Unconscionable Looting And Extravaganza ::Babangida’s state stinks

Babangida’s state stinks
By HENRY UMAHI [umahi@sunnewsonline.come]
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Niger State, the self-acclaimed Power State made history recently. It became the first and only state that had three speakers in one week. First, was Hon Mohammed Alkali as speaker. Second, Hon Idris Ndako took over. Third, Hon Umar MarAli, who currently occupies the seat, was selected.

However, while members of the camp of the state governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu and the opposition, believed to be led by former governor, Abdulkadir Kure, are celebrating their victory and counting their loss, as the case may be, what many may not know is that the root of the matter is a struggle for survival.

Saturday Sun gathered that the occupation of the post of speaker in Niger State has become an issue because of a petition before the state House of Assembly against the governor. The petition made damning allegations against the governor and demands that the House investigates the matter and take appropriate action.

Indeed, in the petition dated January 18, 209, Engineer Yahaya Mohmood attached volumes of documentary exhibits to prove his case. He pointedly stated that the misuse of “state resources by the Chief Servant, the governor of Niger State, and some officials of his government had reached an alarming state and is already the source of concern to our people,” adding: “Unless the House acts swiftly, our state is in the imminent danger of collapsing. I, therefore, urge you to conduct full scale investigation into the allegations contained in the attached petition.”

Similarly, a group, Eagle Eye Coalition, had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on what it called “ abuse of office and looting of public treasury by the government of Niger State through the office of the Chief of Staff to the governor and other cronies.” Dated October 16, 2008, the petition was signed by Musa Muhammadu.

Also, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been asked to look into the financial books of Governor Aliyu and some officials of his government. In a petition, Sheik Ibrahim Yusuf said that there is a “mass looting, abuse of office and flagrant disregard to public financial regulations” in the state. The petition is dated November 4, 2008.

Indeed, documentary evidence attached to the petition before the House is revealing. The governor, for instance, is alleged to have paid N500 million as rent for an official lodge. A memo from the office of the chief of staff to the governor to Governor Aliyu on this, which was dated January 18, 2008, reads: “Sequel to our discussion on the official residential accommodation of your humble self, you are requested to consider the release of N500m for the payment of rent for two years at N250m per fiscal year.”

The governor gave approval to this request the same day. The question many people in the state are asking is: What type of accommodation costs a whopping N250 million per year in Minna, Niger State?
Expenses made on security and other government activities also raise some eyebrows. In July 2008, for example, the total some of 400 million was requested and disbursed in eight days. Indeed, on July 2, a letter from the office of the chief of staff to the governor, requested the approval for the release of N100 million for “Government House activities and general security.” The memo to that effect read: “Mr. Governor, sir, kindly consider and approve the release of N100m for Government House .....Read More..activities and general security matter. Above is submitted for your kind approval. Read more.http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/june/27/national-27-06-2009-02.htm

Nigeria runs out of crude, refineries shut.

From Madu Onuorah, Terhemba Daka (Abuja), Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt), Willie Etim (Yenagoa), Taiwo Hassan and Blessing Eghagha (Lagos)

NOW the chicken has come to roost. The effects of the militancy in the Niger Delta and the Federal Government's clampdown on them have shaken the foundation of the oil and gas industry.

Consequently, the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries have been shut. The Kaduna Refinery, though functioning, has no crude to process because the Warri plant, which feeds it is shut due to a damage to major pipelines. The only stock, which was reserved, will be exhausted in the next 15 days, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said yesterday.

The corporation's Group Managing Director (GMD), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, who painted the pathetic picture of the industry, said in the next 15 days, it will run out of crude for domestic consumption.

The corporation attributed the development to the crisis in the Niger Delta, which has escalated since the government scaled up a military offensive against the militants in the region.

In retaliation, the militants have intensified their sabotage of the activities of oil firms in the zone. In the last three weeks, the militants have struck four times, destroying facilities belonging to Shell, Chevron and Agip, which are joint venture partners with the government.
http://odili.net/news/source/2009/jun/25/38.html

Nigeria lost N182.24bn in 3 months, -FG to audit FIRS, Customs, NNPC

Gbola Subair, Abuja - 22.06.2009

THE Nigerian economy lost N182.24 billion revenue in the first quarter of 2009, the Federal Government has disclosed As a result of this revenue loss, the government is commencing a process audit of revenue-generating agencies with a view to finding the source and cause of the revenue leakage.

According to the first quarter report on the economy released at the weekend by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, aggregate actual Federal Government revenue underperformed by N182.24 billion (or 32.18 per cent) against the budgeted amount of N566.30 billion.

Also, the actual Federal Government oil revenue underperformed by N52.97 billion (or 21.86 per cent) against the projected N242.27 billion, while the non-oil tax revenue underperformed by N53.60 billion compared to the projected level of N144.20 billion.

Other revenues, according to the report, fell short by N75.67 billion compared to projected aggregate of N179.83 billion.

As a result of this revenue loss, the government said it was commencing a process audit of revenue-generating agencies, the outcome of which should help enhance non-oil revenue.

Expenditure wise, the sum of N200.37 billion was released, comprising N187.68 billion for ongoing capital projects and N12.69 billion by way of Authority to Incur Expenditures (AIEs).

Despite the early releases of the First Quarter Capital Warrants on 9 January, 2009, for ongoing projects, capital budget implementation averaged 20.68 per cent (i.e., N33.26 billion out of the N160.84 billion cash backed by the Office of the Accountant-General).

Notwithstanding the poor implementation of capital projects, the report, however, commended some MDAs, such as the Federal Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Foreign and Inter-Governmental Affairs, which had high utilisation rates of 71.68 per cent and 64.19 per cent respectively.

In the period under review, the headline inflation on a year-on-year basis reached 14.6 per cent while interest rates remained high with the weighted average interbank call rate rising to 22.15 per cent.

The DAS/WDAS rate depreciated by 25.3 per cent year-on-year to N147.7/US$, the BDC rate also depreciated by 46.5 per cent to N174.32/US$ and external reserves fell to US$47.08 billion by the end of March 2009, reflecting adjustments to adverse terms-of-trade shocks.

The Federal Government attributed the poor state of the economy to the effects of the global current financial crisis and the Niger Delta crisis, which created negative impact on earnings from oil as a result of lower international price of crude oil, and disruptions of oil facilities.

The global crisis notwithstanding, the government said as oil output and prices recovered oil revenues would be expected to improve. Similarly, the Federal Government said non-oil revenue should improve in subsequent quarters with increased efficiency in the collection of some taxes, which were seasonal in nature.

In an attempt to improve budget implementation rates, the Federal Government said the Budget Office of the Federation organised a workshop in March 2009 to improve the MDAs’ executive capacity.

The workshop, according to the report, was already yielding fruits as the recent data from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on MDAs’ utilisation of capital funds in April indicated an improvement from an average of 20.68 per cent in the first quarter to an average of 52.72 per cent as at end of April 2009.

“It is expected that overall budget implementation performance should further improve over the rest of the 2009 fiscal year,” the report added.

Fellow Nigerians, Fight For Your Country. Collective Apathy = Collective Failure.

Senators, Reps defy National Assembly management, share N1bn fund.

By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi and Sule Lazarus (Abuja)

Despite denials last week, it emerged on Tuesday that both Chambers of the federal legislature have shared, at N500 million each, the N1 billion ring-fenced in the 2009 budget for the review of the Constitution, now in limbo.

There are 88 members on the Joint Constitution Review Committee (JCCR), comprising 44 Senators and 44 House of Representatives members; but the JCCR has since split up, with each Chamber going solo on the exercise.

Senators and House members brushed aside opposition from the National Assembly (NASS) management and have started spending the money, which translates into N11.36 million for every one of the 88 reviewers.

A similar amount was allocated and shared in the 2008 budget, divided into N500 million for each Chamber.

It was learnt that the Senate has fixed July to begin its own review, after resumption of the third legislative session on June 23.

The money was accessed after the NASS management, custodians of the N1 billion, caved in under pressure from the JCCR.

Deputy Senate President and JCCR Chairman, Ike Ekweremadu, requested the fund on behalf of Senators; House Deputy Speaker and JCCR Vice-chairman, Usman Nafada, did on behalf of House members.

They routed the request to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Nasiru Arab, who demanded due process and all documents through proper administrative checks before the release.

A NASS source reiterated on Tuesday that "although the funds are being managed by the management of the National Assembly, there is nothing like joint exercise anymore.

"Legislators now make requests for the release of their share through (Arab) who is the accounting officer of the Assembly and head of its bureaucracy.

"(Arab) is in the twilight of his career, so he has asked his officers to scrutinise the applications properly."

The fund was originally meant to be accessed by the JCCR.

But, as it was learnt, the agitation by House members to do their own Constitution review, which led to the collapse of the JCCR, informed the decision of the NASS management to release the money separately to each Chamber.

Another source explained that "following the collapse of the joint review exercise, the legislators have now resolved to spend the N1 billion meant for the exercise on the passage of the seven Bills sent to the National Assembly by President Umaru Yar'Adua.

"It is no longer an intention, the money is now being spent by the separate Chambers."

Last week, Senate Spokesman, Ayogu Eze, distanced the Upper House from any plan to split the N1 billion in half and share it.

"There was no joint appropriation so there is no reason to ask for sharing of the N1 billion fund. The issue of somebody sharing doesn't arise. The request never happened," he stressed.

Also on Tuesday, lawmakers rejected the explanation of House Leader, Tunde Akogun, on how N270 million was spent on the recent retreat in Kano and Uyo.

House Information Committee Chairman, Dino Melaye, insisted on behalf of his colleagues from his hideout that there is no going back on the move to remove Akogun and Chief Whip, Emeka Ihedioha.

Melaye alleged in a telephone interview that the hands of Akogun are not clean as less than 300 members attended the retreat at both centres, and as the events were sponsored by the Kano and Akwa Ibom State Governments.

"For argument sake, lets assume 328 members attended the retreat as claimed by (Akogun) and each member was given N200,000 as honourarium, that means less than N66 million was spent, where is the balance?'', he queried.

Ihedioha is accused of misappropriating part of the N150 million meant for the celebration of 10 years of democracy.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/jun/17/401.html#

Ogun govt to issue N60bn development bond.

Friday Ekeoba, Lagos - 16.06.2009
FOLLOWING its aspiration of becoming a cosmopolitan city, the Ogun State government, on Monday, formally approached the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to raise N60 billion for capital projects development.

Also, the state government has dismissed a resolution by the state House of Assembly barring it from sourcing for fund, describing the moves by the lawmakers as a mere games and political struggle which was of good for the health of the state.

Chief Gbenga Daniel, who led the state’s economic team, which was the brain behind the bond issue, to the floor of the exchange, said contrary to reports, the fund to be raised was aimed at developing every part of the state for the betterment of the people.

However, as at the time of filing this report, the NSE was yet to give its accent to the demands of the state government as it was still going through the five-year financial records of the state submitted to it, being one of the requirements for fund raising by any institution.

Although, Chief Daniel did not disclose the amount of money the state would be sourcing from the stock market, a close source in the government said the bond issue would be about N60 billion and whose tenor/maturity date would be in the interest of the investors.

Describing the bond issue as part of the futuristic master plan of the state government, Daniel informed financial stakeholders that investors have nothing to worry about as the the government led by him was a credible one with integrity.

According to Chief Daniel, the proceeds of the bond issue, which would be employed to transform the state into an economic hub, would be expended on proposed projects which include the Cargo Airport, Deep Seaport, tourism and further develop the education sector, as well as construction of more roads.

Yes We Can Not!!!

Daniel Gets Outstanding Gov Award From His Own Newspaper

June 15, 2009 15:00 (5 hours ago)
The declaration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun state as the most outstanding governor in education in the country has been condemned by communication scholars and journalists alike.

The award, which is organised by the Nigerian Compass Newspaper, owned by governor Daniel, has been described as obscene, unethical and laughable. A cross-section of Nigerians who spoke to our correspondents this morning, on the award scheduled for Sunday, in Abuja, condemned it and called on media practitioners to reject it. Reacting to governor Daniel’s declaration as the most outstanding governor, the Dean, Faculty of Information and Communications Technology, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Dr. Femi Ademiluyi, described the award as obscene.

“I am surprised that in this 21st century, such manipulation can take place. It is not right and should be condemned by media practitioners. It is incredible that a national newspaper can go to the extent of boosting the ego of its proprietor by giving him an award that he does not deserve,” he stated. In his reaction, the coordinator of the International Press Centre, Ogba, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, who has been at the forefront of the campaign against media giving awards, described the Compass awards as unethical.

“In this instance, it is not right. It is unethical. You can’t be a judge in your own case. It is not right because the proprietorial interest of Daniel in Compass Newspaper is well known. They shouldn’t have included their proprietor in the list of those considered for the award. “I have always been opposed to newspapers giving awards to people. This is because it compromises their principles. How do you reconcile the interest of the newspaper to hold the government accountable to the people with the interest of the awardees, who, in this case, are state governors? The media is the watchdog and this role is compromised when it starts giving awards.
http://thepmnews.com/2009/06/15/daniel-gets-outstanding-gov-award-from-his-own-newspaper

NNPC failed to remit N368bn in 9 years; Oil lifting granted companies without due process - Monies paid to non-existent companies - NNPC paid self $50

Idowu Samuel, Abuja - 12.06.2009

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit N368 billion to the Federation Account between 1999 and 2008, a House of Representatives committee probing the corporation was told on Thursday.

An accounting firm, was, however, blamed by the ad hoc committee for allegedly colluding with top officials of the NNPC by failing to properly scrutinise the NNPC account to prevent the fraud.

The House, therefore, directed the accounting firm to appear before the probe panel at its next sitting to testify on the whereabouts of the sum said to be connected with deals with some oil companies which benefitted from oil importation during the years under review.

The committee equally frowned on the allocation of 1,500,000 metric tonnes of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) to four indigenous oil companies by the NNPC between September 2002 and February 2003 at hugely discounted prices, which it noted, would have fetched the Federal Government N17 billion.

The companies were said to have got the allocation to lift the LPFO, used mainly for industrial purposes, without due process while they were alleged to have defrauded the country to the tune of N17 billion by selling the product at the international market after buying the same from NNPC at subsidised rate.

The probe panel asked the NNPC to explain reasons behind its resolve to pay the $25.6 million to Texaco Oil as performance balance for the period of 1999 and 2005, whereas the oil company was never one of its joint venture partners.

It equally queried the NNPC for paying cash call totalling $5.7 million in 2000, and $11.2 million in 2002 to Palm Ocean Oil, whereas the oil company did not operate as its joint venture partner within the period.



The committee also asked the NNPC to explain reason it paid $31.6 million to a company known as NNPC Crude Oil and Gas, also as performance balance in 2002, contending that since no such company existed, the corporation, for no reason, deliberately paid itself the money.

The committee also accused NNPC of paying $50.2 million to itself in 2008 as performance balance for 2002 and 2005, a disclosure which it said was made by the Group Managing Director of the company, Abdullahi Barkindo, who had earlier given his testimony.

The NNPC in 2008, according to the committee, listed six oil companies as those it would want to work with, in a joint venture arrangement, but later came up with eight companies to which it eventually made scheduled payment of transaction, alleging that the extra two companies, NPDC and NAPIC, did not deserve to receive any payment from the corporation.

Akunyili grilled at Chicago Airport....

...............

Govs, ministers, MPs steal N285bn —EFCC

Govs, ministers, MPs steal N285bn —EFCC

ACHILLEUS-CHUD UCHEGBU (Abuja Bureau Chief) and ERASMUS ALANEME

Amidst rising poverty and failed infrastructure, former governors, ministers, senators and other categories of public servants allegedly swindled Nigerians of about N285.4 billion in 10 years of the return to civil rule.

Of the amount, reported loot by ex-governors, ministers and senators amounted to over N102 billion.

Other public officers including members of the House of Representatives, political party officials, board members, civil servants and others from the private sector allegedly looted public money amounting to over N183 billion.

However, of the amount only a paltry N50bn has been recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

These were the highlights of a media parley yesterday in Abuja to mark the first year in office of Mrs. Farida Waziri as Chairman of the commission.

Speaking at the event, Waziri revealed her frustration in prosecuting corruption cases while frowning at the slow pace of litigation in the country though she said the commission had achieved conviction in 65 corruption cases.

A breakdown of the looted funds indicated that former governors and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts formed the bulk of heavy looting.

According to EFCC, trial of the former governors was at different stages of prosecution but hampered by slow pace of the judicial process and alleged connivance between the accused and the judicial officers, especially, lawyers to frustrate trial.

A document entitled "On-going high profile cases’ gave details of the alleged looting indication that former Gov. Ayo Fayose is facing trial for allegedly looting N1.2 billion from the coffers of Ekiti state.

The document also indicated that former deputy National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olabode George allegedly swindled government of N100 billion while serving as Chairmnan of the Board of Nigerian Ports authority (NPA).

Others include; Saminu Turaki (N36 billion); Orji Uzor Kalu (N5 billion); Chimaroke Nnamani (N5.3bn); Michael Botmang (N1.5 bn); Prof Babalola Borishade (N5.6bn); Boni haruna (N93million); Femi Fani-Kayode (N250million); Rasheed Ladoja (N6bn); Prof Adenike Grange (N300m); Sen. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello (N10m) and Jolly Nyame (N180m).

Also on the list are Sen. Nichola Ugbane, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and others (N6.2billion); Four Managers of Zenith Bank Plc (N3.6billion); Molkat Mutfwang and others (N636m); Dr. Ransome Owan and others (N1.5billion); Tom Iseghoghi and others of Transcorp (N15 billion); Kenny Martins (N7.7billion); Patrick Fernandez, an Indian businessman (N32billion); Eider George, an Australian businessman (N5.6billion); Nyeson Wike, Chief of Staff to Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State (N4.6 billion) and Roland Iyayi, a former Managing Director of FAAN (N5.6billion).

2011: EFCC Promises Hard Time for Politicians...

•Odili, Tinubu being investigated, says Waziri
From Ike Abonyi and Ali M. Ali in Abuja, 06.09.2009

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Farida Waziri has said the commission will be hard on politicians to thwart any attempt by any of them to engage in graft in the build-up to the 2011 elections.
Waziri, who spoke with newsmen yesterday in Abuja to mark her one year in office, said she had been told that 2010 would be crucial because campaigns for the 2011 elections would start and some politicians would want to steal funds to prosecute the elections.
But she said the commission was ready for the politicians ahead of the poll. She also said she was ready for whatever consequences that might come with the job.
“I have been told next year will be crucial and tough for EFCC as politicians will be campaigning for 2011 elections and some of them will want to amass wealth for that. We are ready and prepared for them,” she said.
Waziri also said investigation into the corruption allegations against former governors Peter Odili and Bola Tinubu of Rivers and Lagos States was still ongoing.
The EFCC chairman again, however, lamented that the judiciary was frustrating the commission’s effort at fighting the war against graft in the country.
She said: “EFCC is not responsible for everything that goes on in fighting corruption in this country. I investigate, draft charges, monitor the cases and that is where my actions stop. I ensure that exhibits are tendered and all that. It is really frustrating. If one arm of government is trying to forestall this work, you should not blame the EFCC, you should ask questions.”

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=145632&printer_friendly=1

EFCC arraigns 4 NAHCO officals, contractor over N195m scam

Four officials of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and a female contractor have been arraigned before Justice Joseph Oyewole of a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja over N195 million fraud.

The accused persons, Atiemora Agboneni, Emmanuel Anwuruoku, Jossy Akanusi and Obasi Chuks, were alleged to have committed the offence between January 2001 and December 2004.

They were charged with conspiracy to commit felony, to wit, stealing of money, which contravened Section 516 and 390(6) of the Criminal Code, Cap 17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

The contractor, Kemi Ozenna, was alleged to have conspired with other accused to steal N55 million worth property of NAHCO through a fake contract for the supply of safety boots.

However, the contractor applied for bail on liberal terms through her counsel, Abiodun Omidare and it was granted by the judge while the other accused persons were remanded in prison custody pending the determination of their application bail.

Omidare had told the court that his client was ready to be a primary witness for the anti-graft commission but the EFCC counsel, Emmanuel Jackson, did not give any clue to the suggestion but told the court to wait until the trial commences.

Justice Oyewole granted the female contractor bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties in like sum, who must be residening of Lagos State with landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court. The case was adjourned till July 22.

Millions of naira electrification project equipment rot away..

IN the wake of the alleged 6 billion naira rural electrification scam which involves some Nigerian federal legislators and their collaborators in the federal bureaucracy, facts have emerged that millions of naira worth of equipment meant for rural electrification project have been left to waste in an open field in the Rural Electrification yard of the Egbin Power Plant in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.

While many rural communities in Nigeria are left in darkness due to the lack of equipment, items like transformers, cables, poles and other materials have been left at the mercy of the elements.

Experts are of the view that this sort of development will further hinder the attainment of the power generation target in the country.

Commenting on the issue, Minister of State for Power, Dr. Lanre Babalola, said that the matter would be properly looked into, and the equipment would be examined in order to know the ones that needed immediate repairs.

A member of staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), who requested anonymity, said that some pieces of equipment had been removed by thieves.

According to the allegations made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the fraud involved the sum of N6 billion voted for a solar rural electrification project in the 2008 budget.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/08062009/news/news3.html

N250m Scandal owner hitchhiked on Obi's convoy

From Chuks Collins, Awka

THE Anambra State government has again distanced itself from the intercepted N250 million allegedly found in one of the vehicles on the governor's convoy in Lagos by the Police on Sunday.

In a spirited explanation yesterday at a media briefing in Awka, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Maja Umeh, noted that contrary to some media reports Governor Peter Obi was attending to official businesses in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday when the news broke.

Umeh stressed that Obi was not in Lagos when the incident occurred.

He added that the contractor "was on a legal contract with the state government and paid for the contract following due process."

The commissioner surmised that the owner of the money hitchhiked the three-car convoy, which went to Lagos for routine maintenance servicing.

Umeh argued that joining the convoy was strictly the man's personal decision, which he could have worked out in private with the convoy's drivers.

His words: "All the necessary papers were demanded for and were quickly tendered by the contractor to police. The state government has no hands in it and there was no arms or ammunition found on him either."

Umeh, who fielded questions from reporters alongside Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. Mike Udah, thanked the reporters present at the event for first seeking official clarifications over the matter.

It would be recalled that the state Assembly had during the week set up an ad hoc panel to probe the development.

Obi has also written the Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, to investigate the matter so as to expose those he described as the "political jobbers" behind it.

Police Now Collect N100 At Checkpoints..

June 04, 2009 14:32
By Adetutu Audu

The men of the Nigeria Police no longer collect N20 at road blocks, but N100, P.M.NEWS’ checks have revealed.

Investigations at some police checkpoints in Lagos revealed that the unscrupulous police officers are now rejecting N20 bribe and demanding N100 from motorists, commuter bus drivers and commercial motorcyclists, a.k.a. okada riders. P.M.NEWS’ investigation further revealed that the ‘toll’ varies from one area to another. Drivers of commuter buses plying Obalende, Ikeja, PWD, Oshodi, Acme Road, Pen Cinema and other choice areas in the metropolis, said they paid N100 at checkpoints located along their routes. Okada riders also confirmed paying the same amount.

A commuter bus driver, Mr. Ameh Ijeh, told P.M.NEWS that: ” When you get to the checkpoints, what you hear is march am, which means step on your brake, with N100. Our reporter also witnessed a scene where a motorist gave a policeman N20 at a checkpoint at the Ikeja GRA. The police officer told the driver that he would not allow him to go if he did not pay N100. “Who go collect N20. Your money na N100. If you no get, park.” Those were the words of the policeman.

Commuter bus drivers plying routes like Fola Agoro in Somolu area of Lagos state, Ipaja-Ayobo, College Road, Ifako and other areas in the suburb, still give the routine N20 at checkpoints. It was observed that the policemen usually increase the toll to N100 at night, along these routes. Those who refused to pay the ‘toll’ are delayed and sometimes their vehicles are impounded and taken to the police station where they are charged with a different offence.

Many Nigerians have been killed and maimed just because they did not part with the N20 bribe. on 3 November, 2008, 23-year-old Gabriel Mordi, a presenter with the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Asaba, was murdered in cold blood at a police checkpoint on the Benin-Asaba Expressway, Agbor, for not stopping when he was asked to stop by policemen at the checkpoint. 19-year-old Bariu Ayoola Thanne, a student of the Lagos State University, Epe campus, also suffered the same fate on 25 November, 2008, at a police checkpoint along Lagos-Epe Expressway.

Modebayo Awosika, a relationship manager with First Bank Plc., was killed on 30 September, 2008, by a trigger-happy policeman at Lekki Expressway roundabout, Lagos. On 9 April, 2009, 3-year-old Kaosarat Saliu met her untimely death a day to her birthday, on her way home, after her parents took her to the salon to make her hair in preparation for the birthday. Their vehicle was shot around Ketu area of Lagos state and the bullet hit the young girl in the head.

Looters Bonanza::Govt okays N25b for power projects

From Madu Onuorah, Abuja

THE Federal Government yesterday continued its search for a lasting solution to the lingering power crisis in the country.

After a series of deliberation on the issue in Abuja, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved contracts worth N25.3 billion for the completion of some power projects to stabilise electricity supply in the country.

This included the ratification of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's anticipatory approval of a total of N15.4 billion, to be spent outside this year's budget, to fund new critical transmission projects. The money will be sourced from intervention funds.
http://odili.net/news/source/2009/jun/4/14.html

'Reps earn N20m every four months':: Over 80 per cent of Nigeria's income on the public service

'Reps earn N20m every four months'
From Adamu Abuh, Kano




A FORMER member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Farouk Adamu Aliyu, has queried the rationale for expending over 80 per cent of Nigeria's income on the public service.

Aliyu said if the expenditure is not curtailed, it would be difficult to address the problem of poor infrastructure in the country.

He disclosed that each serving member of the Lower House now collects over N20 million every quarterly as against the N9 million he earned within the same period during his tenure from 2003 to 2007.

This, he said, is a tip of what both elected and top officials of the government receive at the three tiers of the government in the country.

The former lawmaker, who spoke at a forum organised by Kano Youth Movement for Good Governance held at the weekend at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kano, enjoined Nigerians to explore a viable means of checking the trend.

Agreeing that 10 years of uninterrupted civil rule was worth celebrating, Aliyu however said that it was unfortunate that the basic tenet of democracy to ensure free and fair election was yet to be adhered to by the leaders.

Aliyu, who aspired for the governorship of Jigawa State on the platform of the Action Congress (AC) in the last poll, enjoined the youth to show interest in politics and determine those who represent them at various levels of governance.

He further charged the youth to make leaders render account of their stewardship.

"I am very much aware of the fact that there are members of the House who do not know the difference between a bill and a motion but somehow they managed to get to the House due to undemocratic practices in the country. If a governor says he is constructing a road or borehole for you, don't make him feel he is doing you a favour because he is not doing it with his hard-earned money. Demand for the cost of the project, find out whether it is viable and whether it would be beneficial to you," he said.





That's Your Money Folks.............