The Nigerian senate on Tuesday began the screening of the first batch of ministerial nominees forwarded to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Those who appeared before the senate on Tuesday, from the first batch of 21 names forwarded to the Senate on September 30, were Udoma Udoma, Kayode Fayemi, Audu Ogbeh, Osagie Ehanire, Abdulrahman Dambazzau, and Lai Mohammed.
Others were Suleiman Adamu, Amina Mohammed, Ogbonnaya Onu, and Ibrahim Jibril.
The screening continues on Wednesday (today) when Adebayo Shittu, Chris Ngige, Babatunde Fashola and Rotimi Amaechi among others, are expected to appear.
PREMIUM TIMES’ national assembly correspondent, Adebayo Hassan, is in the senate chambers and will bring you live updates of the session, expected to kickoff at 10:00 a.m. Nigerian time
Live Updates
refresh for more updates 9.57: Few minutes to commencement of Senate session, none of the nominees has arrived. However, their associates and supporters have already filled the Senate gallery to the brim.
10.05: Ministerial nominee, Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, arrives. 10.08. Yesterday, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, announced that today’s session would commence at 10am prompt. Yet most of the Senators are yet to arrive the chambers, while few of them like Stella Oduah, Shehu Sani, Babajide Omoworare are just arriving.
The lateness may be due to the fact that the Senators are used to commencing plenary at 11am. 10: 45: The ministers to be screened today are Babatunde Fashola, Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami, Chris Ngige, Aisha Alhassan, Solomon Dalong, Kemi Adeosun, Hadi Sirika, Adebayp Shittu and Rotimi Amaechi. 10.46: Chris Ngige, Anambra State, arrives Senate.
Chris Ngige arrives the Senate for ministerial screening11:11: Votes of Proceeding of the Tuesday October 13 session approved. Senate President reads a letter from President Muhmmadu Buhari withdrawing the nomination of Ahmed Musa Ibeto as ministerial nominee. 11: 20:The senate resolved to take a motion on the death of DSP Alamieyeiseigha, former governor of Bayelsa state (who died on Saturday October 10) on the next legislative day. 11:28: Samuel Anyanwu, chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee said the report on the petition against former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, was not ready.
He said the committee could not meet on Tuesday because the senate was screening the ministerial nominees. He said the committee would meet later today.
11:48: The Senate Leader, Mohammed Ndume in a motion read out names of 10 ministerial nominees from the Order Paper. It was seconded by Senator Philip Aduda. The Senate resolved to dissolve into Committee of the Whole to consider the ministerial nominees. 11:49: Former Lagos Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is the first nominee for screening today. He introduced himself as directed by the Senate President. Mr. Fashola said he is a legal practitioner, Nigerian by birth and that he is 52 years old.
He is currently addressing the chamber. He said he is willing to serve in President Buhari’s cabinet in pursuit of the “Nigerian dream and the Nigerian project”. 12: 05: Responding to a question: “My attitude is to see criminals as my competitors. And in a competition my desire is always to win.” 12:09: The former governor says there’s need for decentralisation of the police.
“As governor of Lagos, I didn’t sign cheques. None of my commissioners signed cheques. I didn’t sit in awards of contracts. There is a tenders board.
“The unfortunate thing about money is that it always raises suspicion, even among brothers. In all, nobody has said I have personally enriched myself.
“The concept of loyalty is a very strange concept. May our loyalty never be tested. If your loyalty is tested, you might end up taking bullet for your own children.”
“In public life, I have remained loyal to causes I have signed on to. Nobody can accuse me of going back on my words.”
On the deportation of some destitute from Lagos during his tenure as governor, Mr. Fashola said, “In a federation, the right to free movement is not absolute, it carries with a responsibility not to be a nuisance. He said those moved to their states of origin were those who asked to be taken home.”
Mr. Fashola apologised in the interest of national cohesion.
On judgement debt, Mr. Fashola said he is not able to conclude that it grows because of corruption. He said the first thing to do is to identify the cases for which judgment debts are incurred. On infrastructure, he said resources can be moved to areas where there is urgent need. He said Nigerians appear to be investing more outside their country.
Mr. Fashola said debts are necessary to grow our productivity and nation but that he is not a debt man. Mr. Fashola takes a bow and leaves after about an hour answering questions.
QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM FASHOLA’S APPEARANCE AT THE SENATE – COURTESY ADEKUNLE SALAMI (ON FACEBOOK)
“I don’t sign cheques. I don’t fix contract prices, State Ministries handle these.”
“My Knowledge of Abuja is not as deep as my knowledge of Lagos. I have lived in Lagos all my life.”
“If we are afraid of abuse, start the state police. Not every state should start if it can’t be funded.”
“We are under policed based on statistics and my recommendation is decentralization.”
“As governor I felt responsible for every citizen that was robbed.”
“Security remains the primary but toughest job a leader can have; It was a competition.”
“Government exists to protect citizens and their assets therefore criminals are my competitors.”
“Online Technology is a very versatile tool for tax collection… moving to it would be important.”
“Before we increase taxes we must optimize the capacity to receive what is in place.”
“Our Work in Lagos was a Team Effort, I won’t appropriate personal responsibility for the Good Work.”
Dayo Williams, a commentator, said of the former governor’s appearance:
“Is Fashola a guest speaker at the Senate today?
“Utter silence. Maximum concentration. Rapt attention.
“I like the way he links his divergent and varying ideas together.
“He has a way of bringing them to a point of convergence for the sole purpose of ensuring good governance.
“Before you accuse me of anything, I am a passionate fan of the former Governor of Lagos State.”
13:02: Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC GMD, is the next nominee on the floor. He has given details of his background. He said he has had 30 years experience in the oil industry. He said he is privileged to be in the upper chambers and appreciates the architectural masterpiece.
Mr. Kachikwu said there is no plan to remove subsidy on PMS and kerosene, saying it is a rumour. That is the reason there are short queues. He said lack of maintenance was responsible for the shutdown the nation’s refineries. He said the NNPC was working on policy that will see the production of more kerosene. He said Nigeria looses $15 billion a year because of the absence of the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Mr. Kachikwu said if confirmed minister, he would consolidate on the changes he has brought into the oil industry in the last six weeks of his appointments as GMD of NNPC.
“Strategic reserves and sustenance of refineries will be our priority” Mr Kachikwu.
Mr Kachukwu further explained that once PIB is broken up into realistic aspects, then progress begins.
Mr. Kachikwu said he won’t be constrained by the lack of PIB, but will continue work with the existing laws for now.
The senate passed a motion extending the time of sitting to enable senators continue wih the screening of the nominees.
Mr. Kachikwu said he had no choice but to appear before the Senate when summoned because it is a matter of law.
He said he would do more than that. He said he was planning what he called “NNPC Manual” which would be published to address relevant issues in the sector monthly.
“I now do a weekly broadcast to all of our Staff memebers as well as a Monthly Town Hall Meeting”, Mr Kachikwu said.
Mr kachikwu said He will continue to have real time weekly session to update the President on happenings of the oil sector.
Mr. Kachikwu denied the NNPC staff are owed five or six months salary.
He said NNPC has one of the best retirement packages in Nigeria.
Mr. Kachikwu takes a bow and leaves after over an hour answering questions. 15:30: Abubakar Malami SAN, is the next nominee on the floor. He spoke of his antecedents in the defunct CPC and the legal profession. He expressed gratitude at the opportunity to be considered a Ministerial Nominee.
He is currently addressing the chamber. And he is being asked questions on practical steps on the reformation of the administration of justice and the prison system.
He was also asked if his personal interest will not conflict with his ministerial obligation.
Responding to questions: Mr Malami said He is of the opinion that the Nigerian legal system is imported from our colonial masters.
He said, clear cut policies have not been established for prisoners.
“Criminal justice administration bill is still pending in the National Assembly”, Mr Malami said.
Also responding to a question from the senate leader Senator Ali Ndume, Mr Malami said the administration of Justice should be completed between a space of 180 days.
Mr. Malami takes a bow and leaves after answering questions. The following updates are courtsey of the Nigerian Senate Twitter handle @NGRsenate 15:51. Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, is the next nominee on the floor.
Mr Ngige made his introductions. He particularly greeted the Senate Leadership.
He introduced himself as the one of the first people to assemble a vehicle in Nigeria.
Mr. Ngige said he indeed feels at home in the Senate. He spoke fondly of his antecedents in the 7th Senate.
And also reflected on his tenure as Governor of Anambra State.
“We are in the era of change and this change will be holistic.” – Mr. Ngige said.
He further spoke about his contributions as Deputy Chair of 7th Senate C’ttee on Power and member of the Health Committee.
The Senate President moved a motion to allow Mr. Ngige take a bow owing to the magnanimity of his C.V and his experiences. 16:04: Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, is the next nominee on the floor. She hails from Taraba State and served in the 7th Senate. She spoke about her experience in the judiciary in the past.
Mrs. Alhassan debunks the claims that her ministerial appointment is compensation for her failed gubernatorial bid.
She addressed the supposed rumor that she was voted based on sentiment.
Mrs. Alhasasn talked about judicial corruption and cited various forms of corruption that can come about..
source premiumtimes
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