Legislature
Former Minister outlines benefits in zoning senate presidency to North Central
If the Senate presidency is zoned to the North Central issues of insecurity, poor infrastructure and other forms of economic sabotage in the region would be surpressed, Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bwari, has indicated
Bwari, who was also the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives,urged the All Progressives Congress to zone the position of the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly to the North Central geopolitical zone.
He gave the kndication when he spoke with journalists in Abuja on wednesday.
He noted that the North Central has abundant arable land for agricultural development and is also endowed with rich mineral resources that could serve as alternatives to oil and gas resources, if effectively explored.
The erstwhile Mines and Steel Minister, however, lamented that bandits had stopped farmers from their farms, fishing ponds and took over mining sites, preventing access to investors.
He expressed the hope that there would be a positive change in the region if the APC leadership and the President-Elect support the aspiration of the North Central, to produce the next Senate President.
Bwari said, “Following the conclusion of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, two very important positions have gone to the South-West and North-East geopolitical zones.
“The president and vice president elect have been elected from those zones.
Other zones are now clamouring for the third most important position in the country, that is the Senate Presidency.
“If we look at performance, the North Central did very well for the All Progressives Congress in the last election. We produced very significant votes for the President-Elect and the Vice President-Elect.
“If you consider our strategic location and performance, if we didn’t get number one or number two positions, we should be given number three.
“I think our aspiration is fair and just for us to be considered. Our strategic position in balancing a lot of things in the country put the North Central in the best position to produce the presiding officer of the Senate.”
Asked how a Senate President from the North Central would be beneficial to the country, Bwari said the issue of insecurity would be the priority of the red chamber.
He explained the committees on Defence National Security and Police Affairs in the Senate would be put on their toes to carry out necessary oversight functions to make sure that the military and the security agencies are alive to their responsibilities.
He said, “The Senate President from the North Central, would use his experiences and that of his constituents in the hands of bandits and terrorists to proffer practicable solutions to the menace.
“This is because legislative intervention will go a long way to support the military and other security agencies to go about finding pragmatic and practicable solution to the insecurity crisis from the point of view of the direct victims.
“For instance, Senator Sani Musa, who is seeking to be elected as the Senate President has gathered enough information and solutions to the menace and he would need an avenue to be able to carry them out if he is directly in charge of the Senate.
“Since he played active roles in the 9th National Assembly, he would be able to look at the issues surrounding the recruitment, rewards and punishment system in the military and other security agencies.
“He will ask the relevant committees to look into whether the required monies meant to tackle insecurity were actually released and disbursed appropriately.
“Particularly, he will look at the money appropriated and whether they were used for the purpose they were appropriated. As the 10th Senate President, he would ensure that all these are done through his committees.”
Bwari described Sani as “a team player, very accommodating man with a high degree of tolerance.”
“He is hardworking and had contributed to the APC right from 2014 to date, especially during the campaigns and periods of elections that were held.
“Someone with these qualities should be given a bigger role to play in the incoming administration,” he added..
The former Minister said the major issues confronting the North Central at the moment is that of insecurity.
He said, “Insecurity is slowing down all forms of economic activities in the region. Our people are much more agrarian in nature.
“When the issue of insecurity is effectively tackled, our people would be able to return to farms and those who are hunters would also be able to carry out their activities.
“Those who are into fishing would also resume their trade in full force. They would also be free to go to markets and carry out their normal businesses.
“Tackling insecurity in North Central will help a lot in addressing all the social and economic challenges that we are having in the country. Most mining activities take place in Niger State.
“Another major challenge we are having in the North Central is that of infrastructure especially roads.
“Our roads in the North Central are bad especially in Niger State.
The general issue of healthcare, education, water and sanitation are areas that should also be addressed in the North Central.
“That is why we desire the number three position in the country in North Central in order to tackle the dreaded monsters known as bandits.”
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The National Assembly has called for a comprehensive reassessment of Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative following alarming reports of vehicle explosions attributed to uncertified conversions. Lawmakers are urging the Federal Government to prioritize rigorous adaptability tests to ensure the safety and suitability of the technology in Nigeria’s unique environment.
During the 2025 budget defense session of the Joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Petroleum (Upstream), and Gas, Senator Natasha Akpoti (PDP, Kogi Central) questioned the adequacy of research conducted before rolling out the CNG program.
“Nigeria’s bumpy roads and hot climate differ significantly from the smooth and cooler environments where this technology originated. Were these factors considered before introducing CNG?” Akpoti asked.
Her concerns come amid incidents of explosions in CNG-converted vehicles. The Minister of State for Gas, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, attributed these accidents to uncertified conversions carried out by roadside technicians, emphasizing that certified centers adhere to strict safety standards.
Ekpo also assured lawmakers that the technology had been evaluated by a Presidential Committee on CNG and affirmed its long-term viability. “CNG has come to stay,” he stated.
The session also highlighted budgetary concerns, particularly the Ministry of Petroleum’s 2025 capital allocation of N903 million. Lawmakers criticized the sum as inadequate to address Nigeria’s pressing energy challenges.
“For a ministry driving Nigeria’s energy transition, this allocation raises concerns about commitment to infrastructure and innovation,” remarked Hon. Kafilat Ogbara.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its energy mix, the National Assembly has stressed the need for enhanced safety measures, proper implementation, and increased funding to fully realize the potential of CNG while ensuring public safety and trust.
***Seeks Support for Loans as Budgetary Provisions Fall Short
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has voiced his deep frustration over the state of Nigeria’s road infrastructure, highlighting inadequate yearly budgetary allocations as a major barrier to progress.
Speaking during the 2025 budget defense session before the Senate Committee on Works in Abuja on Friday, Umahi described the financial constraints as overwhelming. “I’ve succeeded in most of my life’s engagements, but I feel frustrated fixing Nigerian roads with these meagre allocations,” he lamented.
Umahi disclosed that President Bola Tinubu inherited 2,064 road projects valued at N13 trillion, but rising costs have pushed the estimated expenditure to N18 trillion. He noted that the N827 billion allocated for road infrastructure in the 2025 budget is grossly insufficient to address the challenges.
“Roads are critical to economic growth and poverty reduction. They create jobs and drive economic activities. However, fixing these roads cannot be achieved with yearly budget provisions alone,” he explained.
The minister urged Nigerians to support the government’s borrowing initiatives, assuring that the funds would directly impact citizens’ lives by boosting economic activities and reducing hunger.
Senators on the committee, led by Senator Mpigi Barinaga, praised Umahi for his efficient management of scarce resources and supported his call for alternative funding mechanisms. They acknowledged the scale of the work required and admitted that the proposed budget falls far short of what is needed to resolve Nigeria’s road infrastructure crisis.
The session concluded with a shared resolve to explore additional funding options to tackle the nation’s road challenges effectively.
***Minister Lokpobiri Assures of Reforms, Apologizes for Lapses
The 2025 budget defense session for the petroleum sector took a contentious turn on Friday as the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, and Gas) erupted into disorder. Tensions flared over delays in budget documentation, with lawmakers decrying the Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ perceived lack of preparedness and respect for legislative protocols.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, was already fraught with logistical challenges. The cramped committee room, bursting with lawmakers and ministry officials, became the backdrop for a fiery exchange that highlighted the strained relationship between the legislative and executive branches. Calls to relocate the session to a more accommodating venue went unheeded, adding to the frustration.
Before the session could proceed, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu raised a procedural objection, pointing out the absence of vital budget documents. “We cannot engage in a meaningful discussion without the necessary materials. This undermines the integrity of the process,” Nwogu asserted.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, faced sharp criticism for the disorganization. Hon. Ado Doguwa, Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee, accused the Ministry of fostering an adversarial relationship with the legislature. “Minister, we see you only once a year, and even then, the lack of collaboration is glaring. This is unacceptable,” Doguwa said, his frustration evident.
Lokpobiri, in an attempt to salvage the situation, apologized for the lapses. “Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, I deeply regret this oversight. It was not intentional. The budget documents are being distributed as we speak,” he said. He assured lawmakers that the Ministry remained committed to supporting legislative oversight and improving future engagements.
However, Lokpobiri’s lighthearted remark that the documents were being delivered in “Ghana Must Go” bags—containing no money—elicited mixed reactions. While some lawmakers chuckled, others viewed it as a diversion from the seriousness of the issue.
Doguwa, accepting the apology, stressed the need for strict adherence to legislative guidelines. “While we appreciate the apology, the late submission of documents is a breach of procedure. This cannot continue. We demand accountability and timely cooperation moving forward,” he said.
The session ultimately ended in stalemate, with lawmakers insisting on postponing the meeting until all necessary documents had been reviewed. The debacle underscores the persistent challenges of executive-legislative coordination in Nigeria’s budgetary process, particularly in critical sectors like petroleum.
As the Joint Committee prepares to reconvene, stakeholders will be watching closely to see if the Ministry of Petroleum Resources can rebuild trust and ensure a smoother process in the future.
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