By Adamu Abuh and John Akubo, Abuja 24 November 2023 | 4:43 am The House Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria has resolved to probe usage of N62 billion intervention funds in the country. [FILES] A doctor draws blood from a man to check for HIV/AIDS at a mobile testing unit PHOTO: Edward Echwalu/Reuters. Senate rejects move for NSA to recruit staff, okays bitumen exploration bill The House Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria has resolved to probe usage of N62 billion intervention funds in the country. Chaired by Amobi Ogah, the panel while on an oversight visit to the agency, expressed disappointment over the absence of National Coordinators of National Malaria Control Programme and National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programmes. He described the decision by the Chief executive officers of the aforementioned outfits to send one Dr Emperor Ochoma to represent them as indicative of their disdain for the National Assembly. Ogah, however, acknowledged successes recorded in the fight against deadly diseases by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) under the leadership of Dr Aliyu Gambo as Director-General. He stated that the heads of government agencies and institutions are the major problem of the country. Members of the committee were shocked by the data and statistics compiled by the agency on prevalence of HIV/AIDS across the federation. They directed the agencies to undertake sensitisation of the pandemic. Besides, a bill to make the National Security Adviser (NSA) recruit permanent staff for his office with president consent failed to pass second reading at the Senate yesterday. Senator Buba Umar Shehu (Bauchi South) sponsored the bill that seeks to provide a legal framework for the NSA to appoint permanent staff for his office instead of using “casual workers.” The sponsor had argued that recruiting permanent staff in the NSA office would “enhance institutional memory and effective performance of the responsibilities of the National Security Adviser.” According to him, the bill is asking for the NSA to be allowed to appoint his own staff with the approval of the President. But the proposed piece of legislation suffered defeat when the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged Senator Seriake Dickson’s opposition. The former Bayelsa State governor explained to his colleagues that “the current situation is that the NSA is the national security coordinator where officers from the various services are seconded.” The motion was seconded by Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, who said the impression given that the workers are temporary staff is not so, adding: “they are personnel of the various services – Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, etc.” When the Senate President put it to voice vote, the opposition had the day. Also, a bill to bring about diversification of the nation’s economy through massive bitumen production scaled second reading at the upper legislative chamber. sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), the bill, which seeks to provide a legal framework for the mining, production and exportation of bitumen in the country, was thereafter referred to the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals for further legislative input. 52 mins ago Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has said Nigeria loses $10 billion yearly to imported certified welders engaged in various sectors of the economy. 53 mins ago Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has berated the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) for its poor performance and inability to provide houses for Nigerians across the federation. 57 mins ago Minister of Solid Minerals Development. Dr. Dele Alake, on Thursday, described the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris as a worthy partner in the Tinubu administration’s objective of projecting mining sector reforms towards 1 hour ago Governor Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe State has said citizens’ engagement has helped to enrich the state’s budget towards meeting the demands of the people. 1 hour ago Former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, has denied advising Governor Caleb Mutfwang to resign his position as governor.Jang denied the allegation in a statement by his Media Consultant, Clinton Garuba, yesterday, in Jos. 1 hour ago The House Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria has resolved to probe usage of N62 billion intervention funds in the country. 1 hour ago A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, have bared their minds on worrisome conduct of elections in Nigeria. 1 hour ago Bauchi State Executive Council has approved N100 billion to construct 200 kilometres of roads across the state. 1 hour ago Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, said the firm is targeting projected revenue of N4.5 trillion as expected income in 2023. 1 hour ago The Federal Government, yesterday, said off-grid solutions would be prioritised, as over 92 million people are without access to electricity. At the groundbreaking of a 900KW interconnected solar hybrid mini grid in Abuja, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu
Comments