Corruption scandal Hits North East Development Commission, N100billion Disappears |The Source

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July 22, 2020

By Adesina Soyooye

The corruption scandal rocking the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has become infectious. It has infected another Commission – the North East Development Commission.

According to a non-governmental group, a whopping sum of N100bn, has disappeared from the Commission.

The no- governmental group, raised an alarm against what it called a massive corrupt practices being perpetuated by the management of the Commission.

The group, Coalition of New of New Nigeria Transparency and Anti-Corruption (CNNTAC), also accuses the Managing Director of the Commission, Mohammed Goni Alkali, of high handedness, disregard for due process and the rule of law in the award of contracts running into billions

The group, therefore, calls on the Presidency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, to urgently intervene by probing the Commission as its objectives are being ruined.

When the NEDC was established by President Buhari in 2017, It was charged with the responsibility of coordinating funds accruing from the Federation account and donor Agencies for the purpose of rehabilitating and resettling victims of insurgency, reconstruction of homes and Infrastructural development, tackling poverty and illiteracy in the North East States of Adamawa, Bauchi,Borno,Taraba and Yobe. The Board was inaugurated on May, the 8th ,2019,

In a statement signed by its Secretary,Tijani Umar, on Thursday the group alleged that the sum N100billion disbursed to the Commission under a year, has vanished without any significant impact on the refugees

It, also, alleges that the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouk, in an alleged deal with Alkali, out of the scope of operation, and recourse to the board, took N5billion recently to purchase vehicles for the military, saying it has proof of the alleged improprieties of the Commission.

The group said, “We are in possession of other documents showing the purchases of choice properties by close staff and associates of the MD in highbrow neighbourhoods of Abuja, Kaduna and Maiduguri, which can be traced to over -inflated and non-existent contracts.

“Another massive corruption scheme is on the verge of being implemented in the name of of a housing scheme in Maiduguri without the Board”s knowledge and approval.

“About N5billion has allegedly been spent on Covid-19 supplies without the approval of the Board. The MD single- handedly took care of all the Coronavirus supplies. There is massive contract splitting in the Commission,” the group asserted, reminding Nigerians that “there

is massive internal displacement in the North East as a result of activities of the Boko Haram insurgents. The insurgents destroyed houses, churches, business premises, farmlands, and schools.”

LAMATA To Increase Fare Of BRT Buses By August 1, Gets Sanwo-Olu’s On Hike, Lagosians Groans |The Source

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July 22, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Lagosians are groaning over the proposed hike in the fare of the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, by the Lagos State Metropolitan Transportation Authority, LAMATA.

Commuters complained that the Covid-19 Pandemic has led to increase in transportation fare, due to the fact that the numbers of passengers in the Bus has reduced by half of the capacity, leading to the hike in price.

“However, for the Government to now increase the fare of the BRT Government Buses further shows their insensitivity to the plight and sufferings of Lagosians.”, an aggrieved Lagosian lamented.

LAMATA said it was set to increase the fare by 46 percent, less than two months after it had earlier increased the fare by 50 percent due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has already assented to the increment.

The bus fare is an average of 46 per cent increase on bus services on the routes operated by the Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL).

A statement by the Assistant Director, Corporate Communication, at LAMATA, Kolawole Ojelabi, said the increase takes effect from August the 1st.

He said Governor Sanwo-Olu assented to the bus fare review following a plea by the bus operating company on the need to sustain its operation because of the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on public bus transportation.

The governor also approved LBSL’s request to increase the number of passengers per bus from 20 to 42 in observance of updated COVID-19 protocol, as directed by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the operation of public transport, while ensuring other measures are in place.

Sanwo-Olu granted LBSL buses permission to access dedicated bus lanes in Lagos State, thus making their journey times predictable on corridors with bus dedicated lanes.

LBSL had argued that conveying not more than 20 passengers per bus, per trip, has resulted in only 14 per cent utilisation of the bus load factor, leading to 72 per cent drop in revenue, while the running costs remained fairly the same.

It said the fare increase would improve LBSL’s operational efficiency and place the bus operating company on the path to sustainability in the medium to long term.

NSITF Crisis: Ngige Alleges NSITF Mismanaged N48 Billion, Awarded Contracts Worth N4.448 Billion In A Day |The Source

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July 22, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, is escalating by the day, with no respite in sight.

The Minister for Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has claimed the suspended management of the NSITF awarded 332 contracts worth about N4.448 billion in one day, two days after his exit as Minister in 2019.

Ngige made this disclosure when he appeared before the House of Representatives adhoc Committee.

He also alleged that the management of NSITF mismanaged a whopping sum of N48 billion without paying workers’ salary.

He explained that the NSITF management was suspended for committing about 74 different infractions.

According to him, some of the infractions include alleged extra-budgetary spending, making payment for unapproved expenditure, overspending on administrative issues, irregular direct payment from the Employees Compensation Act, irregularities in staff group assurance policy, and making payment for Assurance policy without a policy cover.

Ngige also accused the suspended management of, allegedly,

engaging Solicitors without the approval of the Attorney General of the Federation and making payment to the tune of N33 million to the Solicitors, also, without the approval of the AGF.

The Minister, while insisting that he did not breach any Presidential directive in respect of the NSITF, assured the lawmakers that members of the suspended management will be given fair hearing.

“In 2018, I put up an implementation committee from the ministry to implement both the Auditor General’s special periodic check and the report of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry headed by the then Permanent Secretary – Mrs. Ibukun Odusote. By the time she was redeployed from the Ministry of Labour and Employment in November 2018, to Ministry of Environment, my instructions on the implementation for the two reports on NSITF, to the best of my knowledge, did not receive attention from the NSITF management.

“All attempts and directives to NSITF, even at the ministry top management with parastatals, to get the NSITF respond, was futile till we went for the general election and I exited as minister May 29, 2019.

“Of course, they celebrated the exit but all these were captured in my handover notes to the prospective new Minister of Labour and Employment.

“To make matters worse, when I came back in August 2019, reappointed as Minister of Labour and Employment, right from the 2020 budget defence, and their 2019 budget performance, I realised that instead of making amends from the earlier Auditor General’s report, matters have worsened. I, therefore, sought the help of the Auditor General of the Federation and the DG Public Procurement, as there was a bazaar of NSITF contract documents being hawked at Wuse and Maitama Abuja for “prospective contractors” on payment of 25 per cent of contract paper value.”

Breaking: Nollywood Actor, Yusuf Satia Dies |The Source

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July 22, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Movie Industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has, again, been thrown into mourning.

Death struck the movie industry with the demise of Yoruba actor and singer, Yusuf Satia.

Yusuf’s death was announced Tuesday night by popular actor, Adekunle Afod, on his Instagram page.

He wrote, “So sad to hear this …RIP. Yusuf satia Is gone… Tried so much to see you this year and celebrate you, but it was aborted”, Afod wrote on Instagram.

Yusuf Satia Ojewale was known for his role in an old Yoruba movie titled, Ijinle Pam Pam.

He was not so active on social media.

On Facebook, his last post was on 4th March, 2013, when he invited fans to his birthday, scheduled for 9th March.

One of his posts in 2012, was the announcement of the death of his mother on 27th September.

He will be missed, especially, by his colleagues in the Yoruba Movie industry.

Breaking: Gov. Fayemi Is Covid-19 Positive |The Source

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July 22, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The governor, who announced this via his verified twitter handle said he has gone into isolation.

He tweeted; “I took my third Covid-19 test yesterday, and it came back positive. I’m generally ok, and I’m already self-isolating at home, and receiving the best of care from my medical team. I’m delegating critical tasks to my deputy, but will continue routine duty from home. JKF”

Fayemi joins a list of his colleagues who had earlier tested positive to COVID-19.

NDDC Crisis: Sagay Advises President Buhari To Sack Akpabio |The Source

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July 22, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council Against Corruption PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay, has advised President Buhari to sack the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, with immediate effect, following the startling revelations of financial recklessness in the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC at the House of Representatives investigative panel.

Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Sagay said, “IF I WERE THE PRESIDENT, IF I WERE IN HIS SHOES, AND IF I WAS TO ADVICE HIM, I WOULD SAY DISSOLVE THIS INTERIM COMMITTEE, REMOVE THE MINISTER OF THE NIGER DELTA BECAUSE HE IS NECK DEEP IN IT AND BRING IN FRESH PEOPLE, PROBABLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PROPERLY NOMINATED, AND THEN INSTITUTE A VERY STRICT SYSTEM OF MONITORING EXPENDITURE”

On the House of Representatives decision to compel Akpabio to release the names of the lawmakers he said had benefitted from contracts from the commission, Sagay said, ” I THINK IT IS A VERY HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT. THE SUSPICIONS HAVE BEEN STRONG FOR A LONG TIME THAT MANY LAWMAKERS ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR OWN AND THEY WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH GOVERNMENT AND THAT THEY USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO ACQUIRE CONTRACTS IN AREAS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDING SUPERVISIONS FOR.

“THE SUSPICION HAS BEEN ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND SOME NAMES HAVE BEEN MENTIONED IN THE PAST AND THEY DENIED. SO I THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT ISSUE TO BE FINALLY SETTLED.

“ONCE THE NAMES ARE MENTIONED AND SPELT OUT, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CONCLUDE AND KNOW THOSE WHO ARE COMPROMISING THEIR POSITIONS AS LEGISLATORS AND GETTING THEIR HANDS IN AREAS IN WHICH THEY SHOULD BE PROVIDING A CLEANSING FOR SOCIETY BUT IF IT IS FALSE, THEY WOULD HAVE CLEARED THEIR NAMES AND THEIR HONOR AND INTEGRITY WOULD BE RESTORED,” he concluded.

Akpabio has been in the eyes of the storm since the investigation of the NDDC began.

Service Chiefs: Presidency Says Only President Buhari Has Power To Hire And Fire |The Source

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July 22, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

The Presidency has frowned at the Senate’s attempt to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Service Chiefs over the level of insecurity in the country, insisting that the President will do what is right for the country, emphasising that the power to hire and fire Service Chiefs reside only with the President.

In recent times, the insecurity in the country has worsened. Killings have increased and there appears to be no hope of respite. There are reports of disillusionment within the rank and file of the army, a situation that apparently necessitated the intervention of the senate, which Tuesday passed a resolution that the Service Chiefs step aside from their duties to allow fresh ideas to be injected in the fight against insurgency.

Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno) had raised a point of order suggesting that the Service Chiefs should step down after raising concerns about various reports indicating the rising number of casualties in the army against insurgency. The point of order was raised during plenary and was titled: “The Rising Casualties among the Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies.” under orders 42 and 52. Ndume raised concerns over the various reports on the number of casualties among the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

“Just recently 24 soldiers were ambushed and killed along Damboa-Maiduguri road in Borno; 19 were wounded and nine were declared missing in action.

‘The Senate is disturbed that in Katsina again about 20 soldiers were also ambushed and killed while several others were wounded.

“The number of civilian casualty is not known”, he said. He also expressed concern over the reported resignation of over 200 soldiers.

But reacting to the resolution, the presidency insisted that the senate overstepped its bounds in passing such a resolution.

In a statement released in Abuja, the Presidency said: “The Presidency notes today’s Senate resolution and reiterates that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative.

“President Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times,”

There have been clamours, especially in the social media that the Service Chiefs should be sacked, but the Presidency always ignored such calls.

NAMA Denies Airports Are Closed To International Flights |The Source

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July 22, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

The Nigerian Airspace Management Authority, NAMA, has denied what they called insinuations that Nigeria Airports are shut to international operations till mid-October.

In a release signed by Kalid Emele, of the Corporate Affairs Department, NAMA said the Agency was intimated in a letter that the closure of Nigerian airports to international flights, with the exception of emergency and essential flights and scheduled Cargo Operations with approved summer Schedules, will continue until the date of resumption ids approved.

The release in part is reproduced below.

“The attention of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has been drawn to insinuations making the rounds in certain quarters that Nigeria’s Airports have been shut to international flights until the middle of October 2020. Indeed, such speculations are entirely untrue.

“Following the receipt of an All Operators Letter (NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/152) from NCAA, the agency issued an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) titled “Phased Resumption of Domestic Flights” on 7th July 2020 to the effect that Lagos and Abuja airports will open for domestic flight operations on 8th July, Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Maiduguri and Uyo open on 11th July and all other airports on 15th July 2020.

“ Furthermore, paragraph 9 of the AIC states that “The closure of Nigerian Airports to all international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights, and scheduled cargo operations with approved summer schedules will continue until date of resumption is approved”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the agency on the 15th of July 2020, in line with international standards, issued a 3-month duration NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) (from 15th July to 15th October 2020) stating that the Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the closure of the nation’s airports to all international flights with the exception of aircraft in a state of emergency, however approval may be requested and granted to:

1.Overflights

Operations related to humanitarian aids
Medical relief flights
Alternate aerodrome in the flight plan and also those being used for extended diversion time operation
Technical landings where passengers do not disembark
Cargo flights and other safety-related operations.

“From the foregoing, there was no indication that the closure of Nigeria’s airports to international flights was from 15th July to 15th October 2020. However, the NOTAM was issued for a minimum duration of 3 months in view of the fact that a specific date for resumption of international flights have not been confirmed by the Honourable Minister of Aviation nor the Director-General of NCAA.

“Finally, while the agency looks forward anxiously towards the reopening of Nigeria’s airports to international flights, we wish to clarify that the import of the said NOTAM and AIC is NOT that Nigeria’s airports remain closed till 15th October 2020.

“Therefore, we crave the indulgence of our customers, airspace users and the general public to disregard the misconception being circulated as Nigerian airports will reopen to international flights at any date the Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Aviation and NCAA consider it safe, secure, and appropriate.”

The meaning, many people insist , is that the situation remains the same as it has been since COVID-19; that NAMA is only playing with words; that it gave a-three month notice, routine, or not, which, given the day it was issued, stretches to October ; and that the airports are open, as they have been since March 23, to essential flights, only.

October 10 Poll: Ondo PDP Picks Flagbearer Today As Eight Jostle for Ticket |The Source

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July 22, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ondo state has concluded arrangements to pick its flag bearer Wednesday in the governorship election slated for October 10.

Eight Aspirants are participating in today’s primary election with over two thousand delegates to choose who becomes the party’s flagbearer.

The aspirants are Eyitayo Jegede , Agboola Ajayi , Bode Ayorinde , Godday Erewa , Eddy Olafeso , Banji Okunomo , Sola Ebiseeni and Boluwaji Kunlere.

The delegates from the eighteen council areas are converging on the International Events Centre , The Dome, in Akure the state capital for the exercise.

Already the National Working Committee has appointed Enugu state governor , Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, as the Chairman for the Primary Election Committee.

Ondo PDP director of media and publicity , Mr Zadok Akintoye said arrangements have been put in place for a hitch free exercise .

The winner in today’s election will be challenging the incumbent , Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the APC who is seeking a re-election in the October 10 governorship polls

The deputy governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi got the legal nod to participate in the primary election as an Akure High Court threw out the suit challenging his eligibility on Tuesday.

His entrance into the PDP governorship race caused some upset, with some party chieftains accusing him of trying to hijack the machinery of the party through the back door.

Ajayi, who defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) last month, has refused to resign as the deputy governor of the state, while the House of Assembly is battling to impeach him. It has been in vain.

However, there are indications that Ajayi may throw in the towel after the PDP primary if, eventually, he clinches the ticket.

Breaking: NDDC Probe Committee Free To Invite Pondei Again – Gbajabiamila |The Source

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July 21, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has made an about-face on the appearance of the Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Prof Kemabrandikumo Pondei, before the House of Representatives Ad- Hoc Committee, investigating corruption allegations in the Commission.

Pondei had appeared before the Committee on Monday, but collapsed as he was being grilled. He was, thereafter, rushed out of the Committee room, and taken to the hospital.

Gbajabiamila had, reportedly, told the Committee that Pondei would no longer appear before it, and advised they make use of his written submission to conclude their assignment.

That did not quite go well with Nigerians who expected a bombshell from the MD.

Last week, he had walked out on the Committee, refusing to testify, on the grounds that the Chairman, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was an interested party, and should recuse himself. He alleged that he was involved in the cases being investigated.

On Monday, Tunji-Ojo had recused himself, only for Pondei to collapse, thus ending his session in an anti-climax.

On Tuesday, however, Gbajabiamila clarified that what he meant was that Pondei was not fit enough to go back to the Committee to continue his testimony that Monday.

He said that now that Pondei is out of the hospital, and walking around, the Committee “is free to invite him again to finish his testimony”.

On Monday when Pondei collapsed, not a few people felt it was stage-managed. But the NDDC Spokesperson had explained that Pondei had been sick for two weeks, and had been advised by his doctor to stay away from the Committee on Monday.

According to him, Pondei thought he could pull it. Unfortunately, he could not.

Sceptics, however, insist that Pondei neither looked sick last week when he walked out on the Committee, nor on Monday when he came back to testify. “He bounced-in”, a member of the Committee quipped.

For the opposition PDP, “Pondei collapsed under the burden of corruption.”

However, Nigerians are looking forward to his next date with the Committee.