https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uPXRuE8zV4&feature=related

Excellent write up, Im starting to believe that the money from subsidy was used to finance election. As much as i hate PDP its a shame that GEJ is bringing the party down because of his selfish agenda. I will still give credit to whom its due, Saraki who is in the same party with was the one that brought the fuel subsidy issue to light and he was even there to call him to order to listen to the people during the strike to return to N65, Time will tell sha

I hope Saraki is on the committe of those investigating this people o. Cos if not for him, all this idiots will still be stealing our money. How i wish Saraki can leave PDP and join AC as he is a very progressive leader but then again, Tinubu is a thieve and won't want Saraki to rubbish himself.

Walahi, We need to bombard Saraki's website with calls for him to lead the motion for GEj's impeachment. At least he has been siding with the people a lot lately. From calling our attention to the mismanagement in fuel subsidy last year and from being the only Senator in Pdp to openly ask Gej to revert back to n65 during the strike

Do you thinks could have been Better if Saraki, Utomi, Buhari or Dele Momodu were the president?

Chineke. Now pastors don dey fight each other o, lol If only Bukola Saraki knew he was going to open the yansh of so many things, i doubt he would have demanded that the Senate investigate the Subsidy Scheme. Wasn't a an of the guy, but i appreciate him for that sha.

The immediate past governor of Kwara state and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly,

DR. BUKOLA SARAKI has appealed to Nigerians to engage in constructive dialogue rather than violence, just as he made cash donation to the family of Muyideen Mustapha, who was killed during the fuel subsidy protest in Ilorin.

SENATOR SARAKI who is an advocate of transparency and accountability in the Fuel Subsidy scheme, stated this during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased at Oke-Odo compound in Agbaji, Ilorin, his senatorial district.

He described the death of Muyideen at such a tender age as a colossal loss to the state and the country, urging that only peaceful dialogue and understanding between government and labour could avert further loss of life of innocent citizens.

SARAKI condemned the killing of Muyideen and praised the state government for ordering immediate investigation into the matter. "The perpetrator", he said, "should be brought to book".

SARAKI appealed to security agents to be more circumspect in handling issues such as protest, as peaceful protest was a legitimate means by citizens to support or caution government.

The Senator, who was represented by the chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Suleiman Kayode Yusuf, prayed Allah to grant the deceased Aljanat Firdaus and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

The attention of Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology has been drawn to media report on Bonga oil spill where it was mentioned that the Senate committee has given Shell a clean bill of health as regard the Bonga oil spill, I want to say categorically that the Senate Committee did not at any time give shell a clean bill . What we said after our assessment visit to Bonga oil spill site was that, the spill had stopped and the containment successful to an extent.


We also raised the issue of the oil found at the shoreline, which shell claim is not their own, but until tests are carried out to ascertain the owner of the oil, it will be premature to conclude, but we have insisted on a joint sample taking by Shell,DPR,NOSDRA and a Consultant appointed by Senate to be sent to a reputable international lab for testing, until the results are out we can't conclude. But in the meantime we agreed with shell irrespective of whose oil it is, Shell will take responsibility of the cleaning of the oil at the shoreline which is what is most important.

Also we are evaluating the cleaning procedure to see the effects on ecosystem from the use of the dispersants. Also shell is investigating the cause of the spill to confirm the reliability of the export line. Tthe Issue of compensation to community can only be addressed after source of oil is established.

On the issue of compromise, the media should remember that it was our committee that first to responded to Bonga oil spill in a press conference held at the media centre of National Assembly in Abuja and we also went ahead to assure all Nigerians that we will do everything possible to make sure shell contains the spill as quick as possible and to also hold shell to international accepted practices in protecting our environment and before that we have made contact with USEPA for technical assistance and surely this is not action of a committee that wants to do nothing or is satisfied with present status, If we've compromise are we going to take such step?

The committee pleads with all Nigerians to be patient, promise to see that international standards are met and see through the whole course to conclusion and there will be no cover up.

We Also assured Nigerian that if established that the cause of the oil spill is due to negligence then surely we will ensure appropriate penalties will be payable by shell. But until all investigations done we can't conclude

Akintoba Fatigun
Signed

WWW.ABUBAKARBUKOLASARAKI.COM

My people, I got this in my email from someone in Lagos who works for a newspaper, said their oga told them not to publish it because na ACN they pay pass

"Senator Musiliu Obanikoro Nigeria’s High commission in Ghana learned of the proposed increase of tuition in Lagos State University LASU

Senator Obanikoro condemns in the strongest terms the continuous unjustifiable attempt to exclude the masses in Lagos by the current administration.

The Senator stated he understands the need to increase funding for LASU but increasing tuition by 1000% will further reduce if not close possibilities and opportunities to the masses, who are already struggling to stay afloat in the face of hardships arising from greed and insensitivity.

Senator Obanikoro calls on the Lagos State Governor to revisit its position on making LASU a school for the elites. Stating “It is not fair to increase tuition from N25.000 to N250.000” reminding the Governor he is a product of a Nigerian institution and to consider what he paid when attending University of Benin to today's economy."

Wetin una think my people? Is ACN really doing what is best for Lagos or do you think they are alienating some people? I mean i see some parts of Lagos in hollywood movies and i don't want to believe it is the same Lagos i hear people talking about,

I read the below write up on Senator Bukola Saraki's blog and i felt it was worth sharing after i read that he took questions from twitter and his site and actually asked those who attended the hearing.

Direct Link to the site.  http://www.abubakarbukolasaraki.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=316:transparency-and-accountability-on-fuel-subsidy-scheme&catid=72:news-and-comments&Itemid=375#comment-38

On September 16 2011, I sponsored the motion to investigate TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY in fuel subsidy management in Nigeria.
I urged my fellow Senators to investigate how a single agency of government can incur 700% extra expenditure without due approval of the National Assembly, and outside of an acceptable transparency framework. I made it known that this poses a grave challenge and therefore an urgent review of the subsidy scheme is in order?

You may know that N20bn was set aside for subsidy on a monthly basis in the 2011 budget, but figures for August indicate the NNPC actual subsidy figure was N88b and Independent Marketers was N77.7B. This makes a total of N165.7 Billion for August alone. For the total year, there is a variance of over 700% or N931b representing an actual variance of N771b that is against the budget estimate of N160b. This stated difference, which is treated as first line charge, implies we can't afford to fund capital budgets. ?

Historically, the fuel subsidy has set and maintained artificially low prices, as the government provides fuel to Nigerians and pays bulk of the cost.
Of the total 2011 capital budget, N240 billion was allocated to fuel subsidy and we are projecting to spend N1.5 trillion in one year alone. Which is 14 times more than what we are spending on power generation in 2011, nine times what we are spending on federal roads, 24 times value of health capital or four times the entire defence and security budget. The implementation of 2011 budget with capital expenditure is dead on arrival because this variation questions how power, agriculture, health, education, roads etc can be funded.?
By year end the subsidy bill will be close to N1.5trillion . We must ask ourselves if this figure is sustainable and why did almost 250% over last year.
The key factors that usually affect how much should be spent on fuel subsidy are 1) If we are consuming more fuel. 2) If the price of crude oil has increased significantly and 3) If the price of Naira has fallen. And from figures available, these factors have been either stable or have not increased  enough  to warrant. the outrageous figure of 2011
The EConomist magazine wrote a report May this year and I quote "That importers routinely falsify bills of lading, inflate the amount of fuel imported five-fold , then collect the government subsidy on all of it, and finally smuggle the fuel to a neighbouring Country to sell it for double or triple the price?
How true are these allegations? Can they be the cause of the huge rise this year?
How much of this subsidy amount increase is as a result of corruption, and wastage?
In my motion, I noted that the federal government operates the fuel subsidy scheme with the purpose of making petroleum products available by cushioning the effect of their true market prices on Nigerians. Observing that the fuel subsidy scheme is a government action to help Nigerians, I will like to remind you that the motion does not in anyway aim to remove the fuel subsidy but to bring fiscal responsibility to the program?

My motion was to set up a Senate committee to assess all aspects of the fuel subsidy scheme with view to determine that it is still within the parameters of the law and if not find ways and means to make it much more transparent, sustainable and within appropriation act.
Surely its the lack of sustainability at this level that has brought about the on going debate

On Thursday 1st of December 2011, the Senate will hold its 2nd hearing on fuel subsidy, I have read some of the comments on social media and different blogs and will like to present them on the floor on Thursday. Please feel free to leave constructive questions and criticism and a way forward to put before those appearing  , as I will be quoting some of you on the floor. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in assisting me to better represent you.

I read the below write up on Senator Bukola Saraki's blog and i felt it was worth sharing after i read that he took questions from twitter and his site and actually asked those who attended the hearing.

Direct Link to the site. http://www.abubakarbukolasaraki.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=316:transparency-and-accountability-on-fuel-subsidy-scheme&catid=72:news-and-comments&Itemid=375#comment-38

On September 16 2011, I sponsored the motion to investigate TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY in fuel subsidy management in Nigeria.
I urged my fellow Senators to investigate how a single agency of government can incur 700% extra expenditure without due approval of the National Assembly, and outside of an acceptable transparency framework. I made it known that this poses a grave challenge and therefore an urgent review of the subsidy scheme is in order?

You may know that N20bn was set aside for subsidy on a monthly basis in the 2011 budget, but figures for August indicate the NNPC actual subsidy figure was N88b and Independent Marketers was N77.7B. This makes a total of N165.7 Billion for August alone. For the total year, there is a variance of over 700% or N931b representing an actual variance of N771b that is against the budget estimate of N160b. This stated difference, which is treated as first line charge, implies we can't afford to fund capital budgets. ?

Historically, the fuel subsidy has set and maintained artificially low prices, as the government provides fuel to Nigerians and pays bulk of the cost.
Of the total 2011 capital budget, N240 billion was allocated to fuel subsidy and we are projecting to spend N1.5 trillion in one year alone. Which is 14 times more than what we are spending on power generation in 2011, nine times what we are spending on federal roads, 24 times value of health capital or four times the entire defence and security budget. The implementation of 2011 budget with capital expenditure is dead on arrival because this variation questions how power, agriculture, health, education, roads etc can be funded.?
By year end the subsidy bill will be close to N1.5trillion . We must ask ourselves if this figure is sustainable and why did almost 250% over last year.
The key factors that usually affect how much should be spent on fuel subsidy are 1) If we are consuming more fuel. 2) If the price of crude oil has increased significantly and 3) If the price of Naira has fallen. And from figures available, these factors have been either stable or have not increased enough to warrant. the outrageous figure of 2011
The EConomist magazine wrote a report May this year and I quote "That importers routinely falsify bills of lading, inflate the amount of fuel imported five-fold , then collect the government subsidy on all of it, and finally smuggle the fuel to a neighbouring Country to sell it for double or triple the price?
How true are these allegations? Can they be the cause of the huge rise this year?
How much of this subsidy amount increase is as a result of corruption, and wastage?
In my motion, I noted that the federal government operates the fuel subsidy scheme with the purpose of making petroleum products available by cushioning the effect of their true market prices on Nigerians. Observing that the fuel subsidy scheme is a government action to help Nigerians, I will like to remind you that the motion does not in anyway aim to remove the fuel subsidy but to bring fiscal responsibility to the program?

My motion was to set up a Senate committee to assess all aspects of the fuel subsidy scheme with view to determine that it is still within the parameters of the law and if not find ways and means to make it much more transparent, sustainable and within appropriation act.
Surely its the lack of sustainability at this level that has brought about the on going debate

On Thursday 1st of December 2011, the Senate will hold its 2nd hearing on fuel subsidy, I have read some of the comments on social media and different blogs and will like to present them on the floor on Thursday. Please feel free to leave constructive questions and criticism and a way forward to put before those appearing , as I will be quoting some of you on the floor. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in assisting me to better represent you.

Senator Bukola Saraki should be commended for raising the motion to investigate the Transparency and Accountability in Fuel Subsidy, if not for that, we all won't be talking about it today. I haven't been a fan of him, but from following him on twitter this week, he is talking sense. see for yourself @bukolasaraki