NEWS
Subsidy Removal: Reps Approve N500bn Presidential Request for Palliatives
A bill for an Act to authorise the issuance of N500 billion from the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations for the provision of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by the Executive, was presented on the floor of the house by the Majority Leader, Rep.
Julius Ihonvbere at plenary on Thursday.Leading the debate, Ihonvbere said that at a certain point, each nation took time out to reflect on its programmes and policies.
He said that many members of the parliament had moved motion for the provision of palliatives to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.
The rep said that the request of the executive was a clear indication that “we have a government that listens”.
Ihonvbere saith that the bill, when passed into law, would provide support for Nigerians to weather the effect.
He urged members to support the passage of the request in the spirit of collaboration with the executive.
Ihonvbere said that everyone was feeling the effect of subsidy removal, saying that Nigerians were waiting to see how the matter would be handled and if the parliament had the interest of the people at heart.
Rep. Ahmed Jaha (APC-Borno) commended the executive for taking the bull by the horns and for taking a painful decision to remove the subsidy in the interest of Nigerians.
The lawmaker said that it was one to provide funds and another for the funds to be used for the purpose it was meant.
He said that budget and supplementary budget were passed yearly but it was not often used for the purpose intended.
Jaha said that as soon as it e passed, the house should ensure the money was used and implemented accordingly, saying that all 360 constituencies should no longer feel the effect of the subsidy removal.
Rep. Akin Adeyemi (APC-Oyo) said that government had done the needful and that the monster subsidy was gone.
“We should not only be supporting this initiative but also be looking at providing additional funds to cushion the effect of the removal.”
He commended labour unions and opposition parties for understanding with the government on the matter.
Rep. Beni Lar (PDP-Plateau) said it was not in doubt that Nigerians were going through unbearing hardship and commended the president for the initiative.
“But what is the nature of the palliatives, how will the 500 billion be spent.
“I move we set up an ad hoc committee to recommend the nature of the palliative and how it should be implemented,” she said.
Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC-Oyo) said that the parliament should do its job and ensure proper oversight when the funds were released.
Also, Rep. Regina Akume (APC-Benue) said that there was need for the house to form an ad hoc committee to oversight it.
“I have confidence in Presidnet Bola Tinubu, he has demonstrated capacity over time.”
Rep. Sani Madaki (APC-Kano State) commended President Bola Tinubu for the initiative.
He said he had called for palliatives and the president had acted, urging the parliament to do the needful for constituents to enjoy the outcome.
The Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, said the yardstick to measure any government was its responsiveness.
He commended the president for being responsive, saying that the house would want to see a palliative that would make possible impact.
“We want living wage not minimum wage; do not suffocate us, school fees are high, electricity bill is high and so on.
“We do not want to see N5,000 handout to Nigerians on the street; this is a fast case for the administration and we do not want them to fail,” he said.
He however, urged the house to pass the bill with the speed of light.
The Speaker of the house, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, called for voice votes on the bill and members unanimously voted and the bill was passed. (NAN)
The Police in Edo have arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a cache of weapons, luxury vehicles during a raid on a criminal hideout in Benin.The Command’s spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Benin .Yamu said operatives from the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Unit of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) on May 13 stormed a hotel in Benin.
He said the operation led to the arrest of 22-year-old Endurance Oviojie, while four other suspects identified as Clinton, Jeff, Mike, and Emmanuel alias Slim Khalifa fled the scene by scaling the fence into neighbouring compounds. “The police recovered a significant haul of items including one English Beretta pistol, one locally fabricated pistol, one round of ammunition, 18 live cartridges, multiple mobile phones, a tablet device, charms, and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.“In a follow-up operation, the police also seized four unregistered Mercedes-Benz vehicles- a black C350, a grey C300, a grey GLA 250, and a red GLE 350 suspected to have been used for criminal activities,” he said.The police spokesperson said the arrested suspect had already been charged to court, while a manhunt was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.The Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika, has warned all criminal elements to either leave the state or face the full wrath of the law.“We are resolute in our mission to rid Edo of criminal elements.“This command will sustain this offensive until law-abiding citizens can feel safe and secure in every corner of the state,” the commissioner assured.He urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information to help clamp down on crime across the state. (NAN)
The Federal Government has begun evacuation and demolition of illegal structures beneath the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, citing serious safety concerns and risk of imminent collapse. The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the order while inspecting the bridge alongside structural engineers and officials of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
, on Sunday. Umahi expressed concern over the condition of the bridge which, he said, had been severely compromised by illegal human activities. He said: “We are here with bridge experts to examine the Iddo Bridge, which was burnt down due to unlawful occupation and activities beneath it. “People have converted the underpass into shops, warehouses, and even residential areas. “These activities have caused significant damage, to the extent that Julius Berger has advised that the bridge must be completely demolished and reconstructed.” He said that the Cowry Bridge and the Independence Bridge had also been affected by similar activities. According to the minister, attempts by the Federal Government to engage with the illegal occupants have met resistance, with some of them saying that the matter is before the court. “They have refused to vacate the premises. They wrote to us, claiming the matter is in court. “It appears that what they are selling is more important to them than the lives of Lagosians, but we cannot allow that,” Umahi said. Umahi directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos state, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, to ensure that all illegal structures beneath the bridge would be demolished before the close of business on Monday. “This is about saving lives. We must act to prevent the collapse of the bridge.“Beams have already been hit by vehicles, and some have been burnt. The structural integrity of the bridge is compromised,” he said. He also said that policemen should be deployed to the site to secure any valuables that might be found during the demolition. “If we find even a pin, it should be recorded and returned but I can tell you that what I have seen so far are mostly iron doors and partitions.“There are no significant goods inside,” Umahi said. The minister emphasised that there would be no going back on the decision to demolish and conduct a thorough examination of the bridge. “We are not trying to punish anyone, we are trying to save lives. Every illegal structure under this bridge must go before Monday ends,” he said. Report says that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Iddo Bridge was awarded in 2024 to Julius Berger Plc. In April, Umahi, explained that one of the major problems with the bridge was low headroom clearance. He noted that a section of the bridge had a headroom of about 3.0 metres, far below the required minimum of 5.6 metres. According to the minister, the situation has resulted in frequent collisions by trucks, which hit the underside of the bridge deck and caused structural damage. Umahi also raised concerns about shops near the bridge which were selling chemicals, warning that such activities posed serious safety risks. He noted that a chemical once caught fire near the bridge and caused extensive damage to the structure. He said that the bridge’s structural elements had been significantly compromised and required urgent attention. (NAN)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, has between January and May, destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites through airstrikes in the Niger Delta.The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.
Ejodame said the NAF executed over 173 missions and 265 sorties, accumulating approximately 270 flying hours in support of joint military operations and independent strikes across key oil-producing states. He said the airstrikes also destroyed 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two reservoirs and several transport vehicles.According to him, these actions significantly degraded the capacity of oil thieves and vandals operating along critical corridors such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way.“The operations are aligned with national efforts to curb militancy, stop environmental degradation caused by illegal refining, and protect strategic oil and gas infrastructure, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.NAF spokesman said the NAF had intensified air operations in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft and the protection of vital national assets.He said the NAF 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), which hosts the air component had maintained a high tempo of aerial missions across the region, dismantling illegal refining sites and disrupting the logistics of criminal networks.“While the NAF continues to promote civil-military cooperation and community development in the region, it emphasises that the kinetic component of its campaign remains essential to uprooting entrenched criminal networks.“These sustained air operations underscore NAF’s commitment to national security and economic stability by ensuring that Nigeria’s oil heartland remains secure and productive,” he added. (NAN)
Edo: Police Nab Robbery Suspect, Recover Guns, Cars in Anti-crime Raid
Share The Police in Edo have arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a cache of weapons, luxury vehicles during...
FG Begins Demolition of Structures Under Iddo Bridge, Cites Collapse Risk
ShareThe Federal Government has begun evacuation and demolition of illegal structures beneath the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, citing serious safety...
NAF Airstrikes Destroy 100 Illegal Refining Sites in 5 Months
Share The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, has between January and May, destroyed...
Supreme Court Chief Registrar Tasks Judiciary on Balanced, Fair Objective Reporting
Share The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mr Kabir Akanbi has called on members of the National...
Food Insecurity: Ayatse urges FG to Address Attacks on Famers in Benue
ShareProf. Felicia Ayatse, wife of the Paramount Ruler of the Tiv nation (Tor Tiv), Prof. James Ayatse, has urged the...
Alausa Condemns Incident in Viral Asaba Exam Video
ShareThe Federal Ministry of Education has condemned the incident involving candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)...
Zulum Announces Scholarship for Female Indigenous with 250, Above in UTME
ShareGov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced a full scholarship for all female indigenes of the state who scored 250...
PCRC Gets New Leadership in Imo
ShareThe Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Owerri has elected and inaugurated a new set of executive officers led by...
Chinese Envoy says Tea Trade with Nigeria Thriving, Strengthening Ties
ShareChinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said on Saturday that tea trade between China and Nigeria is thriving and enhancing...
Fate of Nigerian Medical Students from Sudan Hangs in Balance
Share A group of 47 Nigerian medical students who escaped war-torn Sudan in May 2023 are now struggling to register...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish