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Senate recalls Abdul Ningi from suspension

Published

7 months ago

May 28, 2024

Olusegun Odunewu

Gboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, says the ministry recorded a revenue of N242 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024. Oyetola spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a sectoral briefing to mark President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office. He said the revenue recovered represents a 92 percent increase from the N126 billion recorded in Q1 of 2023. Oyetola said the ministry has “achieved a ramp up of revenue” to the government in the last year and is poised to do more. Advertisement “A comparison of quarter 1 2023 against quarter 1 2024 revenue performance across the agencies reveals a 92% increase,” the minister said. “The increase in revenue performance has largely been due to a 10% increase in the number of vessels calling our ports due to strategic investments in port infrastructure in the last one-year, mooring boats, patrol vessels, and dredging of the port’s channels. “We have also tightened revenue assurance by deploying technology. Revenue generation is critical to us.” Advertisement On improving the sector’s revenue throughout the year, Oyetola said the ministry has commenced the rollout of some initiatives such as the commissioning of revenue enhancement studies focused on the ministry, its departments, and agencies. The minister said the objective is to identify and block leakages while identifying recommendations to expand current revenue sources. “Automation of revenue collection processes to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance transparency and accountability,” he said, further highlighting the initiatives. “Deploying revenue assurance technologies to ensure accurate and complete billings in line with established contracts and services rendered. Advertisement “Ensuring the efficient utilisation of existing assets through concessions to the private sector and public-private partnerships as required.” Oyetola also said the ministry has carried out campaigns targeting both domestic and international investors for investments in the marine and blue economy sub-sectors.

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The senate has recalled Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, from suspension.

The upper legislative chamber recalled Ningi following a motion sponsored by Abba Moro, minority leader; Olalere Oyewumi, senator representing Osun south; and Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu west.

Ningi was suspended for three months in March for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion.

Moving the motion, Moro said the Bauchi senator has already spent two months away from the national assembly, and that there is a need for him to return to his legislative duties.

“Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi was asked to address his allegation of budget padding against the national assembly, following a motion of urgent national importance moved by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the chairman, senate committee on appropriations,” he said.

“Failing to address the allegation, the senate resolved to suspend Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for three months for violating legislative rules, misconduct and unethical behaviour for the interview he granted on BBC media on the 2024 Appropriation Act, a legislation which he was part of.

“Senator Abdul Ahmed Ninigi, being under suspension, has spent over two months outside the precincts of the National Assembly Complex and needs to return to continue with his legislative activities as the senator representing Bauchi central senatorial district.

“Flowing from the above, the senate minority leadership takes full responsibility for the actions of our colleague Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi and apologises on his behalf.”

The motion was adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.