The Senate today confirmed the nominations of all the ministerial nominees screened so far as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They are: Udoma Udoh Udoma, Kayode Fayemi, Audu Ogbeh, Ogbonaya Onu, Osaghie Ehanire, Abdulrahman Dambazzau.
Others are Lai Mohammed, Amina Mohammed, Suleiman Adams, Ibrahim Jibril, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu; Abubakar Malami, SAN; Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan; Barrister Solomon Dalong; Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Babatunde raji Fashola and Chris Ngige.
The screening of other nominees will continue tomorrow with keen interests on Rotimi Amaechi.
Meanwhile, earlier today, the senate continued with the screening of the ministerial candidates nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola set the ball rolling and will be followed up by the former governors of Rivers and Anambra States, Rotimi Amaechi and Chris Nwabueze Ngige respectively.
Also listed in the Order Paper for screening today are the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu; Abubakar Malami, SAN; Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan; Barrister Solomon Dalong; Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Senator Hadi Sirika; and Barrister Adebayo Shittu.
Fashola Advocates For Creation Of State Police
The former governor of Lagos, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola has stated during his screening that he can’t take credit for the successes he achieved in Lagos.
He further said that tax cannot be increased or reduced without looking at those who will pay the tax in terms of the numbers.
“Security is the toughest job any government and I saw criminals as my competitors and I desired to win, he said during his screening. As part of his measures to curb crime, he had a roundtable discussion with banks and police to solve the insecurity challenges.
While answering the question posed at him by Senator Abaribe with regards to the corruption allegation levelled against him by CACOl, he said “Nobody can allege that I enriched myself in corrupt ways.” He further prayed loyalty will not be tested in a veiled response to question indirectly targeted on his broken relationship between himself and Bola Tinubu. After his screening, he was asked to take a bow and go.
Importing Fuel Is Disgraceful To Nigeria – Kachikwu
The managing director of the NNPC, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu during his screening said for the nation to experience constant supply of petroleum products, he said that all the refineries must be working at optimal levels. He also said the NNPC could privatise any refinery not producing to its expected levels.
He also said having a holistic PIB Bill will be challenging.
While responding to the question that centers on the state of the NNPC when he resumed duties, he said the state into three segments – the good, bad and the ugly. According to him “There are good people in the NNPC who work above board. They are people who knew so much about moving the industry forward but lacked the will.
Corruption was and is still is a major issue. We cancelled contract not against the persons involved but the terms involved.
He however denies that the NNPC is owing its staff. He also suggested that President Muhammadu Buhari will at a point during his tenure stop the oil subsidy regime. He further said there would be palliatives to soften the removal the subsidy.
I ‘M Still Pursuing My Election Petition – Alhassan
Ministerial nominee, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan has said that she is still pursuing her governorship election petition pending before a tribunal in Taraba state
She contested the last governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Ishaku Dahiru of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“My nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari has nothing to do with my ongoing election petition. President Buhari will not prevent me from going ahead with the case”.
On corruption in the judiciary, Alhassan said the problem is not only about money. “When a judge exercises his discretional powers injudiciously, it is corruption.
“When a bailiff fails to papers on a party to litigation for favour, it is corruption. When a lawyer tells his client to plead not guilty even when he knows the client is guilty, it is corruption.