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Tag: Federal Government

  • Nigeria Earns $5bn From Gas Production Annually- FG 

    Nigeria earns around $5bn from gas production, Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed.

    The Vice President, who made the disclosure at the 6th Value-chain Annual Lecture and Awards on Thursday in Abuja, added that the amount is 40 per cent less than Egypt, whose gas reserves is 30 per cent of Nigeria’s gas reserves.

    Nigeria has about 208.83 trillion cubic feet of gas which represents 33 per cent of Africa’s total gas reserves of 620TCF.

    He said, “Our production to reserve ratio is less than a 3rd of Egypt’s, less than a quarter of Algeria’s and around 10 per cent of Malaysia.

    “In the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, the EU and many other nations were shopping for LNG at the same time that Nigeria’s largest LNG assets were operating significantly below capacity because gas supply was inadequate.

    “At this rate, according to Decade of Gas analysis, we could have a demand-supply gap of up to 10bscfd of gas by 2030.”

    The Vice President, who was represented by Special Adviser to the President on Energy and Power Infrastructure, Office of the Vice President, Sodiq Wanka, said there is a dire need for the country to exploit its proven gas reserves to vastly enhance its fiscal position.

    With gas accounting for 80 per cent of power generation, authorities are focused on increasing gas utilization in the country as it seeks to make it a critical transition fuel as its 2060 net-zero target beckons.

    The number of industries that are gas-based and those that utilize gas for power are many, from fertilizer and methanol to cement and consumer goods.

    But the story of Nigeria’s gas riches and potential cannot be complete without understanding that we are far off from that potential and have a lot of work to do, as public sector leaders and as captains of industry.

    Shettima stressed that the government is working actively to resolve long standing liquidity issues in the power sector as it is set to roll out ambitious customer metering initiatives that would boost the sector.

    “We will continue to strengthen sector governance that favours only technically and financially sound investors to own key assets in the power sector. We will drive the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 to create a new narrative and new national framework for electricity that will bring investment to the electricity sector. In terms of upstream gas, the commitment of the government on ensuring the right tariffs to encourage exploitation of non-associated gas remains strong,” he said.

    The Vice President noted that despite the enormous amount of work left to be done, the AKK pipeline projects are on course to be completed.

    “The Obigbo-Umuahia-Ajaokuta pipeline will be key to ensuring the AKK pipeline is not gas-constrained while opening up new demand along its right of way. There is much work left on expanding the ELPS network among others. These projects can be significantly accelerated if we focus on making investments in them more attractive.

    “Our network code must adequately cover private pipelines; we have to ensure that private investors are able to recover their costs and make a return on their investments by creating a new framework for tariffs that is not too rigid. And we need to have clear guidelines for tolling. The story is similar for other midstream infrastructure.

    On security of oil and gas assets, Dhettima said, the “government will also not rest in continuing to pursue a holistic approach to the issue of security of petroleum assets – from strengthening the operationalization of the Host Communities Trust Fund to closer community engagement, surveillance and prosecution of identified vandals.

    He urged the private sector to play a pivotal role by making the right investments in the sector.

    “Nigeria cannot be a net exporter of LPG and still import LPG for domestic use because of infrastructure gaps. Our private sector must strengthen its resolve to look beyond short-term challenges and make investments taking a long-term view,” he said.  

  • AGF Tasks FG, Stakeholders On Review Of Criminal Justice Administration Laws

    Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, on Tuesday, tasked stakeholders, Attorneys General of States, Civil Society Organizations and International development partners to commit to the effective implementation of all policies, programmes and laws that will lead to a dynamic and efficient criminal justice administration system in the country. 

    Fagbemi said the FG is committed to ensuring that the criminal justice system of the country is more responsive to the demands of Nigerians for a simple, fast, efficient, effective, fair and trustworthy system for dispensation of justice. 

    The AGF stated this in his keynote address at a 3-day National Stakeholders’ forum organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Centre for Social-Legal Studies.

    At the program with the theme, “Review of the Implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of States, AGF noted that the passage of the ACJA by all the 36 States of the Federation have provided a common ground to address the critical issues and challenges confronting Nigeria’s criminal justice system. 

    “It has provided us a shared platform that would enable us scale up our efforts and seek new practical solutions to identified challenges. 

    In conducting the review of the ACJA/ACJLs, Fagbemi advised participants to ask questions regarding the nature and workability of the strategic amendments that needed to be done in order to make ACJA/ACJLs respond to critical challenges and needs of the society. 

    “We need to know what we could have done better, and how much further we need to go to enable us achieve the desired outcome. 

    “In addition, we will collaborate and work with colleagues in the private and public sectors, including fellow Attorneys-General to develop and agree on a National Minimum Standards that would guide our collective efforts at achieving a more balanced, effective and inclusive system of justice. 

    “It is expected that criminal justice institutions, anti-corruption agencies and other justice sector operatives will commit to, and observe the prescribed National Minimum Standards. 

    “My expectation is that at the conclusion of these deliberations, there would be a consensus around developing a strategic plan to guide both the Federal and State Governments in the review and consequent amendment of ACJA and the respective ACJLs of various States.

    The Justice Minister hinted that ACJA is one of the few key legislations that both the Federal and States Governments share so much common grounds, as with common worries and concerns. 

    In a goodwill message, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, charged participants at the forum to critically look at the grey areas impeding the implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act in the country.

    “If we don’t get it right here at this forum, then the issue of reforms in the Nigerian Correctional Services will remain a mirage.

    The Interior Minister insisted that getting lasting solutions to the problems facing the country’s judiciary, requires a multi-facet approach and must be through cocktail of ideas. Review will hold every Nigerian have a right and not a right as a privilege. 

    In her welcome address, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Jeddy Agba, said the ACJA represents a significant milestone in the country’s judicial landscape, noting that the forum will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to brainstorm, share expertise, make recommendations, and build consensus on way forward in reviewing the ACJA.

    Prof Yemi Akinseye George SAN, President, Centre for Social-Legal Studies, in his remarks, thanked the AGF for creating the forum for stakeholders and Attorneys General of States to cross fertilize ideas on the ways to review and amend the ACJA and ACJL to enhance criminal justice delivery.

  • FG Receives 108 Stranded Nigerian Migrants In Niger

    FG Receives 108 Stranded Nigerian Migrants In Niger

    The Federal Government has received 108 irregular Nigerians migrants stranded in Niger Republic.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Alexander Oturu, Southwest Zonal Coordinator, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The commission said the Nigerians include 32 males, 29 females, 44 children and three infants.

    “The migrants were conveyed to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, camp where the NCFRMI and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have a tripartite agreement to provide temporary shelter for the returnees.

    “Before they are provided with onward transportation allowance to enable them get to their final destinations,” he added.

    The return, he said, was facilitated by the Nigerian Mission in Niamey and the IOM.

    “In line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the returnees will be integrated into various government programmes, as well as the reintegration programmes of the UN Migration Agency,” he said.

  • FEC Approves Creation Of $5bn Humanitarian, Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund to raise 5 billion dollars annually.

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting, held on Monday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Edu said: “Every year we hope to be able to raise at least 5 billion dollars within this fund and this is from the various fund and sources.

    “We are hopeful that with the creation of this funding, we can sit down with all the key stakeholders including other ministries and actually work out the full modalities of implementation in Nigeria”.

    The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the approval for the creation of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.

    “The council approved for the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust fund to actually be put together under a governing board.

    “And then of course, the implementation of that humanitarian and poverty trust fund, would be carefully worked out by members of the committee.

    “Of course, it will involve the Minister of Finance and other ministers that are relevant to the process. This is a flexible form of financing that is supposed to help Nigeria adequately respond to humanitarian crisis.

    “This will also respond to challenges as well as adequately address the issue of poverty in Nigeria and bring victory for the poor and indeed, bring help and succor which the Renewed Hope Agenda stands for,” she said.

    Edu further said that the fund was a flexible form of financing that could help the government get contributions from different sectors.

    She added that the fund would get contributions from the government, private sector, development partners, philanthropic individuals and other innovative form of funding.

    “This is to allow for emergency response to humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. Every other day we hear about crisis, the flood and the rest of it. So, we need to be able to respond adequately as a country.

    “Beyond this, the issue of poverty reduction is one of the agenda of the President Bola Tinubu in his eight-point agenda and we have to tackle it headlong,” she said

    The minister also revealed that the FEC has ratified the protocol on the protection of the rights of older persons in the country.

    “The Federal Executive Council, where the chairman of Council and members of council took decisions to ratify the protocol on the protection of the rights of older persons in Nigeria.

    “We have signed up to the African Charter and this has made us one of the countries within Africa that has approved that older people be protected and should not be discriminated against at any level.

    “And this gives them a lot of protection and the government of President Bola Tinubu is interested in their welfare and protecting their rights,” the minister said.

  • FG To Build 34,500 Homes Under Renewed Hope Cities Project

    The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, says the Federal Government plans to build 34,500 homes in selected cities across the 36 states in the first phase of its Renewed Hope Cities Project.

    Dangiwa said this when he received the acting Controller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Mrs Caroline Adepoju on a courtesy visit in Abuja on Saturday.

    He said increasing access to decent quality and affordable housing for all Nigerians was a major priority of the government.

    “Our Renewed Hope Cities will be inclusive and integrate all segments of Nigerians. They will comprise of one, two and three -bedroom affordable bungalows and multilevel flats catering for low to medium-income earners.

    “In spite of the challenges, we plan to build Renewed Hope Cities nationwide with the first phase dealing 34,500 homes in select cities and state capitals across the 36 states and the FCT.

    “For high-income earners, we will leverage Public Private Partnerships with reputable developers to offer the elegance of Terrace and Detached  Bungalows and Duplexes,” he said.

    Dangiwa said the ministry had mapped out clear actionable steps to make this possible for Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    “A major focus is the reform of all federal housing agencies such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), institutions under the supervision of the ministry tasked with delivering affordable housing to Nigerians.

    “While the FMBN focuses on affordable housing using single digit interest rates and long tenures of up to 30 years to contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme, FHA has the flexibility to develop houses for high-income segment.

    “These two institutions should to able to meet and deliver on the goals of your agency to deliver affordable housing to all cadres of the hardworking immigration officers.

    “For high-income earners, we will leverage Public Private Partnerships with reputable developers to offer the elegance of Terrace and Detached  Bungalows and Duplexes,” he said.

    The minister said for funding  the ministry would leverage on resources from the FMBN.

    Earlier, Adepoju said that shelter was a major priority in any society.

    “So, we have come here to know how this new administration can benefit our personnel. I am aware that there are programmes in place where the immigration service of Nigeria can key into and benefit from.

    “Apart from that I have come to appeal to you sir to the rescue of our personnel,” Adepoju said.

  • 2nd Abuja Runway: FG Acquires 12,000 Hectares Of Land

    The Federal Government on Thursday acquired 12,000 hectares of land from Jiwa Community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) for the construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

    This follows the payment of N825.8 million as compensation to people of the community to enable contractors move to site for the construction of the 4.2km runway.

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed this at the official handing over of the site to the federal government as well as the contractor China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) commended the people of the community 

    He noted that the country has been looking forward to the construction of a second runway for the past two decades since the administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo and successive administrations have not been able to put it into reality.

    Keyamo stated that a second runway will further open more opportunities for both the community and Nigeria as well as bigger aircraft will be able to land, more commercial activities around the area.

    He said “For those that have lost farms, houses, and other means of livelihoods, I can assure you that you will gain more by the time the project comes to fruition.”

    ‘For the contractors I want to tell you that youths in this communities are able bodies I would like to hear that workers, artisans, labourers are been brought from other place to work with them, youths in the community must be considered first’

    “If you don’t take them I will join them to protest, I will lead the protest against you, our eyes are on you, consider the sons and daughters of this community in your work,” he stated.

    While reacting, the Emir of Jiwa, HRM Alh Idris Yinusa said the compensation paid to them is nothing compared to what they have lost but there is nothing they can do as public interest overrides personal interest.

    He said, “My farm also affected, despite how big the farm was, meagre compensation was paid to me. I want to use this medium to say sorry to you and urge you to exercise patience; if there is anything to do about it we could have done it.

    He however appealed to the National Assembly to increase the amount of money paid as compensation to indigenes, 

    “If they don’t charge what is being paid many people will die, the money given to us is not okay for feeding, not to talk of training our children,” he stated.

    For instance, one person with about 30 children could get about N1million as compensation, he may end up sharing it at N200 to N10,000 and there is nothing we can do but the house of assembly needs to revise the current module of payment.

    The Emir called on CCECC to ensure that they prioritize their people when giving people work, because I would not like when our people start protesting we have many unemployed youths, so the contractor don’t need to look elsewhere 

    “We know the Aviation University is still coming up and a lot of work will be there. So wish the people with cooperate and work with the government so that we can achieve much,” he stated

  • FEC Approves Concession Of ‘Colonial’ Central Workshop In Ijora

    The Federal Executive Council has approved the concession of the Central Workshop Ijora to a private sector firm for rehabilitation and optimal operation under the regulatory guidance of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    According to a statement signed by Head, Media and Publicity, Manji Yarling, it is the First Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects to be approved under the new administration of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The concession which will adopt a Rehabilitate-Operate-Maintain-Transfer PPP model seeks to upgrade the Central Workshop to ensure its functions are realized.

    With the Federal Ministry of Works as Grantor, the project which is an unsolicited project (Privately Initiated Infrastructure Proposals – PIIP) by, Beta Transport Nigeria Limited is expected to generate NGN 28.1 billion within a 20-year concession period.

    The Central Workshop, Ijora, Lagos (“CWI”) was an appendage of the defunct Public Works Department (PWD).

    The PWD was the agency of the Colonial Government responsible for building and maintaining government buildings and property, roads, rail tracks, bridges, harbours and aerodromes. During the colonial era, the Workshop was used for the maintenance of vehicles, sewage treatment plants, and water supply equipment.

    It also provided technical advice to other departments in the Colony. Presently, the workshop is not operating optimally hence, the need to engage private sector participation.

    With the approval by FEC, the concessionaire will ensure that productive and professional work will be carried out in the workshop in line with standard guidelines and operating procedures via the provision of modern equipment.

    The concessionaire will also ensure that the workshop runs at the highest standard of operational excellence and in all restore past reputation of engineering productivity and excellence.

    The activities of BETA will complement the mandate of the Engineering Services Department of the Federal Ministry of Works for the fabrication of mechanical tools, products, poles, foundry items amongst others. The rehabilitation of this workshop will also provide repair services to most of the run-down trucks and vehicles which would have otherwise been left parked on the roadsides, which will in turn decongest the roads in this area.

  • FG Reveals Alarming 41% Contamination Of Public Water Supply

    The Federal Government has pledged to end continuous contamination of drinking water sources, as no fewer than 41 per cent of the country’s public water supply were contaminated with faeces.

    The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said this at the launch of the Nigerian Roadmap for Water Quality Management and Guidelines for Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Surveillance in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Utsev said the roadmap was an opportunity to change the poor narrative of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) indices in the country.

    According to him, the 2021 WASH Normal Outcome Routine Mapping 3 shows that 67 per cent of population have access to basic water supply services, while only 13 per cent have access to safely managed drinking water services.

    He said the report revealed that contaminated water at the source and at the point of consumption stood at 68 and 70 per cent, respectively.

    Utsev, who was represented by Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, the Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation in the ministry, said all states had the responsibility to provide potable water for their population.

    “However, only 28 out of the 36 states have urban water supply utilities or state water agencies with 16 states having fully functional urban utilities, while 12 were partially functional.

    “About 41 per cent of all taps fed by urban water utility supply are contaminated with faecal matter.

    “A conscious effort must be made for access to improved water sources to ensure that water safety measures that minimise drinking water contamination from the source to the point of use are in place,” he said.

    The minister said the event was an opportunity for all stakeholders to ensure that sustainability was achieved, as many water supply utilities were poorly managed, leading to breakdown and abandonment.

    Mrs Zuliat Mohammed, the Desk Officer, Village Level Operation and Maintenance (VLOM), said many water utilities had not been managed sustainably, saying there is need for continuous capacity building to change the poor narrative.

    She expressed optimism that the meeting would bring out actionable plans to be implemented in states so as to encourage ownership especially at the community level.

    The desk officer added that the VLOM strategy would provide the blueprint for managing Nigeria’s drinking water quality in a sustainable manner.

    Madam Hauwa Diagne, a representative from the World Bank, said there was an urgency to accelerate access to potable water supply and sanitation services, following poor statistics nationally and locally.

    She urged states to collaborate adequately to ensure that WASH issues were addressed in a sustainable manner, saying ‘it is no longer business as usual”.

    Mr Nanpet Chuktu, the WaterAid Head of WASH, said the event was an opportunity for Nigeria to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals six, as its 2030 deadline drew close.

    He noted that climate change had led to an increase and huge threat to water quality, citing drought in northern Nigeria and excessive rainfall and flash flooding in Southern Nigeria, urging states to do more in water quality testing.

    Dr Dickson Kadiri, who gave an overview of the roadmap, said it gave clear direction for Water Quality Management in Nigeria and specified roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.

    Kadiri however expressed optimism that states would do more by playing their parts in implementing the roadmap so as to accelerate progress in water and sanitation access and for the SDGs. 

  • Legal Representation Delays Hearing in E-Customs Concession Project Suit Against FG

    The scheduled hearing in the lawsuit filed by E-Customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies Limited against the Federal Government faced an unexpected delay due to a legal representation dispute.

    The suit, which involves several government entities as defendants, including the Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation, Finance Minister, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Trade Modernization Project Limited, Huawei Technologies Limited, African Finance Corporation, and Bergman Security Consultant and Supply Limited, is a challenge to the alleged unlawful modifications made to a concession agreement by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under the former Comptroller General, Col. Ahmed Ali (rtd).

    During the court proceedings before Justice Inyang Ekwo, a new counsel, Pius Nnoli, unexpectedly appeared on behalf of E-Customs HC Project Limited, challenging the representation by the senior lawyer, Ahmed Raji SAN.

    The attempt by Nnoli to take over the case was met with strong opposition from Ahmed Raji, who claimed to be the lawful counsel engaged by the company.

    The legal dispute encountered a hiccup when Nnoli informed Justice Ekwo that the senior lawyer had filed a voluminous counter affidavit against his representation. He requested a short adjournment to respond and present the legal instruments by which he was engaged by his client.

    Upon inquiry by the court, Raji SAN confirmed that Nnoli was served with the counter affidavit in the courtroom, validating his participation in the case.

    Justice Ekwo decided to grant Nnoli time to respond to the counter affidavit and, with no objections from the lawyers involved, adjourned the hearing in the case until Thursday, October 26, 2023.

    The two aggrieved companies, E-Customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies (West Africa) Limited, jointly filed the lawsuit to challenge the alleged unlawful and fraudulent concession of the E-custom project to African Finance Corporation.

    They narrated how they had initially proposed a custom modernization project for the benefit of the Nigeria Customs Service, which received anticipated approval from President Muhammadu Buhari on September 2, 2020.

    However, issues arose when the Nigeria Customs Service unilaterally reviewed the Federal Executive Council approval and imposed various conditions, including shareholding and governance structure.

    The companies argued that the NCS’s authority to unilaterally review the FEC’s approval was contested but to no avail.

    To their surprise, they discovered that the Nigeria Customs Service had executed a concession agreement with an unknown company, Trade Modernization Project, Huawei Technologies Company, and African Finance Corporation, in total breach of the memorandum of understanding prepared by the Attorney-General of the Federation in conjunction with the Finance Minister.

    The plaintiffs contended that Trade Modernization Project was incorporated in April 2022 and could not have obtained the necessary approvals and certificates for the E-Customs Project.

    They sought the court’s declaration that the government’s decision to enter into a concession agreement with Trade Modernization Project, Huawei Technologies Company, and African Finance Corporation was illegal and in violation of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act 2005.

    The companies also sought a declaration that E-Customs HC Project Limited was the rightful concessionaire approved by the Federal Executive Council in September 2020, in accordance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Act.

    Additionally, they requested the court to direct the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Finance Minister, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, and Nigeria Customs Service to consummate the E-Customs Project with the 1st plaintiff, as approved by the FEC.

    Finally, the two plaintiffs demanded that the court compel the defendants to pay them a sum of two hundred million naira as the cost of litigation.