Business & Economy
N30tri.Ways and Means:Senate vows to expose culprits … Tackles AGF on vital information

By Our Reporter
The Senate through its Ad – hoc committee Investigating the N30trillion Ways and Means facility expended by President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government between 2015 and 2023 , declared in Abuja on Monday that the investigation was on course.
Chairman of the Committee , Senator Isah Jibrin ( APC Kogi East ) , made the declaration through a personally signed statement , refuting an online report which alleged that the investigation is in limbo .
The Ad – Committee Chairman in the rebuttal, attached letter of reminder written to the office of Accountant General for the Federation requiring for vital information for thoroughness of the investigative exercise .
Senator Jibrin who doubles as Chairman , Senate committee on Customs and Excise Duties explained in the statement that though the Ad – hoc committee was given six weeks when inaugurated in March to carry out the exercise and report back to the Senate , but thoroughness and diligence required for the sensitive national assignment had made the committee to exceed the time .
” The essence of an investigation is to come up with factual findings and not just roll in report within specified time frame.
” Investigation on the N30trillion Ways and Means , is on course and not in anyway , in limbo as insinuated by an online platform today .
” Some of the required findings have been made and still being made as clearly shown by letter of reminder recently written to the office of Accountant General of the Federation “, he said.
The letter dated 19th June , 2024 , personally signed by Senator Isah Jibrin and titled : ” Request for Submission of Additional Information ” reads : ” You may recall our earlier letter on the above subject dated 27th May , 2024, requesting for the following additional information on Ways and Means , which you are yet to respond to .
“The required information are ÷ Details of disbursements under ways and means , Names of the beneficiaries , Amount / date of disbursements , purpose of the disbursements , terms of the disbursement ( where applicable ), repayment schedule ( where applicable ) and adherence to the repayment schedule” .
Ways and Means is a loan facility through which the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) , finances the federal government’s budget shortfalls.
This way of financing government deficits usually results in macroeconomic instability, leading to inflation and high exchange rates because of the excess liquidity injected into the economy.
The CBN law limits advances under ways and means to 5 percent of the previous year’s revenue, but this has been mostly breached over the years.
As a way of remedying the situation, the CBN Governor , Olayemi Cardoso, declared in February this year , that the bank would no longer grant ways and means advances to the government “until all outstanding debts are refunded”.
Business & Economy
Pastor Reuben Initiative extols founder’s philanthropic gesture

By Idibhar Agadaga, Baylesa
The Director General Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability (PRIFGLA), Eseimokumo Frank Soko has commended Pastor Reuben Wilson’s selfless contributions to the development of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on an enlighment program on Royal FM, 95.5, Eseimokumo Frank Soko, highlighted Wilson’s commitment to education, noting that he has sponsored over 200 students across various universities in the region.
According to Soko, Wilson’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond education, as he has also provided monthly stipends to members of the Initiative ànd numerous individuals in need.
He particularly extolled Wilson’s selfless and sacrificial lifestyle which have positively impacted the lives of many Bayelsans.
He emphasized that Wilson’s charitable works is not limited to any particular political party or affiliation as beneficiaries come from diverse backgrounds including PDP, APC and Labour Party members.
On his part, PRIFGLA’s National Secretary and Special Adviser on Student Matters and Scholarships, Ogbomo Erepamowei, shared Wilson’s inspiring personal story, which has driven his passion for helping others.
Ogbomo noted that despite facing challenges in his own educational journey, Wilson has demonstrated remarkable resilience and generosity, supporting students in various institutions across the Niger Delta.
He added that over 200 students are under scholarship sponsored by Pastor Reuben Wilson in various universities across the Niger Delta region.
In a final statement, Soko expressed gratitude to Wilson, describing him as a “sacrificial leader” who has positively impacted the lives of those working with him.
Business & Economy
Three Oil Coys admit owing FG over $5.5m *As Reps Issue 2-Weeks Ultimatum For Payment

Business & Economy
New Bayelsa Secretariat: Govt Appeals To Host Communities To Maintain Peace

By David Owei, Bayelsa
The Bayelsa State Government has appealed to the people of Yenagoa and Ovom communities currently locked in a dispute over ownership of the land, where the new 9-storey secretariat is sited, to sustain their age long unity and peaceful coexistence.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the appeal at separate meetings with the leaders and critical stakeholders of both communities in Government House, Yenagoa on Tuesday.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, pointed out that there was no need for both communities to feud over the land as government had acquired it for development purposes several decades ago.
According to the Deputy Governor, every land acquired by government with compensation paid becomes its property, stressing that all the communities lying within 15-kilometre radius from Yenagoa make up the Bayelsa State capital.
While acknowledging the sacrifices being made by the communities hosting the state capital, he assured that government would continue to protect their interests by performing its corporate social responsibility.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, however, warned that the present administration would not fold its arms and watch any community or group of people cause crisis to disrupt the prevailing peace in the state for whatever reason.
He particularly cautioned the youths of Ovom against the alleged unwholesome practice of going to ministries, departments and agencies to demand a change in the letterheads and signboards of MDAs to reflect Ovom.
His words: “There is no long-term benefit in conflict. People can disagree, but they can reconcile their differences through the roundtable.
“Yenagoa and Ovom communities have a long history of peaceful coexistence as two sister communities in the Atissa Kingdom in the Yenagoa Local Government Area.
“As communities in the epicenter of the state capital, Ovom and Yenagoa have made huge sacrifices, and they cannot afford to fight themselves over land already acquired by government.
“Our position is that none of the communities own the land of the project site for the new state Secretariat; the ownership of that land now belongs to the Bayelsa State Government by virtue of the Capital City Development Law.
“However, government will continue to protect the interest of the communities who have donated the lands for public use and development.
“We are also receiving reports that some youths of Ovom are going to ministries, departments and agencies demanding for a change of address to reflect Ovom. That attitude is not right, and therefore, must be stopped forthwith.
“We should all know that like any other capital city in this country, the name of Yenagoa has influence over all other communities lying within the 15-km radius of the state capital, and as such Yenagoa is reflected in all addresses.”
In her remarks, the Member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ayibanengiyefa Egba, expressed gratitude to the state government for its swift intervention and called on the communities to embrace peace as brothers to foster development and progress.
Others who spoke briefly at the two meetings include the former Technical Adviser to the Governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, Hon. Markson Fefegha, Chief Couple Anyamalem, Chief Stephen Abaribote, and Chief Loveday Abaribote.
Top government functionaries present included the commissioners for works, information, marine and blue economy, lands and survey, and that of community development.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiware, the Acting Surveyor General of Bayelsa State, Geku Tonye Margareth; the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Boundary Matters, Hon. Salem Vote, among others.
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