal of revenues generated from the Joint Venture Cash Calls by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, without recourse to the National Assembly.

Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, RMFAC, Mr Elias Mbam, in the document presented to the ad-hoc committee during the investigative sitting, disclosed that “as of now, the management of subsidy is not clearly defined between the NNPC, PPPRA, Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Ministry of Finance.”

Earlier, Mr Makinde Olarotimi, who worked in NNPC for 20 years, queried the failure of the Federal Government to implement the bilateral agreement signed with some oil producing countries, OPEC members, who have refineries, noting that the implementation of the bilateral agreement would reduce the high cost of refining crude oil and cost of production.

Olarotimi said the N1.3 trillion fuel subsidy claim by the Federal Government as against N245 billion provided in the 2011 fiscal framework was debatable.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala in her presentation, frowned at the spate of corruption in the administration of subsidy regime and operations of revenue generating agencies and disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the setting up of a committee to ensure that all revenues generated were remitted into the federation account.

On his part, Bright Okogu, Director-General of Budget Office, said the N155 billion provided in the 2012 budget proposal was in anticipation of the payment to oil marketers as at December 2011, adding that the N245 billion provided in the 2011 fiscal framework was a notional figure and that the Federal Government envisaged deregulation of the downstream of the oil sector.

He said about N500 billion was provided for in the previous year for subsidy and there was no way Federal Government could “know how much of subsidy you will need because it depends on international price of crude oil, exchange and other factors.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/reps-query-n155bn-fuel-subsidy-in-2012-budget-proposal/

EFCC swoops on PPPRA, carts away files

ABUJA — Following a directive by the Federal Government for the immediate review and investigation into all payments made in respect of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and kerosene, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, swooped on the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA.

PPPRA is the agency saddled with the responsibility of ensuring petroleum products availability, moderating price volatility as well as regulating activities of operators in the petroleum industry.

Acting Head of Media and Publicity in the Commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed the operation to our correspondent in Abuja, said the EFCC would also visit other government agencies involved in the management of the nation’s oil and gas resources.

Uwujaren noted that EFCC operatives visited the PPPRA “in line with the invitation from the Minister of Petroleum Resources to investigate the process of subsidy payments on petroleum products. This is only the first step in our investigation.

“We shall also be visiting other agencies and corporations that manage oil and gas resources on behalf of the country, as well as the marketers of the petroleum products.”

He, however, would not confirm if any arrests were made so far by the Commission, stressing that the operation at PPPRA was only the first leg of “a long and rigorous investigation into the activities of these agencies that regulate petroleum products production and distribution in the country.”

As part of the outcome of negotiations by the Federal Government and organized labour over the removal of subsidy, the government promised to clamp down on alleged acts of corruption within the petroleum industry.

This led to approval by President Goodluck Jonathan for the anti-graft agency to review all payments made in respect of subsidies on PMS and kerosene, and to take all necessary steps prosecute any incidence of malfeasance, fraud, over-invoicing, and related illegalities in an open and transparent manner.

According to the letter dated January 12, 2012, addressed to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, and signed by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Commission is to “immediately review and investigate all payments made in respect of subsidies checked against actual importations and to take all necessary steps to prosecute any persons involved in any incidence of malfeasance, fraud, over-payments and related illegalities.”

It noted that the Federal Government has over the years run a subsidy regime in petroleum imports where the difference between the cost of importation and the pump price is paid for by the government to pre-approved oil marketing companies and importers.

“Over the years, this bill has grown exponentially to unsustainable levels,” Alison-Madueke observed, adding that as Petroleum Minister, she has been extremely concerned with the figures.

She added that, “Following the recent transfer of the PPPRA to my ministry last year, I have moved quickly to change management and inaugurate a comprehensive reform process which include drastic cuts in the list of importers, review of payments and procedures, as well as massive redeployment of staff within the agency.”

The Minister further noted that she has set up a unit within her Ministry to be headed by an independent auditor to review the KPMG and other audit reports on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and other parastatals and to immediately begin implementation of their findings.

“I am en-paneling another unit in my office to begin a comprehensive review of the management and controls within all parastatals and in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, including but not limited to NNPC, PPPRA and DPR. Accordingly, I expect a report in 30 days to enable us take further action reforming management, personnel, and other practices and procedures in parastatals within the Ministry,” Alison-Madueke added.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/efcc-swoops-on-pppra-carts-away-files/

Hope General Jonathan will listen

Troops deployment: A gross betrayal – Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, also decried the deployment of soldiers especially in Lagos and wondered whether it was part of the deal Labour reached with government.

Demanding immediate withdrawal of the soldiers, Soyinka described their deployment as “an intolerable act of provocation that has taken underhand advantage of the willingness of the people to negotiate and give the government a breathing space” and makes absolute nonsense of the Belgore machinery for resolution that was set up, even before it has commenced work.

“It has turned future dialogue into negotiation under the gun, which is nothing but a charade and will only be challenged at no distant date.”

He urged Labour and Civil society to boycott further talks with the government until the soldiers were withdrawn.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/troops-deployment-a-gross-betrayal-soyinka/

General Jonathan

Thank you Fashola. Eko o ni baje.

What is the problem with GEJ? Why is he afraid of people talking and expressing their grievances  ? These guys were not breaking any rules for God's sake neither were they carrying any weapon  

lol You need to offer a sacrifice to appease the gods

lol 

You go fear fear if awon iya just decide to 'fa e leti', cos that might mean your 'sontin' failing in the presence of battle for like 6 months or your sontin stand gidigba for 3 months even when there are no battles to fight  

Jonathan, Jonathan. . . Oh Jonathan . . . Please take your father's advice o. . . or IBB no be him father again?

Katsumoto:
Mo ti ba awon agba jeun. In my family, there are Ifa worshippers, Roman Catholics, Santeria and Candomble ardent worshippers. I am covered on all fronts. Don't try me or I will attack you on all fronts. Gba bi mo ti so. I will tell you why I have read all books published by Wande Abimbola, Babatunde Lawal, Eliade, and Mae Menininha do Gantois as well as visiting/worshipping,

Naijababe - E ki lo fun man yi.

Yeye, if you like go and learn about Osanyin, then learn about Osun, Orunmila, Sango, Ogun, Oya ati bebe lo, you will always be an ara ile awo. Omo awo is different from ara ile awo.

A ki nfi omo ore bo ore. Abinibi yato si ability. . . Go figure!

Whao! So an advice this beautiful can come out of an evil genius

Is he being honest or just seeking relevance?

IBB to Jonathan: Begin restructuring of the country now

…asks President to reduce cost of running govt

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Henry Umoru

ABUJA - Erstwhile Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to seize the opportunity offered by the ongoing national strike to initiate the restructuring of the federation.

Babangida in his third intervention since the removal of the alleged subsidy in the price of petrol said the President must use this opportunity to redefine the duties and obligations of the tiers of government.

Praising the quiet resolve of the protesters, Babangida said as Nigeria’s ruler for eight years, who faced 11 civil eruptions, he was never favoured with the kind of controlled and quiet protest President Jonathan has faced in the last seven days.

Babangida also said the unanimity of the protesters against the administration showed that Nigerians were determined to live together irrespective of cultural and religious differences.

Babangida’s intervention in a statement by his media spokesman, Prince Kassim Afegbua read:

“In my retirement home here in Minna, Niger State, North Central of Nigeria, I have been watching with responsible interest the unfolding scenario about our dear nation and the reactions which trailed government’s removal of subsidy on oil. The maturity exhibited by the protesters coupled with their orderly conduct has since become an innovation in Nigeria with respect to protestations and demonstrations.

“As a former Military President who survived 11 of such public anger, I should be in a better position to appreciate the maturity of the one under reference. I also feel a sense of pride seeing our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters express such uncommon love and solidarity during the protest.”

Obviously referring to his past missives which he claimed had been rubbished by presidential aides, the former military president urged Jonathan to build a legacy for himself and the country by using the dissension to redefine the nation’s federation.

He said: “If my opinion will not be misconstrued again by government spin-doctors and naysayers, I would rather call on President Goodluck Jonathan to seize the moment by legitimately embarking on complete restructuring of the country in order to put into practice the real principles of a Federation.

“There is too much power concentration at the centre, thus weakening the comparative abilities of the federating units at generating wealth for their constituents. History will be kind on Mr. President if he takes this bold step at ensuring the practice of true federalism.

“My very honest advice is that President Goodluck Jonathan should commence the process of devolving powers from the centre to the federating units, states and local governments, in order to gain sufficient time and concentration on several other developmental issues that would help move the nation forward.

“Let me reiterate the strong need for Mr. President to commence the process of practising fiscal federalism in the area of power devolution, anti-corruption crusade, attitudinal re-orientation, bureaucratic reforms, slim government, unicameral legislature and transparency in governance.

Cost of running govt

“As a part of this restructuring, the Federal Government must commence the process of cutting down on cost of running government by ensuring that a slim and tidy bureaucracy is put in place. The weaknesses in the present arrangement have since been exposed and have to be discarded to accommodate new thinking in global managerial dynamics.

Anti-corruption crusade
“Government’s anti-corruption crusade must be given teeth in such a transparent and accountable manner devoid of political witch hunt, favouritism and executive interference. Our anti-corruption crusade must have identifiable set goals with measured impact assessment so that the citizenry will buy into the programme without let or hindrance. Once the crusade on anti-corruption is set on the right footing, it will go a long way to mitigate incidences of corruption and corrupt practices in both public and private sectors of our economy.”

“I feel strongly that this new thinking should occupy the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan in his transformation agenda in his determination to make an impression in governance with a marked departure from old practices.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/ibb-to-jonathan-begin-restructuring-of-the-country-now/

awelewah:
I have been looking for a way of getting the form as I'm currently not in the country.
Can anyone with a scanned copy please send one to my email awelewah@hotmail.com.

olaife80:
[color=#006600][/color]
Hi OAM4J
I also need a copy of d form. olaife80@yahoo.com. Thanks nd God bless

Sent.

Where is Isale gan2?

I hope she has not been occupied  


Olaaaa . . . Olaaaaa ooooo. . . hmnnnnnn. . . Where is my sister o? It's occupy Nigeria not occupy Isale o  

Katsumoto:
See this yeye Orange Juice guy. Kasu ko Kasumu ni. 

In fact Kasumu is your name from now on.  Lagbara awon to laiye, lagbara awon Iya, eyi to mo yi, aro a ro mo. Ase!

Kilode

The occupy movement needs a charismatic leader to turn the occupy into a revolution against corrupt practices. I think the protests will fizzle out in the next few days and not much would have been achieved.

May I suggest you hire a foreign mercenary revolutionist similar to how Che helped turn the Cuban revolution. I know quite a few who would do it for free. Dem plenty for my side. 

Honestly I hope it wont just fizzle out like that . I sincerely wish Nigerians can seize the opportunity to demand for the structural changes we need. This is more than just subsidy removal.

Katsumoto:
This girl put a smile on my face.

[flash=600,600]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAoLBCmB_Ms[/flash]

I was moved when I first saw it too. 

We will defend Jonathan with our blood", Says Asari-Dokubo

A new slant may have been introduced into the on-going mass action against subsidy removal, as some civil society groups in the Niger Delta have coalesced to rally support for the government's position.

On Thursday, Asari Dokubo, former militant leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) led a peaceful rally of a sizeable crowd, threatening to defend the position of President Jonathan. According to him, should PENGASSAN carried out its threat to shut oil production from today, he would rally former militants, to take over and ensure that PENGASSAN does not return. At the weekend, a coalition that called itself Deltans Occupy Niger Delta Resources (NDONDR), in a communiqué said it would take its resources back, by all legal means available to it.

The release signed by Ankios Briggs, President Agape Birthrights and convener of the (NDONDR) reads, "Niger Delta and oil resources found in the Niger Delta belong to Niger Delta people. All resources found in any other region of Nigeria belong to the people of such region. We call on all our Niger Delta people, for the sake of our future to look to our nearest neighbours, the Ibos for immediate and strong alliance, to enable the Niger Delta nations and the Igbo nation to face the obvious change that will come to Nigeria, in strength, justice, brotherhood and truth.

"If Jonathan, a Niger Delta son, is not good enough to govern Nigeria, the oil in his Niger Delta is not good enough for Nigeria. If the Niger Delta people are not good enough to be part of good governance in Nigeria, then our oil and gas of the Niger Delta peoples is not good enough for Nigeria."

In the South-South region and the South-East generally, most stakeholders seem indifferent on petrol subsidy removal. Dissenting voices had not been allowed to publicly air their views through peaceful demonstrations. It is difficult to assess the true position of the common man from the area.

Those who attempted to demonstrate were either threatened with "no work, no pay" or coerced by the law enforcement agencies to stay off the streets in their own interest. Despite such intimidation, some angry protesters still prang into major roads in Edo and Delta states to register their grievances.

However, in Bayelsa, the home state of Jonathan, protesters alleged that they were denied their rights to peaceful procession on the streets to register their disappointment and disapproval of the federal government's subsidy removal.

At first, the reason adduced for shutting out the protesters who had earlier been granted police permit, was simply given as the political tension in the state and the fragile state of security in the nation which could be hijacked by hoodlums to cause trouble.

Consequent upon thus, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and its counterpart, Trade Union Congress ordered their members to observe their protest by sitting quietly in their homes while their officials went out to monitor and ensure strict compliance with the strike directive.

A few days, however, some ex-militants seeking inclusion into the amnesty programme, stormed Yenagoa, protested along the Major Chief Melford Okilo way in total support of the federal government's action.

The protest was staged barely 48-hours after some prominent figures from the South-South took sides with government on the matter and even alleged a plot to assassinate the president and some eminent persons in his administration.

The ex-militants led by one Julius Joseph, marched through the city in support of the fuel subsidy removal from the Opolo area of the state capital to terminate at the Government House gate under the watchful eyes of the police.

According to them, Nigerians must begin to see that Jonathan is trying hard to secure their future from poverty, hunger and captivity of joblessness. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the policy is established.

Before the foregoing, the Ijaw leaders, under the aegis of South-South Leaders' Forum, led by Chief Edwin Clark, had met with a resolve to queue behind Jonathan on the removal of fuel subsidy while they accused anti-subsidy promoters from other regions of the country of plotting the downfall of their kinsman.

Expectedly, also the helmsman of the Niger-Delta Volunteer Force, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, on air to show his support for subsidy removal, warning those against the Jonathan administration to stay clear or face a stiff opposition from people of the oil-rich region.

In the estimation of the former militant, the move of many Nigerians against the federal government was meant to discriminate the leadership of a helpless minority of Ijaw decent, as such he (Dokubo) threatened to personally spearhead the northern region mass protest to defend their son from the arrogant northern majority whom he claimed want to make the country ungovernable.

Dokubo seems to believe that the fight was merely beyond subsidy removal which he described is in the best interest of the entire society, and so does the Ijaw Youth council who in recent times have under different shades advanced reasons for their stand on the issue.

Vice President of the IYC, central zone, Rawlings Ezetu, who denied that their support for Mr President was based on ethnic affiliation, rather, "we are supporting the president because the policy to remove subsidy would benefit every one of us".

Also speaking to Sunday Trust, the national leader of the ex-militants seeking inclusion into the amnesty, General Ramsey Umukoro, said despite their predicament, they were pro-subsidy and urged Nigerians to embrace the policy.

Umukoro whose group recently blocked and caused a traffic snarl along the Lokoja-Abuja highway, told our correspondent on telephone that he was totally in agreement with the rally held Friday in Yenagoa as a mark of their support for the federal government on the subsidy removal.

When asked if the protest was intended to curry Jonathan's sympathy to have them included in the amnesty programme, the ex-militant refused to admit. Instead, he noted, "it is in the interest of the whole country, we have taken time to analyse the policy and have seen that it is good if we (Nigerians) can brave it. In a short while, we shall reap the dividends".

A human rights activist, Morris Alagoa, however differs in his assertion about the manner in which the civil society groups were disallowed protest whereas those supporting the government posture were escorted by the police to stage a protest.

"This is the beauty of democracy, a scenario where people are allowed the expression of their views on national and regional issues of public importance. Sadly, while the pro-subsidy removal groups were allowed to occupy the roads in Yenagoa, those of us who saw things from a different angle were obviously disallowed by the same police who gave them cover.

"We are fully aware that Mr President is an Ijaw and from Bayelsa State, and that has made some of us not to see beyond ethnic interests on this national matter. While Nigerians from all walks of life would have had no problem with the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government, other national indices such as corruption in the oil industry, poor management of the nation's resources at all tiers of government render the policy unacceptable to majority of the people and that is why the Civil Liberty Organisation and other civil society groups in the state are not in support of the removal of fuel subsidy", Alagoa said.


http://dialogueseriesnew..com/2012/01/usa-africa-dialogue-series-nigerian_15.html

PEGASSAN Aligns With Nigerians/NUC/TUC; Commences A Shutdown


FLASH PEGASSAN says it aligns with Nigerians/NUC/TUC;orders all its branches to proceed with shutting down of the upstream oil sector on Sun

https://twitter.com/eggheader/status/158323011685060609

I wish we take endure the suffering once and for all and demand for more than subsidy reversal but for a lot more structural changes before we end this.

Lets take this opportunity, enough is enough!  

Nigeria labor says no agreement to end fuel strike

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- The leader of a Nigerian labor union says it failed to reach a compromise with the government to end a paralyzing strike over fuel costs.

Nigeria Labor Congress president Abdulwaheed Omar told journalists outside the presidential palace: "We have not reached a compromise."

That means a midnight strike looms for oil production in Africa's most populous nation.

If production is halted, it could cause oil futures to rise, potentially costing U.S. drivers an additional $36 million a day at the pumps.

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Nigeria to protest the government ending the subsidy Jan. 1.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_NIGERIA_FUEL_SUBSIDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Meeting still in progress

Looks like my people are seriously still protesting

People are angry o

Katsumoto:
Oversmartness = Awori chick and her one liners.

Kats!!!!!!! no one even writes Katsumoto any more. These naija peeps sef.

I think we should be calling you [b]kasu [/b]sef That sounds more naija

The board is considering Perx case, as soon as we reach a conclusion on the way forward we shall make our final proposal known to all.

How I wish. . .

10. The president’s office has N285 million to hand out as “welfare package”, N265 million to buy computers, N150 million to buy scanners, N161 million for buses, N295 million for new furniture, and N1.8 billion to “maintain existing furniture, office and residential quarters”.

11. The intend to buy desktops for N300,000 each, laptops for N314,000 each and scanners for a whopping N190,000. The public address system in the President, VP’s office and Banquet Hall will cost N150 million! The SGF wants to spend N65 million on tree planting. Note that planting a million trees in Abuja over 4 years cost the FCT Administration less than N50 million then!

Lord have mercy!