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Reps panel ask finance minister to remove FCCPC director over unapproved spending

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2 years ago

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A house of representatives committee has asked the minister of finance to “remove” Akinyoghan Ojo, the current director of finance and accounts of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from office, over extra-budgetary spending.

James Faleke, chairman of the committee on finance, made the request at an interactive session on the 2023-2025 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) on Tuesday.

Ojo, who appeared before the committee on finance said the agency generated N4.02 billion in 2021 and remitted N1.3 billion to the consolidated revenue fund (CRF).

For 2022, he said N3.661 billion has been generated as of July, and that N1.2 billion has been remitted to the federal government.

He was immediately queried by Faleke, who asked why a fully funded agency should spend funds outside its budget, adding that the agency was expected to refund 100 percent of its revenue to the consolidated revenue fund (CRF).

In his defence, Ojo said the unremitted funds were used for running costs, which he said were approved by a “supervisory committee”.

Unsatisfied, Faleke said the agency violated the provision of the constitution, and then directed the clerk of the committee to write to the minister of finance to remove Ojo as the director of finance and accounts of FCCPC.

Section 81 of the 1999 constitution stipulates that “all revenues or other money raised or received by the federation (not being revenues or other money payable under this constitution or any act of the national assembly into any other public fund of the federation established for a specific purpose) shall be paid into and form one consolidated revenue fund of the federation.”

“Clerk, collect his service number. I want you to write a letter to the minister of finance. He must be removed. If everybody spends their income, how will the government fund the budget? You (FCCPC) earned N4 billion and spent N3 billion,” he said.

“I will not take it. The director of finance has the responsibility to obey finance regulations. If he (Ojo) violated financial regulations, he should leave the place.

“Clerk, write to the minister of finance, that in respect of this agency, no funds should be released until we have seen the letter of the redeployment of the DFA. No fund should be released.”

However, Ojo said the agency had applied for financial autonomy from its supervisory agency — the ministry of trade and investment.

“We presented our internally generated revenue (IGR) budget to our committee and it was approved by the committee. The money they allocated to us from the treasury, we have not touched it. We did that because we have applied for financial autonomy through our minister — the minister of trade and investment,” he said.

But Faleke insisted that only money approved should be spent by an agency that is fully funded by the government.

“You presented your IGR budget outside the national budget? What’s that? Does that make sense? You applied but your approval has not been granted, you decided to spend money without approval. The issue is that the government appropriates money to you,” he said.

“At the beginning of every year, you envisage your budget based on what you expect you will need. You present it to the national assembly and get your approval. If you are not saying that because you are doing VAT enforcement, that is why you have to spend N2 billion on your own outside appropriation.”

Faleke said the agency ought to have submitted an amendment or supplementary budget, adding that “it is every IGR that is collated to form the national income.”

Also speaking, Adamu Abdulahi, the executive commissioner of FCCPC, said the agency increased its operation cost to generate money.

“It takes money to generate money,” he said.

Sa’idu Abdullahi, deputy chairman of the committee, said, the agency should be prevented from making unnecessary spending.

“Last year, you spent N38 million on publicity and advert placement. So far, in seven months, you have spent over N142 million. The same thing applies to all your overheads. If you look at local training, you spent N198 million. In seven months, you have spent over N266 million. If you look at local transport, it is the same thing,” he said.

“All we get is that you are just creating expenses around these items. More unfortunate [is] that you are a fully funded agency. We are not prudent in the way we manage resources.”

In his ruling, Therefore, Faleke asked the office of the accountant-general of the federation to suspend the agency’s account until the infraction is reconciled.

“There is N570 million in that account, block that money, it must not be spent until we clear them. On Monday. all your officers must appear. Come with a new director of finance,” he said.

The agency is expected to appear before the committee with a new director of finance and accounts next neek Tuesday.

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Cross-River workers embark on warning strike over non-implementation of minimum wage

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12 hours ago

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November 25, 2024 3:00 pm

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Civil servants in Cross River state have commenced a strike over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had slated November 25 and 26 for the warning strike.

They warned that the industrial action would be followed by a total strike should the government fail to do the needful before December 1.

Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River, appealed to the unions to shelve the plan and “support the government in its quest to improve the lot of our people”.

The governor made the appeal at the 5th edition of the state solemn assembly at U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Otu said his administration is committed to the welfare of workers.

“I appeal to the leadership of organised labour and all affiliates of the NLC and TUC to suspend their planned strike,” he had said.

“I enjoin them to support the government in the quest to improve the lot of our people.”

On July 29, 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the minimum wage bill into law. The legislation increased the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.

On November 11, NLC announced November 30 as the deadline for all state governments to implement the new minimum wage.

The union ordered its members to embark on an indefinite strike in states where the new minimum wage is yet to be implemented.

However, several states have begun implementation of the new wage.

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Driver escapes death as 40ft container falls on car in Lagos

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15 hours ago

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November 25, 2024 11:34 am

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A yet-to-be-identified driver luckily escaped death on Monday morning when a 40-foot-laden container fell onto a Toyota Camry, with registration number LSR 293 HJ, at Mile 2, en route to Apapa Ports, Lagos.

The accident, according to an eyewitness, happened at about 8 a.m.

Fortunately, the driver of the car was rescued by the prompt intervention and coordinated response of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency services, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The victim received immediate medical attention after being rushed to the hospital by the joint rescue team.

Security during the operation was effectively maintained by officers from the Kirikiri Police Division, who ensured a secure and orderly environment for the emergency responders.

Following the rescue, the Toyota Camry was successfully removed from beneath the container.

As of 9.30 am, efforts to evacuate the fallen container were in full swing, while LASTMA officers managed the scene to ease traffic congestion and restore normalcy.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reiterated the critical importance of proper container securing by truck drivers and owners.

He stressed that negligence in this regard endangers lives and property, urging strict compliance with road safety protocols to avert such catastrophic occurrences.

“LASTMA remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of Lagos roadways and continues to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to uphold traffic laws and enhance public safety,” Bakare-Oki stated.

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Lagos state government removes illegal shop extensions blocking drainage channels in Lagos Island

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16 hours ago

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November 25, 2024 10:55 am

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The Lagos State government has cleared illegal shop extensions obstructing drainage systems and a government-provided water tap in Lagos Island.

The exercise was conducted by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), led by its General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Oki.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Adu Ademuyiwa, Director of Public Affairs at LASBCA, via the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday.

The enforcement operation focused on Idi-Oluwo Street, where shop extensions had blocked critical drainage channels and access to potable water, leaving the community without essential resources.

Arc. Gbolahan Oki highlighted the adverse impacts of these illegal structures on residents, noting that several shop owners had constructed extensions over public drains and a government-provided water tap, causing significant disruptions to the area.

“In a proactive effort to ensure public safety, orderliness, and the smooth flow of traffic, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has taken decisive action by removing illegal shop extensions obstructing drainage systems and community water supplies along Idi-Oluwo Street, Lagos Island.

“Leading the LASBCA Enforcement Team, the General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, highlighted the adverse impacts of these illegal structures on residents. He noted that several shop owners had built extensions over public drains and water tap, causing significant disruptions,” the statement read in part.

The statement revealed that one of the removed extensions had blocked access to a government-provided water tap, cutting off the entire community’s supply of potable water. The swift removal of these illegal structures restored water access to the affected area.

Arc. Gbolahan Oki emphasized the need for residents to respect public infrastructure and take collective responsibility for preserving community resources.

Furthermore, the statement noted that Arc. Gbolahan Oki issued a one-week ultimatum to traders at Idi-Oluwo, directing them to address the identified violations or face stringent legal consequences.

At Mankanra Market, the LASBCA team uncovered several environmental infractions, including shanties obstructing walkways, which compromised the market’s functionality and safety.

Additionally, the statement highlighted that Hon. Princess Lara Oyekan-Olumegbon, representing Lagos Island Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, praised LASBCA’s proactive efforts.

She urged market leaders to ensure their members adhere to state regulations on sanitation and structural integrity, warning that defaulters would face penalties as prescribed by law.

The LASBCA team also visited Bombata Market, where Arc. Oki advised market leaders to prioritize cleanliness and foster an orderly trading environment.

He assured them of a follow-up inspection within three months to confirm compliance with required standards and maintain the improvements.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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