Senate approves Buhari’s request to refund N148.14bn to Rivers, Osun, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ondo

The Senate on Tuesday approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for a refund of N148,141,969,161.24 to Rivers, Osun, Cross River, Bayelsa and Ondo State Governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.

The approval was a sequel to the consideration of a report by the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts led by Senator Clifford Ordia (PDP – Edo Central).

Ordia in his presentation stated that most of the federal highways in Rivers, Osun, Cross River, Bayelsa and Ondo States where projects were executed “were in a deplorable state before the intervention of the state governments.”

According to him, “series of visits were carried out by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on all Federal Roads completed by the states and ascertained that the quality of work done met the required standard.”

The lawmaker, however, noted that states like Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and Ondo States embarked on the highway projects execution as far back as 2005 to date.

He added that while the state governments have completed all projects, paid all contractors and the Federal Bureau of Procurement on its part certified that due process was followed accordingly.

Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Barr. Benedict Umeano (Anambra – South East); Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma (Edo – South-South); and CP. Olayinka Babatunde Balogun Rtd (Ogun – South West) as Members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of the report of the Senate on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

In a related development, the upper chamber on Tuesday referred President Buhari’s request seeking the confirmation of nominees to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Tribunal to its Committee on Trade and Investment.

The nominees who are expected to appear for screening before the Committee include: Mrs Sadatu Mama Shafi, Chairman (North Central); George Chukwuma Mbonu, Member (South East); Barr. Thomas E. Okosun (South-South); Umar Dauda Duhu (North East); Ibrahim El-Yakubu (North West); Mrs Sola Salako Ajulo (South West); and Kenneth Tersoo Gyado (North Central).

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

ICYMI: Nigeria Back Into Recession, Worst Since 1987

Nigeria is back into a recession. This time, it is the worst the country has experienced since 1987…

ICYMI: Why We Can’t Call Off Strike Now –ASUU 

It is still uncertain whether the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will end soon as the president of the union, Professor ‘Biodun Ogunyemi has said there are certain steps to be taken to reach a final conclusion on the issue… | refund to Rivers, Osun, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ondo | refund to Rivers, Osun, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ondo