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news
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Judges,
others to lose security aides |
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From Madu Onuorah, Abuja
The Guardian
Thursday March 26,2009 |
FEDERAL High Court Judges and others below them had
better seek other means of protecting themselves as
they ply their hallowed trade in the country's
socio-political waters.
This is because, the Federal Executive Council (FEC)
yesterday decided to withdraw all police orderlies
and security aides to these judges and many others
who currently enjoy such privileges.
The council, presided over by Vice President
Goodluck Jonathan, also approved a draft National
Policy on Public-Private sector Partnership (PPP).
Minister of Information and Communications, Prof.
Dora Akunyili, told journalists at the end of the
two-hour meeting that those who are currently
enjoying Police cover but who don't fall into the
new list would have their orderlies or other
security withdrawn.
Akunyili then read out the list of those to enjoy
Police protection to include the President, the Vice
President, Chief Justice of the Federation, State
Governors, Deputy Governors, Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, President of the Court
of Appeal, Head of Service of the Federation and
ministers.
In the National Assembly, those entitled to security
cover are President of the Senate, Deputy President
of the Senate, Speaker, House of Representatives,
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Speakers
of State Houses of Assembly and Deputy Speakers of
State Houses of Assembly.
Among those whose Police orderlies are to be
withdrawn are special advisers, special assistants
and other principal staff of the President and Vice
President; Secretaries to State Governments, State
Heads of Service, Commissioners and Principal Staff
of State Governors and their political appointees.
Others include Judges of the Federal High Court, the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and State High
Courts, Khadis of Sharia Court of Appeal, Judges of
Customary Court of Appeal, magistrates, heads of
parastatals and extra-ministerial departments,
chairmen and members of the Federal and State
executive bodies (commissions and agencies.)
The rest are the Chief Judge and Grand Khadi of the
States, President of the Customary Court of Appeal,
Chairmen of Local Government Area Councils, Chairman
of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other
Related Offences Commission.
Akunyili also said that the new PPP policy aims to
provide adequate framework for the development of a
conducive environment for private sector involvement
in the financing, construction and operation of
infrastructural facilities and services in Nigeria.
She also explained that the new policy evolved from
the work of the Board of the Infrastructure
Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) which was
inaugurated by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua last
year.
The minister stated that the ICRC has already
discussed its business plans, operational and
administrative guidelines for setting up its
secretariat and the new national policy adding that
it "is meant to encourage the development of an
attractive market for PPP projects in Nigeria."
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
she explained, was directed to issue a circular to
all ministries and government agencies to begin
implementation of the new policy.
The main thrust of the policy, includes setting out
the socio-economic objectives, protection of the
environment, establishing the legal framework and
environment for investment, developing the major
institutions to facilitate the actualisation of the
set goals, analysis of the roles of the major
stakeholders including the government in the PPP
policy as well as setting out key principles to
guide participation of interested parties.
The FEC also approved the bill for the amendment of
the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and
Enforcement) Act of 2004, meant for presentation to
the National Assembly. The Act seeks to encourage
the transfer of convicted felons among Commonwealth
countries.
Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr.
Sayeed Abba Ruma, also informed the cabinet of the
outcome of the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) meeting in Rome last month,
during which he emerged as the chairman of the
organisation's governing council while Nigeria's
Kanayo Nwanze emerged as the new IFAD President.
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