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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

Labour Strike: How Speaker of House, Gbajabiamila Pushed for Further Talks Before Expiration of Notice
- Gbajabiamila Calls for More Time to Negotiate with Executive on Labour Demands
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday implored the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to give room for enough time for negotiations with the executive arm of government over the industrial action scheduled to commence on Monday.

The Speaker, who gave the appeal when he met representatives of organised labour later met with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha to deliberate on the outcome of his meeting with the labour leaders.

The labour unions had threatened to embark on industrial action from Monday if their demands for the reversal of the increase in electricity tariff and Premium Motor Split (PMS) were not met.

Gbajabiamila, while meeting with the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, and the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Quadri Olaleye, in his office on Sunday, expressed concern over the consequences of a shutdown of the nation’s socio-economic activities on Nigerians, while disclosing his intentions to interface with the executive for a possible amicable resolution of the demands of the Labour unions.

Gbajabiamila said it is incumbent upon the House as elected representatives to see how they can intervene and perhaps a third voice, would be able to broker some kind of amicable solution to the ongoing impasse while citing instances where the House had successfully intervened.

He said: “In good conscience, we are on the same page, or most of the time, we’re on the same page, and you know, that we, the leadership of the House of Representatives are on the same page with you.

“But what is the consequence, and that’s the bigger picture of going on strike. When we have a complete government shutdown, the people we seek to protect, invariably end up holding the short end of the stick.

“So it ends up defeating the purpose. You know, sometimes, no matter how long negotiations or talks last, sometimes at the end of the day, it may be the better route to take.

“The budget is coming to the National Assembly. Some policies that are being considered and that will make sure to cushion the effect of this includes the provision of food items, distribution of grains, reduction on taxes on minimum wage, payment of some special allowances from October to January 2021, involvement in the ownership of housing programs through household and mortgage outlets by the NLC and TUC members, and special policy of government vehicles autogas, which is an alternative to PMS for public establishments.

“I think these policies and more will go a long way and this can be provided in the budget but it is a couple of weeks away or less. So this is an appeal”.

After the meeting, Wabba said the outcome of the interface with the executive as promised by the Speaker would determine the next line of action of the Labour unions.

He said: “We told the Speaker how the discussion with the Federal government went and how the meeting was adjourned, so, he has also promised to try and intervene at his own level to see to it that we don’t inflict more pains on Nigerians.

“In the course of the discussion, we had also realized that the House of Representatives has actually done a lot on these issues, including recommendations to the government which we have shared mutually

“But the bottom line is that we want this burden that has now been shifted to Nigerians as consumers is also lifted so that we can have a decent life”.

On the strike, he said, “If the issues are not addressed, we have given notice and that notice will certainly expire by tomorrow (Monday) and all the actions we have pronounced will take effect”.

Present at the meeting were Deputy House Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason; Chairman, House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Rep. Mohammed Ali Wudil and the Chairman, House Committee on Power, Rep. Magaji Da’u Aliyu.
September 27, 2020
Senate President Lawan, Speaker of House Gbajabiamila face court suit over corruption probes

Nigeria’s National Assembly leaders, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, have been dragged before the Federal High Court, Abuja to defend themselves on reasons for refusing to publish reports of corruption probes supervised by the legislature.

The suit was filled on behalf of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi over the weekend at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

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The non-for-profit social initiative organization sued both leaders of the National Assembly specifically for failure to disclose the number of probes that have resulted in any indictment of suspects and to name such suspects since 1999.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan

SERAP’s court action followed a recent public hearing by the National Assembly on corruption allegations in ministries, departments and agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), which the National Assembly has not issued a report.

According to SERAP reports of public hearings and corruption probes by the National Assembly had been kept secret, and the allegations unresolved.

The court papers as reported by the Guardian stated that SERAP wants an order of mandamus to direct and compel Senate President Lawan and Speaker Gbajabiamila to send all reports of completed public hearings and corruption probes to appropriate anti-corruption agencies to consider if there is sufficient admissible evidence to pursue prosecution.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila

The plaintiff is also seeking an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and/or compel Lawan and Gbajabiamila to widely publish all reports of completed public hearings and corruption probes by the Senate and the House of Representatives and to disclose the number and names of any indicted suspects since 1999.

Further to SERAP’s prayers to the court is “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Lawan and Gbajabiamila to sponsor a resolution to stop lawmakers from directly getting involved in the execution of projects by MDAs, and to ensure the proper and effective exercise of their oversight functions over corruption allegations, including in the NDDC and NSITF.”

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In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated July 25, 2020, SERAP stated that “The most effective way to deter corruption is to make the cost of engaging in these types of acts higher than the rewards. This end can only be accomplished by making public the reports and pursuing public accountability for corrupt acts.”

While no dates have been fixed for the hearing of the suit, SERAP believes granting the reliefs sought would bolster public trust and confidence in the lawmakers’ oversight functions, and dispel the perception that many of the hearings and probes are politically-motivated and serve a personal interest, rather than the general public interests.

September 15, 2020
PDP asks Gbajabiamila to step aside to aid Corruption Investigation in the House

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership of the House to shut down the sitting of various committees carrying out investigation on the executive arm of government.

The opposition party alleged that the action was a deliberate design to cover the stench of corruption oozing out of the APC administration.

“If the Honoruable Speaker is inclined towards allowing the covering of corruption, against the purpose for which he was elected to lead the House, then, he should take a bow and step aside,” PDP said.

The party charged the Speaker to “stop circumventing the statutory duties of the House of Representative and placing of wedges in the way of the fight against corruption by the legislature.”

PDP also described “the shutdown order by the APC leadership of the House of Representatives as a clear example of corruption fighting back from within the government circle, which must be condemned by all Nigerians.”

The party allegedly noted that “such incursion into the activities of the committees is to quench the fight against corruption as well as to frustrate whistle blowers just because APC has become an ocean of corruption where the members are swimming.”

“It is clear that the shutdown directive is targeted at frustrating revelations from ongoing investigations on the $500 million foreign loan from China, particularly as it relates to the mortgaging of our nation’s sovereignty to China.

“This is in addition to the investigations into the humongous corruption in government agencies including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) the N300 billion unremitted revenue to the federation account as well as allegations of corruption in government earnings and the expenditure in Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA’s) under the APC.

“It is therefore unfortunate that under the Gbajabiamila-led leadership, the basic responsibility of the House of Representatives, which is its oversight on the executive, has just been maimed through a forced holiday on the members of the respective committees and their chairmen.

Insurance Act amendment in the works, House to partner industry – Gbajabiamila

“It is equally distressing that the APC leadership of the House of Representatives is breaching parliamentary rules, practices and procedures to shield APC leaders and their cronies who have been fleecing our nation.

“Our party therefore holds that any parliament that deliberately frustrates its statutory responsibility to call the activities of the executive to question has lost the essence of its own existence. The leadership that led it into such constitutional suicide must be held culpable.

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“Indeed, never in our parliamentary history has committee activities been suspended or shut down on the ground of holiday or suspension of plenary.

“For us in the PDP, it is shocking that the APC leadership of the House of Representatives could by any consideration shut down, its legislative investigation, which is exclusively vested on it under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), on the guise of being on break.

“Such an action is calamitous to our democracy,” said PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

The party, however, commended the members of its caucus and other minorities in the National Assembly for standing against corruption and striving to ensure that the APC does not sell Nigerians into slavery with its reckless foreign borrowings.

“Our party urges the lawmakers not to be deterred but continue in their assignments, as they are only answerable to the Nigerian people,” the statement added.

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PDP therefore charged the Gbajabiamila-led APC leadership of the House of Representatives to immediately reverse itself as Nigerians expect nothing but seamless investigations without unnecessary interferences and incursions.

Idowu Sowunmi

August 22, 2020
Insurance Act amendment in the works, House to partner industry – Gbajabiamila

The House of Representatives says it is willing and ready to partner with the Nigerian insurance industry for improved services to Nigerians.

A statement from the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, stated that the Speaker of the House of Representatives made this commitment when he hosted the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) during a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Speaker noted that the insurance industry is one of the most important sectors in the country hence the need to improve its services.

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“The House of Representatives is always happy to collaborate with sectors, businessmen and professions such as yours.

“There’s no gainsaying the importance of insurance in any economy, in any country. Insurance is perhaps one of the most important areas in any business.

“You secure our lives and our property, so you’re very important to us. We are more than ready to always partner with you.”

Speaking on the amendment of the Insurance Act, Gbajabiamila said it is work in progress as a Bill on that has already passed first reading in the House.

“You talked about the amendment to the Insurance Act. I’m aware that it has been long coming. In this 9th Assembly, I think it has gone through first reading before it comes for second reading and then the public hearing.

“You should work with the committee so that you guys can work and agree on what should go in and what should go out of the amendment. I think that’s already in the works. We’re glad to see you. We’re open to discussing further with you.”

The chairman of the association, Ganiyu Musa, who led the delegation, had earlier told the Speaker that the insurance industry needed the support of the House to make the sector better.

While wishing the Speaker a successful tenure, the chairman said: “We share your aspirations for the country; we share your dreams for a better Nigeria; we assure you that we’ll like to collaborate with you and the House to contribute to the overall welfare of the citizens.

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“The industry contributed to the fight against COVID-19. Our desire is to improve engagements. We’ve not been as present in the House as we should.

“We want a new start. We need your help. We need the help of the House. We seek appropriate legislative intervention and assistance. We need you to address some of the bottlenecks that militate against the realisation of our work.”

Photos:

Tobiloba Kolawole

August 18, 2020
African Development: Gbajabiamila pushes for debt cancellation, spearheads Conference of Speakers

• Nigeria to host maiden Conference of African Speakers and Heads of Parliament

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Monday convened a meeting of some African Speakers of Parliaments where it was agreed that there is an urgent need to push for debt cancellation for the continent from their multilateral and bilateral partners.

At the virtual meeting, the Speaker’s proposed initiative to establish the Conference of African Speakers and Heads of Parliament (CoSAP), a body that will facilitate increased collaboration between Speakers, Heads of Parliament and National Assemblies across Africa got a boost.

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The African Speakers will also seek to advance the African development agenda within and outside the continent in conjunction with both the executive arms of government as well as African regional institutions.

African Heads of Parliament who participated in the meeting include Hon. Tagesse Chafo, Speaker, House of Peoples Representatives, Ethiopia; Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, PhD, Speaker of Parliament, Ghana; Hon. Justin Bedan Muturi, Speaker, National Assembly, Republic of Kenya; Rt. Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa, Speaker, Chamber of Deputies, Rwanda; and President Moustapha Niasse, AFP, President, National Assembly, Senegal.

In his opening remarks, Gbajabiamila said there was an urgent need to join local and global efforts to push for the cancellation of external debt owed by various countries on the continent.

He submitted that development across the continent has become stunted due to the heavy burden of the debts, noting that the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has compounded the issue for the continent, considering the socio-political and economic consequences of the disease.

“We all agree that Africa’s debt burden has become an existential threat to our societies, our economies and the future; we leave to posterity, and we need to do something about this and treat it as a continent-wide priority.

“It is safe to say that the burden of debt servicing, vis-à-vis spending on education and health care for example, is a threat to our continent’s stability and development, especially in the era of Covid-19.

“When we find ourselves having to make policy choices between paying debts or saving lives, we know something is not morally right. And as democratically elected representatives of our people, we cannot be silent. We must speak up and we must act. And the time to act is now.

“Furthermore, is the need for us to reflect on, the processes that led to Africa’s heavy indebtedness in the first place, the role parliamentarians can play to address this going forward and what assurances we as parliamentarians can give our borrowers that if our debt is cancelled, the freed-up resources will be invested in social and economic development of our citizens.

“If we want debt cancellation, we must be able to build the confidence of the borrowers that the cancellation will indeed save lives and livelihoods across the continent, and we, as Speakers and Heads of our parliaments, will ensure that is indeed the case”.

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On the need for the establishment of the Pan-African Speaker’s Conference, Gbajabiamila noted that collective efforts at tackling challenges facing the continent have become expedient.

He said: “The motive behind this initiative is that each year we identify a theme, issue, or challenge that is pan-African in scope and we meet to deliberate on how we can work together across parliaments in Africa to tackle these continental issues and challenges.

“As heads of our respective parliamentary entities, it will also be a good platform to share experiences and expertise in different aspects of our legislative duties pertinent to the growth, development and sustenance of our economies and our societies; and on ways to enhance the capacity and impact of our parliaments on our democracies and the lives of the peoples we all represent.

“We have spent decades learning from the rest of the world, now we must begin to learn from one another”.

Throwing his weight behind the two initiatives, Hon. Tagesse Chafo, Speaker, House of Peoples Representatives, Ethiopia, noted that though almost every government on the continent has been trying to seek debt forgiveness, this should not, however, stop the parliaments from contributing to the efforts through a platform such as this.

“As representatives of our people, we are to come together, advise and campaign about the issue, we don’t have to keep quiet because debt cancellation would be good for the resuscitation of our economies that have been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

In the same vein, Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Speaker of Parliament, Ghana noted that the debt burden is essentially a common challenge on the continent, as most African countries have to depend on foreign loans to execute their national budgets.

He, however, noted that the Speaker’s group, in its efforts to push for debt cancellation must be able to convince the creditors about accountability if they hope to succeed.

He said: “Donor agencies are interested in accountability because they are confounded about the issue of corruption, and we must be able to give the assurance and that is why the Speakers Conference is critical. And if nothing is done, there may be no economy to service the loans”

Hon. Justin Bedan Muturi, Speaker, National Assembly, Republic of Kenya also emphasised the need for the initiative, adding that, the coronavirus pandemic has undermined most African economies because conditions attached to most of the loans have been eroded by the consequences of the novel pandemic.

On her part, Rt. Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa, Speaker, Chamber of Deputies, Rwanda, while noting that African countries depend on and are heavily burdened by loans even before the pandemic, however, added that the group must be clear about the kind of debt it is seeking to address and from which partners.

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While President Moustapha Niasse, AFP, President, National Assembly, Senegal also regretted that the pandemic has affected all economies on the continent negatively, he, however, suggested that opinions of members of the forum must be sought on how to solve the issues between suspension or cancellation of debt

“We must be convinced that we have a job to do at the level of parliament,” he added.

It was also agreed that a Communique would be released in the first week of September 2020, while the campaign for implementations of the plan of action would begin in the second week of September 2020 as well.

According to the forum, the third week of September would be devoted to the planning for the 2021 conference by the Secretariat.

While it was decided that Nigeria would host the maiden edition of CoSAP, chaired by Nigerian Speaker the Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the new body is expected to meet again in the first week of September to approve the plans and swing into action.

Nigeria Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila. Monday, August 17, 2020. Photo- Office of the Speaker.

Tobiloba Kolawole

August 17, 2020
Gov. Abiodun solicits NASS support to take over Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta road

The Ogun State Goverrnor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has solicited the support of the National Assembly for the takeover and reconstruction of the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta and the Sagamu-Ikorodu roads, by Ogun and Lagos State Governments.

Prince Abiodun made the call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, when he received the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who paid him a courtesy visit.

The Governor, who informed the Speaker of the current deplorable condition of the roads, added that the takeover of the roads would enable the two State Governments put them in proper shape, thus taking the load off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and bring succour to users.

He described Agbara and its environs as the industrial hub of the State, but decried the poor condition of the Agbara-Atan-Lusada road, noting that some industries may be forced to exit the area, if the road was not fix on time.

“The Agbara-Atan-Lusada road is in a very deplorable condition. Not only that, the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway and the Sagamu-Ikorodu roads are also very bad. I want to call for the support of the National Assembly in taking over or construction by the Federal Government. Our people are really suffering on these roads,” he said.

Governor Abiodun informed the Speaker of the House that his Administration was currently constructing the Ijebu Ode-Epe Road, which would serve as an alternative route to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, for those going to the Northern and Eastern parts of the Country, as well as open up the axis for economic activities.

The Governor said government was trying to tap from the State’s advantaged location, by providing security, infrastructure and making health accessible, saying the State was able to manage and curtail COVID-19 by providing well-equipped Isolation centres and a molecular laboratory.

He described the Speaker as one of the longest serving members of the House and a grassroots politician who has distinguished himself by being a worthy representative, not only of his Constituency, but the whole of the Southwest.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila, said he was in the State to see things for himself, listing road infrastructure as one of the areas where the House would collaborate with the State Government.

“I am here to see things for myself. I have heard of the development that is going on in this State, despite scarce resources. I want to commended the Governor for what he has done, especially in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I know the Governor very well. He moves at a very quick pace. With him as the Governor, Ogun State will receive a facelift. So I am here to extend a hand of fellowship as there will be the need for partnership and collaboration particularly on road projects,” the Speaker noted.

He opined that for the Government to make more development strides in the coming years, the Governor may need to rejig his plans, as the Coronavirus has negatively affected every facet of life, calling on the people to rally round him to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.

Photos:

July 29, 2020