Senate rejects nomination of a former minister

Senate rejects nomination of a former minister
Obiora Ani, Abuja

The Nigerian Senate has rejected the nomination of one of the forty one ministerial nominees presented to the senate for screening and confirmation.

The nominee, Dr. Obadiah Ando, from Taraba State, served as the Minister of Water Resources in the administration which ended in May this year and was re-nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan for another term.

Dr Ando was rejected when the senate confirmed another batch of five ministerial nominees on Tuesday.

Controversy began early last week when the three senators from Taraba State, North East Nigeria, insisted that the nominee was high handed and did not attract any amenity to the state in his one year of service as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 Although Dr. Obadiah Ando was invited for the screening on the floor of the Senate, he was simply asked to take a bow and go, but was not eventually confirmed.

Upgrading remuneration

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has requested the Senate to pass a resolution upgrading the salaries and allowances of his Chief Economic as well as the National Security Advisers to be at par with that of the ministers.

In a letter to the Senate through its President, David Mark, the Nigerian leader said the request was based on the peculiar nature of the functions of the advisers.
He added that the officials among many other assignments participate at council meetings and chair committees and bodies whose membership includes serving ministers.

 The Nigerian President said the approval by the senate would enhance the capacity of the office holders to operate as tasked and impact positively on their service delivery.

The Presidential Advisers had earned salaries relatively lower than that of the cabinet ministers.

Qasim