Shocking Facts You Didn't Know About Senator Gershom Bassey

Senator Gershom Henry Bassey was born on March 18, 1962. He is a native of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. An accomplished Engineer and businessman, he is a distinguished alumnus of the Cardiff University, Manchester University and Brunnel University, all in the United Kingdom; and has attended other prestigious academic institutions such as the Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States of America as well as the prestigious London Business School.

He has made the attainment of a better society his focus in life bringing this to bear in the different positions he has held amongst which include; Chairman, Cross River State Water Board Limited where he led the company to achieve outstanding recognition in the water sector within the country and outside. This led to his induction as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) and receipt of an Award of Recognition from the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He has also been a director in several other reputable companies and is widely travelled.

The Senator is also an accomplished political leader who has served meritoriously in various capacities at both the state and federal levels, currently; he is the Senatorial representative of Cross River Southern Senatorial District and in the Senate he is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee; Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and member of several other Senate Committees.

Senator Gershom Bassey is a devout Christian and committed member of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. He is Chairman of the Cross River State Basketball Association and an active participant of the Carnival Calabar through his championship winning band Masta Blasta. He has received many awards including The National Disabilities Vanguard: Excellent Person Personality of the Year Award 2016, Federal Government Sokoto Golden Jubilee Award for Old Students’ in recognition of his services to his Alma Mata, the nation and humanity, National Youths & Women Patriotic Front Award of Recognition for His contribution to Youths advancement and protection of youth and women in Nigerian politics, among many others. 

He is happily married to Dr. (Mrs.) Chioma Gershom-Bassey and they are blessed with Children.

DO YOU KNOW THAT

Dist. Sen. Gershom Bassey Chairs FERMA Committee that the Government in power considers its own. this is  evidence of his knowledge of the way around power. 

He is at par with the Deputy Senate President who's from South-South like him but in power  in terms of rating in legislative business.

SENATOR GERSHOM BASSEY’S SCORECARD PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

AKAMKPA LGA

ROAD PROJECTS:  

I. Rehabilitation of Calabar- Idundu-Oban-Ekang Road (2017)

II. Rehabilitation of Calabar- Akamkpa-Biase Road (2017)

III. Earth works in Ikpai (2017)

SCHOOL PROJECTS: 

I. Construction of Classroom Blocks & Furnishing of School libraries – Ojuk South (2016)

II. Provision of Computers for Schools across the LGA (2017)

WATER PROJECTS: 

I. Construction of Kwa Falls Multi-purpose Dam (Improvement of allocation for 2017)

II. Mini Solar Powered Water Scheme, Ndeghe and Oban (2017)

HOSPITAL PROJECTS: Equipping of Health Centres in some select locations (2017)

AKPABUYO LGA

ROAD PROJECTS:  Rehabilitation of Calabar-Atimbo-Ikang Road (2017)

WATER PROJECTS: 

I. Provision of Solar Powered Borehole in Ikot Abasi Effiom village (2016)

II. Mini Solar Powered Water Scheme, Ikot Ekriba and Akwa Ikot Edet Nsa (2016)

YOUTH & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: Construction of Lock-up shops in Akpabuyo/Calabar South (2016)

BIASE LGA

ROAD PROJECTS:  

I. Rehabilitation of Akpet Central-Ugbem-Biakpan-Asaga Road (proposed for 2017)

I. Rehabilitation of Calabar- Akamkpa-Biase Road (2017)

II. Earth works (2016 and 2017)

SCHOOL PROJECTS: Provision of Computers for Schools across the LGA (2017)

WATER PROJECTS: 

I. Provision of Integrated Water Scheme in 4 locations: Okurike, Ikot-Ana, Ijum- Urugbam and Betem (2016)

II. Mini Solar Powered Water Scheme in Abakpa and Abaribara (2017) 

YOUTH & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: Provision of a 20 Seater Passenger Engine Driven Ferry Boat Powered by twin 85HP Outboard Engine, Ikot Ana (2016)

CALABAR SOUTH LGA

HOSPITAL PROJECTS: Equipping of selected health center at Ekpo Abasi (2017)

YOUTH & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: Training of 150 youths and women on various skills (2017)

BAKASSI LGA

HOSPITAL PROJECTS: Equipping of selected health centers (2017)

YOUTH & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: Training of 150 youths and women on various skills (2017)

CALABAR MUNICIPALITY LGA

ROAD PROJECTS:  Strong representation for the construction of the East- West Road as well as the

 Calabar – Lagos Railway line (proposed priority for 2017)

SCHOOL PROJECTS: Rehabilitation of 2 schools in the LGA (proposed for 2017)

HOSPITAL PROJECTS: Equipping of select Hospital with laundry equipments (2016)

YOUTH & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT:

I. Construction of Lock-up shops at Ikot Eneobong, 8miles (2016)

II. Provision of 18 Seater Buses to the Physically Challenged Community and women groups.

III. Provision of 18 Generators and 10 Grinding machines for women

ODUKPANI LGA

ROAD PROJECTS:  

I. Land development and irrigation/Drainage/Flood control in Eniong Creek Control (ongoing in 2016 and proposed for 2017)

II. Mini Solar Powered Water Scheme in Ibonda (2017)

III. Calabar-Itu Road dualization (2017) 

SCHOOL PROJECTS: 

I. Construction of Classroom Blocks & Furnishing of School libraries in Ndon Nyam (2016)

II. Provision of Computers for Schools across the LGA (2017)

HOSPITAL PROJECTS: Equipping of select Hospital with laundry equipment (2016)

YOUTH & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: 

I. Construction of Lock-up shops at Ikot Eneobong, 8miles (2016)

II. Provision of a 20 Seater Passenger Engine Driven Ferry Boat Powered by twin 85HP Outboard Engine. (2016)

III. Establishment of one of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Park (NOGIC Park) 2016

LEGISLATIVE INTERVENTION

The following are the interventions so far:

1. EMPLOYMENT

Over 200 names have been sent to various Ministries and agencies of the Federal Government (DPR, FIRS, PENCOM, PTDF, CIVIL DEFENCE, ETC) and the employment of these persons are being processed.

The following seventeen (17) persons have been recruited/employed into various MDAs through the intervention of the Distinguished Senator:

I. FEDERAL MINISTRY OF TRADE & INVESTMENT: One person from Biase LGA

II. FEDERAL NEURO-PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, CALABAR: Three persons from Calabar South, Calabar Municipality and Biase LGA

III. NIGERIA SECURITY & CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS:  Two persons from Calabar Municipality and Akpabuyo LGA

IV. CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA: Two persons from Odukpani and Calabar Municipality LGA

V. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: Five persons from Akamkpa, Biase, Odukpani, Calabar South and Calabar Municipality LGA

VI. NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS: One person from Akpabuyo LGA

VII. NATIONAL BOARD FOR ARABIC & ISLAMIC STUDIES: One person from Calabar South LGA

VIII. NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES, MIGRANTS & INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS: One person from Biase LGA

IX. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL & ECONOMIC RESEARCH: One person from Calabar South LGA 

2. CONSTITUENTS’ OUTREACH

A total of =N=183,000,000 (One hundred and eighty three million) Naira and counting has been paid out to many constituents from June 2015 to date through the following but not limited to:

i.  Yuletide\Town Hall Meetings

ii.  School fees, accommodation, medicals and Other travel expense payments

iii.  Burial, Child dedication, Marriage and birthday celebrations

iv.  Associations’ and Interest groups’ support

3. SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The various scholarship schemes and openings have been sent to all young constituents to access; whilst over 150 names of my constituents have been sent to Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for the award of the 2016/2017 scholarship; as well as the Cross River State Scholarship Board under the following programs:

i.  Oversea & Local Scholarship Programme Under Graduate

ii.  Oversea & Local Scholarship Programme - PHD

iii.  Oversea & Local Scholarship Programme – MSC

4. BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROJECT

The grass root Child Educational initiative for the academic support of over 200constituent children across the Southern Senatorial District through the provision of school bags, books, textbooks, pencils, pen, crayon, drawing book, erasers, sharpeners, rulers and mathematical sets.

5. SPONSORED PROGRAMMES

I. The successful and well attended Local Content Workshop organized by Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) in collaboration with New Planet Projects was facilitated to be hosted in Calabar Cross River State; with a rewarding value chain effect on the Calabar business climate – hotels, hospitality, car rentals, photographers, tour guides, etc.

II. The facilitation of the establishment of Zonal offices of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and Department of Petroleum Resources in Calabar, Cross River State

III. The facilitation of vocational skills training of fourteen (14) constituents by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

IV. The submission of 150 constituent names to National Directorate of Employment (NDE) for vocational skills training.

V. The facilitation for upgrade of Technical Colleges across Southern Senatorial District; funding of endowment of Professorial Chair in Petroleum Engineering Department of the Universities in Cross River State; and the institutional upgrade and establishment of specialized welding training centers in the Universities in Cross River State all by Petroleum related MDAs.

VI. The facilitation of University Lecturer Enhancement Programme for Academic Staff of the Universities in Cross River State

VII. The facilitation, submission and subsequent enlistment of constituent youths and women in the Bank of Industry (BOI) Government Enterprise and Empowerement Program (GEEP) for the provision of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) MarketMoni to over 70 constituents through 14 Micro Multi-purpose Cooperative Societies across the Southern Senatorial District.

VIII. The deployment of an open-door-operative full sized advert board/display of active phone numbers for ease of communication between the constituents and the Senator.

IX. The facilitation and submission of over 80 names of constituent youths and women for the N-Power stipend provision scheme.

X. The facilitation of the establishment of one of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Park (NOGIC Park) at Odukpani LGA, Cross River State and the deployment of local content manpower – contractors, consultants, professional skilled and unskilled labour.

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

SENATE JOINT COMMITTEES

• Chairman, Petroleum Resources (Upstream) Technical Su-Committee on Policy, Process & Procedure and Compliance.

• Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream) and Gas Resources.

• Joint Committee on Finance, Trade & Investment, Gas, Banking Insurance & Other Financial Institutions, Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), and Customs, Excise & Tariff

• Joint Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Welfare, National Planning & Economic Affairs

• Joint Committee to Investigate the Implementation of Local Content Development Fund

• Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Governance Bill

• Joint Committee on Joint Venture Cash Calls Obligation

• Joint Committee on Science and Technology and Defence.

• Joint Committee on Gas, Petroleum Resources Upstream, Finance and Appropriation -  To work on the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP)

• Ad-hoc Committee on Import Duty Waiver, Concessions & Grants.

• Ad-hoc Committee on Investigation of Local Content Elements and Cost Variations Relating to Egina Oil Field. 

• Member, ECOWAS Parliament

• Member, GLOBE (The Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment) Nigeria ¬– An international network comprising of parliamentarians from over 99 countries committed to developing and overseeing the implementation of laws in pursuit of sustainable development.

• Member, NIGERIA-MOROCCO Parliamentary Friendship Group – A working platform for actualizing the implementation of the bilateral MOUs signed between Nigeria and Morocco in 2016.

STANDING COMMITTEES

• Vice Chairman, Senate Committee: Petroleum Resources (Upstream)

• Member, Senate Committee: Water Resources

• Member, Senate Committee: Defence

• Member, Senate Committee: Federal Character & Inter-Governmental Affairs

• Member, Senate Committee: National Planning & Economic Affairs

• Member, Senate Committee: Local Content

• Member, Senate Committee: Cooperation and Integration in Africa/NEPAD

• Member, Senate Committee: Gas Resources

SPONSORED BILLS

• Correction, Reformation and Re-integration Centre (establishment, etc) Bill, 2016 (second reading)

• A Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody)(Special Provision) Act, CAP C40 LFN 2011 and for Other Related Matters  (second reading)

• Fire (Hazard, Prevention and Safe guard) Bill, 2018 (First Reading)

• National Boundary Commission Act CAP N10 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (First Reading)

CO-SPONSORED BILLS

• A Bill for an Act to amend the National Petroleum Corporation Act CAP N123 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and for other matters connected therewith, 2017

• Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, 2017

• Petroleum Industry Administration Bill, 2017

• Petroleum Host Communities Development Bill, 2017

• Petroleum Fiscal Reform Bill, 2017

• Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency Bill, 2018

• A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the National Poverty Eradication Commission and for other matters connected therein, 2016

• A Bill for an Act to establish the Defence Space Administration, develop satellite technology and to ensure security of the nation’s cyber activities and for related matters, 2016.

• Appropriation Bill, 2016, 2017.

• A Bill for an Act to establish the gas flaring prohibition Bill, 2017.

SPONSORED MOTIONS 

• Calabar Football Viewing Centre Tragedy (to cause the Electricity Distribution Companies to carry out regular checks and maintenance of their installations so as to forestall tragedies such as this)

• A Call for the Proper Resettlement and Compensation of the Bakassi People

• The need to ascertain the Degree of Local Content in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry (for the strict compliance of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry  Content Development Act (NOGIC)2010 that amongst other things promotes indigenous participation in the management and control of the oil and gas industry from all categories)

• Need for Intensified Sensitization on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector.

• Motion on Boundary Crisis arising from non-delimitation of Nigerian Internal Boundaries.

• Need for the harmonization of Biometric Data of Nigerian Citizens.

CO-SPONSORED MOTIONS

• Need to Revive and Resuscitate River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) – to cause the RBDAs to carry out the actual function for which they were set-up which include provision of water for irrigation and domestic water supply, recreation facilities and fisheries project.

• The State of disrepair and total collapse of the Ikot Ekpene – Itu – Calabar Federal Highway

• Re: Bakassi Indigenes in Diaspora in the Cameroons (to amongst other resolutions; call on the Cameroonian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to respect the provisions of the Green Tree Agreement)

• The need to urgently resuscitate collapse of Road Infrastructure in Nigeria

• The abuse of the Treasury Single Account

• Urgent need for the Federal Government to intervene in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology imbroglio in order to save the future of the innocent youths.

• The urgent need to resuscitate River basin Development Authorities

• The need to urgently seek the resuscitation of Collapsed and Ailing Industries as well as the establishment of new ones to rejuvenate the economy.  

• The urgent need to avoid the imminent disruption of full academic activities and closure of the University of Maiduguri due to rising insecurity occasioned by the spate of suicide bomb attacks.

• The urgent need to complete the East/West Road, especially the section along Aba/Eleme Road Junction to Onne Road Junction. 

• Influx of Refugees from the Republic of Cameroun to some border communities in Cross River State and its attendant security fallout.

• The need to check the rising menace pharmaceutical drug abuse among youths especially in Northern Nigeria.

• The legislative investigation of Local Content elements and cost variants relating to the Egina Oil Field and other related matters.         

CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDMENT DELIBERATIONS

• Voted “Yes” on all of the following adopted and rejected clauses that were considered:

1. Members of the Council of States — adopted.

This amendment was proposed to make former President of the Senate and former Speakers of the House of Representatives members of the influential National Council of State. 

2. Authorisation of expenditure — adopted

The president’s power to continue withdrawing funds from consolidated account after expiration of the annual budget has been whittled down from six to three months.

3. Devolution of Power — rejected

Senators rejected this proposition by 90 to five votes when it came up.

4. Financial Autonomy of State Legislature — adopted

Senators approved an amendment that will see state legislators superintend over their own budget.

5. Special accounts for local government — adopted

The proposal says local government administrators should be allowed to manage their own accounts.

6. Democratic existence funding and tenure of LG Council — adopted

This amendment will prohibit constitution of caretaker leadership for LGAs.

7. State creation and boundary adjustment — rejected

This is to allow only democratically elected local government councils to participate in state creation and adjustment of boundaries amongst states and deal with ambiguities in the procedure thereof.

8. Immunity for legislators for acts in the course of duty — adopted

Senators voted to give themselves immunity for anything they say on the floor during plenary or when they hold committee briefings.

9. Conduct of by-elections and power to de-register parties — adopted

The amendment seeks to alter the Constitution to give the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, powers to deregister any political party that fails to meet some criteria.

10. Presidential assent — adopted

This proposal seeks to make any bill that is passed by the National Assembly automatically become law if the executive fails to reject, veto or sign it into law after 30 days of transferring same to the president.

11. Time frame for submission of names of ministerial nominees — adopted

They propose a maximum of 30 days from swearing-in day.

12. Submission of ministerial nominees with their portfolios — adopted

This will require the president to attach specific portfolio (ministry) to every ministerial nominee for Senate confirmation.

13.Thirty-five percent affirmative action for women as ministers — rejected

14. Submission of commissioner nominees with their portfolios — adopted

An elected governor has 30 days from swearing-in day to name commissioners.

15. Submission of names of office of commissioners shall be attached with portfolio — adopted

The amendment will require the governor to attach specific portfolio (ministry) to every commissioner nominee for House of Assembly confirmation.

16. Appointment of minister from the FCT — adopted

This is to give a slot to the Federal Capital Territory in the Federal Executive Council.

17. Change of names for LGAs — adopted

An amendment proposal for flexibility in the change of name of local government areas was approved by the Senate today.

18. Independent Candidacy — adopted

Qualified citizens would longer need a political party to stand in election.

19. Nigeria Police Force name change — adopted

This is to change the name of Nigeria Police Force to Nigeria Police.

20. Restriction of the tenure of President and Governor After Completion of Tenure of President or Governor to run for just one term — adopted

This proposes that when someone succeeds a president or a governor, the person is considered to be spending the first of the two-term privilege the Constitution gives to an individual to run for office.

21. Separation of Office of the Accountant-General— adopted

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (existing) will be separated from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government (to be created).

22. Office of the Auditor-General to be included in first line charges of consolidated revenue — adopted

The Senate proposes that funding for this office should be prioritised.

23. Separation of Office of the Attorney General from the Minister/Commissioner of Justice — adopted

If this amendment is approved, the Attorney-General of the Federation will no longer be the Minister of Justice and attorney-general of a state will no longer be commissioner of justice.

24. Judiciary — adopted

This amendment proposes, amongst other things, to allow justices of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to hear matters in their chamber if necessary.

25. Determination of pre-election matters — adopted

This amendment will make it possible to set timelines for determining pre-election matters.

26. Civil Defence amendment — adopted

Core functions of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will be incorporated in the Constitution.

27. Citizenship and Indigeneship — adopted

Proposed amendment to give married women the right to choose where they want to claim as their state of origin for the purpose of standing election narrowly passed.

28. Procedure for overriding presidential veto in Constitutional alteration — adopted

The proposal seeks to give the legislature the power to override the president’s veto on matters of amendment to the Constitution without the president’s final signature.

29. Amendment to Section 315 of the Constitution — adopted

Senators seek to delete four special laws placed under the Transitional Provisions and Savings component of the Constitution.

The National Youth Service Corps Decree (1993), the Public Complaints Commission Act, and the National Security Agencies will be stripped off their special status that makes it difficult to effect any amendment into them.

The senators described the ”law making powers’ of the executive because it requires the same process needed to amend the Constitution itself to amend any section of these laws.

If the amendment passes, the three laws will now be part of regular laws in the statute books and can be easily altered by the National Assembly.

30. Investments and Securities Tribunal — adopted

The proposal seeks to establish the Investments and Securities Tribunal in the Constitution to deal with capital markets and other investments matters.

31. Reduction of age for election — adopted 

Age restrictions for standing in elections are expected to be reviewed downward in the Constitution. It is expected that the required age to stand in the presidential election will be reduced from the current 40 to 35.

32. Authorisation of expenditure time frame for laying Appropriation bill, Passage — adopted

This proposed amendment targets a timeline for the president and governors to present their respective budget proposals for the next fiscal year.

33. Land Use Act

The Senate voted to retain the Land Use Act in the constitution.

34. Deletion of State Independent Electoral Commission from the Constitution — adopted