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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, July 3, 2017
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News
Budget alteration: AGF Malami under pressure to go to S/ Court Continued from page 1 Supreme Court and file a matter over the propriety power of appropriation on the budget by the National Assembly. The Executive and the Legislative arms of government are presently engrossed in controversy over the introduction of fresh projects into the 2017 budget by the National Assembly. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) had raised the alarm during the signing of the budget into law and insisted that the lawmakers lacked the power to alter the budget. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde
Fashola (SAN), further raised the red flag when he stated that the lawmakers introduced local projects like boreholes and primary health care centers into his ministry while slashing the estimates on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Shiroro Dam and other core projects of national importance. But the spokespersons of the lawmakers fired back, saying that Fashola’s outburst was due to the fact that his projects are sectional and have the penchant to be awarding contracts. The minister however replied the lawmakers, saying that they should address issues he raised and not personal attacks.
But The Daily Times in the course of investigation gathered that the ministers were not happy over the development. Some ministers also confided in our correspondents that they have directed the AGF to go to Supreme Court and file a suit on the matter in order to resolve the issue once and for all. The ministers, who sought anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, insisted that there is the need to put an end to the yearly alterations of budget that have direct impact on average Nigerians. The ministers added that in spite of the sacrifice and concession made to lawmakers, mem-
L-R: Second in Command Special Investigation Bureau, Airport Police Command, Mr. Olatunji Olayinka; Director of Engineering, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Engr. Hashim Wali; Director/CEO Aeroavsec, Capt. Bello Ocheja; Commissioner/CEO AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru; Head Aviation Security, AIB, Mr. Olumide Osineye, during the Aviation Security Training for Airport Command Policemen in Lagos… at the weekend.
bers of the National Assembly still go ahead to change budget estimates to suit their personal needs at the expense of national interest. The Daily Times further gathered that this system of introducing fresh projects after the budget had been laid before the lawmakers started in 1999 and it has now been perfected to the extent that the lawmakers see no reason why they should not include their own project to in the budget. One of the ministers told Daily Times that,”We have to stop this nonsense once and for all. I can tell you authoritatively that the lawmakers introduced their own fresh projects in all the ministries. No ministry was spared, strange and bogus projects. “For God sake, what is the work of states and local governments if the issue of boreholes, tricycles, golf cars will now be the responsibility of Federal Government? “Can you imagine that some of the lawmakers went as far as introducing N180million project that has no bearing with my ministry”. Another minister said, “How can we implement this year’s budget? I will say something that will shock you. Realizing the experience of last year, I conceded about N4billion projects to the lawmakers, yet they still went ahead to introduce fresh projects in my ministry’s budget. “Some of us had wanted to challenge this but we later resolve that it is only at the apex court that
can settle this. We want to challenge them over what happened in 2016, where strange projects otherwise known as “padding” were introduced but when a similar thing again happened in 2017, we felt the time has come for the Supreme Court to tell Nigerians who has the power to prepare the budget and lay it before the lawmakers; who will now go through it and find out if there are repetition of projects or figures. The constitution did not say that the lawmakers should introduced fresh projects in the Budget. “We are of the opinion that the lawmakers are only interested in their local and selfish projects. “We are on the same page with Fashola. In fact, he is speaking the minds of most of the ministers. He has been a two-term governor of cosmopolitan Lagos State and his argument is solid on this issue. “And that is why we have urged the AGF to file the suit at the Supreme Court in the overall interest of the country.” When asked when the AGF will file the suit, the minister replied that the action would take place shortly. One of the ministers further disclosed that it could have been better if there is an arrangement where the lawmakers will approach the Executive arm of government to inform them of their projects so that it can be included in the budget rather than altering Continued on page 8
Air transport to exceed $67.8 Bn income annually in Africa –Sirika
Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo
ÏÏÏ The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has observed that air transport in Africa supports over 6.7 million jobs and generate an income of $67.8 billion with the figures expected to astronomically increase, if Nigeria gets her air transport development right in the next couple of years. Senator Sirika, in his keynote address on the occasion of the 4th Airport Business Summit and Expo which held recently at Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre Abuja, noted that air transport plays a major role in facilitating economic activities. He further hinted that air transport is also one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy, with 40 million flights globally; 3.5 billion passengers; 51 million tonnes of freight; over 14,000 scheduled airlines per annum. According to the minister, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that air passenger movement will reach 7.3 billion by 2034 and that eight of the ten fastest-growing markets in percentage terms will be in Africa, with the continent expected to grow by 4.7%. Other reports show that
Warning that aviation is an international business where competition is driven by market forces and customer satisfaction, Sirika stated that there is no doubt today, that Nigeria is the economic hub of the West African sub region and is gradually building economic influence around the continent. “This position must be supported and sustained by a viable air transport system that allows for seamless connectivity for national, regional and international flights. The airport is where it all begins”, Sirika said. The minister said that the whole aviation system currently, has been assessed for compliance to international safety standards and recommended practices of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is targeted at making our air transport services among the safest and most secure in the world. “We are improving in infrastructure, with new terminal buildings which are set to be completed soon to boost passenger comfort and increase Nigeria’s capacity as an emerging regional hub. We are also connecting Nnamdi Azikiwe airport by rail to the city of Abuja”, he said. As part of efforts to reposition
the sector, Sirika said that Government is ready to support any private sector initiative which is aimed at improving safety, security and economic self sufficiency and sustainability in the industry. He also informed that government has appointed reputable Transaction Advisers for some critical projects which are intended to transform the Nigerian aviation landscape and make it responsive to global air transport demand. According to him, the projects which shall be presented for private sector participation after completion of their Outline Business Cases include:Concession of the four International airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt; National Carrier; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre; Aviation Leasing Company; Aerotropolis (Airport City); Cargo / Agro Allied Terminal; Aerospace University While commending the organisers, the minister said that Airport Business Summit and Expo should be seen as a gathering to collectively aspire for improved airport business for airports, airlines, tourist destinations cities, concessioners, retailers, consultants, banks and financial institutions, manufacturers, service
providers amongst others. In his welcome address, Chairman Airport Business Summit Committee, Mr Fortune Idu corroborated Sirika’s views, stressing that air transport brings amazing speed and capacity to deliver value for economic growth and the airport drives the continuous and sustainable development of the air transport system through mixed aeronautic and non-aeronautic revenue generating options. Idu said that, for the aviation industry to continue to improve in the delivery of quality and safe services; its guiding policies, programmes, plans, manpower and systems will continue to be reviewed and passed through audits both open to the public and ones carried out internally. In recent times, the committee chairman pointed out that the customer experiences and perception in the industry have been found to be long term determent of the wellbeing of the industry. “Therefore, the industry is not in isolation and must periodically interface through gatherings like this with the wider public to share information and deliberate on the future and help direct national policies, planning, programmes
and projects towards improving airport facilities, air transportation infrastructures and general operations, and alternately air transport customer experiences. These are the reasons why Airport Business Summit and Expo for Africa (ABSE) were founded”, Idu said. Idu further emphasised that, for the industry to continue to improve in the delivery of quality passengers experience in safe and secured manner, policy makers, aviation professionals, air transport investors and users of air transport services will need to meet periodically to discuss the way forward. “Our airport industry is currently under serious transformation, such as construction of new terminal buildings and upgrade of runway, and currently the Federal Airports Authority is championing the ease of doing business in Nigeria. The airport as the gate way to both commerce and tourism gives the first ambience of country and little wonder the Acting President of Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo under the Buhari Led Government identified the airport as the critical place to start the campaign for easing up business bottle necks for our great country”, Idu emphasised.