Gov.Okorocha budgets N195.7B for 2010 Fiscal Year

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From John I. Mgbe, Owerri

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Imo State Governor,Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has presented the 2013 budget proposal of N195,743,,684,031billion to  the State House of Assembly. The budget speech was delivered by Governor Okorocha in the Legislative Chamber of Imo Legislature on Monday,3rd November,2012.It was a well attended event in which every available space in the complex was overflowing with humanity from all walks of life who thronged the venue to witness the historic event.Out of the total budget of N195.7billion budget estimate,N63,560,209,564 or 32.7% is allocated to recurrent expenditure while N132,183,474,467  or 67.53% is allocated to Capital Expenditure

The budget details revealed that revenue projection from recurrent sources for 2013 is N93,889,888,530 and capital receipts is N101,853,795,501.The recurrent revenue consists of funds from federation allocatrions,Internally Generally Revenue, Value Added Tax ,Excess Crude Fund,,13% Derivation Fund, Ecological Fund. NDDC Refund and interest on bond transfer.Capital Receipts consists of receipts from internal loans, Development Partners’ intervention, Grants, Direct funding (FG) and miscallaneous.

The Economic Sector: The total allocation to the Economic sector is

N59, 171,065,6OO representing 47.29 per cent of the total budget. The economic sector is made up of Agriculture, Petroleum and environment ,Housing, Lands,commerce and industry, Works, Transport ,Public Utilities and Rural Development.

Highlights of the Budget:-Economic Sector:

-The Imo State statistical Agency with appropriate Information Technology (ICT) equipment and state of the art office accommodation will be completed;

-Government will embark on the construction of 1000 housing units of various categories for Imo citizens;

– Government will build an ultra modern market  along Onitsha Road;

-Government will build a precast concrete factory in the state;

-Centres will be created to harness creativity at Orlu and Okigwe for Artisans;

-The Administration will strive to set up an Airline in partnership with the private sector;

-Government will construct eight ultra modern motor parks at the headquarters of the three senatorial zones of the state

-A drivers’ training school will be established;

–The Oguta Pontoon will be rehabilitated for effective use

WORKS: Procurement of four new Fire Fighting Engines for the three senatorial zones and Government House;

-Installation of micro water schemes to ensure regular supply of water in the three zones;

-Establishment of Fire Service Training School I Owerri;

-Establishment of new Fire Service Station at New Owerri;

Public Utilities:

* Government will rehabilitate the 16 old water schemes in the State and provide ten (10) additional ones;

*Construction of six(6) semi urban water schemes;

*Installation of traffic signal light at 18 critical road junctions in Owerri;

-*Government will extend electricity and drill 27 bore holes for the 27 new General Hospitals in the State

The Social Services Sector:

*Government will implement its free and qualitative education programme at primary, secondary and Tertiary levels;

*Provision of technical equipment for the full accreditation of the four technical colleges in the state;

*Completion of ongoing construction and renovation of projects in primary and secondary schools in the state.

*After reviewing the programmes of the Co-operative College,Ehime Mbano and the Technological Skills Acquisition Institute,Orlu(TESAI),Government has decided to convert these institutions into campuses of the Imo Polytechnic ,Umuagwo.

Within the year,2012,the  Administration increased monthly subvention to Imo State University from N57million to N252million, an increase of over200%.

Culture and Tourism:

*Government will embark on full development and commissioning of our notable tourist sites such as Blue Lake of Treasure,Abadaba Lake, and the acqisition of monuments to leverage the state’s Internally Generated Revenue

*Ozuruimo Cultural Festival will be given a boost;

*The Ahiajoku Lecture festival will be taken beyond the confines of our national boundaries.

Health SECTOR:

*The completion and equipping of the ultra modern Diagnostic and Dialysis Centre and the 27 new General Hospitals under construction;

*Government will give a boost to the Health at Your Doorstep Initiative;

*Build cold store for the storage of vaccines;

*Government will intensify efforts towards developing a pharmaceutical warehouse

Youths and Sports:

*Government will complete the Orlu and Okigwe ultra modern stadia;

*Government will build an ultramodern Fire proof Market with pre-fabricated materials in 2013 fiscal year.

LEGISLATURE: Government will embark on the construction of a new House of Assembly complex equipped with e-library, internet facilities and general networking system;

*Landscaping of the House of Assembly complex and also expand and equip its clinic with modern medical equipment.

JUDICIARY: Government will embark on the construction of new magistrates court buildings at Iho,Ubulu and Isu resopectively.

Community Government Councils(CGC):The CGC has come to stay.It’s an idea and pet project of this administration which purpose is to massively develop the state by  effectively utilizing existing structures in the communities. It is also aimed at decentralizing governance and enhancing the growth of the agricultural sector

*GOVERNMENT will establish Five (5) Star Hotels at Okigwe and Orlu christened”Princess” and “Prince” Hotels respectively.

*The embargo on employment has been lifted.

2012-2015 Medium Term Development Plan-Imo Rescue Plan: Governor Okorocha recalled that in 2011, the Imo House of Assembly passed the 2012-2015 Imo State Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) known as “The Imo Rescue Development Plan” with a total size of N224billion; He said that the 2013 budget is also anchored on the 2012-2015 MTEF.According to the governor,” the capital allocations and projects in this budget are all part of the entire package”.

Finally, Governor Okorocha assured the populace that his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, would be probed and the documents to that effect would be released in the next 14 days.

 

Delta Orders Closure Of All Illegal Health Facilities

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Delta state government is to close down all illegal health facilities in the state while housing units allocated to individuals but not yet occupied would be revoked immediately.

The State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who announced this while reviewing the conclusions reached at Day One of the State Dashboard Implementation Workshop, directed the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) to complete all repair works on roads in Warri and Asaba before the end of this month.

In particular, he said that all clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies operating illegally or below the minimum required standard would be closed down forthwith.

According to him, the State Government has made appreciable progress in the Health Sector with the State recording above the WHO standard on Doctor/hospital ratio as well as other paramedical staff ratio to the population of the state.

However, he charged the staff in the sector to be more vigilant and diligent in their duties to ensure that the standard was improved upon.

Dr Uduaghan announced other conclusions reached to include embarking on mass housing programme which already has 1.5 billion naira set aside for the project.

He said that the state government would encourage the private sector to invest in the housing sector and resist stoutly any undue negative interference in the housing sector.

On the challenges posed by flooding, the Governor directed the Ministries of Works, Environment and Lands, Urban and Regional Development to jointly review the drainage system in Asaba to check flooding emanating from the Okpanam axis.

Specifically, he directed the Ministry of Environment to demolish all illegal structures on natural waterways irrespective of the ownership of such structures.

Besides, the Ministry of Transport was asked to have a database which could serve as reservoir of information for private sector investment in the transport sector.

Similarly, the ministry is expected to embark on marine transportation to enable those in the riverine areas move around easily and at affordable cost.

Also, it was resolved that the State Government would pay promptly all certificates raised for jobs completed by contractors to encourage them to do more.

The Dashboard Implementation Workshop, which is a self evaluation programme, was designed to review the activities of Ministries and parastatals and prepare a road map that would improve the policies and programmes of the various ministries and parastatals in the state.

 

APGA Condemns Attacks On Okorocha By Ufomba

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The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) , Abia state chapter, has described as misguided the attacks on Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha by the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Chief Reagan Ufomba.

The party’s state publicity secretary, Senior Apostle Kingsley Maduakor stated this in a statement made available to newsmen. He maintained that Ufomba’s allegations against the Imo state chief executive are baseless and an attempt to rubbish the party and advance the goals of his paymasters after his dismal performance in the last general elections.

“While it is obvious that Chief Ufomba, a co fusionist par excellence is at again as was the case with his sojourn in the Peoples Democratic Party and has been recruited and is on a mission to create tension and friction in the party by his unfounded allegation against Owelle Rochas Okorocha of meddling in
the affairs of APGA Abia state.

“His resort to his time worn antics of employing pseudo names in launching attacks and his choice of an amorphous “Pastor Philips” in advancing this self mocking mischief of his in the guise of a press release is both stale and un-amusing,” the statement read in part.

The party says it views the continuous hosting of what it termed illegal meetings by Ufomba in his private house and office as an act of drowning man abandoned by close associates, who after seeing his anti democratic antecedents had since returned to the PDP form where they came from with him.

“We are amused at Chief Ufomba’s resort to fabrication and issuance of false press release in the name of APGA Abia state with the intention of misleading and confusing members of the public.”

The party further urged Okorocha not to allow the enemies of progress to distract him from focusing on his developmental strides in Imo state, adding that the public should ignore Ufomba whom it describes as an agent of destabilization in the party.

Delta Sets Master’s Degree as Minimum Qualification for Lecturers

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No less than 40,000 youths are being targeted to be empowered in Delta state annually under the Skills Acquisition Programme of the State Government.

The State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who disclosed this while briefing participants at the Economic Dashboard Implementation workshop in Asaba, yesterday, said that currently, 7,000 youths were being empowered yearly at the different Skill Acquisition centres across the state.

According to him, the Government would intensify efforts to ensure that the target of 40,000 was met by establishing more skills acquisition centres and completing works on those under construction.

“We have agreed that boarding facilities be provided in the already established skill acquisition centres to make it easy for the youths to attend lectures”, he hinted.

Besides, the Governor announced that henceforth Masters Degree would be the minimum qualification for lecturers in Higher Institutions of learning in the state including Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

He said that it was not acceptable that in the present situation where there are many holders of Masters Degree looking for jobs, tertiary institutions in the state were employing First Degree holders as Lecturers.

Dr Uduaghan said his administration places great emphasis on education stressing that to achieve academic excellence in Higher Institutions of learning, a lecturer with First degree should not teach in tertiary institutions in the state.

He explained that the success of development programme in the state was anchored on education saying “Education is the key to the success of any program we are planning’’.

The Governor who harped on the importance of monitoring in the education sector directed that all Inspectors of Education in the state should have a minimum of two years practical experience in teaching, and that anyone without such experience should no longer be allowed to serve as an Inspector.

He said that for Inspectors of Education to diligently perform their duties, they must acquire the requisite knowledge and experience in the field.

Also, he directed that a comprehensive list of uncompleted projects in Higher Institutions of learning in the state be compiled saying that steps would be taken to ensure that they were completed.

“We noted that our children are doing well in internal exams (JSS 3 exams) but are not performing very well in external exams (SSS 3 exams). We have therefore adopted a strategy to encourage hard work and academic excellence in schools’’, he added.

The Governor noted that there were more teachers in the urban areas than rural areas and enjoined the education ministry to redistribute teachers from the urban areas to the rural areas to balance teachers in schools.

He said the Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education was developing a partnership programme with DELSU to have a continuous program for the training and re-training of teachers for improved productivity.

 

Ohakim’s Probe: Kinsmen Back Okorocha

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Within 24 hours Gov Owelle Rochas Okorocha declared government intention to expose the activities of Ikedi Ohakim within the period he served as governor of Imo state,his kinsmen have backed the decision as well as describing it as a bold step towards moving Imo forward.

In a solidarity visit to the governor by the political leaders of Isiala Mbano LGA, the local government origin of the former governor led by Sen.B C Agunanne, the group declared its support to the transformation agenda and other programmes of Okorocha -led administration including the efforts geared towards recovering funds looted by the past administration.

Sen.Agunanne said the people of Isiala Mbano and Okigwe zone have benefitted more from the government of Gov. Okorocha within a short period compared to four years their son held sway as governor of the state.

He lauded the free education programme ,hospital and modern school projects,massive road construction project in Okigwe zone as well as the ongoing urban transformation of Okigwe city that has gulped billions of naira.

While he pledged their support to the rescue mission administration of the governor,Sen.Agunanne said the group would resist any attempt to distract the governor in delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Imo state.

In his reaction,Gov. Okorocha reiterated his commitment to good governance by embarking on policies and programmes that will always impact possitively on the lives of the people.

He said “I am only committed to programmes and policies that will impact positively on the lives of Imolites, Let me say it again that the state including Isiala Mbano and the entire Okigwe zone is my constituency and that has always guided me to ensure that projects are spread equitably in every part of Imo .For me ,that is good governance and quality leadership”

He described the looting spree by the past administration and promised to take legitimate means to ensure that funds stolen by operators of the past administration are recovered for the development of the state.

Adamawa PDP Crisis; Oyinyola Should Resign – Dr Umar Ardo

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umar ardo

Dr. Umar Ardo is a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2011 PDP Primaries in Adamawa State and also a major contender to Governor Murtala Nyako. In this interview, the master strategist and politician spoke about the recent contentious local government election in the state, he also spoke about the alleged culpability of the PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in the state PDP crisis and other sundry issues in the state PDP.

The excerpts

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What are the fundamental issues in the Adamawa PDP crisis?

To me, the issues are purely on acts of impunities and lawlessness in the operation of party affairs by mainly the leadership of the party; although members too have their blames. These include breaching Article 14.5 of the PDP Constitution in the formation of the dissolved EXCOs in the state way back in 2006 as the foundational base of the problem; then the obdurate refusal to conduct congresses in 2008 in accordance with the party constitution; then the ignoring of INEC’s Letters on the conduct of the congresses and repeating same in 2012; there is also the contemptuous disregard of 4 major Stakeholders resolutions for the conduct of these congresses; then lately the ignoring of the directives of the NWC against the conduct of the last LGC’s Primaries. These are on the party side. On the government side, there is the ignoring of Court Orders and Injunctions on the conduct of the LGC’s elections by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission. While a Court Injunction restraining the Commission from holding the Local Government elections was in force, the Commission went ahead to draw up elections’ timetables, made press statements,, screened candidates, recruited Ad hoc staff, continued to make public announcements that the date of the election still stands and declaring Friday 23th November as a Public Holiday for workers to go back home to vote the next day. The only public office that worked on that Friday throughout the state was the very court whose order was disobeyed. It sat to remove its order after being criminally violated by the executive branch; and ignoring the letter of a duly constituted Caretaker Committee of the PDP withdrawing the list of PDP Nominees from the Commission for the Local Government election. Another aspect which though not directed connected but of serious significance to the issues at hand is the absolute silence of INEC on the status of its letters to the PDP. INEC cannot send letters that are central to the crisis that is threatening to tear the very foundation of the party and the commission to keep complete silence on the matter as if it did not write these letters. INEC owes the country a responsibility to state its position on its letters to the party. Its current silence is hypocritical, unhelpful and unacceptable.

To me these are the fundamentals of the crisis, though I know others input underneath power tussles among some key power blocks in the state. Yes, the tussles may be there, but I can assure you that in the context of today’s politics in Adamawa these tussles are only incidentals and not the fundamentals.

A few weeks ago, things seemed to be going well for the opposition and against the Governor in the party at the state, but all of a sudden the governor bounced back and seems to be getting his way all through. What happened?

Well I do not know whether he is getting his way all through. The only thing he seemed to have gotten his way is the admission of his doctored list by the state INEC as PDP Nominees in the LGACs election. Nothing else, but even this can be easily upturned if very concrete court action is taken by an interested party.

 

But how did this admission come about when you said the Caretaker formally wrote to the Electoral Commission withdrawing the list earlier submitted by the defunct EXCO?

It is my belief that the admission came by as a result of two incidents; whether they are correlated or independent of each other, I cannot say. The first was a meeting of the Caretaker Committee along with two PDP Stakeholders from Adamawa State, former Sanator Zwingina and one Walin Ganye, summoned, we were told, by Mr. President’s Chief of Staff along with Mallam Abba Dabo, the Political Adviser of the Vice President at the Legacy House, the official PDP Presidential Campaign Office.  In the meeting the Caretaker Committee was told in no uncertain terms that the PDP must participate in the LGC’s elections at the date already fixed by the state Electoral Commission. This basically means admitting the doctored list of Governor Nyako. Since that meeting, things started to take different and in fact strange turns. On the day after the Legacy House meeting, Thursday 22nd November, a letter addressed to the Chairman Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission forwarding names of PDP Nominees for the LGC’s election, ostensibly signed by the National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola surreptitiously came into circulation throughout the state.  The letter first came to light when the Governor displayed it to his supporters at the Yola Airport on his return from Abuja that day. Thereafter, it was photocopied in thousands and distributed to virtually every Unit center in the state as proof of authority for the PDP to participate in the Local Govt elections. But there are many serious and reasonable questions to doubt the validity of this letter.

What are these serious questions?

Let me answer your question by listing my thoughts in the following manner. If the letter was not written, back dated, signed and issued, why was the NWC silent on it for over a month, from 12th October to 22nd November while serious controversy on the issue raged?; The letter contradicts the statements of the National Publicity Secretary      (NPS) of the party of the 17th October, 5 days after it was allegedly written. Both before and after the so-called primaries, the NWC, through the NPS rejected the entire exercise and warned the defunct state EXCO not to proceed with the exercise; Oyinlola’s October 12th letter was dated Friday 12th October and officially received by the State Independent Commission on Saturday, 13th October 2012. But curiously, while the Councilors’ primaries for two Senatorial Districts officially ‘took place’ on Wednesday 3rd October, that of the Council Chairmen officially ‘took place’ on Sunday, 14th October. How could a letter of 12th October contain list of nominees whose election officially ‘took place’ on 14th October, 2 days after it was purportedly written?; The letter also conflicts with the announcement of the defunct State EXCO which stated that primaries would take place only in the Southern and Central Senatorial Districts and not in the North because of the security situation there. Oyinlola’s 12th October letter contains nominees for all the 226 Wards and 21 LGAs of the state. How could the letter forward names of Councilors’ Nominees whose election was officially not conducted?; If the 12th October letter was indeed genuine, why should the NWC thereafter accuse the state EXCO on 17th October of disregarding its directives on the conduct of the Local Government Primaries, castigate the EXCO on same and dissolve it in consequence? Clearly, the contents and purpose of the 12th October letter and the text of the resolution of the NWC on the dissolution of the Kugama-led State EXCO are mutually contradictory. The letter was purportedly written before the dissolution, but oddly enough it was never brought to the notice of the State Caretaker Committee duly constituted by the NWC; the letter came to light after the withdrawal of PDP Nominees from the State INEC by the Caretaker Committee on 13th November on two grounds; first, that the primaries were not authorized by the NWC which constitutionally reserves that power, and secondly the Nominees were themselves not elected through a democratic process. If the Oyinlola letter was there since 12th October, how could the Caretaker Committee then write the State INEC and withdraw the list forwarded by the National Secretary of the party on behalf of the NWC? My believe of the truth is that the letter was written, backdated and submitted to the State INEC in a way and manner that cannot but be ill-intended. All these would seem to boil down to one thing: – the letter is factually false and its purpose mutually contradictory to earlier and later positions of the NWC. Clearly, the perpetrators of this act are unmindful of the dear ‘need to raise this country to the highest level of moral dignity’ in the conduct of public affairs as enshrined in the Preamble of the PDP Constitution. The cumulative results of such misdemeanors constitute the greatest threat to our country. Let us remember that what is morally wrong cannot be politically right. What we in Adamawa want cleared is the truth of the 12th October letter. Was the letter genuine or forged? If it was genuine, was the letter written and backdated by National Secretary or was it written and signed on October 12th? If it was not genuine, then let the National Secretary come out and deny his involvement, in which case the NWC should institute, a committee to investigate and bring to book those behind the ugly incident. And if the National Secretary actually wrote and signed the letter, then let him come forward and defend it against all the manifest incongruities. If he cannot, then he should resign his office as the National Secretary of the party. If he refuses, then the NWC should come out and disassociate itself from the October 12th letter and convene a meeting of the NEC of the party to consider the issue and take appropriate action against all involved in the scam. For exactly that is what it should be seen to be – a BIG SCAM. Such a serious issue is a grave threat to our democracy and to the general well being of our country and should not be swept under the carpet.

 

What do you do with the ‘elected’ Council Chairmen and Councilors already in place?

As I said earlier, this can only be dealt with by the courts if those with locus standi on the matter decide to approach the courts or tribunal. Let me tell the world that other than the impunities committed by the state government and the disregard of court orders, the Governor Sworn-in the ‘elected’ Local Government Chairmen around 7:30am on Monday 26th November without waiting for a formal declaration of results, pronouncement of winners and issuing of certificates by the Electoral Commission. It is only 5 days later those results for Councilors were formally announced. It certainly sounds unbelievable, but you better believe it – it is what happened in Governor Nyako’s Adamawa.

 

What do you expect of the Caretaker Committee of the party  in the state?

We expect the committees at all levels to be open, sincere and transparent. By the party constitution, the caretakers have a maximum term of 3 months. This means that minus the 21 days of court injunction, its term will end on 6th February. So they have very little time left to attain their mission, central of which is the conduct of free, fair, transparent and credible congresses for the election of the party EXCO at the ward, LGA and state levels. This is the only thing that can resolve the crisis in the state. They must not only make a clear departure from the impunities and dishonesty of the dissolved EXCO but must be clearly seen to have done so. To this end, Adamawa people need to see their programmes in very specific terms … like timetables and timelines for membership registration, standardization of registers, conduct of congresses at the ward, local govt and state organs. We need to see such details as number of registers and membership cards obtained from the National Secretariat, their mode and manner of distribution; dates, time and venues of registration. We also expect to get details of time, ways, manner, mode and places of obtaining forms, including fees and modes of payment, for various party offices for interested aspirants into party EXCO. These entire plus a whole lot more are being expected by the Adamawa people from the Caretaker Committees at all levels.

 

I know you have a court case against the nomination of Governor Nyako as the PDP’s Gubernatorial Flagbearer. What is the state of the case?

The case is for judgment at the Court of Appeal, Yola. No matter whose side the judgment went, the matter will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. That I know for sure. The lesson the nation should draw from the case no matter how it ends is that Pre-election (Party Nomination) cases are as important as the post-election cases. But while the Electoral Act gives due importance to post-election cases by stipulating for Election Tribunals with specific timeframe to conclude litigations, it regrettably glossed over pre-election or party nomination litigations. The best the law provides is ‘admonishing’ the courts to give ‘accelerated hearing’ to pre-election cases. But from my experience going to courts on pre-election matters, this clause is hardly given effect by the courts. I therefore would need to suggest for the amendment of the Electoral Act to give specific timeframe within which courts should conclude pre-election cases. To this end, I will suggest that the Act should stipulate that party primaries should be concluded and nominees submitted to INEC at least 6 months before general elections. Also, courts should be given 90 days within which to conclude all litigations on pre-election cases. That way the law would be forcing internal democracy within the parties, at least at the nomination process.

Extortion in Labor Ministry, As Emeka Wogu Earmarks N393.1million for Travels

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Federal Minister of Labor and Productivity, Emeka Wogu

With the nation presently undergoing severe economic and potentially dangerous sociological turns, the governing and/or administration blocks of the federal republic of Nigeria appear lost in the age-old practice of extortion in the manner executed during the dictatorial period in Nigeria. Information available to 247ureports.com obtained through sources employed at the Federal Ministry of Labor and Productivity indicates the Federal Minister in charge of the Ministry, Chief Emeka Wogu may have been engaged in financial crimes and other corrupt practices – over the years of his service to the Ministry as Minister – to the tone that amounts to over N3billion. One source states the Minister has amassed enough wealth – to bolster his decision to vie for the office of governor in Abia State come 2015.

Speaking to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity, the highly placed source within the Labor Ministry pointed to the proposed 2013 Budget for the Ministry of Labor and Productivity – as a document laced with legalized financial crimes. The source explained that the Minister and some of his closed associates have perfected the act of embezzling Ministry funds through the special crafting of the Ministry’s budget to be submitted to the Presidency.  The explains that it is for this criminal reasons that the proposed budget of N10.04billion [N10,042,103,205] contained 81.45% [N8,179,103.203] recurrent  expenditure and 18.55% [1,863,000, 000] capital expenditure. Typically, budgets are expected to have higher percentage of capital expenditure over recurrent.

Cursory examination of the proposed 2013 Budget for the Federal Ministry of Labor and Productivity shows that drafters of the proposed budget may have had financial mischief as objective.

 

The mischief points directly to the appropriation of monies within the proposed budget. Particularly, N393.1million      was earmarked for transportation for the fiscal year 2013 – representing 3.9% of the entire Ministry’s budget. The Ministry of Labor and Productivity is made of four divisions, namely – Minister’s main office – the Ministry’s headquarters, National Directorate of Employment, Michael Imodu Institute of Labor Studies, for National Productivity Center, and Industrial Arbitration Panel

Out of the N393.1million, N199million is reversed for transport services for the Minister’s main office – the Ministry’s headquarters. Another N77.68million reserved for transport services for the National Directorate of Employment, N49.23million for Michael Imodu Institute of Labor Studies, N32.72million for National Productivity Center – and N31.39million for Industrial Arbitration Panel.

Click here 23. Summary_Labour for the proposed budget.

It is uncertain the reception the National Assembly [NASS] will give proposed budget but it will remain the hope of many within the Ministry of Labor and Productivity for the members of NASS to inspect the proposed budget thoroughly as to close the looting avenues laced in the proposed budget.

During the minimum wage brouhaha that swept across the nation via indefinite strikes by civil servant, it is recalled the role played by the Ministry and the Minister. The call by the Presidency to increase the minimum wage to N18,000 per month, saw the various State governments thumb their noses to the call to peg the minimum wages at the aforementioned amount. As a result, worker’s strike began and quickly spread across the country – while threatening to fracture the already delicate peace. The Minister, Emeka Wogu, instead of acting to ensure the enforcement of the minimum wage directives – stayed docile. To date, only a few of the State governments have complied fully with the minimum wage directive. Our source indicates that Emeka Wogu reached an understanding with the respective State governors.

Emeka Wogu is currently in preps to contest for the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Abia State under the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP].

Kukah Lauds Obi, Urges Him to Go To the Centre

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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Matthew Kukah says Governor Peter Obi has introduced dignity, character and decorum in governance. Bishop Kukah was speaking as a Guest Speaker at the Second National Congress of the Benedictine Oblates of Nigeria at Saint Abbey, Umuoji, Anambra State on Sunday.

Most Reverend Kukah noted that Governor Obi has made governance easy through his open door policy that made him accessible to the masses as well as his consistency in promoting participatory democracy that carries everybody along.

He explained that leaders like the Governor are needed at the centre of national politics to draw a new roadmap to transform the country.

The Bishop charged Nigerians to renew their commitment and allegiance to the country by avoiding divisive tendencies and promoting issues that promote unity.

He reminded security agencies of the need to be alive to their responsibilities to inspire public confidence and encourage people to see defence of the society as a patriotic responsibility stressing that timely and accurate information was key to effective security network.

In his speech, Governor Obi called for collective efforts to discourage misappropriation of public resources, regretting that self enrichment through public wealth has led to collapse of key infrastructural facilities.

He expressed satisfaction that return of schools to the mission owners has brought a new dawn in the education sector by promoting efficiency, hardwork and healthy competition.

The Governor assured that his administration will sustain adequate funding of the schools to restore their lost glory and achieve set objectives.

Kano: JTF and Boko Haram in Heated Gunfire Battle

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Information reaching 247ureports.com indicate that the operatives of the dreaded Islamic terrorist group, the Boko Haram have refocused their attention on the northern state of Kano. This is as breaking reports from Kano indicate that the agents of Boko Haram are presently engaged in a gun fire battle with the men of the Joint Task Force [JTF].

The gun fire exchange began at about 7:30am – when a group of gunmen suspected to be agents of Boko Haram attacked a JTF check point by detonating an explosive device – believed to be an Improvised Explosive Device [IED]. The JTF agents  were quick to respond and – firing back at the gunmen. As at 9am [December 6], the gun battle continues.

The incident is said to be taking place at Kano Ring road by Kano eastern bypass – near Maiduguri road – an area that had suffered numerous attacks by the agents of Boko Haram.

There no information on casualty count.

Stay tuned

Press Release: UPP Boss Goes On Pilgrimage

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The National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP) Chief Chekwas Okorie has joined other Christian faithful to the Holy Land of Jerusalem to perform his religious obligations in this years Christian Pilgrimage organized by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Board. While in Jerusalem the National Chairman will among other things dedicate the United Progressive Party to the Almighty God for his Mercy and benevolence and pray for His guidance, grace and blessing for the success of the party in all its activities,

This is the first of a series of dedications and thanksgiving service lined up by the leadership of the party to praise and glorify God for the successful registration of the United Progressive Party and for His divine guidance in all the democratic encounters and political parties our great party shall be engaged in.

It will be recalled that at the inaugural National Executive Committee meeting of the party held at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja on Friday November 30, 2012, NEC enjoined all party leaders and members of both Christian and Muslim persuasions to constantly present our Party to the Almighty God in their daily prayers. We believe firmly that by constantly seeking the face of God that our aspiration for our party and our country Nigeria shall be realized.

The National Chairman Chief Chekwas Okorie has delegated the duties of his office to the Deputy National Chairman of the Party (South) Chief Benji I. Duru who will function as the acting National Chairman of the party for the period of duration of the pilgrimage at the Holy Land. This is in accordance with the relevant provisions of the constitution of the party registered with INEC. In this way, the party activities shall not suffer any set back as a result of the temporary absent of the National Chairman

Chief Ogbuehi Dike

National Publicity Secretary, UPP

 

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