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Senate confirms Udenwa, Ekaette as ministers

Posted by From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja on 2008/12/18 | Views: 624 |

Senate confirms Udenwa, Ekaette as ministers


The Senate yesterday confirmed former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Ufot Ekaette and an economist, Dr. Rilwan Babalola as ministers. This brings to 21 the ministerial appointees confirmed in the last two weeks.

The Senate yesterday confirmed former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Ufot Ekaette and an economist, Dr. Rilwan Babalola as ministers.
This brings to 21 the ministerial appointees confirmed in the last two weeks.

During the screening that lasted over two hours, the ministers-designate answered questions on different aspects of the economy and politics.

Udenwa canvassed the retention of the immunity clause in the Constitution, contrary to the wish of President Umaru Yar ‘Adua to have it expunged.

According to him, the removal of the clause would distract the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies from performing their functions.

He noted that instead of facing the burden of governance, the beneficiaries would be saddled with frivolous litigation that would keep them running in and out of courtrooms.

"I believe that the immunity clause should be retained. After serving eight years as a governor, I will not be returning as governor so I am not fighting for myself,"Udenwa said.

The former governor also called for a two-party system instead of the multi-party democracy in place.

Babalola said the country would require about 40, 000 megawatts of electricity at about N170 billion to achieve stable supply and distribution.

He noted that the country is running below 8, 000 megawatts, adding that it would require short, medium and long term plans of between five and 10 years to achieve the feat.

The new ministers are expected to be sworn-in today.

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