₦airaland Forum

Demdem:
where u see whinning? isnt it u that dont even know who wrote the article

What has the writer got to do with my opinion?

Demdem: yes ooooo

Ifeanyi Izeze now equals Sahara, not sowore or even ACN

Get rid of fuel subsidy, or keep whining forever!

AjanleKoko: You are either living in a remote part of Nigeria with no access to TV or newspapers, or you don't live in Nigeria at all.
My conclusion.

Says a card carrying AC.N goon!

flanrey: Personally, I don't have a problem with govt's taking loans because its been a constant trend over time. All I ask is for govt's to channel these loans into projects we can see and new developments that will improve the quality of lives.

Why should FG disapprove of LASG's loan, IMO Lagos has the fastest economical growth and new projects are kicking off on daily basis, Fashola is working and can reasonably justify every penny spent. Ogun State govt took loans worth incredible sums and are still in debts yet, no meaningful projects and development to show for it.

Fashola is working and deserves every single loan and allocation. FG should quit the political sentiments and let this man do his job

Which work is Fashola doing these days? Can you enumerate them?

How much does it take to water flowers these days by the way?

jjc-to-nl:
I did not say you are supporting FG borrowing. But you supported the action of FG to stop Lagos State from borrowing. And my point is, there is no entity that will not have to borrow at one time or the other. As big as USA's economy is they still borrow. Okonjo and Jonathan are only playing politics. Period.

The FG did not stop Lagos State from borrowing. Lagos State has already drawn part of the money, some $ 200 Million. However, the FG indicated the cannot guarantee further draw down, obviously because they have information not available to us. Now it is incumbent upon Lagos State to make it's case or seek alternative funding. But if you ask me, I think the Lagos State huge debt portfolio is largely unjustified. Lagos state recurrent expenses is still huge in ratio to the capital expenses. Shouldn't Fashola be doing something about it, as other state governor have done?

While presenting the budget, Mr Fashola said the Capital to Recurrent ratio of the budget stood at 54:46 as against 53:47 in 2012,

It has to be by Sahara Reporters.

Need we say more?

jjc-to-nl:
PointB, based on your argument, why should FG borrow money with all the resources we have? Nigeria is the biggest 7th exporter of oil. So why are we borrowing? Can't we live within our means?


Okonjo Iweala, that refused Lagos State without any reason is proposing to borrow $9 billion. Is this not a case of double standard? It is clear that Jonathan and Okonjo Iweala are playing politics with this. I am not surprised because this is not the first time. The same PDP led FG frustrated Lagos State on Independent Power Project (IPP) and suspended Local Govt. funds for years. 2015 is fast approaching they will have to do something to capture Lagos.

PointB you are entitled to your opinion but it doesn't hold.

Where did my argument support FG borrowing?

AjanleKoko: Okay, confirmed, you just fell my hand with this your countryman analysis.
Lagos is 'officially' 13.5 million people, while Kano is 'officially' 10 million people.
What does Kano pay to the federal coffers in VAT, compared to Lagos? I'm sure Lagos figures must dwarf Kano by a factor of 10:1.
What infrastructure has been built in Kano by the Kano state governments since 1999? Lagos has built roads,bridges, and is building an airport, light rail system, seaport, and free trade zone.

That your toll yarns is just dust. How many people are paying toll, one toll road in Eti-Osa LGA? Less than 2% of Lagosians are impacted by that toll road.
Abeg stop misyarning.

Guy stop grasping for straw. The project Lagos state government is pursuing should be within the context of its means and resources. If it is not, it should find other ways to raise funds. The external debt profile of the country is growing and those in charge are wary, and doing something about it. Fashola should quit politicizing the issue.

AjanleKoko: Oga,
No fall my hand like this.
23 billion naira is not 'huge' IGR. There are 'officially' 13.5 million people to be catered for here.

@Topic,
I hope this isn't becoming unnecessarily politicized. The Federal Government should come out and state their objections. If there are worries related to fiscal indiscipline, they can just say so. Nigerians can so politicize things sha.

Fall your hand ke? If 23 billion naira IGR is not huge, perhaps Lagos should trade places with Kano in that regards. And how are you catering for the 13.5 million over-taxed citizen, who pay tolls for services provided for with same tax they pay? Are you dashing them free money?

If anyone is politicizing the matter, it is Fashola who has rushed to the house of Reps to raise dust on a matter in the exclusive preserve of the FG.

take dat: Reason why the FG needs to come out and state in clear terms why it is reneging as a guarantor. If Lagos has a solid arrangement in repaying the loan and FG'S fear is borne out of the burgeoning external debt profile incured by all states and their viability of repayment, a middle ground should be reached since Lagos has accessed a part of the loan. We need to have an Open govt!

Lagos State need also come clean on reason for such huge debt profile in the midst of huge IGR with little or nothing to show for it. FG should simply not continue to subsidise corruption and inefficiency.

danjohn: A relatively small portion of Lagos state's budget is funded with deficit spending. Remember the loan is in 3 tranches: $200 million per year. Most of the money Lagos state borrows goes towards funding capital projects to meet the growing population of people who continue to relocate to Lagos from all over the country. If ever the state has financial constraints, it can simple cut back on future capex in order to meet its debt obligations.

Lagos state CAN raise the money in the debt market but it will be expensive. The world bank loan will save the state a lot of money.

Which portion of Lagos State budget is fund with deficit spending? Why is that the case with the huge IGR the state generate via various tax components. Nigerians (especially) opposition parties having be very vocal lately about increasing debt portfolio of the country, shouldn't those in charge of curtailing the 'ugly' trend ask question and do the needful?

What exactly is LASG going to do with huge loan? What about PPP or full privatization?

danjohn: PointB, first of all, Lagos state has used the Nigerian capital markets several times successfully. The issue is that the cost of borrowing in the Nigerian capital markets is very expensive. When Lagos State borrowed from the capital markets in the past, it cost the state between 10% and 13%. My guess is that the reason why Fashola opted for the world bank loan is because the interest rate is more favorable. On a loan facility of this size, an interest rate difference of just 1% will save the state $6 million in annual interest payments. If the world bank loan is going for anything between 5% and 8%, Fashola could be saving the state between $12 and $48 million a year. If you multiply that over the 3 yr life of the loan, that is between $36 and $144 million.

If you multiply $144 million by an exchange rate of 155 naira, Fashola could be saving the state of Lagos 22 billion naira by opting for the world bank loan instead of using the capital markets.

Question really is: Is the Lagos State debt justified? Is there no other way funds can be sourced for the projects without borrowing through the FG? What happen to PPP, and Lagos state weighty IGR? Is not an anomaly, that a state with very huge IGR like lagos state is still the most indebted? Shouldn't someone ask question and do something about it? Or you think because Fashola is involved, therefore it must be genuine and no question should be ask? Should FG just rubber stamp it because, Fashola presented it?

Desola: Oh dearie lawd! I knew you were dense but I have to admit that I did make some allowances. I gave you a bit of yard but you clearly didn't deserve it because you are much lower in estimation.

How did you even think that the Lasg would print out cards and dole it out to people? Have you taken a leave of your cognitive factors or did you not possess any to start with? I think i'll go with the latter.

For any resident to be in possession of a resident card, they would have to provide proof of their addresses, d.o.b etc just as you would do when being issued with a passport or driving licence. I think I also read something along the lines of biometrics being taken which would then make it difficult for anyone to duplicate his identity anywhere else in the country. Well, I can't really blame you for being small minded to think that the LASG would randomly give out cards to all and sundry without knowing if they are actually Lagos residents, I mean, it would be a tall order to require you to do something that is not inherent in you (to think). Having a resident card would be a civil duty imposed on you as a supposed resident. If you do not carry a citizenship card, you would not be able to access facilities dedicated for the citizens, you would not get exemption for certain taxes and you would not be able to identify yourself as a genuine resident if requested to do so by law enforcers. So, if enugu or p/h goes ahead to print out cards willy-nilly and doles it out to any tom, dick and harry, without proper vetting, then it is a futile exercise and an incredible data gathering which would not be tenable in the court of law or any legal organisation.

Asinwin omo ajokutamamumi.

My friend sharap. Your ignorance is appalling. Stop disgracing yourself. For the avoidance of doubt, any indirect population census done by any state can be easily replicated. I didn't have to spell it to to you if you weren't dense. In any case, I am done repeating this to you. Lagos State population figure can only be used by Lagos state in Lagos state. It's as simple as that. The rest of your post is the usual balderdash.

Desola: Hahaha...you see how you continue to expose yourself as the dullard that you really are?

Fashola would be privy to the number of registered citizen in his state. On that basis, the national population commission, coming out with a different figures would show the discrepancy that have been going unchecked for years! If the census figures matches that of Lagos state's then all is fine and dandy but if the Lagos state registers 20million and census shows 16, then clearly, your people would be found guilty of the act which has always been alleged to be perpetrated by them.

You comprehend? No, you can't. It's impossible!

lol,
You are a real olodo. Fashola will come up with which stup.id figures? Does Fashola work with the NPC? Is he authorised by the law to conduct census? So let say Fashola prints 20 million cards and declares Lagos State 20 million people. What stops Enugu from printing 30 million cards, or P/H from printing 40 million cards, or Kano 50 million cards and presenting same as the total number of population in their states. You are incredibly naive, or plain ignorant. Na wa for you

Abeg, look for something within your intellectual grasps, like throwing insults, and shouting oloshi oloribuku at your folks at home. That's your forte babe, stick to it, and quit embarrassing yourself.

Desola: You are ibo, nothing is expected to make sense to you because you lack the capacity to deduce that which is sensible!

Arrant fo.ol! You exhibited your senselessness when you posited that Lagos state's loan request was a bogus one even when you are not privy to the facts! You are the foo.l spewing bile here, you and you alone!

Lagos State loan request is bogus, obviously that is why it was FG cannot continue to guarantee it. Slice and dice it anyhow you like, those who should know better have refused to endorse it. Tinubu should look for other ways to steal. Stealing via public loan is not longer fashionable says the federal government. finito!

Desola: In fact, we are checkmating you by making mandatory, a requirement for residence cards to ensure that you don't come and eat, shit in our land and come census period; run back to your backward villages to be counted so as to generate more money for your governors who only seat pretty at the top without having to use their allowance from daddy Nigeria on you lot because you are ghost citizens who actually reside in Lagos. Ensuring you are counted means that we know where you are; what you are doing and it enables us to get the accurate allocation from daddy Nigeria. It is unfair at the moment that census records shows 18million Nigerians residing in Lagos when in actual fact, it could be well over 20million. We get allocation based on the 80mill figure but have to cater for over 20mill, now that is a huge descrapancy!

Let me laugh in abracadabra .

Young lady, the population of Lagos State is what the National Population Commission says it is. Not what Fashola's card says, and we all know how the figures are manufactured. Are this dull?

For the avoidance of doubt, this thread is about FG refusing to stand as guarantor for Lagos State bogus loan.
Of course, ant are permitted to rant and rave, while those who 'do' continue to 'do.'

Lagos state should simply approach the capital market. If the loans are for profitable ventures, investors would like to see the fine prints before parting with their money. The days of free money is gone.

Some myopic people who can't even justify the loan request are prancing around vomiting bile, and thinking they make sense.

koruji: Subsidy is one of the two greatest demons Nigeria faces?
Are u kidding? Corruption, comatose educational system, insecurity are what?

Yes subsidy is. 90% of the corruption in Nigeria is tied to the subsidy on Petroleum product. The subsidy also account for why enough money is not available for the comatose education system. The insecurity in the ND and up North are all tied to who control the center, due to the same subsidy money. Subsidy lush fund also account for the bloated civil service and dilapidated infrastructure.

So take it or leave it, the death of subsidy will stem corruption and other vices.

centje: i doubt,the north will not trade off anything that will jeopardise their hold on power, 'cause creation of more states in the south means more legislative seats for the south. In addition,more federal allocation to the region...Observe how they complain everyday because of off shore/on shore dichotomy.
They will most likely not trade it off.

That is the more reason we should pursue this matter to it's logical conclusion. Let it be that we tried.

And by the way, we will keep trooping down to Lagos state in droves (for sundry reasons) as long as the state remain part of Nigeria. And there is nothing anybody can do about it.

Pathetic clowns.

You guys can keep on whining as usual.

But the fact remains that Lagos State debt profile in the midst of huge IGR is bordering on the ridiculous. Those mandated to do something about it have decided to listen to the voice of Nigerians who will bear this burden, and have decided to ACT.

The FG cannot guarantee the rising debt, with little to nothing on the ground to justify it. Lagos State can get other guarantor, or hit the capital market. All this whining is unnecessary.

Parties decry Lagos external debt profile
Thursday, 09 August 2012 00:00 By Bertram Nwannekanma News - National
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POLITICAL parties, under the auspices of the Lagos League of Political Parties (LLPP), yesterday expressed shock over a recent report in a national daily, which listed Lagos as one of the highly indebted states in the country.

In the report purportedly released by the Debt Management Office, Lagos State government was said to have, as at June 30, 2012, accumulated an external debt profile of $517,677,672 (more than half a billion dollars), despite having a monthly revenue of about N33 billion.

The parties, in a statement by the chairman, Udoka Udeogaranya, decried the debt prolife and urged all financial clearing houses to do everything possible “to checkmate these embarrassing loans.”

They also urged the Lagos State government to commence setting off these debts and have them repaid before December 2014.

According to LLPP, even with such a huge monthly revenue accruing to the state, the debt is strangely increasing by the year and the government seems at liberty borrowing as if these debts will once again enjoy forgiveness or grow wings and fly away.

“With several projects in the state as public/private investment that will be user charged, one begins to wonder the honest utilisation of these huge funds,” the statement reads.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94992:parties-decry-lagos-external-debt-profile&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

Lagos, Kaduna, C’River, Ogun, Oyo top foreign debtors’ list
August 4, 2012 by Niyi Odebode, Sesan Olufowobi, Tunde Odesola, Segun Olatunji, Mudiaga Affe, Ifeanyi Onuba, Mike Odiegwu, Kunle Falayi and Etim Ekpimah
Governor Babatunde Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola
| credits:

Lagos, Kaduna, Cross River, Ogun and Oyo occupied the top position on the list of external debts incurred by state governments as of June 30, 2012.

According to states and Federal Government’s external debt stock obtained by SATURDAY PUNCH from the Debt Management Office, Borno, Delta, Plateau, Taraba and Anambra states had the lowest external debts.

Lagos topped the list of external debtors with $517,677,672 as of June 30, 2012.

The foreign debt increased by 5.25 per cent from $491,847.295 in December, 2011.

However, while other four states depend on federal allocations, Lagos generates a huge internal revenue, which was about N23bn monthly in the first quarter of the year.

Next to Lagos is Kaduna with $197,155.525 foreign debt as against $182,261,250 in December 2011.

Cross River has $109,351,503 external debt. As of December, the state’s external debt was $107,532,721.

Ogun State is the fourth most indebted state with $96,285.547 as of June 30, 2012. Its external debt increased by 1.8 per cent from $94,575,129.

Oyo’s external debt (the fifth) was $78,878,401 as of June 30, 2012, as against $78,085,379 in December 2011.

SATURDAY PUNCH investigations showed that the present administrations in Ogun and Oyo inherited the foreign debts from their predecessors.

States, whose external debts are low, include Borno ($12,726,028); Delta ($15,785,110); Plateau ($20,190,627); Taraba ($20,681,527) and Anambra ($25,370,842).

At the zonal level, South-West leads the external debtors with $840,913,596, followed by the North-West, $473,305,365; South-South, $289,952,619; North-Central, $189,192,241 and North-East, $186,303, 921.

Checks at the Federal Ministry of Finance indicated that Lagos got N9.34bn as federal allocation in June; while Kaduna received N4.71bn; Ogun, N3.67bn; Cross River, N3.93bn; and Oyo, N4.40bn.

The federal allocations in June for the least indebted states were: Borno, N4.39bn; Delta, N14.22bn; Taraba, N3.64bn and Anambra, N3.80bn.

Most states, except Lagos, which rakes in an average of N23bn monthly as internally generated revenue, rely on federal allocations.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, had at the annual public lecture of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, in Lagos in June, stated that the state’s monthly IGR was N23bn.

Fashola, who was represented by Lateef Abari, Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, IGR of the state, said the amount rose from a paltry N600m monthly in 1999 to its current N23bn.

External debts of other states, apart from the 10 mentioned above are: Abia, $32,675,171; Adamawa, $29,183,118; Akwa Ibom, $61,198,851; Bauchi, $63,029,387; Bayelsa, $27,897,951; Benue, $26,501,393 and Ebonyi $41,060,946.

Edo State’s foreign debt is $41,408,440; Ekiti, $34,071,754; Enugu, $47, 788,769; Gombe, $29,572,867; Imo, $50,573,894; Jigawa, $28,720,760; Kano, $59,400,227; Katsina, $74,147,092 and Kebbi, $47,132,689.

Kogi State is owing $33,976,282; Kwara, $43,798,143; Nasarawa, $36, 547,616; Niger, $28,178,180; Ondo, $52,255,534; Osun, $61,744,688; Rivers, $34,301,764; and Sokoto, $40,419,413.

Others are Yobe State, $31,111,004; Zamfara, $26,329,259 and the Federal Capital Territory, $37,671,245.

When contacted, most state governments declined to give their domestic debts, which, SATURDAY PUNCH gathered, were on the high side.

Some, however, explained their external debts, while others said that there was no cause for alarm over their high indebtedness.

In Lagos, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru, said the state was credit worthy.

He said, “Our financial environment combines credit worthiness with probity, accountability and transparency in all facets of our financial transaction.”

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Ogun State Finance Commissioner, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, did not pick calls put to her phone. She also did not reply text messages sent to her.

But two weeks ago, she had told our correspondent that the financial position of the state would be made public through newspaper publications.

The Oyo State Government said it had not borrowed any fund since the inception of the current administration.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Zachaeus Adelabu, said that any recorded external debt might have been incurred by the previous administration.

Adelabu said, “Possibly the debt was incurred during the last administration, I cannot say for sure. But what I can tell you is that this administration has not borrowed anything.”

The Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Debt Management, Mrs. Francisca Effiom, declined comments on the state’s debt profile.

It was, however, gathered that the state’s domestic debt was about N80bn.

It was learnt that about N23bn of the debt was incurred during the construction of the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort under the administration of former Governor Donald Duke.

In Akwa Ibom State, SATURDAY PUNCH gathered that the state government had obtained N50bn loan from the capital market.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Ikon, said the loan was approved following an explanation by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert, that it would be spent with probity.

He noted that provision was made in the budget for a loan of N65bn, but the executive asked for N50bn, which was approved.

In Rivers, though the state Commissioner for Finance, Peterside Chamberlain, could not say how much the state owed banks, he explained that the current administration had borrowed N30bn in October 2010, an amount that was paid off in September 2011.

Peterside added that another loan of N20bn was accessed in July 2011.

He said the loans were taken from Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank and noted that a substantial part of the loan from Zenith Bank had already been paid back.

The commissioner pointed out that the funds were used to finance the state’s ongoing electricity project, which would be completed by December 2012.

The Ekiti State Government had obtained a N20bn bond from the Capital Market.

But the Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, said the state government was not under any debt burden.

Afuye said, “As far as we know, Ekiti State is not suffering from any debt burden and this can be checked from the DMO where the debt profiles of all states and the Federal Government can be verified.”

In Osun State, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Sunday Akere, said the state had a N25bn internal debt.

Akere said N18.5bn of the N25bn was owed by the ousted administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

He said, “In the twilight of the Oyinlola government in 2010, the administration secured an N18.5bn loan from United Bank for Africa. A major chunk of the loan was to go into the construction of six world class stadiums.”

Akere said the state government, under Oyinlola, was paying a monthly interest of N615m on the N18.5bn, adding that after refinancing the loan, the “(Rauf) Aregbesola administration now pays a monthly interest of less than N100m.”

Efforts by SATURDAY PUNCH to reach the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Duate Iyadi, proved abortive as his telephone was switched off.

But Governor Seriake Dickson had on assumption of office, said he inherited liabilities of N207bn from the former Governor Timipre Sylva administration.

However, in March 2012 during his appearance before the Senate joint committee on National Planning, Finance, Appropriation and States and Local Government, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mr. Elias Mbam, stated that the state’s external debt stood at $107.532m.


http://www.punchng.com/news/lagos-kaduna-criver-ogun-oyo-top-foreign-debtors-list/

centje: pointB. Its actually difficult to balance it. 'Cause once a state is created in south another should be created in the north.

Not necessarily, it depends on what they agree to trade-off with.

COOLDUN: I am sorry to tell you that it will be impossible for the Northern politicians to have equal states with the Southern Nigeria. The earlier we realize that and stop this new states agitation the better for us. They will give us 2 states and create more 6 for themselves, thereby increasing the costs of governance. Regional government is the best option. When they create more states mostly in the East, they also divide us in unity, love and opinion.

There is no way you can say it is impossible without trying, that would be defeatist. I think it is possible, because in the end it is all politics. The North surely might ask for something in return, a trade-off might be the best way to achieve this. I also agree that the best way to go is the path of regional government and true federalism. But do you think the North will agree to this?

Desola: because your family and that of those in abuja are in lagos. Lagos caters for you and the whole of Nigeria, that's why.

That's not true. Lagos cater's for no one. Not even road is free in Lagos. Everyone pays for whatever goods and services he/she receives in Lagos. At any rate, privatization is the way to go now. What does the Lagos State Government need $600 m (conservatively put at 93 billion Naira) for? DO you have an idea?

Why should FG guarantee bogus loan?

Why is Lagos State trying to enslave the unborn generation. With unaccounted N23 Billion monthly IGR, what does Lagos State need another $600M for, and why must the Federal Government be the guarantor?

luvmijeje: @Pointb do u know they are also creating more state in north.

Provided all regions have equal numbers of state and reps to the National Asembly, then fair enough.

luvmijeje: @Pointb do u know they are also creating more state in north.

Provided all regions have equal numbers of state and reps to the National Asembly, than fair enough.

Reps charge Oduah to sustain airport modernization
Our Reporter November 28, 2012 1 Comment »
Reps charge Oduah to sustain airport modernization

By UCHE USIM

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday in Abuja, charged the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, to sustain the current tempo aimed at modernizing airports in the country. The lower chamber also commended the ministry’s capital budget performance for 2012 fiscal year, saying it ranks amongst the best in the country.

Chairperson of the House Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who made the position of the House known during the 2013 Budget defence by the ministry, yesterday, said after inspecting the reconstruction and remodelling works of airport terminals across the country, the House was very satisfied with the quality of work and pace of transformation of the sector since the minister assumed office a little over a year ago.

“The Aviation Ministry surpassed other ministries in terms of capital budget implementation for the 2012 fiscal year. The transformation of our airport terminals by the minister is phenomenal and highly commendable,” she said. Onyejeocha called for the early and improved implementation of the 2013 Appropriation Act, which she believes will be passed into law by the National Assembly before the end of the year, assuring that the speaker, the leadership and the entire members of the House are, and will continue to be solidly behind the minister in its dream to leave of a legacy of visible and tangible transformation of the sector.

“The Speaker, the leadership and the entire members of the House are very happy with the work you are doing in the sector. We assure you of our continued cooperation and support because we all have the interest of the sector at heart. “We also believe the growth and development of the Nigerian economy is also tied to the growth and development of the aviation sector.

The economy will not perform well if the aviation sector fails to do well, so we want the sector to be rated as the first in terms of its contribution to the national economy,” the chairperson stated. She, however, insisted that the high tempo of development and transformation of the sector witnessed in 2013 must be improved upon and sustained throughout the 2013 capital budget implementation. “Keep doing what you are doing and remain focused..

The Speaker and the National Assembly assure you that we are solidly behind you and will give you all necessary support and cooperation in order to enable you perform better in the coming year”, the chairperson declared. In her brief remarks, Aviation Minister Oduah, thanked the leadership and members of the National Assembly for the support and cooperation given to the ministry since she came on board, stressing that little or nothing could have been achieved without their solid backing and encouragement.

She reiterated the fact that the aviation sector is pivotal to the economic growth of the nation, and assured that she and her team in the ministry, working in concert with the National Assembly as one family will not disappoint the nation. “We can assure you that we will strive to accomplish and surpass our achievements in 2012 next year”, she stated.

She stated that with 66 per cent of its capital vote released so far, the ministry has implemented and utilised 65 per cent. she said the ministry hopes to complete the second phase of the remodelling projects by the second quarter of 2013’ The minister, who said the theme of the 2013 budget in the ministry is “ Facilities and Infrastructural development and upgrade”, declared that greater attention would be focused on the rehabilitation of safety infrastructure like airfield lighting, fire hydrants, landing instruments, navigational aids, security, amongst others in 3013.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/business/reps-charge-oduah-to-sustain-airport-modernization/

omowolewa: I support the S'east on this issue. We 'southerners' need two additional states.

19Northern(plus Abuja) state Vs. 17 southern state puts North at an undue advantage when it comes to the issue of Two-third majority. Both in the NASS and governors' forum.

However, regional government will address the heterogeneous nature of our country better than state creation.

Thank you jare. I wonder why some people are so myopic, that they can even see that one of the reason we are not moving forward as a nation is that progressive ideas can be vetoed by those who have majority votes in the legislative (read North). The same people we are counting on to 'legislate' on revolutionary ideas such as regionalism, state police, resource control etc. Without the numbers (an offshoot of more states in the south) we will be stuck in idealistic postulation. It's as simple as that.

Under the current Zonal Arrangement, the SE is clearly the Zone marginalised in numbers of States per Zone. The wise Governors of East have our mandate to pursue the request for extra state(s) to logical conclusion. Those who wear the shoes know where it pinches.

Furthermore, our (SE Zone) commitment to Regionalism based on linguistic, ethnic and cultural similarity cannot be overemphasized. This stand is very much in line with request for extra state(s).


Now let me ask those who join issue with the SE Governors, what have your governors said or done in support of regionalism and resource control?

ujchief: PART 3 – Other Matters –
Agenda for Incoming Eze –
Ujchief,
-
Below is poinB's extract for Agenda for incoming Eze. I wont be extending this section too long as this thread is already loosing steam.

Any extra input will be included.
Next. . . Closing remark.

Lol, I didn't know it was agenda, I thought it was code of conduct. I agree we should take more suggestion and conclude.

9ja_I_hail: Honorable commissioner, i will be back to highlight somethings over the above issue you raised. I think we are coming to the end of this process.

That would be nice, so that we can round up.