About 12,000 federal projects abandoned across Nigeria ByAbimbola Ayobami

An estimated 11, 886 federal government projects were abandoned in the past 40 years across the country, Founder of the Africa Diaspora Research in Charis Complex, Centurion, South Africa, Professor Kole Omotoso, has said. The university don, who quoted this from the report of the abandoned Projects Audit Commission set up by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, stated this while delivering the Federal University of Technology, Akure’s 24th Convocation Lecture titled, ‘Technology and Human Development’ He said lack of a functional steel complex anywhere in the country would make it impossible for Nigeria to achieve any meaningful technological growth before year 2020. Mr. Omotoso, an expert in Comparative Literature, identified corruption as the major cause of Nigeria’s backwardness in technological development. Mr. Omotosho lamented the abandonment of the multi-billion dollar Ajaokuta Steel Complex and other federal government owned steel firms across the country as a result of sharp practices by corrupt leaders. His words, “In 1979, the federal Government of Nigeria under General Olusegun Obasanjo, signed a global contract that was opened to bidders from the whole world. The leaders believed then that without a functional steel industry, there can be no industrialization and no material with which to build infrastructure. “The contract was signed with TyajzPromExport of the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the establishment of the Ajaokuta Steel project. The date of completion was 1986 but it was never completed till date due to policy inconsistencies and massive project corruption for which no one was ever punished.” Mr. Omotoso explained that the project was abandoned “after it had become one of the bottomless drain pipes of the national coffers.” He said former President Ibrahim Babangida reviewed the project in 1986 and signed a new contract with the same Soviet firm, the TPE, which started it in 1979 with a new completion date of 1989. He explained further that the project was also later abandoned when it was 99 percent completed and that no reason was given for its abandonment till date. He said, “In all, Nigeria spent $5bn on the Ajaokuta Steel Complex project which was supposed to cost $650m. “Nigeria was listed as the 41st steel producing nation in the world and by 2010; the country was no longer listed at all as a steel producing nation. “During those years of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex project saga, Nigeria spent N2.1 trillion on the importation of steel products into the country. “During the same period, the TPE had successfully completed on schedule, steel complex projects for various countries working towards industrialization and infrastructure building around the world including China, South Korea and Brazil,” he added. Mr. Omotoso described the abandonment of the Ajaokuta steel firm project as “the most spectacular project abandonment among thousands of abandoned projects in Nigeria.” He cited the case of a contract for the construction and equipping of a Federal Medical Centre in Ohambele community allegedly awarded to former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, in 2002. He said the project, which was published by the Niger Delta Professionals for Development, Effurun, in Delta State in its Citizen Score Card publication, revealed that the project was not executed at all. “On paper, however, it seems the project has been completed because when it reached the stage of supplying equipment and drugs, they were supplied and it was kept in the former Senate President’s house up till today,” he added. Mr. Omotoso said the Nigerian Ports Authority also revealed six months ago that there were 500 containers which contained materials for various abandoned federal government projects across the country. He submitted that Nigeria’s hope of becoming a technologically developed country would remain a mirage if corruption were not immediately addressed.

The True Story Behind The Death Of Stella Obasanjo, Wife Of Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo byEmmanuel_C.O

A lot of misinformations and misconceptions have been surrounding the death of Stella Obasanjo, as many believe she died in a plane crash, while some believe she died while undergoing facial surgery. These are all lies as below is the true story behind the death of Stella Obasanjo, late wife of former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo. View pictures in App save up to 80% data. Stella Obasanjo, former Nigeria's First lady died on the 23rd of October 2005. This was just few days before her 60th birthday. She was to undergo a cosmetic surgery at a private health clinic in Puerto Banús, Marbella, Spain. In case you're wondering, a cosmetic surgery is a voluntary surgery that is performed on normal parts of the body with the only purpose of improving a person's appearance and/or removing signs of aging. She successfully made it through the surgery process, however, there were some complications she encountered, which would later cost her life. The surgeon, who was identified as AM, was said to have misplaced a tube which was designed for the liposuction surgery into Stella's abdominal cavity. The tube had punctured her colon, an important part of the digestive system, while also lacerating her liver, another very important organ. This resulted to the death of Stella Obasanjo two days after the surgery. Complicating the matter was the fact that the doctor had left Stella about 4 hours after the surgery, of which if he was close by, the situation would have been managed. So the death of Stella Obasanjo wasn't as a result of a plane crash, or a result of any other misinformations, but as a result of the carelessness and negligence of a doctor who operated on her. It's worthy to note that the doctor was sentenced to one year of imprisonment in September 2009 on a charge of "causing homicide through negligence". View pictures in App save up to 80% data.

He was also disqualified from medicine for a period of 3 years and ordered to pay €120,000 (approximately US$176,000) in compensation to Stella Obasanjo's son. Olusegun Obasanjo had written in one of his books; “I instructed that the doctor and the clinic be prosecuted. The lost life cannot be brought back but the successful prosecution would prevent carelessness and loss of life in the future.” May the soul of Stella Obasanjo Rest In Peace.

Unremitted funds: How Buhari’s appointees sabotage economy, worsen borrowings Tunde Ajaja

TUNDE AJAJA examines how the refusal of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to remit into the Treasury Single Account the revenues they generate makes a mockery of this regime’s fight against corruption. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), alluded to an obvious fact recently when he said the 2022 budget estimate would be the last full budget he would implement. His eight years tenure has about 19 months left. He spoke at the National Assembly while presenting the budget. Clearly, the President inherited many lamentable budgeting traditions; from wasteful projections to yearly repetition of items, unrealistic aspirations and incredibly low revenue, necessitating unabashed borrowing and pushing the country’s debt service to revenue ratio to about 73 per cent. Many experts have agreed this is disturbing. One of the unfavourable traditions the Buhari regime inherited – and might avoidably pass on to its successor – is the mocking manner Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government refuse to remit to the federation account the revenues they collect on behalf of the government. In fact, the Director, Treasury Single Account, Sylva Abor, said in 2019 that some MDAs still operated illegal accounts outside the TSA. He noted that few MDAs were given exemptions on certain grounds, but many others were flouting the TSA policy. The National Assembly has warned MDAs to desist from the practice, but the menace, perpetrated brazenly by some MDAs, especially those headed by those considered as ‘powerful’, has yet to abate. Some analysts would term it economic sabotage while some believe it is criminal. These views are understandable, given how it causes a significant shortfall in revenue. Already, the 2022 budget estimate has over N6.2tn deficit that would have to be borrowed. In previous years, government also borrowed to fund the budget. In the current financial year, about N4.28tn, representing about one-third of the N13.6tn budget, was sourced through debt financing. Yet, the MDAs still hold on to considerably huge revenue. The country’s debt profile has become worrisome and there is a need to borrow. The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, highlighted this while giving the breakdown of the budget estimate. Some persons would argue this could have been mitigated and the debt profile may not have reached over N35tn if the MDAs were remitting what they got. In May, the Senate said between 2014 and 2020, calculations from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission showed that about 60 MDAs refused to remit about N3tn to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, contrary to the Constitution and the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. Similarly, the Executive Chairman, FRC, Victor Murako, said in May that 32 MDAs, including the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria; Bank of Industry; Nigeria Immigration Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency refused to remit N1.2tn. He noted, “Sadly, many MDAs still persist in defaulting and practically keeping money away from the Federal Government’s reach for funding its budgets.” Earlier in March, the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation in its 2016 Audit report alleged that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation did not remit N4.076tn into the Federation Account from operational proceeds made between 2010 and 2016, a report the NNPC denied, saying the money went into pipeline repairs, domestic fuel supplies and security and management matters. There were several frightening revelations in the 59 recommendations contained in the report of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on the annual report of the AuGF on the accounts of the federation for the year ended December 31, 2015. The extent of corruption and leakages in the system was disquieting, given how billions of government funds end up in private pockets, unchallenged. The President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said on Monday at the opening of a two-day mid-term ministerial performance review retreat that “Nigeria’s challenge is revenue concentration.” Sadly, one could safely conclude that Nigeria is wasteful, accustomed to spending its scarce resources as if there is no future to be concerned about. It loses revenues in known ways and moves on as if it has excess and its ‘barn’ overflows nonstop. Otherwise, it could be difficult to explain how the leadership or managers of the economy close their eyes to glaring leakages that shrink government’s revenue – and line the pockets of corrupt individuals, but would rather unashamedly go cap in hand to borrow from disciplined nations and organisations. Realising the impact of unremitted funds on the current fiscal challenges, the President a few days ago gave his approval that a coalition of anti-graft agencies, which include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit should recover about N2.65tn unremitted funds by 77 oil companies. If the President could ‘dispatch’ four major anti-graft agencies to go after oil companies to recover unremitted funds, many people would wonder why he has yet to make examples – including sacking and prosecution – of his appointees who defy extant policies by holding on to government revenue. Politicians are powerful, especially those in any ruling party, and this corrupt act by MDAs didn’t start with the Buhari regime. But it becomes worrisome that such persistent abuse of office would continue under the President, who promised to fight corruption to a standstill. The MDAs, some of which shun invitations by the National Assembly, seem to be untouchable. “Fighting corruption is extremely difficult. It’s so difficult, but I will keep on trying,” Buhari said recently in Owerri during his meeting with key stakeholders while on a visit to Imo State. But, according to a seasoned economist and former Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Muda Yusuf, what is lacking is the political will to compel the MDAs to do the right thing. He said most of the MDAs that are culpable are usually headed by influential persons who could hardly be controlled. Yusuf, who is also the founder/CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, said, “It boils down largely to the political will to compel them to remit what they are supposed to remit. Many of them are richer than the ministries that supervise them, and they live large correspondingly. “Consistently, what we describe as independent revenue, which is supposed to be the revenues from the MDAs, has consistently fallen short of target, and they fall short significantly. I also suspect that because some of those who sit on those parastatals are very influential people, sometimes it makes it difficult to compel them to remit what they should remit. “What is important in all of these is the political will to make sure they remit it. You would notice that for a long time, the National Assembly has consistently expressed frustration on the issue of oversight over some of these MDAs, particularly the big and influential ones. It has been quite difficult.” Speaking to whether full compliance by the MDAs in their remittances would reduce government’s borrowing, he said, “I agree that if they all remit their revenues, our fiscal position will not be as bad as this, but all along what we hear year in, year out is the rhetoric that they should remit but at the end of the day, nothing happens. No consequences.” The ex-DG of LCCI also spoke on the issue of wastage in government. “If you add the unremitted funds to having addressed the high level of wastage in the system, we could have reduced our debt burden. If the MDAs were spending cost-effectively, if they were managing resources well, I’m sure the level of fiscal deficit will not be as high as this. “And if the deficit is not high, the need to borrow will be much less. But year in, year out, there is huge recurrent expenditure; maintenance, travels and such things are examples and it is a big issue.” Also, an economist, Prof Akpan Ekpo, said government borrowing could reduce if the MDAs transparently remitted their revenues. He said they were supposed to remit the funds, prepare their budget and when approved they could get funds to fund the budget. “But there are MDAs that generate revenue and they spend a lot before they give the government the balance”, Ekpo, who is also the chairman of the Foundation for Economic Research and Training, said. “They should remit their revenue to the government and they would be given what they want. That is the way to increase revenue. Otherwise, this borrowing is getting too much,” he added. Asked if full remittance by the MDAs could reduce government’s borrowing, the don said, “We don’t know but it will help because it is part of domestic resource mobilisation which we are encouraging. So, it will help if they do it genuinely. He explained, “Some of the agencies are even richer than their parent ministries, and it doesn’t make sense. For example, NIMASA is richer than the Ministry of Transport and you saw in the last administration what we later read about the corruption in NIMASA at that time. “The MDAs should remit their revenue, prepare their budget and let it fall within the parent ministry. It will go through the normal budget process where they can defend their budget and get what they want when it is passed into law. The MDAs should be monitored. If they need money for capital expenditure, there is a process. The borrowing is getting too much. “You would find that some of the heads of the agencies are even more powerful than the minister because they control a lot of resources. The MDAs should remit their budget, and maybe it will reduce the borrowing because we are told they are borrowing because they don’t have revenue. Let there be transparency.” A professor of Political Economy and management expert, Pat Utomi, said the refusal of the MDAs to remit revenue into the designated account was criminal and that people found culpable ought to be prosecuted. “How can you say you have TSA and some people refuse to remit revenue, running into trillions; it means they have violated your laws. You should send them to jail and not just remove them. They are liable for a criminal offence,” he said. Utomi, however, suggested the adoption of specific tax uses, in which case tax revenue from a particular sector or activity is used to finance a certain activity that benefits the people. He stated, “I may not completely agree with the TSA but it exists and it’s a law. I think we lack creativity and innovation in finance. We developed a tax-and-spend culture that doesn’t look at the goal of public expenditure and the sourcing for the expenditure. “I am a huge fan of what is called specific use taxes, which directs revenue to specific activities and ensures that they maintain that activity. For example, in the United States, the gasoline tax – which you pay anytime you buy petrol in the United States – goes directly to highway maintenance. “If you have a specific use tax like that in Nigeria, instead of waiting for people to demonstrate that roads are bad, you take representatives of the drivers, Nigerian Society of Engineers, take one or two consultants from the Big Four accounting firms and they become part of the monitoring team for gasoline taxes, which goes directly into maintaining highways.” Utomi explained that such a model would ensure transparency and cut off people who hoodwink the government into awarding unnecessary contracts for their selfish interest. He added, “That would bring some discipline into public administration. What we have is just a funny thing; criminally-minded public servants who award useless contracts that become part of our debt profile and we are borrowing from somewhere to pay back somewhere else.” PUNCH.

NAF denies paying N20m to avoid shooting down Buhari’s plane by Solomon Odeniyi

The Nigerian Air Force has denied a report by the Wall Street Journal that it paid N20m as ransom to bandits in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun seized from the Nigerian Army. The Wall Street Journal said in a report on Sunday that the NAF brokered the deal as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was planning a trip to Katsina, his home state. The US media outlet said N20 million was delivered to the bandits in Rugu Forest by a Nigerian Air Force officer, who leaked details of the operation under anonymity, because the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over. The rugged, lawless jungle that covers parts of Kaduna, Zamfara and the President’s home state of Katsina has served as a vast haven for bandits terrorising Nigeria’s northwestern communities. A large portion of kidnapping plots emanates or terminates in or around the forest, security agencies had previously warned. “The mission to buy back the anti-aircraft gun began with a handoff from a high-ranking air force intelligence officer in the capital Abuja: a black zip-up bag he said was full of 20 million Nigerian naira,” the paper reported, after stating that such military hardware in the hands of bandits “posed a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been planning to fly to his hometown about 80 miles away.” It’s a lie, says air force But the Nigerian Air Force denied making such payment to bandits in exchange for weapons. In a statement on Sunday by the spokesperson, Air Commodore, Edward Gabkwet, said there was no truth in the report. The statement was titled, “NAF DID NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENT TO BANDITS IN EXCHANGE FOR WEAPONS” It read, “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force has been drawn to news reports circulating on some media platforms alleging that the NAF, through one of its personnel, paid the sum of N20 Million to armed bandits operating in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun allegedly seized. The report went on to state that the reason behind the payment was to retrieve the anti-aircraft gun which, it alleged, the NAF feared could be used against aircraft operating within Katsina State. “The NAF wishes to categorically state that there is absolutely no iota of truth in the spurious allegation that was undoubtedly designed to cast aspersions on the good image of the Service. “The said report is totally false. It should therefore be taken as fake news and disregarded. Indeed, we ordinarily would not have responded to such baseless and utterly illogical allegation but for the need to set the record straight as well as reaffirm the NAF’s unflinching commitment to decisively dealing with the armed bandits and all other criminal elements *in the Country in partnership with other services of the Armed Forces and other security Agencies.* “For the avoidance of doubt, it must be stated that there is no basis for the NAF to pay bandits or any criminal elements that it has continued to attack and decimate in Katsina State, other parts of the North-West as well as other Theatres of Operation in the Country. “Indeed, as recent as October 12, 2021* , NAF aircraft conducted 5 missions in the Jibia general area and engaged targets with rockets and cannons at Bala Wuta bandits’ locations in Kadaoji. “Similar successes were recorded at Fakai Dutsin Anfare, an area in Jibia LGA known for its high incidences of bandits’ activities. The false reportage therefore, begs the question as to why the NAF would negotiate for a weapon allegedly seized and still carry out air interdiction missions on the same bandits and their strongholds. “The NAF is of the view that, this latest false report could be a part of a campaign to further the cause of insecurity in Nigeria by elements who see the NAF as a threat following series of successful exploits in operations against criminal gangs.” The statement further read, “Perhaps, this provides an avenue for the NAF to yet again appeal to members of the media, both local and international, as well as social media, to be circumspect in their reportage and endeavour to always verify their facts before going public. The public is enjoined to disregard the falsehood emanating from some sections of the social and mainstream media. “The NAF also uses this opportunity to call on citizens to continue to cooperate with security agencies as efforts are ongoing to rid the entire Nation of criminals and their activities. “On our part, the NAF, as a professional and disciplined force, will not in any way be discouraged from carrying out its mandate to rid the entire North-West Nigeria of banditry and other forms of criminality. We remain resolute in performing our function and will continue to work in synergy with other sister Services and security agencies to rid the Country of all criminal elements.”

Pandora papers: EFCC opens probe of Obi, Oduah, NPA boss, others by Adelani Adepegba

There are indications that the Economic and Crimes Commission has commenced investigations into the alleged tax evasion by some Nigerians named in the Pandora Papers. It was gathered that a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has already been summoned for questioning by the commission over his secret assets and financial deals exposed in the Pandora Papers. Apart from Obi, the acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko; and a former minister and serving senator, Stella Oduah, mentioned in the report are also being probed. Others include Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State as well as his associates including former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. Children of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), were also said to have engaged in offshore deals. Pandora Papers is the biggest leak of 11.9 million documents from offshore services providers, detailing the secret offshore accounts of 35 world leaders, including current and former presidents, prime ministers, and heads of state as well as celebrities. The EFCC was said to have asked Obi to report at the agency’s Abuja headquarters on October 27 for questioning following revelations that he incorporated offshore holdings, which he did not declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau when he served as a governor, apart from allegedly operating foreign accounts and hiding his wealth in tax havens to evade taxes. PremiumTimes, which has been publishing the Pandora Papers, said Obi and others were being investigated for tax evasion. The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said he had not been briefed on the investigations. Obi did not respond to calls on Sunday and he had yet to reply a text message sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report. PUNCH.

Presidency faults Onu, NITR council contests minister’s dissolution order by Godwin Isenyo

There is indication of imminent crisis following the decision by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, to dissolve the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research, Kaduna. The NITR’s Governing Council had asked the minister to withdraw the decision dissolving the board, noting that the tenure of the members which began in 2018 would elapse in 2023. The controversy over the dissolution of the institute Governing Council began when the minister in a letter dated August 5th, 2021 notified the Chairman of Board of NITR, Haruna Lambu, that the tenure of the board had elapsed. Onu had argued that in line with the laws and regulations guiding the tenure of agencies and research institute’s under the umbrella of the ministry, “It has become necessary to inform you and members that the tenure of the Governing Board which was inaugurated on Tuesday 8th March 2018 elapsed 7th of March, 2021”. The Minister pointed out that “consequently, the Director General/Secretary of Board has been directed to prepare end of tenure report and submit to the ministry” However, the action of the minister has already elicited reactions from the Presidency and the lawyers of NITR board. The Presidency had earlier written a warning memo against the Ministry, dated September, 1st 2021 over undue administrative Interference, harassment and intimidation. In the letter addressed to the Minister by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration and Operation), Ibrahim Dikko Adamu titled, “Undue Interference bordering on wrongful and unlawful intimidation, oppression and harassment of the Governing Council of NITR and the ignoble role of the Minister in perpetuating Dr Augustine Chinyere Igweh as Director General of the Institute after due retirement.” Adamu said, “The President has directed the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to stop interfering in the administrative procedures which are within the mandate of the NITR Governing Council. Mr President has also directed the Head of Service of the Federation to take disciplinary actions on Dr Augustine Igweh for using the police to forcefully take over management of the Institute”. Meanwhile, the lawyer for the board members, Shuaibu Umar, in a reply letter dated September 1, 2021 to the minister over the premature dissolution of the board, said from the provisions of law, that the “tenure of office of members of all the councils created and established by the Act is five years and not three years as erroneously claimed by the Honourable minister.” t PUNCH.

Blame Nigeria’s high debt service on large expenditure, says finance minister by Noah Banjo

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has blamed Nigeria’s high debt service to revenue ratio on the country’s large expenditure base. She said this during an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday, noting that a large proportion of Nigeria’s budget caters to payroll. She said, “Our debt service to overall revenue is high because we have a very large expenditure base. We have a large proportion of our budget dedicated to payroll, and Mr President had decided from the beginning of his administration that we were not going to disengage staff. “So, you have to pay salaries, you have to pay pensions. And also, we have to fund the other arms of government, which are the judiciary and the legislature.” However, Ahmed expressed hope in oil prices stating that the current rise would help the country earn more revenue from the sale to other countries. She also noted that buying back petroleum products from other countries due to moribund refineries dents the revenue Nigeria earns. She said, “The high price of oil means that we would be able to earn more revenue. At $85 per barrel is way above the $40 per barrel we have on our 2021 fiscal projections.” “But we also have the challenge of having to buy petroleum products for use in-country, because we do not have functional refineries. So that eats into the revenues we would have otherwise realised.”