TRANSVIEW MAGAZINE

Friday, 30 March 2018

20 dead after third Thailand bus tragedy in nine days

The bus burst into flames at about 1.30am on Friday 30 March 2018 in Tak province in western Thailand on the border with Myanmar.

Local media said the workers were from Myanmar and had been heading to a factory in an industrial area near Bangkok.

Police Lieutenant Raewat Aiemtak said 27 people managed to escape the bus, one of whom was severely burned.

He said the driver reported that the fire started in the middle of the bus and spread quickly.

People in the front managed to escape but those in the back were trapped.Pictures showed the bus burned to a skeleton after firefighters put the blaze out.

The incident is the latest in a series of bus crashes in Thailand, which has the second-highest rate of traffic fatalities in the world after Libya, according to the World Health Organisation.

On 21 March a tour bus lost control on a downhill curve in the northeast and slid off the road, killing 18 and injuring 33.

The day after, a school bus taking pupils on a trip in the central province of Ayutthaya skidded in the rain and flipped, injuring 39 people.

2019: Security agencies uncover plots to disrupt elections - Presidency

Plots by some groups to disrupt the processes leading to the 2019 general elections have been uncovered by the heads of various security agencies.

The disclosure was made by the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, on Thursday, March 29.

Shehu, while meeting with owners and decision makers in the media, listed the chief of defence staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; the director general of the DSS, Lawal Daura; and the director general of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar, as the security chiefs involved in the discovery.

According to the presidential aide, the media had been warned by the security chiefs, against the activities of some unregistered groups that had been active lately, in trying to undermine critical institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement agencies.

Shehu further stated that the security chiefs had called for media cooperation to prevent sabotage of the ongoing efforts to restore security in parts of Nigeria, by radical ideologies directed from outside the country.

He also said that they gave the assurance that they would maintain a balance between openness and national security, as regarding the debate over the right to freedom of expression and the government’s efforts to ensure that the digital space and the mass media in general do not become a playground for destabilization and terrorism.

Relaying the message from the security chiefs further, he urged media owners and practitioners to also walk the fine balance between openness and national security.

Meanwhile,top security chiefs stated that Nigeria's insecurity could have a negative effect on the 2019 general elections.

The security chiefs disclosed this to participants at the just-concluded national security summit organised by the Senate in Abuja. They cautioned that stringent and decisive measures should be taken to address the situation, in the interest of the country.

The security chiefs, while briefing senators and other stakeholders behind closed doors at the Nigeria Air Force Conference, reportedly painted a bad picture of the evolving scenario.

8th Senate passes 201st bill in 33 months

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has commended his colleagues in the 8th Senate for their support and hard work, as the upper legislative chamber passed its 201st bill on Thursday, March 29.

Making the development public on Twitter, Saraki stated that the red chamber had achieved the milestone as a result of the dedication and commitment of its members.

The Senate president compared the number of bills passed by the present Senate with those past, and pointed out that the 8th Senate had outdone its predecessors, in just three years.

He stated: “As of today, the Senate has passed 201 Bills. We still have 15 months to go, yet, we have reached this milestone. I would like to thank my distinguished colleagues for their hard work and cooperation over the last 33 months.’’

“Recall that the 5th Senate (2003 to 2007) passed 129 Bills in all; the 6th Senate (2007 to 2011) passed 72 Bills and the 7th Senate (2011 to 2015) had a total of 129 Bills, respectively.”

The comprehensive list of all the bills, listing as follows:

SENATE BILLS PASSED SINCE JUNE 9TH 2015

1. National Railway Corporation Act 1955 N129 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment Bill 2015

2. Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act CAP B2 LFN 2011 (Repeal and Re-enactment) 2015

3. National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (est,etc) Bill 2015

4. Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (est., etc) Bill 2015

5. Electronic Transaction Bill 2015

6. Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme Act (Amendment) Bill 2015

7. Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (Est,etc) Bill, 2015

8. Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2015

9. National Poverty Eradication Commission (Est,etc)Bill 2015

10. North East Development Commission (NEDC) (Est,etc) Bill 2015

11. Erosion Control and Prevention Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2015

12. Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous provision) Amendment Bill 2015

13. Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effuru (Est, etc) Bill 2015

14. Food Security Bill 2015

15. Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015

16. Environmental Managers Registration Council of Nigeria (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015

17. Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015

18. Nigeria Football Federation (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015

19. National Sports Commission (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015

20. Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2015

21. Witness Protection Programme Bill 2015

22. Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2015

23. Defence Space Agency (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015

24. High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja (Amendment) Bill 2015

25. Air Force Institute of Technology (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015

26. Credit Bureau Reporting Bill 2015

27. 2015 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill 2015

28. 2016 Appropriation Bill

29. Federal Roads Authority (Establishment, etc) Bill 2016

30. National Assembly Budget and Research Office (Establishment, etc) Bill 2016

31. Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2016

32. Federal Capital Territory Statutory Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

33. Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun Bill 2016

34. National Lottery Act 2005 (Amendment) Bill 2016

35. Electoral Act №6 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2016

36. Public Procurement Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

37. Petroleum Industry Governance Bill 2016

38. National Inland Waterways Act Cap N47 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2016

39. Nigerian Ports and Harbours Authority Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

40. JAMB Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

41. Nigerian Customs Service Bill 2016 and Nigerian Customs Service Act (Repeal and Re-enacment) Bill 2016

42. Warehouse Receipts Bill 2016

43. Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Bill 2016

44. Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institution Bill 2016

45. Federal University of Wukari (Establishment, etc) Bill 2016

46. Maritime University of Nigeria, Okerenkoko (Establishment, etc) Bill 2016

47. 2016 FCT Appropriation Bill

48. Appropriation Bill, 2017

49. Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015 and the National Unity and Peace Corps (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015

50. National Open University of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill 2017

51. Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron Bill, 2017

52. National Institute for Legislative Studies Act (Amendment) Bill 2017

53. National Research and Innovation (Est, etc.) Bill, 2017

54. Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016 and Universal Basic Education Act 2003 (Amendment) Bill 2016

55. Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency (Est, Etc.) Bill, 2017

56. Institute of Chartered Biochemist and Molecular Biologist Bill, 2016

57. Whistle Blowers Protection Bill 2015

58. Abduction, wrongful restraints and wrongful confinement for ransom bill 2017

59. Prohibition and Protection of persons from lynching, mob action and Extra Judicial Executions Bill, 2017

60. Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2017

61. Hydroelectric Power Producing Area Development Commission (Amendment) Bill 2015

62. Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurs (est., etc.) Bill 2015

63. Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registrars Bill 2017

64. Presidential Inauguration Bill 2016

65. National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (Establishment, etc) Bill 2016

66. FCT Statutory Appropriation Bill 2017

67. Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017

68. Federal University of Agriculture Kaaba (Establishment, etc) Bill 2016

69. Federal Colleges of Education Act (Amendment) Bill 2017

70. Niger Delta Development Commission (Amendment) Bill 2017

71. Nigeria Arabic Language Village, Ngala (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2017

71. Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry (est., etc.) Bill, 2017

73. Demutualization Bill, 2017

74. The Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Bill, 2018

75. 2017 FCT Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018

76. Arbitration and Conciliation act cap A18 LFN 2004(Repeal and re-enactment) Bill 2018

77. Emergency Powers (Repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2018

78. Federal University Gashua (establishment, etc.) Bill, 2018 (SB459)

79. National Transport Commission (Est., etc.) Bill, 2018 (SB. 242)

80. Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2018 (SB. 216)

81. River Basin Development Act CAP R9 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 358)

82. National Centre for Disease Control Prevention (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2018 (SB. 256)

CONCURRENCE BILLS PASSED BY THE SENATE SINCE JUNE 9TH 2015

1. Environmental Health Officers (Registration, etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

2. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun Bill, 2016

3. National Judicial Institute Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

4. Prevention of Crimes Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

5. Water Resources Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

6. Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

7. Agricultural and Rural Management Training (Amendment) Bill 2016

8. Telecommunications and Postal Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

9. Treaty to Establish African Economic Community Relating to the Pan-African Parliament (Accession and Jurisdiction) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

10. Utilities Charges Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

11. Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

12. Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

13. Petroleum Training Institute Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

14. Quantity Surveyors (Registration, etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

15. Bees (Import Control and Management) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

16. Advertising Practitioners (Registrations, etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

17. World Meteorological Organization (Protection) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

18. Currency Conversion (Freezing Orders) (Amendment) Bill 2016

19. Builders (Registration, etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

20. Town Planners (Registration, etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

21. University of Abuja Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

22. Corrupt Practice and other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

23. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency (Amendment) Bill 2016

24. National Agricultural Land Development Authority Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

25. Produce (Enforcement of Export Standards) (Amendment) Bill 2016

26. National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds (Registration etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill 2016

27. National Archives Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

28. Value Added Tax Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

29. Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

30. Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development of Nigeria Bill 2016

31. Dangerous Drugs Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

32. Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria Bill 2016

33. Veterinary Surgeons Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

34. Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission Bill 2016

35. Chartered Institute of Public Management Bill 2016

36. Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (Establishment) Bill 2016

37. Oaths Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

38. Institute of Local Government and Public Administration Bill 2016

39. Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2016

40. Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment, etc.) Bill 2016

41. Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

42. Mortgage Institutions Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

41. National Film and Video Censors Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

44. Official Secrets Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

45. Federal Capital Territory Districts Courts Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

46. Pensions Rights of Judges Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

47. Anti-Torture Bill, 2016

48. Federal Capital Territory Hospitals Management Board (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2016

49. National Child Protection and Enforcement 2016

50. Police Procurement Fund Bill, 2016

51. Federal Capital Territory Water Board Bill 2016

52. Senior Citizen Centre Bill, 2016

53. Animal Health and Husbandry Technologist (Registration, etc.) Bill 2016

54. Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots, Bill 2016

55. Corporate Manslaughter Bill 2016

56. Railway Loan (International Bank) (Amendment) Bill, 2016

57. Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

58. Chartered Institute of Export and Commodity Brokers of Nigeria Bill, 2017

59. Avoidance of Double Taxation Between the Federal Republic of Nigerian and the Kingdom of Spain Bill, 2017

60. Avoidance of Double Taxation Between the Federal Republic of Nigerian and the Republic of South Korea Bill, 2017

61. National Postgraduate College of Medicine Laboratory Science Bill, 2017

62. Avoidance of Double Taxation Between the Federal Republic of Nigerian and the Kingdom of Sweden Bill, 2017

63. National intelligence Agency Pension Bill 2017

64. Nigeria Academy of Science (establishment etc.)

65. Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (Est, Etc.) Bill 2017

66. Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology Science (Est, Etc.) Bill 2017

67. Franchise Bill

68. Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy Bill, 2017 (HB1,018)

69. Federal Capital Territory Transport Authority (Establishment) Bill HB. 91

70. Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (Fiscal Incentives Assurances and Guarantees) Bill, 2017 HB. 896

71. Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management Bill, 2017 HB. 69

72. Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017

73. Vigilante Group of Nigeria (Est., etc.) Bill, 2017 HB718

74. Subsidiary Legislation (Legislative Scrutiny) Bill, 2017 HB13

75. Courts and Tribunal Fines and Financial Penalties Bill, 2017 HB 642

76. Radiographers (Registration, etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 HB 676

77. Medical Residency Training Bill, 2017 (HB.982)

78. National Road Funds (Est, etc.) Bill, 2018

79. National Climate Change Bill (HB1020)

80. National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill, 2018 (HB. 472)

81. Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria Bill, 2018 (HB. 973)

82. National Security Agencies Protection of Officers Identity Bill, 2018 (HB. 830)

83. Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (HB. 1022)

84. National Biotechnology Development Agency (Est., etc.) Bill, (HB. 33)

85. Nigeria Aeronautical Search and Rescue Bill, 2018 (HB. 139)

85. Federal Audit Service Commission Bill (HB. 107)

87. Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (est., etc.) Bill, 2018 (HB 364 & 656)

88. Digital rights and freedom bill, 2018(HB490)

89. Energy Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018(HB72 & 446)

CONSTITUTIONAL ALTERATION BILLS PASSED

1. Alteration of the Constitution to provide for time passage of laws (assent)

2. Alteration of the Constitution to include former heads of the NASS in the council of state.irectly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

3. Alteration of the Constitution to include former heads of the NASS in the council of state.

4. Alteration of the Constitution to reduce the period within which the President or Governor may authorise withdrawal from the CRF in absence of an appropriation act from 6 to 3 months.

5. Alteration of the Constitution to provide for immunity of legislature in respect of words spoken or written at plenary…

6. Alteration of the Constitution to abrogate the State Joint Local Govt Accounts and empower each local govt council to maintain its own special account.

7. Alteration of the Constitution to strengthen local govt administration in Nigeria

8. Alteration of the Constitution to provide the INEC with sufficient time to conduct bye-elections and grounds for de-registration of political parties.

9. Alteration of the Constitution to delete the public complaints commission Act from the constitution.

10. Alteration of the Constitution to delete the National Securities Agencies Act from the constitution.

11. Alteration of the Constitution to delete the National Youth Service Decree from the Constitution.

12. Alteration of the Constitution to delete state independent electoral commission from the constitution.

13. Alteration of the Constitution to specify the period within which the President or Governor shall present the Appropriation Bill before NASS or SHA

14. Alteration of the Constitution to reduce the age for the qualification for the offices of president, house of reps and state house of assembly.

15. Alteration of the Constitution to reflect the establishment of the ISA in the constitution.

16. Alteration of the Constitution to remove law making powers from the Executive Arm of Govt.

17. Alteration of the Constitution to provide for the procedure for passing a constitution alteration bill, where the president withholds assent.

18. Alteration of the Constitution to reflect the establishment and core functions of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

19. Alteration of the Constitution to provide time for the determination of pre-election matters.

20. Alteration of the Constitution to further strengthen the judiciary for speedy dispensation of justice.

21. Alteration of the Constitution to establish the AGF and separate the office from that of the minister for justice (likewise in the states).

22. Alteration of the Constitution to establish the office of the accountant general of the federal govt separate from the office of the accountant general of the federation

23. Alteration of the Constitution to make the office of the auditor general of the federation and states financially independent by placing them on the CRF (states).

24. Alteration of the Constitution to disqualify a person sworn-in as president or governor to complete the term of the elected person from being elected to the same office for more than a single term.

25. Alteration of the Constitution to change the name of the police from the Nigerian Police Force to the Nigerian Police

26. Alteration of the Constitution to provide for independent candidature in elections.

27. Alteration of the Constitution to provide for a change in the names of some local govt councils.

28. FCT is represented in the FEC.

29. Alteration of the Constitution to require the President and Governor to submit names of nominated ministers or commissioners within thirty days of taking the oath of office for confirmation.

Senate president, Bukola Saraki, revealed that the 8th Senate of Nigeria had passed the most bills in its first two years.

The Senate is the upper house of the Nigeria's bicameral legislature, the National Assembly of Nigeria. The National Assembly (popularly referred to as NASS) is the nation's highest legislature, whose power to make laws is summarised in chapter one, section four of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

Wednesday, 28 March 2018

FIFA to Probe Alleged Russian Racism

Russia lost 3-1 to France in the World Cup warm-up match in St Petersburg

FIFA has opened an investigation into alleged racist abuse aimed at France players, including Paul Pogba, by Russian fans.

A pitch-side photographer reported that monkey chants could be heard from the crowd in St. Petersburg during France's 3-1 win over Russia.

The abuse was also allegedly audible on a television broadcast after Pogba scored France's second goal.

The game's world governing body said on Wednesday that it was collecting evidence and would contact the anti-discrimination Fare Network, which helps FIFA investigate racism cases.
"FIFA is collecting the different match reports and potential evidence in regards to the discriminatory incident reported in the media," a FIFA statement said.

"Until we have evaluated all information available, we cannot comment further."

Paul Pogba scored a curling free-kick in the victory

Earlier, Piara Powar, head of the anti-discrimination group Fare Network, said: "There should be enough there for FIFA to initiate proceedings.

"If photographers heard it pitch-side, then there must have been stewards and other officials who also heard it.

"If, toward the end of March, these guys don't know what to do, and they're not initiating procedures and protocols that exist, then that doesn't bode very well for the World Cup.

"So close to the World Cup, questions are being asked as to why it wasn't dealt with as it occurred during play."

French sports minister Laura Flessel also called for action. In a post on Twitter, she wrote: "Racism has no place on the soccer field. We should act together at a European and international level in order to stop this intolerable behaviour."

Falana backs Danjuma on ‘call to arms’

Renowned human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has thrown his support behind the former minister of defence, Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma (retd), in respect to the latter’s call for Nigerians to defend themselves against killers.

Falana made his position known at a training programme organized for reporters.

He stated that the right to protect one’s self from violent attack was recognized by the Constitution.

The lawyer stated that Danjuma could sue critics of his statement for libel, as he noted that the media has been awash with suggestions that the former minister’s comments are call to anarchy.

He said: “Some of the reactions on Danjuma’s statement could be libelous. What Danjuma said is accommodated under our Constitution.”

The senior advocate also noted that although Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution recognises the right to life, such right might be lawfully circumscribed in accordance with Section 33(2).

He continued: “Section 33(2) says a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life if he dies as a result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary – for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.

“If the government is unable to save you as in the case of Benue, Kogi and Zamfara attacks, you have a right to defend and save yourself.

“So, if you insult Danjuma that he is inciting violence, that could be a ground for him to sue you for libel.”

Meanwhile,Gen Theophilus Danjuma (retd) was commended by Niger Delta activist, Annkio Briggs, over his call on Nigerians to rise and defend themselves.

The convener of the Niger Delta Self-Determination Movement (NDSDM) in a statement on Monday, March 26, said that Danjuma stood for equity, justice and truth by speaking against what she called ethnic and religious cleansing.

2019 Election: 80 political parties may contest - INEC

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, has disclosed that the commission may end up registering about 80 political parties for the 2019 general election.

Yakubu made the disclosure on Tuesday, March 27, during his address at national colloquium organised by the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG) in Abuja.

"We may end up having up to 80 political parties for the 2019 general election,’’ he said.

The chairman said currently, over 100 additional applications for new political parties had been submitted to INEC, while nine had met the criteria.

Yakubu said voter registration had increased in Rivers, Anambra, Borno, Delta, Lagos, Cross-River, Osun, Enugu, Kano and Plateau states due to Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

He assured Nigerians that the 2019 elections would be better than that of 2015.

Meanwhile, INEC has said the committee set up to investigate the Kano under age voters saga has concluded its facts finding mission and is in the process of writing its report.

Our source gathered that the report would soon be submitted and considered by the commission. The commission while reiterating its commitment to ensuring a clean and accurate voters register towards ensuring a free and fair 2019 elections said the report of the investigation will be ready soon.

In a statement by its director, Voters Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze, INEC disclosed that presently, only members of the committee are privy to their findings, while also emphasising that all members of the committee are persons of unquestionable integrity and competence.