One of latest of such was discovered by the Senate FCT Committee led by Senator Abubakar Sodangi, concerning the payment of N2.16 billion to SCC Construction, a Jewish construction company that merely cleared trees and grasses on a newly designed road of about 5.8 kilometres.

The contract which was awarded in March, 2007 at a cost of N11.8 billion had N2.16 billion already paid to SCC as part of its mobilization fees for which the company is requesting for more funds before it can continue further work.

The committee members were irked by the slow pace of work in addition to the non-commensurate work done as the senators were only shown a portion of the land that was cleared with no tangible work done on the site.
The committee also frowned at the water dam construction being carried out by the company as part of the provision of infrastructure in Karshi town, a satellite settlement in the FCT.
At a point, a member of the committee, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, had to draw the attention of his colleagues to the slow pace of work being carried out at the site.

“The Philosophy of mobilization is that a contractor coming needs a certain level of funding which will be used to bring equipments and materials and people to site, if they are already mobilised in Abuja, you will not need to give him the same level of mobilization as somebody that is coming brand new. It is totally a shady manner of handling contract. If you put this money in the bank in the last one year, that means now you have lost N200 million as interest rate,” Senator Henshaw said.
http://sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2008/apr/30/national-30-04-2008-007.htm

these people are always in contract wahala.

Did anybody see El-Rufai defending himself at the Senate tribunal session.

I think I have more reasons to love El-Rufai more

It is so amazing how Nigerian Senators were holding El-Rufai to a totally different higher standard which he passed. But my question is whether these Senators, Governors (past and present) and members of the current Presidency will pass the standard they set for el-rufai even by 30%.


Meanwhile does anyone know what is happening with the FOI Bill. Why has it not been passed.

Meanwhile does anyone know what is happening with the FOI Bill. Why has it not been passed.

Here is an update on the FOI Bill from Sun news online


Again, Reps shun Freedom of Information Bill
By JAMES OJO, Abuja
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

With anger boldly written on their faces, members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday again declined to consider the report on Bill for an Act to make public records and information freely available for public access, otherwise known as Freedom of Information Bill (FOIB).

This would be the fifth time the House would refuse to debate the report that would pave way for the passage of the bill after former president, Olusegun Obasanjo withheld his assent to the one that earlier passed by the National Assembly.

The report on the bill was listed on the Order Paper and the sponsor, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was ready to lead the debate, but the chairman of the Committee of the Whole House, had to take his chair.

Deputy Speaker, Bayero Nafada, who presided over the plenary, called for voting for the House to depose to the Committee of the Whole House, but members shouted “No” and the motion for adjournment was moved by the House Leader, Tunde Akogun, which was seconded.
Explaining the decision of the House, Chairman, Rules and Business, Solomon Ita Enang said that it was not true that the House has killed the report by refusing to debate it. Although, he could not justify why members were reluctant to debate the bill that would help in the fight against corruption.

He said: “Why we kicked is that there is no time for thorough debate. The bill will still be listed Tuesday next week. If that does not work out, we will still consider other options within the week.”
The sponsor of the bill, Hon Dabiri-Erewa, disagreed with Ita’s position, saying that only members could explain why they were not ready to debate the report.
She said: “I don’t know why they have been avoiding the bill. I think it is deliberate. I don’t know the rationale behind not passing the bill.

“The bill has been listed four times. This is the fifth time. If we are sincere with the Freedom of Information Bill, I don’t know why we have not considered it by the committee of the whole.
“I don’t know how we will move forward without the bill. We can’t fight corruption without this bill in place. This is the truth.”

Hon Dabiri-Erewa said that it was a surprise that members said “No” to the debate of the report, adding that the current administration needs the bill in the crusade to entrench good governance.
The Rules and Business Committee had made a copy of the 21- page report available to all members before Tuesday’s sitting, while the House adopted a motion calling for speedy action on the rehabilitation of lepers in the country.

Members decried the way lepers roamed the streets begging for alms.
The Ministry of Health was directed to rehabilitate leprosy centres to accommodate more lepers, as well as procure more vaccines for the treatment of the disease.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2008/apr/30/newsbreak-30-04-2008-001.htm

So far, this same house has spent over N 2.16 Billion pushing this same bill around and to the side for years now.   Please let us not continue to allow ourselves be decieved by these people.

How long are this people continue to treat us as if we dont exist

I'm surprised El Rufai was not mobbed by the senators yesterday.
All empty threats!
The only sin of El Rufai was that he demolished the houses of the mighty.
Nigerian mentality.
Pre-ordinance and first decree are the law of children.
Why should the house of a BIG man be demolished even if
it contradicts existing principles?

From what I have read so far, the senators could not even contradict El Rufai's claims
that he acted based on guideliness.
El Rufai is a model of what an FCT minister should be.
He should be hired.

smile4kenn:

One of latest of such was discovered by the Senate FCT Committee led by Senator Abubakar Sodangi, concerning the payment of N2.16 billion to SCC Construction, a Jewish construction company that merely cleared trees and grasses on a newly designed road of about 5.8 kilometres.

Which one be "Jewish construction company"? Or do they mean Israeli?

They couldnt push jack on the guy during questioning. It was amazing that with all the maga-maga talk they where posturing in past sessions they could just not bring enough proof to cut the guy down to size.

if anything the guy came out looking more competent than all of them on the committee cause he could defend his actions with facts which they cldnt debunk. This goes to show that this so-called probe is a jamboree that wont yield any tangible positive for tax payers whose money is being utilised to keep these jokers asking stupid questions.

props to el-rufai, that is wat a minister shd be like,

again on all these contract allegations, abeg e doo, ohhh!!!

"One question that cannot be left to conjecture is, who is after el-Rufai? Some say it is a cartel of land-owners hell bent on getting back their pound of flesh while others say it is the man's successor who, after trying the large shoe-size left behind by el-Rufai decides that the best way to rival or equal el-Rufai's feat is to pull down the beautiful work that the petite man put together. Both groups are, if you ask me, right. El Rufai has danced where the devil fears to tread. His style and portfolio can excite envy among mediocres, many of whom now sit in Abuja" - Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=110222

I feel for Nigerians, because we are believing all these nonsense those senators and House of Rep folks are doing. Those folks don't know nothing!
They are probing all the best performers. Really, I don't get it.
I really pity Nigeria.

You know what, and I don't think this is news! The northern hegemons are back. They want to wreck the bank. They want to squander CBN's reserves.
In other to do that, they need to get the strong, intelligent and well informed guys out of the way.
They've targeted Ribadu, now it El-rufai, then Soludo.

I really pity Nigerians. If only we knew where all this is headed!