From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja
The Federal Government has voted N12 billion to complete the Second Niger Bridge, which is captured in the 2013 budget of the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P). But the National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) wanted the SURE-P scrapped. Senators and members of the House of Representatives argued that establishment of SURE-P was a vote-of-no-confidence in Federal Government’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The lawmakers contended during SURE-P’s budget defence of its N273.522 billion saying it was a duplication of existing work being done by various government agencies. They also queried the N2 billion budget allocated to SURE-P for consultancy and logistics. But SURE-P Chairman, Christopher Kolade, urged the lawmakers to direct their comments to the Presidency. A breakdown of the SURE-P budget submitted to the joint committee showed that the Federal Government intended to spend N12 billion to construct the Second Niger Bridge.
A total of N5 billion was budgeted for 2012 while another N7 billion would be spent in 2013. The SURE-P board budgeted N1 billion each for 2012 and 2013 fiscal years and N21.70 billion had been allocated for augmentation (section I-IV) of the East-West Road. Although the project was tagged: Ongoing; another N42.270 billion had been allocated for the road in 2013. In the new budget, SURE-P said it allocated N22.50 billion to the Benin-Ore-Shagamu Road, which was an ongoing project. In 2013, another N13 billion would be spent.
To complete the Port-Harcourt Maiduguri Road, SURE-p would spend N35 billion in 2013 while it noted that N36 billion had been spent for 2012. The contentious Abuja-Lokoja Road was allocated N25 billion in 2012 while the same N25 billion would be spent in 2013. Altogether, SURE-P said its budget was N180 billion for 2012 while it would spend N273.522 billon in 2013.
First to fire the salvo was a member of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Musa who asked for clarification on the essence of the SURE-P, just as he insisted that the core mandate of the agency was a mere duplication of some ongoing projects of the Federal Government. Peter Akpatason took it up from there. He deplored the duplication of duties with the establishment of SURE-P.
He said: “SURE-P is all about identifying existing projects that are having funding deficit and they set up their own committee that interfaces with ministry officials who are in charge of these projects with a view to agreeing on such projects they will bring their intervention programmes to support. In all of these, you will see that they are not in any way financing any new projects; they only put money into not existing projects.
Vice Chairman of the Senate Petroleum Resources Committee (Downstream), Danjuma Goje called for the outright scrapping of SURE-P, arguing that the committee could not co-exist with ministries because they were doing the same duties already captured in the national budget. Goje said: “SURE-P is an indirect loss of confidence in the federal ministries. Ministries are still awarding contracts and some agencies as well. I see confusion somewhere along the line.
“It doesn’t make any sense for somebody to award a job and for somebody else to come and see and make payments. Something is wrong somewhere in this set-up. “Otherwise, why would you award contract on the East-West Road based on old design, going through all the processes of the ministry, going before the Tenders Board and everything, only for another body to go round now and make payment. “It doesn’t add up. Something is wrong somewhere; one of the two bodies must give way, either SURE-P or the ministries but the two cannot go together because they are doing the same job. If you look at your budget, N1 billion for SURE-P board; this is just for you, and in 2013, you have another N1 billion.
I see SURE-P as another way, or the Nigerian way of spending money on overheads (yet) we are talking of spending over 70 percent of our revenue on recurrent expenditure. “My submission is that something must be done about this SURE-P; you either stay as a body and abolish the various ministries of Transport, Works, etc and give to SURE-P, or take away their responsibilities and give to SURE-P so that you can employ your own consultants, design the projects and the budget.
But you cannot co-exist. It’s abnormal.” In his response, Kolade said: “It’s not the decision of the SURE-P board, the decision lies with the Federal Government.” Joint Committee Chairman, Senator Magnus Abe allowed the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) time to submit details of the 15 kobo it collected on each litre of PMS sold in the country.
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Bottom line is that we know who to hold responsible if the Niger Bridge is not built. No amount of excuses and alibi will distract the southeast from knowing whom to hold accountable. By the way, for such a project as Niger bridge, 12billion is peanuts! There will be no “it was them that won’t let me do it for the southeast.” Try another gymic!
Why are you people begging somebody to build a 2nd Niger bridge for you? The power is in your hands. YOUR VOTE. Go out & vote in 2015. You should be talking about a 2nd Niger bring complete with modern trans-southern railway line joining the West through Mid West to the East to boost trade & investment opportunities that abound there. It will also promote cultural integration. If he refuses to build it, he will be the number one promoter of divided Nigeria. And 2015 is beckoning when he will fly in to the south again to beg for votes.
The same story every year since 1979 when Shehu Shagari was the President. Enugu Airport now Akanu Ibiam International Airport has the same story. The weakest snail on earth can overtake the speed with which the project is moving. Each time you visit the the site, you will see two or three labourers playing with their shovels. What was the cause? Because the project was sited in Igbo-land.
i dont think they will build the bridge ,
they can fool us sometimes but not all the time….since 1979 second niger bridge contract has been the same story till now shame to you federal govt of boko haram!!
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Goodluck should not toy with the mentality of an average Ibo man with his non challant attitude towards infastractural development in the southeast,if you want to award contract u award it outright through the appropriate ministry don’t come and tell us sure-p,tomorrow u will tell us that the National assembly frustrated second Niger bridge projecteven 12 billion naira budget for that bridge makes it ridiculous and seemingly unrealistic,Enugu Int’l Airport project less than snail implementation,it is only in the south east that u can not see any tangible federal project or presence,what have we Ibos commited against this man jonathan that many ibo corp members working with inec were slaughtered in bauchi and kaduna because of his victory, look @ Oji power dam that can solve the epileptic power supply in the southeast abandoned, you fix Ebele in ur names just to deceive GOD’s Chosen Race like Ibos,told us how u use to trek to school on bare foot, don’t worry by 2015 we will hear the next excuse or campaign jingle u will come up with to convince Nigeria meanwhile for your advice,make sure you remove that Ebele because we now no you
Those Senators and Representatives including all the Governors from Southeast are bastard and they need to be attack by the youth of the entire Southeast so that they will wake up to their responsibilities……. Federal Government will not do anything if the Senator and other top politicians that represent southeast did not rise up to their responsibilities as they represent the people of southeast…. Second Bridge has been placed as an avenue for political campaign
The tortoise tells us that he who is not around, his words will not be around. Remember the Igbo sons, no, the real sons of the land- Zik, Okpara, Mbadiwe, Ojike Ibiam ,Osadebay, Mokwugo and their loyal ones- Orizu, Ikeotuonye, Nzeribe and others? I mean the ‘people first’ politicians? Were they alive today, the bridge business would have been actualized. The Niger bridge has been fingered, mouthed and declared over tears, what has our sons said and done about the deceit, the failure, the game, the gang up and outright marginalization? Igbo politicians, business men, government officials and Ndi Eze, where are you. I say where are you with one voice, one concern. Where are? Your children are sleeping. Please wake them up when you are ready. Igbo leadership, I am talking to you.
Goddy Oyibo, for all i care, Zik is not an Igboman. What did he do for the Igbo race, Awolowo was bussy developing human capital by awarding scholarships to his people and providing infrastractural development. Mention just one thing that zik did in the entire south east. Just one thing. As GEJ, He is a total faiure & disappointment. My prayer is that he does not go the Aguyi Ironsi way. 2015 is just arround the cornner. The Ibo’s are not fools, at least boko haram has given us more political awareness
It is a pity that all the Senators, Fed. Reps.,ministers,SFG, and the Governors from the South East of Nigeria could not push Goodluck to build the second Niger bridge. Big Same to all of our Senators, Fed. Reps.,ministers,SFG. 2015 awaits you…… Igbo Youths MUST RISE UP AGAINST YOU SELFISH POLITICAL ANIMALS
I dnt want politics in/with dis all important project o! Pls govt mek sure it is completed,tanx.
I am stil botherd by coments credited 2 malam SANUSI in almost all nigerian papers yestday,pls if u r close 2 him or has his fone No.,help us tel him these; without any sentiment here r my humble submisionz:
(a) he has d full right 2 his opinion(s).
(b) he shud articulate his opinions wel so as not 2 giv NIGERIANS d shaft.
(c) I think he is in a position where he ought 2 kno more dan most NIGERIANS who now seems 2 kno more dan he does – shame!
(d) half of civil servants shud nt b sacked rada machinery shud b put in place 2 stop d “ghost workers” syndrome.
(e) while oda countries of d world r talking of job creation he is here advocating sack,somebody help me check,is he ok?
(f) where in nigeria has money saved 4rm such sources as advocatd by him utilized 4 d benefits of comon NIGERIANS e.g. is d man in d street feeling d positiv impact of partial removal of fuel subsidy as promised by d federal govt?
(g) how wud som NIGERIANS gain/benefit wen their bread winner civil servant is sacked?
(h) ok! as a gud economist n leader,let him lead by example by resigning his apointmnt so dat my dear country cud save hundred of thousands flooding in2 his a/c monthly.
(i) I heard him say civil servants,right? He is wrong,its d politicians who consumes without producing,so reduz d cost of governance,not just d salaries of political ofiz holdaz but their alowances which r much greater dan their salaries.
(j) tel our presido 2 reduz d millions he budgets 4 aso rock dogs/aminals yearly.
(k) those who loot our comon wealth shud b med 2 refund our treasury nt just 2 serve few ‘days’ in executive cell wit all d comfort in d world n go back home 2 enjoy their loot,does dat mek sense or disuade odaz 4rm fraud(crime)?
(l) 4 d local govt.,d only reason I want their continued existence is d few NIGERIANS they tek 4rm d labour market,dats all
(m) wat d membaz of senate n reps tek home shud b med 2 b as smal as wat an avarage civil servant go hom wit
(n) govt shud creat busines enabling environment n hand-off 4rm biznez,let our economy b private sector driven.
(o) tel him NIGERIANS r yet 2 4get his unpopular N5000 note policy,let him go 2 Zimbawe n ask, & b wary of his intentions/utterances.
(p) oh dat reminds! He is a graduate of which skul sef? Of coz not d skul but d man – sanusi
(q) dis man is yet 2 convince NIGERIANS dat he merits dat position bcoz all his economic policiz so far r unpopular,unsuccessful,unacceptable by NIGERIAN,unmeritorious,unfriutful,unprofitable,unwelcomed,n unsustainable
(r) my R is 4 RESIGN SANUSI! …
I hav more 2 say bt let me rest ma case n leave space 4 oda coments.
MY BOTHERS WE IGBOS ARE SLAVE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY. THE SENATORS GOVERNOR S, HOUSE OF REPS ARE ALL AFTER THERE POCKETS. WE MUST WAKE UP FOR THEM 2015 IS VERY CLOSE GOD HELP US.
12B for 2nd niger bridge! Bridge that is estimated to cost 260b…. Please President Jonathan try and get serious with this bridge.
my broda, no mind them all. them pretend as if love igbos, but they are our BIG enemy
Development is not in Jonathan’s agenda,why?,because he has his eyes on crude oil money,he doesn’t want IBB,OBJ,ATIKU,TINUBU,ABDULSALAM ABUBAKAR,ABACHA’S FAMILY,etc,to be richer than him.What is N12b he claimed the federal government is going to contribute for the construction of second Niger Bridge,is that how Abuja was developed?.
Jonathan is stealing over N200b from the country’s annual budget.Ndigbo should note that he is not going to build anything for them,if he can’t rehabilitate few federal roads in the Southeast,then he can’t build any bridge.
He is just telling the people of this zone what they want and like to hear.Even if you give Jonathan all the money in the world he will never build any bridge,he is a typical African man whos attributes are selfishness,greediness and wickedness.
He is taken a trillion Naira for security from the country’s annual budget.please what is he doing with the money,did he buy any War-Ship?.He is a thief,he didn’t come to serve,he came to steal.
BEWARE OF ONGOING PROJECTS! Has the SURE-P been awarding and executing project successfully in the country before? Which agency has been awarding capital projects in Nigeria over the years? SURE-P or Ministries? Something is really wrong somewhere. This could be deliberate. Hope the Presidency can defend this “BIG” argument by the National Assembly. There are just out to execute a big conspiracy.
Nigerians must understand that the bridge will serve those in the North East, Middle Belt, South East and South South, even to neighbouring Cameroun. We must learn a lesson from the recent national flood that cut-off most South South roads. If we Nigerians don’t have alternative route in time of disaster, then we will live to blame ourselves. By the way is N12b for total cost or part of the cost of the bridge? I doubt if N12 billion can do the job. However, if that can do, good enough. All that we want is a safe bridge.
WHAT OF RAILWAY FROM LAGOS-BENIN-ONITSHA-OWERRI-ABA-CALABAR PROJECT. HAS IT BEEN SCRAPPED? LET SOMEBODY TELL USABOUT THAT PROJECT NOW. THERE ARE RAILS IN THE NORTH EAST AND NORTH WEST AND IN KANO. WE HAVE ONLY PORT HARCOURT IN THE WHOLE OF EASTERN REGION. LET LAGOS-……………………………CALABAR RAIL BE CONSTRUCTED.
This is another gimmick to frustrate the 2nd Niger bridge project. Throughout south East the absence of any Federal Government project is an indication that the region is marginalized. Over the years they have been playing politics with this bridge, something should be done urgently before the old one gives way as a result of heavy traffic its carrying on daily basis
Joe and huz ar playin with dis budget ..i dont hav much 2 say let th bridge collapse and see wot will happn.
It took the federal govt. 2 billion Naira to repaire only few expansion joints on the third mainlaid bridge few weeks ago but they want to spend a paltry 12 billion Naira for a fresh bridge of River Niger standard. God is watching…..
Am begining to loose faith in Jonathan and his administration, time shall tel, mtcheeeeew
Pls what is SURE.P ? Another analogy to rubbish 2 nd Niger bridge is in the making again. 12 billion Naira only to construct a whole bridge that connects both the s. east and that of s. south people in Nigeria is a very big insult to us. The national assembly is already putting a bureaucracy that will nail the project before hand. Instead of all these insult on our people, we can call Bode Gorge (85 billion naira richer)and Tarfa Balogun(65 billion naira) and begged them to build this very bridge for us that may even serve us more better than all these tricks at Aso rock.
I am happy somepeople are equally reasoning in the same direction with me, likes of Agom and others on this page that said similar things i have been harmaring about concerning the southeast governors, senators, hse of reps and the pdp chieftains from the zone. These are bunch of fools packaged together that have forgotten their roots back home only after their personal welfare at Abuja.I have been watching to see any of them raising the matters affecting the zone in the several meetings they attended with president. Is only the dead that can’t talk when it is necessary. Personally, i have disowned them with their Jonathan as floating president who i thought has something to offer by puting wrongs to right.If other ex-presidents took an oath in their occultic society not to give the southeast their rightful belongings, why should GEJ follow suit? Honestly,he will remain the most misurable man on earth if after having the opportunity to balance the equation of this nation and failed to do it.Both the present and all the past heads of state, exclude Pa Shehu Shagari who saw something good in the life of Igboman, all others who swear over their dead body not to give the Igbos their constitutional rights will sit on wheel chairs to see southeast getting all the good things they denied them. Others may be forgiven but not Jonathan, having gotten the highiest vote from the zone that led to the killing of the sons and daughters from the zone. 12billion for 2nd niger bridge, is that a news?From IBB to Obasanjo so much noise has been made over the 2nd niger bridge,now Jonathan, shame to you all and your unborn generation.Tell me one targible thing Jonathan has done to the suotheast since he become the president? In all, i blame our brothers & sisters in various positions that failed to make their demand at the appropriete time and quarters. SOON, THE YOUTHS OF THE ZONE WILL DEMAND THEM TO SHOWCASE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS TO THE ZONE STARTING FROM 1999 TO DATE THEREBY MAKE LIFE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR THEM TO ENJOY THEIR IILGOTTEN WEALTH THEY SHARED FROM ABUJA.
GEJ,has nothing to offer.
GEJ,has nothing to offer the southerners,my prayers God should forgive us,for giving him our votes.
GEJ, does it mean u have no more veto power to award this 2nd Niger bridge contract without the assistance of Tambuwal and Farouk lawal?
Ok, we will solicite a Devine help. The language that ur assemblies will hear very well will be Boko Haram treatment. My brother see, 2014/2015 will be our own turn of violent in this country but B/H pattern must be a child’s play, already we easterners has being pushed to the wall. You may be the last president in Nigeria, better mark these informations today, the clocks re twinkling.
Even a new born baby knows that they are not serious about building the bridge. How could a paltry 12bn tackle the building of such a gigantic bridge? Jonathan know that he has failed and cannot smell the presidency come 2015.
This is just a continuation of the anti Igbo policy which the Nigerian government has pursued since the nigeria independence. I feel saddened that even though the Igbos paid the supreme sacrifice(with their blood) to get Jonathan in power, and still pays till date, he allowed himself to be used against us. I,m really watching to see whether he will have the audacity to campaign in southeast come 2015. My advice to my fellow Igbos is that this should serve as a blessing in disguise as our eyes is now open to the reality that Jonathan is not for us.
#12 billion Naira to complete the second Niger Bridge? What a joke. This project is being designed to fail right from inception. WHO IS DECEIVING WHO?
You guys at the national assembly are sick, the SURE-P is meant to control corruption of given contracts, and that is how is should be, let the ministry award contract while SURE-P makes payments and control.
when you caught them in their corruption agenda they look for other way to escape, greedy rulers and not leaders..
Read their statement: “It doesn’t make any sense for somebody to award a job and for somebody else to come and see and make payments.
Mr president,electricity & good road first.
yea,electricity and good road first. but second Niger bridge is more than important,if u have been on that Asaba to Niger bridge during Xmas time and witness the kind of traffic jam we experience there.you will beg as well despite ur vote.
Jona jona,my friend jona, ur friend jona, aka dbanj.igbos,jonat will never built dat bridge,over his death body.
President Jonathan may be slow, but for sure,he is a wise man. I believe he means well for ndi Igbo and going by his body language,the bridge will surely be built.
How much will be left for actual physcical construction of the bridget if politicians and chiefs from south-east collect their “mark-offs” from this n12b?
Am sure that this @nd Nija bridge will not get off the paper-work till GEJ leaves office. All this “ruse” is about who gets what and not about the bridge – Mark it.
THE BIG FOOL THAT SAID HIS PRESIDENT, LIGHT, GOOD ROAD AND ELECTRICITY FIRST IS ONE OF THOSE ENEMY OF PROGRESS WHO NEVER WANT TO SEE AND HEAR GOOD THINGS SITED TO SOUTH EAST. TO BUTTRESS MY POINT, YOU CAN OBSERVE THAT HE DIDN’T MENTIONED HIS NAME. CARWARDS.
MY PRAYER IS THAT THEY WILL LIVE HALF LIFE TO SEE GOOD THINGS IN THE ZONE SOON AS THEY SWEAR OVER THEIR DEADBODY.