Politics
Senate To Amend Fiscal Responsibility Act
ABUJA —16 years after, the Nigerian Senate is set to passed a resolution to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, based on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) report.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Muhammed Sani Musa stated this during the ongoing 2023 budget defence and 2024 budget presentation at the National Assembly.
The FRC is one of the most critical Agencies of Government because its role is not just to monitor the fiscal policies but also to help generate what the monetary policies can achieve.
Musa said the Senate was going to work on the FRA, 2007 and look at those areas that they feel they can strengthen the Commission and also look at the area of human capital because there is no way we can have Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
He said, “We are worried every day about the huge debt burden we are experiencing in Nigeria.
“We have made a law, and we must abide by those laws because most sub-national governments are not supposed to go to any bank to collect any overdraft without clearance or proof of compliance from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission.”
He assured the Commission that the Senate was ready to create a better working environment for the Fiscal Responsibility Commission.
He pointed out that based on the input which the Commission has already started making at the National Assembly which is yielding positive results on revenue.
He said the Red Chamber was going to look into this at the Committee level and make a recommendation to the Senate.
He hope that the appropriation Committee would reason with them and do something about the Budget of the Commission.
In his presentation, the Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission appealed to the Senate Committee on Finance to continue supporting the Commission in Actualizing her mandate.
He placed more emphasis on adequate funding in the successful implementation of the Act.
He therefore solicited the assistance of the Senate and expresses the willingness of the Commission to ensure higher remittances of revenue by the ministries, directorates and agencies.
Muruako considered the proposal of independent revenue estimated to be N3m as an error and proposed a further increase to the sum of N20m.
He expressed optimism that this is attainable, hence their proposal should be adjusted.
He also challenges other agencies to improve on their revenue drive.Works Ministry Begs NASS To Increase Budget To N1.5trn
The minister of Works, Sen Dave Umahi has asked the National Assembly to increase the ministry’s 2024 budget to about N1.5 trillion to enable it complete at least 10 selected critical roads and bridges in each of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
The minister also asked the Senate and House of Representatives committees on Works to equally support a review of all certified debts to contractors and if possible ,convert same to promissory notes to contractors to enable the ministry focus on using any funds appropriated to pursue the ministry’s set objectives .
Engineer Umahi who stated that out of N383,351,656,449.00 the sun of N184,351,147,332.29 which represents 48.01 percent of the capital allocation in the 2023 leaving a balance of N199,405,010,166.71 to be released, pointed out the need to encourage contractors to key into the Road Tax Credit Scheme to increase the number of private sector interventions .
The minister who appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives committees on Works further explained that the monies so far released was utilized for payments of some certified certificates for executed works on roads and bridges by Highway projects of engineering services and common services department .
He explained that as at November 2023 the ministry had an unpaid certificate in the sum of N1,507,873,365,616.02.
Engineer Unahi said the ministry had generated the sum of N723,063,678.62 from January to November 2023 and the sum remitted to the consolidated Revenue Account .
Speaking to the 2024 budget proposal of N657,228,251,596 the minister stated that part of the monies will be used to complete the Lagos-Ibadan expressway substantially completed about 90 percent .
The Abuja-Kaduna -kano road, Zaria-kano road,2nd Niger bridge although completed but needs Approach roads 2a And 2b already awarded awaiting funding will be included in the budget of 2024.
The minister further advised the lawmakers to consider a provision of an emergency fund of about 30 percent of the budget to carter for unforeseen emergencies that regularly occur on the road network especially during raining seasons.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole had challenged the minister and accused of abandoning his core mandate of road construction and delving into road maintenance which is the core mandate of FERMA.
Lawmakers also queried the wisdom in splitting contract sums instead of allocating reasonable monies that will complete big and important projects.
According to Oshiomhole, “the behaviour of the Ministry of works contradicts the renewed agenda of the current administration .
“We have passed resolutions in the Senate about the state of the roads and what we see in this budget simply dashed the hopes of Nigerians.
“As an Engineer will you in true science say a mere N200 million for a federal road in Edo ?
“I have also observed that you are more interested in repairing roads which is not the mandate of your ministry ,this is the mandate of FERMA. Are you constructing roads and not mere repairs ?
“You have paid attention to state roads more than the federal roads as your core mandate and I ask how?
But in his response the minister said ,” I will do state roads when I have the need to do it”.
The minister further explained the policy direction of the ministry to use rigid pavement on her projects.
According to him, “the Ministry’s new policy is to prevent excessive augmentation of contacts considering the scarcity of forex and weakening of the Naira against the Dollar which makes the cost of Bitumen increase in geometric progression against the authentic progression of cement prices in concrete road pavements “.
The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed deep concern over the welfare of workers in the state, calling on the Osun State Government to prioritize the needs and aspirations of civil servants and public workers.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman of the Party, Wole Adedoyin, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo.
According to the statement, APGA recognizes and appreciates the indispensable role that Osun workers play in the administration and development of the state. Without the hard work, loyalty, and sacrifice of civil servants, governance would grind to a halt, and public service delivery would be severely impaired.
The party noted that while workers across the country face similar challenges, the plight of Osun workers demands special attention. Delayed salaries, pension arrears, poor working environments, and lack of adequate motivation have continued to diminish the morale of workers in the state.
“Osun workers deserve better,” Adedoyin said. “It is unacceptable that in 2025, workers still struggle with irregular salary payments, inadequate housing, and insufficient health coverage. This is a violation of their rights and a breach of trust between the government and its employees.”
APGA called on the state government to implement a comprehensive worker-friendly policy that includes prompt payment of salaries and pensions, professional training opportunities, and improved infrastructure in public offices. According to the party, a motivated workforce is the bedrock of any successful administration.
The party also urged the state government to engage directly with workers’ unions and associations to identify critical areas of need and to ensure a participatory approach to policy-making regarding labor and employment matters.
APGA used the opportunity to salute the resilience and patriotism of Osun workers, especially teachers, health professionals, law enforcement officers, and local government staff, who continue to discharge their duties in the face of adversity. “Your commitment to the state does not go unnoticed,” the statement read.
Wole Adedoyin reaffirmed APGA’s commitment to the protection of workers’ rights, stressing that the party’s philosophy—Be Your Brother and Sister’s Keeper—would remain its guiding principle in standing with the workforce of Osun State.
Call Mgbeke Comedian
North Central Women on Friday criticized Prof Mgbeke, dismissing her recent remarks about the representative of Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as mad imaginings, deception and fantasy.
They also described the remarks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South Organizing Secretary, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, as banal and irrelevant.
“It is amazing that male politicians in Nigeria are resorting to dishonest tactics to fight women.”
The women in a statement in Abuja criticized the leadership of the Senate for placing Nigeria in a dilemma.
“The six-month suspension is raised in almost all the news media in the world.’’
They urged the senate leadership to save Nigeria from ignominy.
Specifically, the women praised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for not allowing anyone to make her an emotional client in the country.
They also applauded her for playing a major role in the national history of Nigeria.
The statement issued by the Chairperson of North Central Women Front (NCWF), Mrs. Mary Adamu emphasized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unflagging commitment to improvement of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The women scolded the spokesperson of Executive Watch Dog, Mr. Fidelis Ella for advertising his ignorance.
The women of repute and experience branded Dr Sandra Duru (Mgbeke), Ella and Agbomhere parrots and bootlickers of anti-democratic forces.
“Unstable people can destroy anybody for a political appointment, contract and petty cash.”
The women further dismissed allegations of malicious agenda, dirty game of propaganda and destruction.
They described the plot to dismantle Yoruba Government, destabilize the national structure and halt the country from moving forward as a foolish talk.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is guided by patriotic commitment.’’
The women urged sympathizers of the Senate President and a former ministerial nominee not to lead Nigeria to confusion.
The statement denounced intolerance, lies, perversion of truth and crazy ideas.
Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, says political parties should not be the reason for division among people.
Speaking on Comfort 95.1 FM in Uyo on Wednesday, Eno said it is time Nigerians moved past partisan conflicts.
“Why can’t we be peaceful? Why must political parties separate us? Why must we have issues because my brother is in one party? No, we are all Akwa Ibomites first,” he said.
The governor described political parties as mere vehicles to attain power, saying governance should be inclusive once the mandate is secured.
“I see party as a vehicle to get to power — and when you get there, please begin to govern. Govern everyone, relate with everyone,” he said.
Eno lamented what he called the growing culture of misinterpretation, citing a recent controversy about his comments on Ibom Air.
“I know every day, now, I say something, people go to town and misinterpret it. Yesterday, I made an analogy and they say, ‘Oh, the man is demarketing Ibom Air’. That’s far from it. Ibom Air is the best airline,” he said.
“I’m saying that much as I love Ibom Air — it is our airline, it’s a preferred airline. Much as I love it and have it as a state government, if I arrive at the airport and Ibom Air has a technical fault — which is possible — and I have an appointment in Abuja or Lagos, maybe to deliver a talk or meet investors, and there’s an alternative airline… will I not go?
“Will I say, because this is my airline and it is owned by the state government? So when people say, ‘Oh, he was demarketing Ibom Air…’ No! It’s an analogy. Come on, people know better than this.”
Eno reiterated his position that Akwa Ibom people must remain united regardless of party affiliations.
“For me, what I’m saying is that Akwa Ibom is one, political parties are vehicles,” he said.
He said Nigerian politics lacks defined ideological boundaries, unlike in developed democracies.
“I’ve asked the question, and I want you to tell me: What’s the political ideology of this party and that party in this country?” he asked.
“We’re not like the Americans who say, ‘This is the ideology of the Democrats and this is the ideology of the Republicans.’ Everybody keeps going and coming, keeps going and coming.”
Eno said his message was one of unity and maturity, regardless of the platform anyone belongs to.
“Whatever thing I’m doing, I’m saying let us be one. Whether it is any party, any party platform,” he said.
“You have finished the election. We are now in governance. You are sworn into office to be a governor for Akwa Ibom.”
On Tuesday, Eno hinted at a possible defection ahead of the 2027 general election.
He likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft, adding that the party is now fragmented and risks grinding to a halt before the 2027 elections.
In response, Felix Morka, national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the ruling party welcomes the governor’s remarks and agrees with his assessment of the PDP.
“We couldn’t agree more that Plane PDP has become demonstrably inoperable and unsafe for travel,” the APC spokesperson said in a statement.
“We assure Governor Eno that a flight with us will be a mighty good ride to remember.”