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Lagos House takes up councils over 2015, 2016 budgets

As part of its efforts to ensure good governance and accountability at the grassroots, three standing committees of Lagos State House of Assembly are currently holding talks with officials of the 57 local councils in the state on the performance of 2015 Budget and their proposals for the 2016 Budget, reports Oziegbe Okoeki IN its quest to ensure a proper and seamless budget process in Lagos State, three standing committees of the Lagos State House of Assembly: committees on budget and economic planning, local government administration and public account (local), led by its joint chairman, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, have been holding interface and discussion sessions on 2015 and 2016 budgets with officials of the 57 local councils in the state at the Assembly complex. While shedding light on the ongoing interface with local government officials over the budget performance for 2015 and 2016 budget proposals, Olowo said it became inevitable in order to engender good governance, probity and accountability. Speaking on the basis of the meetings, Olowo said: “There is no way you can talk about budget for 2016 without talking about 2015 performance, because 2016 is predicated on 2015 performance. We look at what they have done vis-à-vis what is coming in from the Federation Account and from tax. And we look at their performance vis-à-vis what is the ratio of capital to overhead to give us an insight on whether they have actually added value to their respective local governments.” Besides, he said, the peculiarities and the challenges Nigeria is facing today, has also made it very compelling for state governments to be ingenious in the way and manner they disburse funds. “We are trying to look at what is the real income coming from statutory allocation and what proportion of that must be spent on capital expenditure because all these while, we appreciate that more money is going to the recurrent to the detriment of capital expenditure. And more so, that they are trying to be on the same page with the state government by adopting MTBF -Medium Term Budget Framework. “So, what we are trying to do from our end is that, okay, ab initio, what is the total liability standing against the account of the local government, be it recurrent or capital expenditure? And what proportion of that is budgeted for, because over time, we’ve come to appreciate the fact that the outstanding debt is so huge that they don’t pay and they will embark on new projects. That will only tell you that many projects will become moribund. But if certain proportion, let’s say between 20 and 25 per cent of their revenue after they must have taken off personnel cost, is earmarked to service outstanding debt, that means in two-three years, they will be able to pay all outstanding debts and then all those projects would have been completed as against those that have been abandoned over the years. That is tantamount to waste. Jobs given in 2000-2001 and nobody is paying for it, obviously the contractor will be away and when that project is not completed, that means initial payment made becomes waste. So, those are the things we are guiding against.” In his assessment of the 2015 budget performance, the lawmaker said the only funding was the major constrain. “You know personnel cost, Lagos State has said it that we don’t want to lay off staff, and we don’t want to rationalise. The bulk of the staff in local government, many of them are redundant, doing nothing. But then when you face the reality of the moment, you know you cannot do otherwise than to accommodate them. But you know that has implication on the revenue of the local government, so by and large they’ve not been able to do great job because of paucity of funds. But what we are looking at is that we want to make overtures to state government at ensuring that whatever is due to them is paid timely, so that they can use it for capital expenditure and we are going to tie all grant to purely capital expenditure, no grant should be used to pay overhead or pay personnel. Explaining in details the process of monitoring execution or implementation, he said “there is a committee we call local government administration, it sees to the day-to-day oversight of the local governments, then the public account (local) will use local government Auditor-Generals’ report, if there are any queries, based on that they will be called to the House and they will use that to admonish them and if need be punish them according to the extant law. The lawmaker who acknowledged that Lagosians expect so much from the government and the councils, was however quick to add that the Ambode-led government is doing his bits. “The intervention of the state is not going to be limited to construction of roads. Maybe at intervals any money accruing to the state in support of local government he will come up with that.” On what the joint committee is doing on the issue of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Olowu said, “without revenue, budget cannot perform and IGR is an integral part of that. We have told the local governments that their IGR must be on upward swing. We told many of them to go back and give us a workable IGR projection that will make them to work; because leakages have to be blocked; there must be accountability and we must have proof and be able to track the budget for assessment and evaluation,” he said.

Oshiomhole and challenge of succession

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole may have endorsed an aspirant as his successor. Mixed reactions have continued to trail his position. His supporters believe that the governor could not be expected to be indifferent to the tendency of his successor. But, critics are of the opinion that the governor has polarised the party by pitching his tent with a contender. Will Oshiomhole succeed in his plan? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the succession battle in the Southsouth state. Nine years ago, he seized Edo politics by storm. He was full of zest, vigour and strength. As a veteran labour leader, he has been a household name for decades. Thus, stakeholders were rooting for him. As the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, threw his hat into the ring, it was evident power shift was imminent in Edo State. At the close of the historic governorship poll in 2007, the candidate of the defunct Action Congress (AC) defeated Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, the victory was allotted to the loser. The people protested the hijack, until the stolen mandate was restored by the Supreme Court. When the unionist-turned politician assumed the reins, he set three goals for himself: massive transformation through infrastructural development, banishment of godfatherism and an efficient and incorruptible government. Having lived up to expectation, the comrade governor was re-elected in 2012. But, as Oshiomhole’s tenure expires early next year, his major challenge is succession. Politics of endorsement Few months ago, the governor dropped a bombshell. Acknowledging the imperative of continuity, he endorsed an aspirant. Although he did not mention any name, sources said the governor has a soft spot for Godwin Obaseki, a banker from Benin-City, the state capital, and leader of the Edo State Economic Team. Justifying his position, Oshiomhole said he has the constitutional right as the governor and the All progressives Congress (APC) leader to anoint a candidate. Many chieftains, who share the governor’s view, believe that Obaseki, who has been part of the decision making process in the last seven years, is eminently qualified to continue where he will stop and sustain the tempo of good governance. The APC primary will be very interesting. The governor has not rescinded his decision to support a candidate. Some stakeholders, who want a technocrat to succeed Oshiomhole, are rooting for the dark horse. But, other aspirants-Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Blessing Agbonmhere, Charles Airhiavbere, Peter Esele, Chris Ogienwonyi, Don Pedro Obaseki, Omon Irabor and Amadasun Ebugue-are protesting, saying that the governor is partial. They have also alleged that plans are underway to tinker with the list of delegates to favour the governor’s preferred choice. Unlike 2007, APC chieftains are more confident as the poll draws near. Many believe that the APC has a brighter future in the Southsouth state. The party wields the power of incumbency at the federal and state levels. The performance of the governor has been widely acknowledged, unlike his predecessor, Mr. Lucky Igbinedion of the PDP. Prominent indigenes, including former Bendel State Governor Sam Ogbemudia, have promised to assist the governor in his search for a credible successor. But, will the Iyomho-born politician succeed in his plan? Will the successor the governor is grooming be acceptable to the majority of delegates? Will the party remain the same after the primary? PDP’s credibility crisis Sources said the PDP is closely monitoring the APC selection process. Already, the party has zoned its ticket to Benin as the APC has done. “The PDP is waiting for an explosion in the Edo APC. The party thinks that, if the APC primary turns rancorous, it will benefit from defections from the ruling party. If the APC gets it right, the future of the PDP will remain bleak,” said a source. The PDP is in a dilemma. It appears the chapter faces a bleak future. The party, led by Chief Dan Orbih, has boasted that it will bounce back. For eight years, it has been left in the cold, following its defeat at the polls. Thus, its dream of regaining power has always been aborted. Although the party has two senators, it is a divided house. PDP aspirants, including Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Osaro Onaiwu, Solomon Edebiri and Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, are working at cross purpose. The struggle for the ticket may further weaken the platform. But, if the APC mismanages its primary, two scenario are possible; there may be defections to the PDP and without defecting to the PDP, some members may subvert the party during the election. APC aspirants No fewer than 10 APC chieftains are warming up for the shadow poll. More are likely to unfold their ambition as the race gathers momentum. APC aspirants include the deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, a defector from the PDP, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, former university don Prof. Osunbor, Prof. Amadasun Ebegue, Blessing Agbonmhere, unionist Peter Esele, Omon Irabor, Godwin Obseki and his brother, Pedro Obaseki. Osunbor, who hails from Edo Central, is a determined politician. He has experience. But, many APC leaders see him as a new comer. When he left the PDP, many PDP chieftains were taken aback. In the APC, he has not become a force to reckon with. The factors against him may also work against Airhiavbere, who was in 2012 was sponsored by the PDP leader, Chief Tony Anenih, the acclaimed ‘Mr. Fix it,’ to challenge Oshiomhole. It was a miscalculation. The PDP lost its deposit and the ego of the eminent politician was deflated. Odubu is an experienced politician. He is a loyal deputy governor. He is popular in the ruling party. But, his fate lies in the hand of his boss and other party leaders. Already, the governor has anointed Obaseki. Ogiewonmonyi served briefly as the Minister of Works under Dr. Jonathan. He is also close to General Ogbemudia. But, party members see him as an independent minded chieftain, who is not tied to the apron-strings of the governor. Godwin Obaseki is highly connected. He is from a prominent Benin family. The people of Benin Kingdom; the royalty and chiefs; and prominent indigenes are excited about his candidature. His cousin, Pedro Obaseki, is a broadcaster and film maker who has made name in the entertainment industry. Supremacy battle in PDP A section of the party believes that only the founding fathers can rescue the party. But, another caucus has disputed this claim, saying that the so-called founding chieftains are the architects of the PDP’s misfortune. The second group is of the opinion that many of the founding fathers have dented the image of the chapter, owing to their corrupt tendencies while steering the affairs of the state. The two groups locked in a supremacy battle have not reconciled. Former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, the arrowhead of the first group, declared that whhoever is going to be the next governor must be one of the PDP founding members. Former Senate Chief Whip Rowland Ovie, who is leading the second group disagreed. He said if the former governor sponsors a candidate, the flag bearer will be tainted. He said his performance in office failure led to the defeat of Osunbor and Airhiavbere in 2007 and 2012. Ovie added: “For the PDP to be seen to have broken ranks with irresponsibility, we have to be sure that our candidate for 2016 will not have any relationship with previous failures of the PDP government in Edo.” Can the two camps agree on a candidate? Among the PDP aspirants, two stand out. They are Ize-Iyamu and Edebiri. Pastor Ize-Iyamu is the former Secretary to Government. He served under Igbinedion. He is the former Southsouth leader of the defunct ACN. Many people have described Ize-Iyamu as a hardworking politician; a strategist and organiser. In 2012, he was the Director-General of the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation. He has the support of Igbinedion. But, some elders, including Dr. Sam Ogbemudia and Owie, are looking at another direction. Party insiders have said that Anenih may not be comfortable with his candidature because he had joined forces in 2012 against the Iyasele of Esanland, when he and Oshiomhole rejected godfatherism. He was a believer in the slogan: “No man is god.” Edebiri, a Bini from Edo South, can be described as a serial contestant. The businessman contested in 2007 in the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and in 2012 ran in the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Oshipmhole’s burden Since the governor unfolded his succession plan, many APC chieftains who are not favoured by his permutations have been kicking. Pedro Obaseki has urged him to rescind his decision, saying that it could be a recipe for chaos in the party. He reminded Oshiomhole that two of his candidates failed during the last senatorial election, advising him to accept the limitations to his influence. He maintained that only a level playing field at the primary can foster harmony. The former Works Minister is bitter and more combative. He decried the endorsement of a candidate by the governor, saying that it can divide the party, ahead of the election. He alleged that plans were underway to tinker with the delegates’ list. But, the governor’s political adviser has denied it. The APC aspirants who have kicked against the governor’s endorsement of Obaseki are not teaming up against the Chairman of the Economic Team. On daily basis, Obaseki is waxing stronger on the field. He has concentrated much efforts on mobilisation across the wards, local governments and senatorial districts. Since Oshipmhole declared his support for him, the governor has not make further statement. Obaseki has continued from there, holding consultations with stakeholders and soliciting for support from traditional rulers, businessmen, potential delegates, women and youths. Obaseki’s strategy While other aspirants are up in arms against him, Obaseki has taken his case to the people. He has presented to them, not as a politician, but a technocrat; tested and trusted. “The project I have embarked upon is inspired by my commitment and passion for service at this time when Nigeria is in crisis,” he said. He said having served Edo in the last seven years under Oshiomole, he knew the enormous power of government, adding that a policy stroke can distabilise a collective dream. “I have been part of the team that formulated a blue print and implementation plan. We wanted to pay to serve; we did not want to be paid to serve. I went to the University of Ibadan on Edo bursary; nobody asked me to pay back. The way people view government is how to get money from it, not how to use government to create wealth for all. “Governor Oshiomhole inherited insecurity, poor infrastructure and a civil service will a low morale. We said there was the need for us to plan. To budget is to govern. Poor budgeting has been the bane of our economy. How can we run a government without an engine to drive it? While I was working with the governor, I was not an appointee and I felt I could be more effective without been political,” he added. Obaseki reflecting on the economic crisis, warning that the challenges of governance in the post-Oshiomhole period will be more challenging. He described himself as the right man to succeed the governor, noting that he understood the Edo situation. He stressed: “In the last seven years, I have been part of the key decisions made by Governor Oshiomhole. The gains may be wiped away, if he is not succeeded by a competent administrator, who understands the foundation and the designs. “Governance will be more challenging now that resources are dwindling. The standard of governance cannot be lowered. People’s expectation will continue to rise. I am more than qualified, in terms of professionalism, capacity for planning, managerial ability and knowledge of running institutions. “I have been part of the decision-making and implementation process in the last seven years. I don’t see it as a pay back opportunity, but an opportunity to continue the excellent services of the last eight years.” Obaseki, who said the gang-up against him will fail, chided his detractors for lack of focus. “I have gone round the 18 local governments. People say they now see me at the wards. They say the person they claim they impose is the person they see and they don’t see other aspirants.” Denying the alleged plans to distort the delegates’ list, he said: “When a delegate dies, the vacancy is filled. The APC has a process. Some people defected. Their positions have to be filled. They first said I am unknown, I cannot win, the party will lose. Now, ot is about delegates’ list.” On structure, Obaseki said: “I am in a party. I can’t be in a party and build a sub-party. I rely on the party structure. I have been going to the delegates who will vote for me to get the ticket.”

Humblesmith Set to Drop New Single Featuring Flavour

Despite still topping charts with Osinachi Remix featuring Davido, melodious pop sensation , Humblesmith has hit the studios to complete a sizzling new single, and he has another industry giant on this one: Flavour Nabania. The new single which would be released on Tuesday, April 11, 2016 is titled Jukwese. It is masterfully produced by Mixsta Dimz

Jonathan: indiscipline rampant under Suleiman Abba

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday gave reason why the immediate former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, was sacked. He was quoted as saying that indiscipline was rampant among the rank and file of the police under Abba. Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and former IGP, Mike Okiro, said this to State House Correspondents after the council, chaired by Jonathan, confirmed Solomon Arase as the substantive IGP. On why Abba was sacked, Okiro said: “I may not attempt to answer that question because I’m not part of the Presidency that removed him. So, I cannot give adequate answer. “Though at the meeting, he (Jonathan) tried to explain to members based on the question raised by one of the governors that Nigerians may want to know why the former IGP was removed. “The President, in very brief way, said during the period of the former IGP, a lot of indiscipline was noticed among the rank and file of the police and as such, he felt that a new IG should come and try his luck. That is what he said, though I cannot give details of that.” On issues discussed at the closed-door meeting, he said: “Issues that border on security were discussed, how to ensure that Nigerians live in peace, how to ensure that their security are assured and how to ensure that their lives and property are well-protected. With that, a new IGP was brought on board to ensure that the policies and programmes put in place are promoted.” Arase took over from Abba, who was removed by the Presidency on April 21 through a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati. No reason was given in the statement for his removal. In an interview with correspondents, the newly promoted IGP said: “I have just been confirmed.” On what else was discussed at the meeting, he said: “We talked about the security challenges we are having and our strategic responses to addressing those challenges. “I can assure Nigerians that we are going to address these issues.” He disagreed that the current security situation in the country was getting worse and next to the period of the civil war in Nigeria. On the dismantling of roadblocks, he said: “We already have an enforcement policy in place. Sixteen teams have moved out across the length and breadth of this country to ensure there is strict compliance to that order.” He promised to put the welfare of the men and officers of the police force on the front burner. He said: “To my men, I will tell them that their welfare will be number one on my cardinal responsibilities. You don’t motivate a workforce, except their welfare is paramount. I’m going to ensure that their welfare is going to be put on the front burner. “To Nigerians, I know that their expectations are high, but I can assure them that no Nigerian will suffer any injustice by my inaction or action.”