10072020 - Day 4: Panel grills ‘Magu's 7 Untouchables’

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8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 Deregulation: FG never promised to keep fuel price permanently low — MINISTER •Says trillions’ll be saved from subsidy removal By Michael Eboh ABUJA—MINISTER of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday, clarified the stance of the Federal Government relating to the deregulation of the downstream petroleum industry and the hike in price of petrol, stating that at no time did it promise to keep the price of petrol permanently low. The explanation is coming following criticisms by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, the United Labour Congress, ULC, other labour bodies and trade unions over uncertainty in the deregulation policy, while they also called on the government to reverse the recent hike in the price of petrol. In a statement in Abuja, Sylva noted that after a thorough examination of the economics of subsidising Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, for domestic consumption, the Federal Government concluded that it was unrealistic to continue with the burden of subsidising PMS to the tune of trillions of Naira every year. This, he said, became even more relevant, especially as subsidy was benefiting in large part, the rich, rather than poor and ordinary Nigerians. He, however, maintained that the government was mindful of the likely impact higher PMS prices would have on Nigerians, adding that to alleviate this, the government was working very hard to roll out the auto-gas scheme which would provide Nigerians with alternative sources of fuel at a lower cost. According to Sylva, when crude oil prices were down, government, through its regulatory functions, ensured that the benefits of lower crude oil prices were enjoyed by Nigerians by ensuring that PMS price was lowered. He blamed fuel subsidy for the low refining capacity in the country, noting COVID-19: Govs worry over community spread, to ramp up testing By Henry Umoru A BUJA—GOVERNORS have expressed concern over the community spread of the coronavirus which has so far infected over 30,000 Nigerians, leaving about 700 dead. Consequently, the governors, acting under the aegis of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, urged states to ramp up testing in order to check the spread. The governors also expressed concern over the Federal Government’s deduction of money from the federation account to fund the North East Development Commission, NEDC. Rising from its 12th virtual meeting on Wednesday night, Chairman of the NGF, and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, in a communique, also announced approval of the recommendation of the NGF committee set up to interface with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on measures to gradually open the formal and informal sectors of the economy. ‘’LGAs with high burden of diseases (hotspot) have been identified and targeted with interventions, such as increased testing, and promotion of nonpharmaceutical intervention, including hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, mandatory masking in public and partial or total lockdown restricting movement. ‘’The PTF will reach out and work with governors of the respective states to implement the strategy,’’ the communique read. Chairman of the committee and Delta that subsidy made it impossible to attract the much-needed investments into the refining sector. He said: “This is a necessary action taken by a responsible government in the overall interest of Nigerians. Indeed, one of the reasons we have been unable to attract the level of investments we desire into the refining sector has been the burden of fuel subsidy. “We need to free up that investment space so that what happened in the banking sector, aviation sector and other sectors can happen in the midstream and downstream oil sector. “We can no longer avoid the inevitable and expect the impossible to continue. There was no time Government promised to reduce pump price and keep it permanently low.” He called on Nigerians to ignore the antics of unscrupulous middlemen who would want status quo ante to remain at the expense of Nigerians. The minister added that in addition to attracting investments and creating jobs and opportunities, the deregulation policy would free up trillions of naira to develop infrastructure, instead of enriching a few. “Deregulation means that government will no longer continue to be the main supplier of petroleum products. But will encourage private sector to take over the role of supplier of Petroleum Products. “This means also that market forces will henceforth determine the prices at the pump. In line with global best practices, government will continue to play its traditional role of regulation; to ensure that this strategic commodity is not priced arbitrarily by private sector suppliers; a regulatory function not unlike the role played by the Central Bank of Nigeria in the banking sector; ensuring that commercial banks do not charge arbitrary interest rates.'' •Fault deductions from federation account for NEDC State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, had briefed the Forum on steps taken to provide a coordinated strategy between the federal and state governments to ease the lockdown and open the economy. His counterpart in Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, also provided an update on the implementation of the final report of the NEC Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 on containing the outbreak and responding to its adverse economic effects, which was presented to the Vice President and Chairman of the Committee, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in March. Governor el-Rufai, who is the chairman of the NGF sub-Committee on COVID- 19, informed his colleagues that the recommendations of the report had been integrated into the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan, NESP. He also outlined the imperatives for a post-COVID economic recovery, including a unique identity system for Nigeria, broadband connectivity, and investment in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical generics. Others are research and development, as well as institutional reforms for the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, along the lines of PENCOM. The governors unanimously endorsed the work of the sub-committee and resolved to engage with the Vice President to facilitate states’ representation in the implementation committee of the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan. MALTREATMENT OF NIGERIANS: Lebanese ambassador walks out on Reps By Tordue Salem A B U J A — T H E Ambassador of Lebanon to Nigeria, Mr. Houssam Diab, yesterday walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs. Diab was summoned by the House Committee, headed by Tolulope Akande- Shadipe, to respond to questions on the maltreatment of Nigerians in Lebanon, especially one Temitope Arowolo. But as the hearing was about to commence at about 10: 52am, the Lebanese envoy walked out of the room and shut the House’ hearing room 348 door behind him. Chairman of the Committee, who was miffed by the development, said they were “shocked that the Ambassador will just get up and walk out on us.” Shortly after the development, she excused the media from the room and called for an Executive session. The lawmaker after the session, however, recanted, saying the meeting was cordial and that the walk-out was a misunderstanding. “It was an informal meeting because the Ambassador was nice enough to join us at the meeting. There is no law that says he has to be here today, but because he has an interest in the joint relationship between Nigeria and Lebanon, he came. ‘’We have a lot of Nigerians in Lebanon, we have a lot of Lebanese in Nigeria. We have a relationship with Lebanon from the 50s. “This meeting today (yesterday) has further shown the fact that the Lebanese community and Nigeria stand together to ensure justice and respect for human lives is a priority and we will work together to bring modern day slavery to an end.” She also announced that the Lebanese government had agreed to release Ms. Temitope and other Nigerians held in the country. Ms. Arowolo, was in detention in that country for alleged attempted murder of her master and allegations of theft. “I am happy to inform Nigerians that Temitope will be home before the end of the week, and so many other Nigerians who want to come home from Lebanon will be provided the opportunity to come home. “We are also taking this opportunity to look at the case of a Lebanese who is held in Ilorin on charges of human trafficking to ensure that there is merit in the case. “We will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that we have continued relationship with Lebanon, that our girls can go there legally to work and work in circumstances that are not dehumanizing.” On the the issue of the Ambassador walking out of the meeting, the lawmaker said: ‘’It was a misunderstanding, it was meant to be an informal meeting and the Ambassador was not aware that even when we have our informal meeting, it is documented. ‘’Because of the law of diplomacy, he wasn’t expecting to have media there and it was immediately resolved that it was going to be an executive session. The Minister apologized on behalf of Foreign Affairs Ministry and he PASSING OUT CEREMONY: The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi, Lagos, Commandant, AVM Kingsley Lar (right), presenting a certificate to a participant at the symbolic Passing Out Ceremony of trainees in Lagos. apologized on behalf of the country and the Embassy of Lebanon. “You will be invited on the day Temitope arrives and you will see that this is not eye service and not just Temitope. That flight is bringing in ladies who wanted to come home and we will continue to bring home those who want to come home. ‘’The Lebanese government has promised now that it will ensure our girls work in very humane circumstances.'' Buhari signs revised N10.8trn 2020 budget into law today •As Finance Minister consults NASS leadership on 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP By Henry Umoru A Muhammadu BUJA—PRESIDENT Buhari will today sign into law the revised 2020 budget of N10.8 trillion. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this yesterday while briefing the leadership of the National Assembly on plans to submit the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) later this month. Ahmed, who briefed principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives, led by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the President had given directives for the Ministry to expedite action on next year’s budget estimates to enable him present the 2021 budget proposal to the National Assembly by the end of September this year. “This for us is a journey towards ensuring that the progress we have made as a collective to return the fiscal year to January – December is maintained for the 2021 budget as well. “The President has directed that we must deliver the budget to the National Assembly by the end of September,” the Finance Minister said. Ahmed, while giving an update on the 2020 budget implementation between January and May 2020, stated that the Federal Government’s retained revenue was N1.48 trillion, an amount representing 56 percent of government’s target. She added that out of the sum generated as revenue, oil revenues accounted for N701.6 billion; non-oil tax revenues N439.32 billion; Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) collections - N213.24 billion and N68.09 billion; and Customs collection N158 billion, respectively. She added: “Other revenues amounted to N339.51 billion, of which Independent revenues was N80.22 billion. Recoveries and Stamp duty collected during the period are yet to be booked in the fiscal accounts.’’ On Expenditure performance for the same period (January – May 2020), the minister disclosed that N1.25 trillion was expended for debt service; and N1.32 trillion for Personnel cost, including Pensions. According to her, as at the end of May 2020, only N253.33 billion had been released for capital expenditure. Ahmed, while giving underlying assumptions driving the macro-economic parameters and targets of the 2021 – 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, said same was “revised in line with the emergent realities.” She said oil price benchmark for the 2021 fiscal year was pegged at $35; and $40 for 2022 and 2023, respectively. Oil Production (mbpd) was placed at 1.86 for 2021, 2.09 for 2022, and 2.38 for the 2022 fiscal year; while the Exchange Rate remains at N360 to USD$1. “Although Nigeria’s total production capacity is 2.5 million barrels per day, current crude production is about 1.4 million barrels per day – in compliance with the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ production quota – and an additional 300,000 barrels per day of condensates, totaling about 1.7mbpd,’’ the minister said. She added that while the World Bank forecasts that crude oil prices would rise gradually from an average of $42 per barrel in 2021 to $44.5 per barrel in 2022; and $47pb in 2023, it was also expected that Brent crude oil prices might average $41 per barrel during the second half of 2020 and $50pb during 2021, climbing as high as $53pb by the end of next year. “The nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to increase from N130,836.1 billion in 2020 to N132,125.4 billion in 2021 and then up to N138,415.8 billion in 2023,” Ahmed said.
Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 — 9 INEC decries dominance of campaign councils By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has expressed concerns over the visibility of campaign councils of political parties as opposed to having candidates and their party manifestos taking the centre stage during electioneering. INEC expressed its reservations in a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye. Noting that campaigns commenced on June and must end on September 17, Okoye urged parties comply with the Commission’s policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID- 19 Pandemic as well as the Regulations and Guidelines governing same. They must also comply with the guidelines issued by health authorities. Tasking parties on issue-based and violence-free campaigns, he lamented the poor visibility of candidates and their plans *Obaseki: PDP candidate *Ize-Iyamu: APC candidate PDP, Ize-Iyamu clash over campaign funds, ticket By Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY —THE Governorship Candidate of the All Peoples Congress, APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, clashed over sources of campaign funds for the APC and how Governor Godwin Obaseki got the ticket of the PDP. The PDP has accused the APC of plotting to secure a $500m loan from the NEXIM bank to prosecute the 2020 governorship election. A statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, said the sum “we are informed will be converted to a loan and the burden of repayment placed on Edo people. Let us be clear on one thing, APC has only one goal, and that goal is not fighting corruption. It is advancing its cause. “Investigations reveal that the APC National Campaign Council in collaboration with a director in NEXIM bank have perfected plans to deplete our common patrimony by drawing down $500m to prosecute the Edo election. This unholy arrangement is absurd, illegal and criminal and must be condemned by all.” However, the Campaign Organization of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu in a statement by its Director of Communication and Media, John Mayaki, challenged Obaseki to confess the amount of dollars he allegedly paid the PDP in exchange for the party’s ticket instead of distracting the people of Edo State with videos involving Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State. He said: “It is unfortunate that Mr. Godwin Obaseki has continued in his irresponsible ways, chief of which includes the abuse of office and utilization of state purse and agencies to pursue personal for the electorate. ‘’The Commission is concerned that as campaigns begin, campaign councils rather than candidates and party manifestos are taking centre stage. The election should be a contest of ideas and programmes for the people of Edo to make informed decisions for the development of their State.” Both the Governorship campaign councils of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and that of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have been up in arms since they were inaugurated, this week. While Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State who is heading the APC campaign council has said the party would isolate Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and conclude the polls, Wike who heads the PDP campaign council has said he does not operate on the same level with his Kano state counterpart and that Dr Ganduje’s money would not secure the APC victory in Edo. ambitions. “This irresponsibility and desperation flout all the principles of decorum, decency, and honesty enshrined and expected of a gubernatorial personality. It shows, clearly, Obaseki’s lack of character and good spirit. As an aspirant seeking a second-term return, Obaseki further casts himself in the negative light with this thoughtless act.” You can’t rig Edo election, PDP warns APC By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of plotting to use fabrications in a section of the media to arm-twist the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to manipulate the Edo state governorship election for their candidate, Osagie Ize- Iyamu. This is as the party said that in sponsoring fake reports that PDP leaders were putting pressure on INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, on the Edo election, “the APC has further exposed its hopelessness over their rejection by the Edo people and now seeks to blackmail the commission.” In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said: “Whereas we understand APC’s despondency over the soaring popularity of our party and candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, the APC is worsening its woes by sponsoring fabrications against the expressed will of the people of Edo state to re-elect Governor Obaseki in the September election." 17 parties adopt Indirect Primary — INEC By <strong>Day</strong>o Johnson & Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said yesterday that 17 of the 18 political parties have disclosed their intentions to conduct indirect primary to pick their candidates for the October 10 Governorship election in Ondo State. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement said the commission has met to consider its preparations for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. Okoye said: “The personal particulars, including academic qualifications of the candidates, have been pasted in the INEC Nasarawa Local Government Area office in Nasarawa State and uploaded on the Commission’s website. “A total of 17 of the 18 registered political parties notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of their intention to conduct party primaries for the Ondo Governorship election fixed for 10th October 2020. Only one party did not give any notification of its intention to conduct primaries for the Ondo Governorship election. “This complies with section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act, which makes it mandatory for registered Political Parties to give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any Congress or meeting convened to nominate candidates for any of the elective offices specified in the Act. Details of the political parties and their calendar of Congresses/Primaries (including dates and modes of primaries) have been published on the Commission’s website and social media platforms. “By Section 87 (2) of the Electoral Act, Political Parties have the exclusive discretion to determine the procedure for the nomination of candidates which shall be by Direct or Indirect primaries and all the 17 Political Parties notified the Commission of their intention to conduct Indirect Primaries for the nomination of their candidates. “Political Parties are reminded that they are required to submit a comprehensive list of all the delegates eligible to participate in the primaries at least 7 days before the scheduled date. “The INEC portal for uploading nomination forms will open on 21st July and close on at 6 pm on 28th July 2020. We urge political parties not to wait until the last day before submitting the names of their nominated candidates." It 'll produce unpopular candidate — Kekemeke Meanwhile, former chairman of the APC in Ondo State, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke has said that any other mode of primary apart from direct mode will produce an unpopular candidate. Kekemeke was reacting to the speculation that the party had adopted Why Northern Senatorial District should produce PDP candidate — Ayorinde By <strong>Day</strong>o Johnson AKURE—A governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, has justified why the Ondo North senatorial district should produce the party’s candidate for the October election. Ayorinde, who was addressing PDP members, urged them to support his ticket to retain and sustain the political interest of the Northern senatorial district of the state. He said: “It is on record that the PDP in Ondo State has not fielded a candidate •It'll produce unpopular candidate, says Kekemeke *Mahmood: INECboss indirect primary for the July election. He said: “It gives party members a sense of obligation to deliver, giving them a moral responsibility to work for the party’s candidate because they were involved in the selection. “The direct primary provides level playing ground for all aspirants and therefore promotes fairness, equity and justice. “It removes the influence of money, eliminates cash-and-carry and removes ‘kidnap syndrome’ whereby delegates are kidnapped and kept in a place. “Any politician who asks for the disenfranchisement of his party members is unpopular, undemocratic and should be rejected.” Dankwambo chairs PDP appeal panel By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA—THE National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appointed former Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo as chairman of the Ondo State governorship appeal committee. National Organizing Secretary of the party, Col. Austin Akobundu, retd, in a statement said the panel is mandated to consider appeals arising from the conduct of the ward congresses for the upcoming 2020 governorship election in Ondo State. The three-man committee is made up of Mr. Victor Kwon (secretary) and Barrister Rita Orji. The exercise is scheduled for Monday July 13, 2020 at the Party Secretariat, Akure in Ondo State. from the Northern district since the return of democracy in 1999. ”This sentiment is important to emphasize because the other districts have been patronized over the years. ”Hence, it is only right for the PDP to retain the rotational power shift which other districts have benefitted save the northern district. ”To ensure the stability of the PDP in Ondo State, it is morally right for the party to allow the North to complete the current circle of governance which commenced with the present government."
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10072020 - Day 4: Panel grills ‘Magu's 7 Untouchables’

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