Reps frown at N81.2bn spent by Green Wall Agency to plant trees

*Expresses displeasure over conflicting financial reports by CBN, OAGF The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating the utilisation of ecological funds released to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has uncovered N81.2 billion allegedly spent to plant 21m trees in 11 states. The investigation is from 2015 till date. Hon.  Isma’ila Dabo, the Chairman of the Committee in Abuja, decried the persistent of environmental challenges in spite of funds put into the programme. He said the funds put by the Federal Government and international partners necessitated the investigation. He said the committee would embark on, on-the-spot assessment tour to all the projects executed under this scheme to ascertain the claims. He said the committee was not out to scandalise any individual or organisation but only to ensure that public funds were utilised for the purpose they were given. “We will not shy away from pointing fingers where necessary, not out of personal animosity but simply in the national interest of our nation.” The 11 states where the trees are planted are: Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno. The committee expressed displeasure over conflicting financial reports submitted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) to the committee. Piqued by the inability of the agency to substantiate most of the tree planting projects carried out so far, the committee said 80 per cent of trees planted by the agency did not survive. Meanwhile, the documents submitted by the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein showed that the total sum of N19.378 billion was released from the derivation and Ecology Accounts to the agency from Feb 2019 to date. Responding to questions from the committee, NAGGW Managing Director, Dr Yusuf Bukar, said the Great Green Wall Act was signed by Mr. President in 2015. He said it enabled the agency to implement the Nigerian component of the programme as an initiative of the African Union being implemented in 11 African countries. This according to him, is to address the problem of land degradation, desertification, drought, climate change and livelihood of affected communities. He saud the agency planted 1 million trees in Borno, Yobe and other states, adding that N2.4 billion was released in the first phase and N7.3 billion released in the second phase. He added that the fund accruing into the agency’s account included 15 per cent of the ecological fund for the Great Green Wall, contribution of fund from the natural resources development fund and gifts. Others include loans and grants in aid from national bilateral, multilateral organisations and donors, international and development agencies as well as individuals. He said that the agency often got funds from donor agencies; however, he did not provide relevant documents on the amount received so far.

Reps to probe illegal helicopters’ sale by NCAT

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has resolved to probe alleged sales of two training helicopters by the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State. The Committee Chairman, Hon. Ademorin Kuye said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday. The chairman said the committee attention was drawn to the development through media reports on July 30, 2023, on the purported sale of 2 Bell 206L-3 helicopters. He said the helicopters were public assets acquired for training pilots by the NCAT for N1.2 billion. “The Sale of the helicopters under the pretext of under-utilisation by the authorities of the College of Aviation in March 2023 has now become a symptom of the worrying trend of asset stripping.” This according to him cut across all sectors of the economy by all MDAs toward the twilight of the last administration. “This is in spite the offer of Nigerian Navy to acquire same and possibly use to address the security challenge facing the country in the area of oil pipeline vandalisation and crude oil theft.” He said the committee equally felt the assets could have been converted to the use of Nigerian Police to fight banditry and insurgency in the country. He said the urgency in the sales and concession of public assets at the twilight of the last administration called for suspicion since the supposed approval was gotten from that administration. He said it was only right that the new administration is allowed to be part of the completion of the sale process if there were no hidden agenda. He said the committee would investigate the sale of those important training national assets to ensure that due process was followed and that the country was not shortchanged in the deal. The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, had said it auctioned two helicopters at 556,200,322USD (₦1.2 billion), because of under-utilisation. The Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the institution, Capt. Alkali Modibbo, told newsmen on Sunday in Zaria that the two Bell 206B – III model helicopters were disposed after satisfying all due diligence. Modibbo explained that a Federal Government licenced auctioneer, Messrs Tresmo Nigeria Limited, was appointed to dispose the affected helicopters sequel to the approval and valuation reports obtained from the Federal Ministries of Aviation and Works, respectively. According to him, the auctioneer paid $275,782,661.25 and $280,417,661.25 (totalling ₦1.2bn) vide FGN Remita receipts bearing reference numbers 3008-4333-3046 and 1008-4304-1098, accordingly.

Subsidy Removal: Reps approve Tinubu’s N500bn palliative

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 Thursday’s plenary. 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 a possible impact. “We want living wage, not minimum wage; do not suffocate us, school fees are high, the 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. Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, called for voice votes on the bill and members unanimously voted and the bill was passed.