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EU, ECOWAS, Interpol Seek National Legislation for W’African Police System

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The European Union (EU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Police (Interpol) yesterday jointly called for the gazetting and national legislation for the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) West African Police Information System (WAPIS)in West African countries.

The call came as the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Dingiyadi, said Nigeria was committed to the fight against criminalities in the country and the West African sub-region.

WAPIS is a multiannual programme (2012-2022) financed by the European Union and aimed at improving the capacity of West African law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organised crime and terrorism by facilitating the sharing of information.

Speaking at the inauguration of the West African Police Information System Centre (WAPIS) in Abuja, the Interpol Director of Partnerships and Planning, Mr. Carl Alexandre, said the opening of the centre represented an important milestone in the implementation of WAPIS.

He called for the gazetting of the programme by ECOWAS member states which would provide a framework for a national legislation.

He said the EU had provided funding for the project in Nigeria and other countries while ECOWAS had remained a strategic partner in the implementation of the programme.

The Interpol official affirmed that the WAPIS was “a strong mechanism. No enforcement strategy can effectively tackle crime without data sharing and no crime can be tackled in West Africa without an effective police system.”

He said an implementation committee set up on the programme had recommended and called for the gazetting of WAPIS by member countries.

“This will provide a framework that will be used to fight crime until a national legislation is in place,” he said, noting that the personnel to be assigned to the centre would be in place for three years.In his remarks, the Deputy Head of the European Union Mission in Nigeria, Mr. Alexandre Gomez, said the programme funded by the commission was designed to strengthen member countries to combat terrorism.

In her remarks, the Vice President of ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Farida Koroma, said transnational crimes had become a threat to the sub-region, noting that member countries must collaborate and share data in real time.

She called for the gazetting of the programme by member states and called for more funding by EU.

In his speech, the Nigerian Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Dingiyadi, said WAPIS would promote the fight against crime in West Africa, noting that Interpol had aided the fight against crimes in the country.

He said Nigeria was committed to the fight against criminalities, urging the Interpol to consider Nigeria’s request for the international organisation to set up annex office in Lagos and extend the programme by two years.

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Government

Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

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Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

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Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

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Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

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President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

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