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The 2020 budget defence of the Niger Delta Development Commission ended abruptly at the Senate on Tuesday as its Interim Management Committee failed to account for a shortfall of N143bn in its 2019 budget.

Kemebradikumo Pondei, Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, had led other members of the IMC to appear before a joint panel of the National Assembly.

Pondei during the hearing failed to reconcile some differences in the 2019 budget performance of the commission. 

The 2019 budget expired in May. 

The Managing Director, who said the commission spent N122bn but later revised N264bn, could not respond to a question on what the NDDC had left.

“In compliance with the provision of the 2019 Appropriation Act, we implemented the 2019 capital budget till May 31, 2020.

“On the expenditure side, 2019 budget implementation was hindered by the delay in its approval and release coupled with the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“Only the recurrent expenditure which runs from January 1st to December 31st, 2019 was implemented substantially,” Pondei said.

In response, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, House Chairman on NDDC, said, “What you have here, spent is N122bn from what you said from the actual money you received, you received N305,570,683,529.87.
 
“If you received N305bn and you spent N122bn, what you are telling us now is that the available fund as we speak now will be N183,315,748,214.58.

“Would that be a available to be brought forward? What I’m saying is just a simple basic accounting question. You said you generated N305 billion. It is just a yes or no question.”

Pondei responded, saying, “The expenditure is actually N264bn.”

Tunji-Ojo then asked, “So what you are saying on your summary page is wrong?”

Pondei reacted and said, “The real breakdown is in the appendix.”

Other members of the committee pointed out discrepancies in the budget in terms of what was the balance of funds after subtracting the N122bn expenditure.

A back-and-forth aruguement ensued between members of the panel and Pondei, who insisted he was standing by the document while members of the committee said the presentation cannot stand in any Parliament in the world.

The committee further asked the MD if he was ready to sign each page of the document submitted for the purpose of authentication.

The MD first accepted to sign the pages of the document but later declined, requesting for withdrawal of 2019 budget details to enable the commission address the N143bn discrepancy raised by Tunji-Ojo.

Members of the joint panel however, expressed anger over the request for withdrawal of the 2019 budget details already submitted to the Committee made by the MD.

Niger Delta Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The 2020 budget defence of the Niger Delta Development Commission ended abruptly at the Senate on Tuesday as its Interim Management Committee failed to account for a shortfall of N143bn in its 2019 budget.

Kemebradikumo Pondei, Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, had led other members of the IMC to appear before a joint panel of the National Assembly.

Pondei during the hearing failed to reconcile some differences in the 2019 budget performance of the commission. 

The 2019 budget expired in May. 

The Managing Director, who said the commission spent N122bn but later revised N264bn, could not respond to a question on what the NDDC had left.

“In compliance with the provision of the 2019 Appropriation Act, we implemented the 2019 capital budget till May 31, 2020.

“On the expenditure side, 2019 budget implementation was hindered by the delay in its approval and release coupled with the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“Only the recurrent expenditure which runs from January 1st to December 31st, 2019 was implemented substantially,” Pondei said.

In response, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, House Chairman on NDDC, said, “What you have here, spent is N122bn from what you said from the actual money you received, you received N305,570,683,529.87.
 
“If you received N305bn and you spent N122bn, what you are telling us now is that the available fund as we speak now will be N183,315,748,214.58.

“Would that be a available to be brought forward? What I’m saying is just a simple basic accounting question. You said you generated N305 billion. It is just a yes or no question.”

Pondei responded, saying, “The expenditure is actually N264bn.”

Tunji-Ojo then asked, “So what you are saying on your summary page is wrong?”

Pondei reacted and said, “The real breakdown is in the appendix.”

Other members of the committee pointed out discrepancies in the budget in terms of what was the balance of funds after subtracting the N122bn expenditure.

A back-and-forth aruguement ensued between members of the panel and Pondei, who insisted he was standing by the document while members of the committee said the presentation cannot stand in any Parliament in the world.

The committee further asked the MD if he was ready to sign each page of the document submitted for the purpose of authentication.

The MD first accepted to sign the pages of the document but later declined, requesting for withdrawal of 2019 budget details to enable the commission address the N143bn discrepancy raised by Tunji-Ojo.

Members of the joint panel however, expressed anger over the request for withdrawal of the 2019 budget details already submitted to the Committee made by the MD.

Niger Delta Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The British High Commission in Nigeria has said it will commence visa services in Nigeria from July 28.

The High Commission in a tweet on Tuesday said Visa Application Centres will be open in Abuja, Ikeja and Victoria Island, adding that testing will also commence for the International Language Testing System.

The tweet reads, "Visa Application Centres are resuming services in Nigeria from 28 July.

 

"You must have an appointment to visit a VAC and will not be admitted without one. 

"For new applications, we aim to assess within our normal service standards, but there may be some delay. 

"Staff and customer safety remains our top priority with COVID-19 preventative measures in place.

"Our focus now is to deliver our services safely and effectively together."

 

See Also Travel We'll Reopen For Visa Application In Nigeria Soon —British High Commission 0 Comments 5 Days Ago

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The British High Commission in Nigeria has said it will commence visa services in Nigeria from July 28.

The High Commission in a tweet on Tuesday said Visa Application Centres will be open in Abuja, Ikeja and Victoria Island, adding that testing will also commence for the International Language Testing System.

The tweet reads, "Visa Application Centres are resuming services in Nigeria from 28 July.

 

"You must have an appointment to visit a VAC and will not be admitted without one. 

"For new applications, we aim to assess within our normal service standards, but there may be some delay. 

"Staff and customer safety remains our top priority with COVID-19 preventative measures in place.

"Our focus now is to deliver our services safely and effectively together."

 

See Also Sahara Reporters We'll Reopen For Visa Application In Nigeria Soon —British High Commission 0 Comments 5 Days Ago

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The Nigeria Police Counter-terrorism operatives have rescued two soldiers earlier abducted by Boko Haram fighters in Borno State.

PRNigeria gathered that the terrorists had killed some security personnel and abducted others after an attack on soldiers on a patrol.

This comes after Nigerian troops repelled an attempt by terrorists to seize an army barrack in Maiduguri on Monday. 

According to a situation report sighted by PRNigeria, it disclosed that “At 14.30 Hrs of July 13, 20120, an army patrol team was attacked by Boko Haram along Auno Road and killed two soldiers and kidnapped others while carting away two of the military’s gun truck, AK 47 rifles and unspecified numbers of ammunition.

“Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Nigerian Police on pin down point (operation), at the area went after the terrorists. After a gun battle recovered one gun-truck, rifles and rescued two soldiers alive.

“All exhibits handed over to the Commissioner of Police Command."

Meanwhile, in another development, Nigerian troops have thwarted an attempt by Boko Haram terrorists to seize an army barracks in Maiduguri.

PRNigeria learnt that the terrorists had attempted to seize the 333 Artillery Barracks of the Nigerian Army but were resisted after heavy exchanges of fire that lasted for about two hours between Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

Military Police News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Nigeria Police Counter-terrorism operatives have rescued two soldiers earlier abducted by Boko Haram fighters in Borno State.

PRNigeria gathered that the terrorists had killed some security personnel and abducted others after an attack on soldiers on a patrol.

This comes after Nigerian troops repelled an attempt by terrorists to seize an army barrack in Maiduguri on Monday. 

According to a situation report sighted by PRNigeria, it disclosed that “At 14.30 Hrs of July 13, 20120, an army patrol team was attacked by Boko Haram along Auno Road and killed two soldiers and kidnapped others while carting away two of the military’s gun truck, AK 47 rifles and unspecified numbers of ammunition.

“Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Nigerian Police on pin down point (operation), at the area went after the terrorists. After a gun battle recovered one gun-truck, rifles and rescued two soldiers alive.

“All exhibits handed over to the Commissioner of Police Command."

Meanwhile, in another development, Nigerian troops have thwarted an attempt by Boko Haram terrorists to seize an army barracks in Maiduguri.

PRNigeria learnt that the terrorists had attempted to seize the 333 Artillery Barracks of the Nigerian Army but were resisted after heavy exchanges of fire that lasted for about two hours between Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

Military Police News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2ZVwHUd

Fifty-five persons comprising of staff and students of a secondary school in Accra, Ghana, have tested positive for Coronavirus few weeks after schools reopened partially in the country.

Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, had asked graduating senior secondary students to resume on June 22 as part of plans to ease the lockdown in the country. 

The Government of Ghana made the development known in statement signed by Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, Director-General, Ghana Education Service, and Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General, Ghana Health Service.

Out of 314 staff and students of Accra Girls Senior High School, who were tested for Coronavirus, 55 had their results return positive, the authorities said. 

The statement reads, “Following the first report of COVID-19 cases in some senior high schools in the country on 6th July, 2020, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service instituted a number of measures to determine the extent of the outbreak and containment measures. Accra Girls Senior High School has recorded most cases from the first report to date.

“As at 13th July, 2020, a total of 314 persons (student and staff) from the school have been tested. Out of these, 55 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 while 259 persons tested negative.

“All confirmed cases have been transferred to designated national treatment and isolation centres for management."

Ghana PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Fifty-five persons comprising of staff and students of a secondary school in Accra, Ghana, have tested positive for Coronavirus few weeks after schools reopened partially in the country.

Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, had asked graduating senior secondary students to resume on June 22 as part of plans to ease the lockdown in the country. 

The Government of Ghana made the development known in statement signed by Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, Director-General, Ghana Education Service, and Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General, Ghana Health Service.

Out of 314 staff and students of Accra Girls Senior High School, who were tested for Coronavirus, 55 had their results return positive, the authorities said. 

The statement reads, “Following the first report of COVID-19 cases in some senior high schools in the country on 6th July, 2020, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service instituted a number of measures to determine the extent of the outbreak and containment measures. Accra Girls Senior High School has recorded most cases from the first report to date.

“As at 13th July, 2020, a total of 314 persons (student and staff) from the school have been tested. Out of these, 55 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 while 259 persons tested negative.

“All confirmed cases have been transferred to designated national treatment and isolation centres for management."

Ghana PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3bBrHIZ

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday urged the executive arm of government to prioritise the commencement of the rehabilitation and concessioning agreement for the Eastern corridor of railway line.

The Senate made this resolution while considering a motion on “urgent need to resuscitate and reactivate the rehabilitation and concession of the Eastern Rail line Project”, sponsored by Orji Uzor Kalu, and co-sponsored by 102 other senators.

Presenting the motion, Kalu pointed out that it became imperative to propel the executive to take the action in view of its huge revenue potentials to the national economy and for movement of people to reduce the burden on dilapidated roads within the Eastern axis of the country.

He lamented that the Eastern rail line had been denied similar attention given to Lagos-Kano (Western) rail line in spite of the fact that investigations revealed that the Eastern rail line remained the most lucrative route in Nigeria.  Bad rail track. Google

The lawmaker in his presentation noted that one of the greatest challenges facing the nation as an emerging economy was poor infrastructural development,

He said, “The movement of goods and persons from one point to another is becoming very cumbersome, if not hazardous.

“The Federal Government in 2017 entered into an agreement with General Electric, a Boston, United States based company, under the Rehabilitation and Concessioning of Western and Eastern Railway lines to connect Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kaduna, Katsina, Enugu, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Yobe and Kano States.

“And while the Western lines of 1,126 km are from Lagos to Kano and to N guru 230 km, Funtua mom and Kaura Namoda 121 km. The Eastern lines are from Port Harcourt to Kaduna 915 km, Maiduguri 706 km, 105 35 km. 

“In spite of the fact that the railways are more efficient in haulage of bulk loads over long distances in environmental and economic ease including cargoes and petroleum products, the sector suffers neglect especially the Eastern rail line which commences in Port Harcourt in Rivers State, passing through Abia State, Enugu, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano to Gombe and terminates in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“The Eastern rail line had been denied a similar attention given to Lagos Kano (Western) rail line in spite of the fact that investigations revealed that the Eastern rail line remains the most lucrative route in Nigeria.

“In spite of being the most lucrative route in Nigeria and a distance of about 1402 km having passed through Aba in Abia State, the commercial nerve centre of the South East is regrettably left in a comatose condition resulting in Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) losing at least N208 million each year since 2014.”

The Senate in its resolutions, mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance by the executive arm of government and report back to the Senate in three weeks for further legislative action.

 

Travel News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday urged the executive arm of government to prioritise the commencement of the rehabilitation and concessioning agreement for the Eastern corridor of railway line.

The Senate made this resolution while considering a motion on “urgent need to resuscitate and reactivate the rehabilitation and concession of the Eastern Rail line Project”, sponsored by Orji Uzor Kalu, and co-sponsored by 102 other senators.

Presenting the motion, Kalu pointed out that it became imperative to propel the executive to take the action in view of its huge revenue potentials to the national economy and for movement of people to reduce the burden on dilapidated roads within the Eastern axis of the country.

He lamented that the Eastern rail line had been denied similar attention given to Lagos-Kano (Western) rail line in spite of the fact that investigations revealed that the Eastern rail line remained the most lucrative route in Nigeria.  Bad rail track. Google

The lawmaker in his presentation noted that one of the greatest challenges facing the nation as an emerging economy was poor infrastructural development,

He said, “The movement of goods and persons from one point to another is becoming very cumbersome, if not hazardous.

“The Federal Government in 2017 entered into an agreement with General Electric, a Boston, United States based company, under the Rehabilitation and Concessioning of Western and Eastern Railway lines to connect Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kaduna, Katsina, Enugu, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Yobe and Kano States.

“And while the Western lines of 1,126 km are from Lagos to Kano and to N guru 230 km, Funtua mom and Kaura Namoda 121 km. The Eastern lines are from Port Harcourt to Kaduna 915 km, Maiduguri 706 km, 105 35 km. 

“In spite of the fact that the railways are more efficient in haulage of bulk loads over long distances in environmental and economic ease including cargoes and petroleum products, the sector suffers neglect especially the Eastern rail line which commences in Port Harcourt in Rivers State, passing through Abia State, Enugu, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano to Gombe and terminates in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“The Eastern rail line had been denied a similar attention given to Lagos Kano (Western) rail line in spite of the fact that investigations revealed that the Eastern rail line remains the most lucrative route in Nigeria.

“In spite of being the most lucrative route in Nigeria and a distance of about 1402 km having passed through Aba in Abia State, the commercial nerve centre of the South East is regrettably left in a comatose condition resulting in Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) losing at least N208 million each year since 2014.”

The Senate in its resolutions, mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance by the executive arm of government and report back to the Senate in three weeks for further legislative action.

 

Travel News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Before July 10, 2020, not so many Nigerians and indeed others around the world had the slightest knowledge of the enormous wealth at the disposal of Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

A little known lawyer from Kebbi State before 2015 when he was appointed into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the 53-year-old is today one of the richest men in Nigeria, thanks to the great power vested in his office and the influence he commands and peddles in Nigeria’s top circles.  Abubakar Malami

However, since publishing the first of a series of expository reports on July 10, 2020, on how Malami and his family members now live in utmost extravagance without the source of their sudden wealth known, SaharaReporters exclusives has unravelled the deep-rooted corruption in the Nigerian system, especially around Nigeria’s number one chief law officer. 

The online news medium in one of its reports revealed how one of Malami’s sons with no known history of employment owns a N3bn property in Birnin Kebbi, capital of Kebbi State, known as "AZBIR Arena." 

The area was launched with fanfare less than two years ago by Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

The all-in-one fun arena is said to be one of the favourite spots among revellers in the city and indeed across the Northern region of the country. 

That is not all – the AGF’s sons are known to drive around town in multi-million naira luxury vehicles specially shipped from abroad and customized to their taste with some carrying vanity number plates. 

On his own, Malami was discovered to have built a multi-billion naira private school in Kebbi, a luxury hotel in Kano, and a luxury home in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The AGF was discovered to have three houses in Abuja including one he bought this year for N90m in the Gwarimpa area of the city where he lives.

He is said to have torn down the building and remodelled into a mansion worth around N300m.

#MalamiGate: Multi-billion Naira Properties Of Nigeria's Attorney-General Abubakar Malami's Family Multi-billion Naira Properties Of Nigeria's Attorney-General Abubakar Malami's Family Acquired After He Got Appointed As The Minister Of Justice...

Also in Abuja, he is alleged to own a multi-million naira hotel still under construction along Jabi Lake Bypass directly opposite the Pedestals Bridge close to Setraco main office.

New Multi-billion Naira Hotel Reportedly Owned By AGF Malami Under Construction In Jabi

#MalamiGate: New Multi-billion Naira Hotel Reportedly Owned By AGF Malami Under Construction In Jabi #MalamiGate: New Multi-billion Naira Hotel Reportedly Owned By AGF Malami Under Construction In Jabi

Malami, according to findings by SaharaReporters, is also allegedly building a massive structure in Sokoto State.

This is in addition to several other properties he owns across Nigeria and expensive cars to his name.

During the wedding ceremony of one of his sons, Abdulaziz, last weekend, the jet-setting lifestyle of Malami and his family members came to full glare.

Apart from over six private jets landing in Birnin Kebbi as the AGF and his family members arrived the city for the third leg of the five-day-long extravaganza, guests were treated to series of lavish events where wads of cash were sprayed in violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria rule. 

Money Rain At Wedding Of The Son Of Nigeria's AGF, Malami WATCH VIDEO: Money Rain At Wedding Of The Son Of Nigeria's AGF, Malami...

Persons close to the AGF told SaharaReporters that since being appointed into the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015, Malami had embarked on a relentless purchase and construction of property through alleged public funds.

Despite the open display of unexplained wealth by the AGF and members of his family in recent times, President Buhari, who rode to power in 2015 on the back of a promise to crush corruption especially in government circle, is yet to offer any statement on the development. 

Nigeria's President is known to condone corruption amongst members of his inner circle and this is evident in the deployment of a Presidential aircraft -- Dassault Falcon 900 with registration number NAF 961 -- for the wedding of Malami's son.

Abuse Of Office: Buhari Deployed Presidential Jet For Lavish Extravagant Wedding Of Malami’s Son WATCH VIDEO: Abuse Of Office Scandal: Buhari Deployed Presidential Jet For Lavish Private Extravagant Wedding Of Malami ’s Son, Dashed Out COVID-19 Presidential Task Force Pass

Observers say Buhari’s silence is an endorsement of the atrocities of one of his most trusted lieutenants – Malami.

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Abuse Of Office: Buhari Deployed Presidential Jet For Lavish Extravagant Wedding Of Malami’s Son WATCH VIDEO Politics Scandal VIDEO NEWS News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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President Trump says postal ballots lead to widespread fraud - but what evidence is there?

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The pandemic brought Egypt's tourism industry to a virtual halt, affecting millions of livelihoods.

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Perfumers are using AI to create millions of scents, but will it replace the traditional methods?

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Law enforcement agencies are battling to break foreign-linked criminal syndicates.