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REVELATION: How ‘Jonathan bribed lawmakers with N17B to pass budget’ – Ex-finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala
FORMER Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has revealed how the Goodluck Jonathan led administration had to part with the sum of N17billion to lawmakers, in order to have the 2015 budget passed.
According to the information scooped from Pulse Ng ,Okonjo-Iweala revealed this in her new book titled: ‘Fighting corruption is dangerous, the story behind the headlines’.
Okonjo-Iweala was Jonathan’s finance minister from August 17, 2011 to May 29, 2015.
According to the former minister in her book, federal lawmakers refused to make the necessary sacrifices at a time of dwindling oil prices.
“By the time we presented the budget on December 16, 2014, oil prices had fallen further to $58 per barrel. We were prepared and we knew we had to trigger the additional expenditure and revenue measures in 2015 to make the budget work. This would be tough, given that we had entered an election year”, Okonjo-Iweala wrote.
The National Assembly is due an annual N150billion from the nation’s budget as a single line item.
Okonjo-Iweala disclosed further that when it was proposed that lawmakers give up some of their benefits, the legislators baulked because elections were fast approaching and money was needed for campaigns.
“Indeed, legislators initially refused to accept any cuts to their regular N150billion budget, despite dwindling revenues. But eventually, they agreed to a 13 percent cut against a backdrop of ministers accepting a voluntary 50 percent cut to their basic salaries.
“In a tough session with the National Assembly’s adhoc committee on the budget (made up of chairs of the Finance Committee and Appropriation Committee of both chambers and other leaders of the National Assembly), an additional N20billion was re-introduced as election expenses for National Assembly members.
“We insisted the amount be dropped because it nullified the 13 percent cut made to their statutory budget, but managed to reduce the N20billion figure by only N3billion to N17billion. This became the price to pay to have the 2015 budget passed”, the ex- minister wrote.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has disclosed that 95 million Nigerians need to enroll for the National Identification Number (NIN) to meet its target of 200 million enrollments by 2025.
Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, emphasised the importance of this enrollment during an interview on X over the weekend.
He stated, “For NIMC to meet the 200 million target by 2025, 95 million Nigerians need to register for the NIN.”
Adegoke revealed that over 105 million NINs have been issued to Nigerians and legal residents so far.
He assured Nigerians of the commission’s commitment, saying, “We want to assure Nigerians that within the next one or two years, we will reach our target of enrolling all Nigerians.”
“The NIN serves as a unique identifier for each citizen and has become increasingly important for various government initiatives aimed at improving security, governance, and service delivery.”
Adegoke highlighted the efforts to streamline the modification and enrollment processes under the leadership of Abisoye Coker, the director-general of NIMC. He announced the development of a self-service platform, allowing Nigerians to make necessary modifications such as changing names, dates of birth, email addresses, and phone numbers from anywhere, using different devices.
Emphasising the convenience of the self-service modification portal, Adegoke encouraged Nigerians to utilize this innovative solution.
He noted the evolution of the process, citing the past requirement for applicants to visit NIMC offices for data corrections.
Engr Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has disclosed that the nation’s oil and gas reserves have risen to 37.50 billion barrels as of January 1, 2024.
This marks an increase from the 37.046 billion barrels recorded in May 2022.
Komolafe emphasised the implementation of robust policies aimed at enhancing and optimising oil and gas operations across the country.
Notably, gas reserves stand at 102.59 trillion cubic feet (TCF), with non-associated gas reserves reaching 106.67 TCF, culminating in a total of 209.26 TCF of gas reserves.
Addressing concerns during a press conference held in Abuja on Monday regarding crude supply regulation and enforcement, Komolafe underscored the importance of prioritising feedstock supply to local refineries while addressing grievances from oil producers and the Dangote Refinery within specified timelines.
This announcement follows recent reports of a decline in Nigeria’s crude oil production during February and March 2024.
According to data from the April 2024 Monthly Oil Market Report of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria’s crude oil production (excluding condensates) experienced its second consecutive monthly decrease, dropping to 1.231 million barrels per day in March from 1.322 million barrels per day in February.
OPEC attributed this decline, amounting to a reduction of 91,000 barrels per day, to factors communicated directly from Nigeria.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has commiserated with the senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari over the loss of his mother, Alhaja Buhari.
The matriarch, who passed away on Monday, April 8, has left a void in the family that Oseni described as irreparable.
In a condolence message released on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, and made available to newsmen, the lawmaker expressed his deep sympathy, praying for Alhaja Buhari to find eternal rest in the arms of God.
Oseni, who also represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, urged Senator Buhari and his family to find solace in the legacy of achievements left behind by their late matriarch.
He emphasised the importance of cherishing the memories of her life and the successes attained by her children.
The statement read, “Distinguished Senator Buhari, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Mama, Alhaja Buhari. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
“Alhaja was a pillar of strength and a source of love and guidance for your family and community. Her legacy of kindness, wisdom, and resilience will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
“May you and your family find comfort and solace in the cherished memories you shared with her, and may the love and support of friends and well-wishers provide you with strength and courage in the days ahead.
“Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you navigate through this time of grief”, Oseni continued.
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