Business

OGUN: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION AND IGR By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

Published

8 years ago

June 23, 2016

Democracy in Nigeria today, is no longer peoples oriented as opined by the progenitors of this concept; rather, what we have now is AUTOCRACY where only the few enjoy the dividends through the workforce of the majority and amass wealth for their selfish interest and personal gain.

Few months back, there was much ado about the establishment of additional 37 LCDAs by Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State as the development was greeted with mixed reactions.

While many argued that, the establishment of such would only further impoverish the state owing to the fact that the existing 20 Local Government Authority were inadequately funded, government hinged its claim on bringing development to the grassroot.

Though, the intention of Governor Amosun was political, but of course, bringing government to the doorstep of the people will aid development, no doubt about that, our fear of the LCDAs is inadequate funding in this situation that the state government has taken over the Local Government account all in the name of Single Treasury Joint Account. I make bold to say that, such move was a ruse and will only hamper the activities of the Local government.

A local government is a local administration under which local communities are organized to maintain law and order. It is also defined as a non-self governing body set up by an act of Parliament, a decree, or by the Constitution to administer a territory or a political entity for the benefit of a stronger government which normally cannot or does not want to rule the area directly.

Local Governments have been described as “the strength of free nations” because of their effective control of Local affairs for the good of all.

Local Government in traditional Nigerian political systems was established through the instrumentalities of traditional authorities. These were Emirs, Obas, Chiefs, Age-grades and Council of elders. It was the societal interaction of these traditional political institutions that authoritative allocation of values were made for the society. With the advent of British colonial rule in Nigeria, the chieftaincy institutions were involved in the system of Local government called the indirect rule.

Indirect rule is a system of government in which the British ruled the people through traditional rulers according to the native laws and customs. When the indirect rule collapsed due to the Aba women riot in 1929, local government after the civil war underwent reforms in Nigeria.

The Eastern (East Central and South-eastern states) and Mid-Western states adopted a one-tier local government system called Divisional Councils. In the local divisions, emphasis was placed on decentralization, democratization, efficiency and effectiveness of the councils.

However, as the Federal military government prepared to hand over power to civilians, it reformed the local government system throughout the country in 1976. It recognized local governments as the third tier of government.

The 1976 reform was intended to stimulate democratic self-government and to encourage initiative and leadership potential and enshrine the principle of political responsibility. But today in Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration doesn’t give a damn to the existence of Local government authority.

Instead of empowering the 20 local governments with their respective allocations to effectively discharge its obligation to the people, the APC administration in Ogun State has crippled the LG with inadequate fund, but created additional 37 LCDAs to serve his selfish objectives.

With such inappropriate establishment, one begin to wonder how the governor will finance them considering the low income of Federal allocation for local government.

Even in the face of the global economy doldrums which Nigeria is not an exception to, definitely such effect will take its toll on federal allocation to State governments down to local government, that is why local government administrators have been constitutionally empowered to generate revenue to execute its projects.

Local governments in Nigeria derive their revenue from internally generated revenue, statutory allocation from states, constitutional allocation from the federal government account, grants, donations and advances from banks.

Part of the internally generated revenue of the local government include; rates imposed on the use of specific items whether individually or government owned. These rates include water rate, tenement rate, capitation rate and motorcycle rate.

Another means of generating fund by the local government to remain independent is motor Park and stallage fees. Others include, registration of births, marriages, deaths and house numbering. But today, Governor Amosun in his megalomania style of leadership overthrew the responsibility of the local government and rendered them stagnant and under performing

The motor Park fees is now being collected by the governor’s political thug, Mr. Akeem Adeosun a.k.a Jango, while house numbering and signages fee collection is now being handled by a private agency connected to the governor.

Little wonder the rural settlers are deprived of the basic amenities expected from the local government such as, road maintenance, refuse clearing, provision of portable water like borehole, environmental sanitation, public enlightenment on new government policies, provision of health facilities, job creation, provision of primary education among others.

Infact, allocation from both federal government account and state government as approved by the State House of Assembly are now allegedly being controlled by Mr. Governor himself.

Though, one valid claim from one of the Governor’s aides was that, there were allegations and counter allegations on the local government leadership ranging from financial misappropriation, under performance and financial embezzlement, but one critical question the good people of Ogun State should ask Mr. Governor or any of his spokespersons is that, why is it that the Federal government has not taken over the affairs of the state despite allegations of corruption, misplaced priority projects? Why is Ogun State Government taking over LG activities in Ogun?

Another heart pondering issue on the shredded part of the LG is the issue of local government elections. One of the basic features of the 1976 local government reform in Nigeria is tenure of office.

The local government councilors are to be elected on a three-year basis. The normal life of a local government Council is also three years, although, the governor of a state could order the dissolution of the council if found incapable of discharging its functions effectively. The Governor may appoint a caretaker committee pending a fresh election. But after one year in office and the dissolution of the local government caretaker committee across the 20 functional Council areas, no plan as it is by the state government to conduct an election into the council areas.

The Governor’s decision of not conducting local government election in the state maybe connected to public outcry over the failed promises and hardship inflicted on the people by the APC government in the state, hence, the fear of losing the council areas to oppositions in the state remain the beginning of wisdom for the governor.

However, the constitution remains the grundnom for governance in Nigeria, and many informed political analysts are of the opinion that the Governor Ibikunle Amosu led regime cannot afford to run foul of constitutional provisions on tenure of caretaker executives at the local government and as such must prepare to hold elections soonest in consonance with extant constitutional provisions.

Business

Oil marketers counter Dangote

Published

13 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Oil marketers counter Dangote over allegation of substandard product importation

The Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has countered the claim by Dangote Refinery that any oil importers landing petrol at a price cheaper than what the refinery is selling are importing substandard products and conniving with international traders to dump low quality products into Nigeria.

The refinery had made the claim on Sunday.

In a statement yesterday, DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, said none of its members was engaging in activities that could shortchange Nigerian fuel users by conniving with anyone to bring in low quality product into the country.

“We’ve said this for the umpteenth time, and it bears repeating, those in the downstream sector business of petroleum products trade are patriotic Nigerians who will not shortchange Nigerian citizens for filthy lucre. Our members are in this business to add value to the businesses of their fellow Nigerians and not to defraud them.

“Prices of products in the international market are dynamic as they’re dictated by prevailing circumstances at every given situation. We calculate our landing costs based on the dynamics of market forces, and the templates are always in the public domain. To claim that if the landing cost of imported product happens to be lower than that of the refinery indicates importation of low quality product is not only preposterous, but also fallacious. In any case, the management of the refinery has, until now, kept its cost and prices close to its chest and put it away from public scrutiny. “

“This type of submission, targeted at projecting our members negatively before the public, cannot help the management’s desire to have oil marketers patronise its products. What will ensure such patronage is transparency, fair play, and readiness to compete with others, including foreign refineries, on an even keel and on a level playing field.”

Adewole said the disclosure by the refinery’s management that the facility has a huge stock of 500 million litres fuel reserve came to its members as news.

“We were surprised because we believe that if the refinery has such huge stock, it’s the marketers that should be put in the know first.

‘Secondly, it was even more surprising given that the news came about the time the refinery was working on rationing what each marketer could pick from the refinery. If they had such huge stock, how is it then that they’re rationing what marketers could buy?

“On all these developments in the industry, the position of our members is very clear: we’ve always played by the rules, and we’ll continue to play by the rules. We’ll not be tired of advocating for a level playing field and a highly competitive and transparent sector that’s devoid of arm twisting and devoid of any form of dominant tendencies,” he said.

Similarly, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) said it had concluded plans to import the best quality petroleum product and sell at far cheaper prices.

The association said it was awaiting the NMDPRA to grant it import licence, saying it “has successfully incorporated a strategic business unit called PETROL.”

Its spokesman, Joseph Obele, said PETROAN had concluded plans with her foreign refinery counterparts and financial partners to import the best quality of PMS and “then sell far less than the present selling rate of PMS in Nigeria.”

He said the allegations that PETROAN would import inferior products and that an international company was trying to establish a PMS blending plant in Lagos “are all strategies for Dangote Refinery to push others out of the market…”

Also, Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, in a statement by its Chief Executive Officer, Bob Dickerman, denied blending substandard petroleum products.

Business

Why Protesters demanded Kyari’s resignation

Published

13 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Why Protesters demanded Kyari’s resignation

Scores of youths stormed the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Monday, demanding the immediate resignation of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mele Kyari.

The protesters, led by some Civil Society Organisations, described Kyari’s leadership as incompetent, citing skyrocketing fuel prices, endless fuel queues, and economic hardship in Nigeria.

The protesters carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “we demand the immediate resignation of Kyari”, among others, said the leadership of the NNPCL boss has failed.

The aggrieved youths led by Abdullahi Bilal of the (Two Million Man March Against Oil Scam Cabal) and Barrister Napoleon Otache and Olayemi Isaac from Citizens and Economic Freedom Rights Activists in Nigeria demanded immediate action to address what they described as failed leadership in managing the country’s oil sector.

Central to the protests were grievances over skyrocketing fuel prices and the never-ending queues, which they argued have driven inflation and plunged millions of Nigerians into poverty.

They also decried the importation of adulterated fuel, which they said is a corrupt practice that harms citizens by damaging vehicles and businesses.

They demanded an immediate halt to these imports and accountability for those responsible, questioning how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite quality control assurances.

Additionally, the group criticized the unfulfilled promise of the Dangote refinery to resolve Nigeria’s fuel crisis, expressing frustration over the billions of dollars spent on refinery development and refurbishing existing facilities.

They argued that despite these investments, fuel shortages persist, leaving Nigeria reliant on costly imports even as an oil-producing nation.

They urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene by overhauling leadership in the oil sector, enforcing greater accountability, and putting citizens’ needs first. The protesters vowed to continue mobilizing until their demands for reform and transparency are met.

Speaking to journalists during the mass demonstration, Abdullahi Bilal said, “The Two Million Man March stands as a united voice for every citizen who has been betrayed by a system that continues to enrich a few at the expense of many.

“Today, we call for the immediate resignation of the current leadership in the country’s oil sector. Their management has failed Nigerians.

“Under their watch, we have seen fuel prices skyrocket without consultation or consideration of the devastating impact on the people. We have endured fuel scarcity while substandard, adulterated fuel is imported, causing further hardship.

“We demand the complete removal of the fraudulent fuel subsidy regime that has only served to enrich a select few. Full deregulation is necessary to introduce transparency, competition, and fairness to our oil sector.”

On their part, Otache and Isaac, insisted, “This act of economic sabotage has led to endless fuel queues, skyrocketing fuel prices, and unprecedented disruptions in the daily lives of Nigerians.

“We demand an immediate end to fuel queues, transparency, and accountability from all involved parties. We want to know how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite assurances of quality control.”

On July 7, 2019, former President Mohammadu Buhari appointed Kyari as the 19th GMD of NNPC, but with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, his current portfolio is without recourse to previous employment ranks in the company.

NNPCL reacts

Reacting, the NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, said the protestors lack understanding of the sector.

He explained that contrary to their agitation, the GCEO ensured Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.

Responding via a chat, Soneye said, “Unfortunately, they lack understanding of the sector. If they were informed, they would know that the GCEO is not responsible for the fuel price increase; in fact, he ensured Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.”

Business

Renewed Hope Agenda and Impacts in Aviation* By Mary Odoma

Published

15 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Renewed Hope Agenda and Impacts in Aviation

By Mary Odoma

President Bola Tinubu’s knack for selecting top talent is unparalleled. In his quest to build a prosperous Nigeria, he’s assembled an exceptional team. By leveraging their expertise, experience, and strategic insight, he’s fostering national stability, economic growth, and a sustainable future.

His latest win is in Aviation and Aerospace Development, where he’s appointed a fearless and straightforward leader, Festus Keyamo, SAN. Keyamo’s commitment to excellence makes him an ideal fit. President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria is taking shape, and his leadership choices are truly commendable.

A dedicated, charismatic and impactful lawyer, the dynamic and astute developer is a terror to mischief makers and enemies of progress. A tough and forceful personality who is determined with an ultimate goal to change Nigeria.

Appointed on 21st August 2023 as the helmsman of the Ministry, Keyamo has been unwavering in his drive for positive transformation, reforming the sector and bringing about enduring positive impact in a transparent manner.

His Ministry has the core mandate of regulating air travel and aviation services in the country. It is also responsible for overseeing air transportation, air development, maintenance, provision of aviation infrastructural services and other needs.

A very patriotic Nigerian, Chief Festus has several achievements, in line with the Renewed Hope Aviation Roadmap approved by President Tinubu to his credit.

In a steadfast commitment towards revitalizing the nation’s aviation sector, Mr Keyamo was able to ensure the approval of the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano Airports. This is in line with the initiation of the Nigerian Airport Concession Strategy.

Also, in line with the Federal Ministry of Aviation Roadmap, Chief Keyamo initiated the signing of an MoU with the Nile University for the take-off of African Aviation and Aerospace University (AU). This milestone achievement of the Minister aims to integrate and create an avenue for the training, research and development of ready middle-class manpower for the sector.

Equally, under his watch, the pragmatic leader led the Ministry into partnership with the ICRC and also a collaboration with the IFC on infrastructural development. This partnership is to both develop and implement a comprehensive and durable framework that will meet the infrastructural needs of the sector over a long period.

Through Keyamo’s congruence and dynamism, the BASA arrangement is another revolutionary innovation aimed at ensuring the operationalization of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.

Keyamo’s motivation and altruistic devotion to having a functional aviation and aerospace sector also moved him to upgrade the Muhammadu Buhari, Airport, Maiduguri to the standard of an international airport. This airport is ready to commence full operation on January 1, 2025

In the area of staff motivation, retirees of the Ministry now have no cause for alarm as their interest is covered. Recently, the Ministry honoured 24 retirees drawn from the lowest rung to the highest. It is in a bid to acknowledge those who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the sector as Nation-builders.

His prompt response to issues including distress reveals an empathetic personality and someone who is very much alive to his responsibilities. Recently, while reacting to the accident involving a helicopter on the 24th October 2024, Mr Keyamo, immediately upon receiving the distress call, activated protocols aimed at search and rescue operations, mandating all relevant bodies to do everything humanly possible to ensure the safety of the passengers on board the ill-fated vehicle.

The Minister was also actively involved with all the relevant agencies towards ensuring a coordinated response. His active and physical involvement led to the minimization of casualties.

In a show of collaboration and solidarity, the Hon. Minister travelled to far away Marrakesh, Morrocco, to give support to the 2024 International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) congress. His presence was to underpin the importance the federal government attaches to the role of the transport workers in stabilizing the aviation sector.

Festus Keyamo as the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development is certainly the best thing that has happened to the industry. He has exhibited passion, dedication and selfless forthrightness in the discharge of his duties and a total comprehension of what it takes to carry out his roles. He is well-groomed for the job and his background has helped him greatly towards shaping the positive impact he is making on society.

Today, Festus has proved that a faithful, disciplined, and dedicated Nigerian can stand out of the crowd because he symbolizes what governance is all about. These feats can only be achieved by a man with the right comportment and conduct in the service of humanity and the fatherland.

Deserving of note is that Chief Keyamo, through the foresight of President Tinubu has well-prepared team leaders appointed as heads of the agencies of the Ministry.

The supportive and collaborative roles of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Nigeria Metrological Agency, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria Airspace Management, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), have brought about those tangible and noticeable volte-face experienced today in the Aviation sector.

With Keyamo at the helm, Nigeria’s aviation sector is experiencing a transformative shift, thanks to President Tinubu’s foresight in appointing well-prepared team leaders. The Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Nigeria Metrological Agency, and others are working together to bring about tangible change. Keyamo’s dedication, discipline, and commitment to service have improved Nigeria’s image and reformed the aviation and aerospace sectors.

Odoma is the President of New Nigeria Network [NNN[ writing from Abuja.