PUBLIC HEARING: Bill on Grassroots, Social and political development of the FCT - Dogara's Remarks

REMARKS BY RT. HON YAKUBU DOGARA, SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT A PUBLIC HEARING ON TWO BILLS ORGANIZED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FCT AREA COUNCILS AND ANCILLARY MATTERS, AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, ABUJA, NIGERIA, ON THURSDAY 16TH FEBRUARY, 2017.

RT. HON YAKUBU DOGARA

Protocols:

I am highly delighted to be invited to declare open this Public Hearing on two important Bills which are tailored towards grassroots social and political development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure that it meets up with other emerging capital cities of the World. The bills are:
i. A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Satellite Towns Development Agency to be Charged with the Responsibility for Development and Defining the Boundaries of the Satellite Towns and for Related Matters 2015 (HB.12).
ii. A Bill for an Act to Provide For the Administrative and Political Structure of Area Councils of Federal Capital Territory Area Councils and for other Related Matters. 2016 (HB.30).

PUBLIC HEARING: Nigerian Gas Processing and Marketing Regulatory Board’ and the ‘National Gas Resources Development Agency Dogara's Remarks

REMARKS BY THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RT. HONOURABLE YAKUBU DOGARA AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BILLS FOR NIGERIAN GAS PROCESSING AND MARKETING REGULATORY BOARD AND THE NATIONAL GAS RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, HELD ON THURSDAY, 16TH FEBRUARY, 2017 AT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, ABUJA, NIGERIA.

Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara

Protocols:

I am very delighted for the opportunity presented by this Public Hearing on two Bills: ‘Nigerian Gas Processing and Marketing Regulatory Board’ and the ‘National Gas Resources Development Agency’. These Bills seeks to establish the much needed legislative framework to free – up Nigeria’s gas deposits from the overarching concentration on crude oil production at the detriment of gas production. The Bills are expected to propel the country to give gas development, production and marketing its pride of place. If these Bills are eventually enacted into law, they will help create the enabling legislative order in which gas shall no longer be a footnote of crude oil with the attendant overriding benefits to the Nigerian economy.

2. The gas sector of the Nigerian economy has despite several commercial efforts failed to yield its value chain benefits. The laws in place in Nigeria have continued to make crude oil production the corner stone of the country’s petroleum sector development, with inadequate focus on gas production. This misnomer is quite understandable in view of the fact that at the time of developing the Nigerian petroleum sector, global interest in crude oil production and utilisation far outweighed gas utilization. Indeed, gas was treated as waste. It has even still continued to be flared.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI'S STATE OF HEALTH AND STATE OF THE NIGERIAN NATION!

OUR HONEST APPEAL TO NIGERIAN POLITICIANS, ACTIVISTS, SOCIAL MEDIA CRUSADERS AND THE GENERALITY OF NIGERIAN: STOP OVER HEATING THE POLITY!!!

THE PRESIDENT IS A HUMAN BEING LIKE US AND WE ARE ALL PRONE TO SICKNESS!
THE PRESIDENT IS NOT THE ONE WHO INFLICTED ILLNESS UPON HIMSELF, BUT GOD, THE OWNER AND CHIEF CONTROLLER OF OUR SOULS!

IT ISN'T EVIL TO FALL SICK! INSTEAD OF PLAYING POLITICS WITH THIS SITUATION, LET'S KEEP PRAYING FOR OUR PRESIDENT THAT ALMIGHTY GOD HEALS HIM AND GRANT HIM A QUICK RECOVERY!...

TO PRESIDENT BUHARI, OUR HONEST APPEAL TO YOU!

National Assembly Leaders, Saraki, Dogara off to London to see Buhari

A Profile Picture of
President Buhari and  National
Assembly Leaders, Saraki, Dogara, 

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara have reportedly travelled to London to see President Muhammadu Buhari. A very reliable source confirmed that the two principal officers of the National Assembly travelled on Wednesday to meet with Buhari who is on extended vacation for medical reasons.

After the initial ten-day vacation President Buhari earlier requested for which was to end on February 6, he wrote the Senate on the eve of resumption that he will be staying back in London to complete some required tests.

#2017BUDGET HEARING: House of Reps Speaker Dogara's Remark

Today, the National Assembly began a 3-day public hearing on the 2017 Appropriation Bill, as part of efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the budget process.

House of Reps Speaker  Dogara's address is copied below;

REMARKS BY THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RT. HON. YAKUBU DOGARA ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2017 NATIONAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING ORGANISED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON MONDAY, 13TH FEBRUARY 2017, AT SENATE CONFERENCE ROOM 022.

Protocols:

OFFICIAL: PRESIDENT BUHARI EXTENDS VACATION, WRITES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly today, February 5, 2017, informing of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.

The President had planned to return to Abuja this evening, but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning. The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives.

PRESIDENT BUHARI PROCEEDS ON VACATION

President Muhammadu Buhari leaves for the United Kingdom today on a short leave, which is part of his annua vacation. He is expected to resume work on February 6, 2017.

During the vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups.

In line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President of the Senate, and Speaker, House of Representatives, have been duly communicated.

While away, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Office of the President.

MIND BUNGLING REVELATIONS: MY ALLEGATIONS ARE AGAINST DOGARA, LASUN AND 2 OTHERS NOT HOUSE OF REPS - JIBRIN

Below is an unedited email of latest revelation sent out by Hon Adbdulmumin Jibrin a while ago !

MY ALLEGATIONS ARE AGAINST THE QUARTET OF SPEAKER YAKUBU DOGARA, DEPUTY SPEAKER YUSUF LASUN, HOUSE WHIP ALHASSAN DOGUWA AND MINORITY LEADER LEO OGOR NOT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS AN INSTITUTION AS MR SPEAKER DESPERATELY WANTS HONOURABLE MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BELIEVE.

I am compelled again for the purpose of emphasis to state categorically clear that my allegations are against the quartet of Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, House Whip Alhassan Doguwa and Minority Leader Leo Ogor not the Honourable House as an institution nor other members of the body of principal officers. The other members of the body of principal officers were to the best of my knowledge completely excluded from decisions on the 2016 budget and the budget inputs inserted on their names were exclusively carried out by these QUARTET.

I have to state this very clearly because these QUARTET have resorted to desperate moves to drag the entire House of Representatives into the case of gross abuse of office I have levelled against them as individual Presiding and Principal officers of the House. This is clearly a mischievous move to set me on collision with the entire house. They have also recruited four from the VERY FEW members of their cabal to use some elements of the Nigeria police to kidnap, harass, blackmail and intimidate me into silence.

Until yesterday, the police were laying siege by my house blocking the entrance and exit shouting that they want budget documents. They embarrassed my entire family with a nursing mother and a seven-month old baby that cried all night. The game plan was to arrest me and dump me in police net while a heavy media propaganda will be carried out to mislead the world that I have been sacked and police have picked me up as a culprit in 2016 budget. Whenever I am released, an irreparable damage would have been done to my person and that will stick for life. 

Fathers’ Day: Dogara Urges Leaders to Play Fatherly Role by Providing Qualitative Leadership

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged Nigerian leaders to play a fatherly role in governing the affairs of the country by providing qualitative leadership. 

According to a statement issued by Turaki Hassan, the Speaker’s spokesperson, Dogara made the call on Sunday during the Fathers’ Day service at the Aso Villa chapel, where he represented the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The service, which was presided over by the chaplain, Pastor Seyi Malomo, had a special segment during which children appreciated fathers, and the Speaker was presented with gifts of indigenous artworks from the Chapel for the President, the Vice President, the Senate President and for himself.

Attempted Rape; United States cancels visas of Nigerians lawmakers who patronized prostitutes

The US embassy has reportedly cancelled the visas of three members of the House of Representatives to the country. The affected were accused of attempted rape and soliciting for sex from prostitutes while on a trip to the United States.

The three representatives were among 10 lawmakers invited by the US government for the programme held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The legislators, according to report, include: Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi), Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue).

Reacting, however, Gbillah expressed surprise that within some hours of bringing the matter to the attention of the House, the US Government had gone ahead to cancel their visas.

Nigerian Reps threaten to issue arrest warrants on 14 firms over Railway contracts

The Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives investigating railway contracts awarded between 2010 and 2014 has threatened to arrest 14 firms.

The committee said the firms handled some of the rail projects under investigation, but had snubbed many invitations extended to them to appear before lawmakers to answer questions.

Four of the firms were said to have handled projects worth N41.2bn.

Chairman of the committee, Johnson Agbonayinma, released the names of the firms at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.

Edo Guber Poll: Masari heads APC 7men committee for party primary, Bamidele heads appeal committee

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday inaugurated a seven-member Electoral Committee headed by the governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, for the 2016 Edo State governorship election primaries.

It also constituted a three-member Election Appeal Committee chaired by a former member of the House of Representatives, Bamidele Opeyemi, for the election.

Other members of the electoral committee are Andrew Uchendu (Secretary), Yusuf Maianguwa, Tunde Esan, Shuaibu Musa, Ibrahim Soja and Amara Iwuanyanwu.

ATTEMPTED RAPE: SEE THE SHAMELESSNESS OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES AS US AMBASSADOR PETITIONED DOGARA

US ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, has accused three Nigerian lawmakers of attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes while visiting the states on an official assignment in April 2016.

In a petition dated June 9th and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Entwistle alleged that three lawmakers from Bauchi, Akwa Ibom and Benue state, during their visit to the states for the International Visitor Leadership Program in Cleveland, Ohio, lodged at Cleveland hotel where two of the lawmakers met with the hotel's parking lot attendants and asked for links to prostitutes that would spend the night with them while one of them allegedly grabbed a housekeeper in the hotel room, demanding for sex.

As Nigerians face economic challenges as a result of dwindling revenue, mismanagement of resources - Dogara

Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara

The Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara today congratulates Nigerians as the nation marks one year in office of President Muhmmadu Buhari led APC government in in the country.

Accoding to the speaker Dogara, "today marks 17 years of uninterrupted democracy; this milestone calls for sober reflection on achievements we have since recorded, and on those things which we have been unable to."

Dogora's Address at Electoral Matters Committee Retreat

OPENING ADDRESS BY RT. HON YAKUBU DOGARA, SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE RETREAT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL AND POLITICAL PARTIES MATTERS, FRIDAY 27TH MAY 2016.

Protocols :

I am delighted at the invitation to be part of this event and to declare open, this retreat by the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral and Political Parties Matters. Let me warmly welcome all participants and appreciate you for making out time to participate.


2. On our inauguration as the 8th House of Representatives, we committed to carrying out further electoral reforms as a matter of priority, and we very clearly outlined this objective in the Legislative Agenda of the House that was adopted in July 2015.

How House of Representatives Passes 19 Critical Bills in One Sitting

In continuation of its resolve to improve on the quality of and reduce the time frame within which bills are passed, the Nigeria's House of Representatives on Thursday passed 19 bills.

The bills, which, however, require concurrence of the senate and presidential assent to be made laws, cover serious areas of concentration of the present administration including anti-corruption, national minimum wage, strengthening of small and medium businesses, manufacturing sector, among others.

It will be recalled that the House only recently passed 130 bills through first reading on the same day. Many of those bills, it will be noted, have scaled through further legislative processes.

Speaker Dogara tasks Chinese firms on diligent execution of contracts

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has tasked Chinese firms to ensure diligent execution of projects according to contracts agreements and specifications.

Dogara made the call when the Vice President, Public Relations and Government Affairs of Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, Wakie Wu, called on him in his office in Abuja on Thursday.

“One thing that we have to take home from this brief interaction is that it is always important that whatever agreement we have, whatever contracts, whatever partnership that we are having, produces value–something that we can put on the table.

House Of Reps Passes Bill To Establish Federal University of Petroleum Resources In Delta State

The House of Representatives on Tuesday has passed a bill for an act to establish the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State.

The bill, which was sponsored by Hon. Evelyn Omavowan Oboro representing Opke/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in Delta State during the seventh assembly, was passed following the consideration and adoption of the report of the relevant committees of the House

Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State is intended to accelerate the development of the middle and high-level manpower for the oil and gas sector.

We must end the vicious circle of poverty in Nigeria says Speaker Yakubu Dogara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, has called on leaders and top ranking public officials to engage in direct intervention to alleviate the suffering of the people in their communities and give them better living conditions.

The Speaker, who made this call in the National Assembly when he received a non profit organisation that engages in medical outreaches in the urban areas, Doctors On The Move Africa, in his office, said he has resolved to continue to reach out through medical missions to the people with a view to alleviating poverty and improve their living conditions.

Dogara, who partnered with the organisation to provide free medical services in Bauchi State recently, said the success of the mission and the positive feedback received from the people is a signal to him and all other top ranking Nigerians to continue to do everything to lift them from the clutches of poverty.

PRESS STATEMENT ON CURRENT FUEL SITUATION IN NIGERIA BY MINISTER OF STATE FOR PETROLEUM RESOURCES, IBE KACHIKWU

We have just finished a meeting of various stakeholders presided over by His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The meeting had in attendance the Leadership of the Senate, House of Representatives, Governors Forum, and Labour Unions (NLC, TUC, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN).

The meeting reviewed:

1. The current fuel scarcity and supply difficulties in the country.

2. The exorbitant prices being paid by Nigerians for the product. These prices range on the average from N150 to N250 per litre currently.

3. The meeting also noted that the main reason for the current problem is the inability of importers of petroleum products to source foreign exchange at the official rate due to the massive decline of foreign exchange earnings of the federal government. As a result, private marketers have been unable to meet their approximate 50% portion of total national supply of PMS.