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Tag: Federal Government

  • FG Proposes N26.01trn For 2024 Fiscal Year

    FG Proposes N26.01trn For 2024 Fiscal Year

    The Federal Government has proposed the sum of N26.01 trillion for the 2024 appropriation based on oil price benchmark of $73.96 and 21 per cent interest rate.

    Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this to State House Correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that the budget would be presented to the National assembly before the end of the year since President Bola Tinubu was already engaging with the legislative arm towards getting their buy-in.

    He said that the budget was expected to consolidate on the various economic reforms initiated by the present administration aimed at improving the standard of living of Nigerians and attracting investors.

    Bagudu said that assumption of the budget was based on the various diplomatic engagements by the president and other government functionaries that were expected to improve inflow and boost exchange rate.

    Mr Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, also disclosed FEC approved the use of concrete for road projects across the country including those of new ones, depending on the level of completion.

    He said, ‘’FEC was also informed on the on-going projects and to mitigate so much inflation and variation of the projects, to have some of the projects that have attended completion to be redesigned on concrete and going forward for new projects to be done on concrete.

    ‘’FEC approved that concept that most of the on-going projects should be designed on concrete pavements depending on the level of completion and if you’re doing Asphalt there are also conditions for that.

    ‘’FEC also approved the coastal road running from Phase 1 which runs from Lagos to Port Harcourt to Calabar. Phase 2 runs from S4 tearing off from this stretch to Sokoto and to Ogoja.

    “It was approved to be done on Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Financing.

    ‘’Eight roads that were started in the past administration for concessioning that have gone through all the processes were also approved and that the financial closure should be reached November.’’

    Umahi also said that a 24-hour approval would be given to any state interested in taking over road projects in their domain, while particular conditions must be met for the agreement to take effect.

    He said that the project by the states must conform to the standard of the Federal Ministry of Works as well as meet the tolling system through which they would recoup their investment.

    The minister also disclosed that FEC approved the NNPC and FIRS road projects, which they oversee and fund across the country.

  • FG reinstates NIPOST Postmaster General, Sunday Adepoju

    The Federal Government has reinstated Mr Sunday Adepoju as the Postmaster General (PMG) and CEO of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

    NIPOST took to its official X handle to make this announcement in a statement.

    The statement reads, “Mr Sunday Adepoju conveys his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and other key supporters.

    “He pledged to redouble his efforts to elevate NIPOST into a world-class digital postal service and align his vision with that of the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation & Digital Economy in contributing significantly to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

    Adepoju was first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022.

    According to the post, the reinstatement is a testament to Adepoju’s leadership skills and unwavering commitment to service.

    It urged Nigerians to anticipate enhanced value & quality services from NIPOST.

    The post listed some of Adepoju’s achievements in the last one year to include; development of modern digital postcode system and the integration of the Address Verification System (AVS).

    Others include; procurement of 20 operational vehicles and 100 motorbikes to enhance last-mile delivery, remodeling of several post offices for e-government and financial services.

  • FG To GenCos, DisCos: No More Excuses Over Poor Power Supply

    FG To GenCos, DisCos: No More Excuses Over Poor Power Supply

    The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has warned electricity generating and distribution companies over the poor distribution of electricity to Nigerians stressing that the government will no longer listen to their excuses.

    Adelabu, who made this known to Discos and generating companies during a meeting Saturday in Abuja, said the meeting was to find a lasting solution to the issues surrounding power distribution.

    According to a statement signed by the Minister’s Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu said: “We called this meeting to learn from you and the only way to salvage a bad situation is to understand the real issues on the ground.

    “Power is one of the most important things we need to energize the economy in terms of achieving the desired economic growth and Industrial development.

    ”The President has identified the power sector as a major driver of economic growth; therefore no excuse will be entertained for non-performance.”

    The minister also said that the meeting will become regular to create a stable and accessible environment that will enable discussions surrounding the generating, transmitting, and distribution value chain of electricity to be reviewed and decisions reached.

    He added that this development will make an impact in the power sector within two to three years.

  • FG Plans 50% Subsidy For Wheat Farmers – Minister

    The Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari, has disclosed that the Federal Government is giving out 50 per cent subsidy to wheat farmers in the upcoming dry season farming to ensure massive production of the grain in the country.

    Kyari spoke to newsmen shortly after inspecting assorted seed wheat productions in Kano on Friday.

    “We are fully committed towards massive wheat production in the upcoming dry seasons farming for local and foreign export actions,” he said.

    He explained that President Tinubu’s renewed agenda was aimed at making sure that Nigeria secured food production, starting from next Month, with wheat farming taking toll in the dry season farming.

    The minister, who was in Kano and Jigawa to supervise the seeds production, expressed satisfaction that the local production was the vital component of the farming.

    “Jigawa State has shown a lot of interest in wheat farming by providing 40,000 hectares of land for wheat farming, closing on the 70,000 hectares set aside by the Federal Government to achieve this year,” he said.

    The minister explained that the Federal Government was making efforts to have enough seeds that would cover the 70,000 hectares provided for wheat farming.

    “The breeder and foundation seeds were checked before it became satisfied to phase out wheat importation before next year’s irrigation farming.

    “This is because importation of the wheat is taking a lot of Nigeria’s foreign reserve.

    Kyari noted that the Federal Government planned to secure the nation’s food production and be self-sufficient, adding that local production was one way that importation of seeds would completely be stopped.

    “In the next 4-5 years with the Programmes set out, Nigeria would completely stop importations of wheat seeds and be self-sufficient with the local production that would enhance food production and security.”

    The minister was at the National Wheat Council Ware Houses at Sharada, AA Albasu Grains Company and Alyumna Seeds Production Company.

  • FG Reiterates Suspension Of Workers’ Salaries Not Listed In IPPIS

    FG Reiterates Suspension Of Workers’ Salaries Not Listed In IPPIS

    Federal civil servants who fail to verify their details or enlist their information in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) will face salary suspensions starting from November 2023. 

    This announcement by the Federal Government comes following a grace period of one month granted by the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

    As per reliable sources, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation temporarily suspended salaries of non-compliant civil servants for the month of August 2023.

    A highly authoritative source, who wished to remain anonymous, emphasized the importance of the given grace period and stated, 

    “A grace period was given, and the deadline ends by October 27, 2023. Anyone who fails to make use of this opportunity will have themselves to blame as their salaries will be suspended from the end of October. This means no salaries from this month.”

    This decision was further reinforced by a letter issued by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, dated October 3, 2023, and addressed to all Permanent Secretaries. 

    The letter explained the background of the verification exercise conducted by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which began in May 2017 and concluded in April 2023.

    The letter outlined the two categories of officers affected by this measure: those who did not update their records online and those who updated their records but were unable to complete the process or print the registration slip. 

    The registration portal (https://verification.jopis.gov.ng) was open for officers from October 3rd to October 10th, 2023, and physical verification is scheduled from October 16th to October 27th, 2023, at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Kubwa Expressway, Abuja, between 10 am and 4 pm each day.

    All concerned officers have been urged to take this final opportunity for verification and not risk the suspension of their salaries.

  • Federal Government Suspends N-Power Scheme, Initiates Probe

    The Federal Government has temporarily suspended the N-Power Programme of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to give way for proper audit of the programme.

    The Federal Government kick-started the N-Power scheme on June 8, 2016 to address issues of youth unemployment and help to increase social development.

    The scheme was created as a component of government’s National Social Investment Programme.

    Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, National Programme Manager of N-Power announced its suspension in a statement he issued on Sunday in Abuja.

    Egbuwalo stated that the suspension and audit of the scheme became necessary to give room for a detailed investigation into N-Power’s operations in the last 12 months.

    He added that 960,000 Nigerians were enrolled in the scheme since its inception to date.

    “There is the need to audit the number of people still under the scheme because most of them have exited from N-POWER 1.0 and N-POWER 2.0 Batch A and Batch B.

    “The audit is also necessary to establish the number of people that have exited the programme; those who are being owed; and how funds have been utilised over the years,’’ he explained.

    Egbuwalo stated that some beneficiaries who concluded their programme since 2022 were still expecting payment from government.

    “Recently, we discovered instances of programme beneficiaries whose participation had lapsed since 2022 but have stayed on and continued to expect payment from government.

    “Some beneficiaries do not report to their places of primary assignments as required, but still receive monthly payments.

    “Some have other jobs and have left this bracket, but are still benefiting from payments, while those who truly worked are not paid.

    “These instances call for a thorough audit of the scheme,’’ he stated.

    Egbuwalo assured Nigerians that government would prioritise claims of those owed between eight months and nine months stipends after ascertaining the veracity of their claims.

    “Graduates and non-graduate volunteers Batch C1 & Batch C2 are in this category. We want to establish the exact number of people owed and the total cost implication to eliminate ghost beneficiaries.

    “Our preliminary findings show that some consultants are holding on to beneficiaries’ funds disbursed to them long ago, even when their contract ended in March 2023 without a renewal.

    “We condemn this practice and will not tolerate it going forward,’’ he stated.

    Egbuwalo added that work was on-going to identify culprit consultants to ascertain why the payments did not get to the beneficiaries.

    Such funds would be recalled and paid to affected beneficiaries, he assured.

    “We assure all beneficiaries with genuine claims that we will resolve their cases once we complete the verification and honour all valid outstanding obligations.

    “We appeal to Nigerians to understand the rationale behind the temporary suspension and investigation of the scheme as we work to restore the nation’s confidence in it,’’ he stated.

    Egbuwalo expressed government’s determination to restructure and expand the programme to accommodate persons within the ages of 18 years and 40 years as against the previous age limit of 35 years.

    “The restructuring will accommodate some new programmes in education, health, works, agriculture, technology, fashion, entertainment, and other relevant areas of skills acquisition and employability.

    “We are targeting five million beneficiaries in five years at a rate of one million beneficiaries per year under the graduate and non-graduate streams,’’ Egbuwalo also stated. 

  • NBC Slams Arise TV Final Warning Over ‘Derogatory, Incendiary’ Remarks

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given the operators of Arise Television final warning on alleged violation of Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu llelah, gave the warning in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Arise Global Limited on Saturday in Abuja.

    In the letter titled “Preponderance of Derogatory and Incendiary Remarks: Final Warning”, Ilelah said the commission had observed with concern, the preponderance of incendiary remarks allowed on Arise News.

    “This letter once again seeks to underscore the tremendous responsibility put on the broadcaster to manage array of guests that may feature on the station from time to time.

    “For the benefit of doubt, on October 5 during the programme – ‘The Morning Show’, anchored by Reuben Abati, Rufai Useni and Ayo Mairo Ese, featured Oladotun Hassan and Dele Farotimi as guests.

    “The programme contained unguarded incendiary remarks by Dele Farotimi

    against the legislature, executive, judiciary and Mr President.

    “Similarly, On October 6, during the programme “Newsday”, it featured

    Kenneth Okonkwo (Spokesperson for Labour Party) who used

    derogatory remarks on air.

    “Your attention is therefore drawn to the relevant sections of the Nigeria

    Broadcasting Code for compliance please,” Ilelah said.

    The NBC boss explained further that section 1.10.3 says the broadcaster shall ensure that its presenter does not express his or her opinion in the programme, as a matter of professional standard.

    He said section 3.3.1 (a) stipulates that the broadcaster shall ensure that any information given in a programme, in whatever form, is accurate.

    Illelah said 3.3.3 (c) provided that the broadcaster shall be above inherent biases, prejudices and subjective mindsets.

    “According to section 3.3.1(e), the Broadcaster shall not treat any individual or organisation in an unjust and unfair manner in any programme.

    The NBC boss further explained that section 5.3.3(b) of the code stated that the broadcaster shall, in using political materials for news and current affairs programmes, avoid hate speech, inflammatory, derogatory, and divisive remarks of allusions.

    “Section 5.5.6 says, the broadcaster shall have a delay mechanism to guard against possible undesirable content.

    “Arise TV is advised to install a delay mechanism to guard against possible

    undesirable contents as prescribed in Section 5.5.6 of the Nigeria

    Broadcasting Code.

    “Please note that henceforth, your station shall be held liable for any

    infraction on your platform and applicable sanctions shall be imposed

    as prescribed by Law,” Ilelah stressed.

  • Fuel Importation: Assist Us With Emergency Palliatives, Oil Marketers Beg FG

    The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) has warned that unless the federal government provides emergency palliative measures to oil marketers for three months to enable them import fuel, the country would not face an energy crisis by January 2024.

    In a communiqué he read at the National Executive Council Meeting of NOGASA Thursday in Abuja, its National President, Bennet Korie, added that the situation may force many marketers to close shop.

    According to the Union, it will go a long way in cushioning the harsh effect of the high cost of importation and equally bring about reasonable reliefs to the business and cost of living generally.

    While expressing worries that the removal of fuel subsidy and the volatility of the FX market were taking its toll on oil marketers inability to access forex, Korie said there were increasing losses of lives, businesses and jobs with the accentuation by mass shut down of filling stations and packing up of petroleum tankers, all due to unattainable high cost of importation, lifting, transportation and distribution of petroleum products.

    “Similarly, Depot Owners are so terribly affected by the increasing cost of the crude and exchange rate to the extent that many Depots are practically deserted as their owners are unable to secure Bank loans to fund their business due to high interest rates. Banks are not willing to guarantee funds release to stakeholders as a result of the difficulty, instability and galloping rates of foreign exchange and high cost of the Dollar. Many Depots are presently dried up or out of stock, and this is no gainsaying as it is evidently verifiable.

    He insisted that owners of filling stations find it extremely difficult to secure funds to procure products for their retail outlets as both the Independent and Major Marketers were terribly affected adding that filling stations were shutting down because of their inability to secure funds to facilitate orders for their stations.

    The NOGASA President urged the federal government on the maintenance of roads across the country in order to make distribution of petroleum products seamless.

    Therefore road networks and maintenance need to be positively impactful as it will also create thousands of jobs for jobless youths and other restive people in our communities.

    He said the dollarization of the economy was severely harming the country as businesses are dying and the system is not helping us at all.

    He insisted that urgent action is highly required to save our industry from total collapse.

  • FG To Support Local Manufacturers With N75bn

    Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the federal government will support local manufacturers with N75 billion by March 2024 to strengthen the manufacturing sector.

    Shettima said this while declaring open the second National Conference on non-oil export organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in Abuja.

    Represented by Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser on Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment, Shettima said N75 billion was earmarked to support 100,000 start-ups and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at single digit interest rates.

    The two-day conference is with the theme, “Building a Sustainable National Economy Through Non-Oil Export.”

    According to him, the federal government is also committed to providing necessary infrastructure that will support increased export of non-oil commodities.

    “There can never be a better time to envision a conference of this nature than now; a time to reflect on non-oil export.

    “Over the years, the nation’s major source had been 80 per cent dependent on oil revenue.

    “It is clear that as a nation, we can’t afford to work on this uncharted path.

    “Today, we find ourselves in protracted situation and challenges. All indications point to the fact that we have to prioritise our non-oil export.

    “And this administration will give every support to boost non-oil export,” he said.

    While pledging support towards made-in-Nigeria products, he assured of federal government’s commitment to provide infrastructure that would facilitate export trade.

    “We will prioritise capacity building for MSMEs, we will invest in human capital development.

    “We need to work diligently to utilise opportunity provided by African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by deepening our existing values and expanding our forex earnings,” he said.

    Earlier, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, expressed concern that Nigeria operated a mono-economy for long.

    The minister, however, expressed joy that government’s diversification efforts were beginning to yield positive results.

    “Nigerian non-oil exports grew by almost 40 per cent in 2022, reaching 4.820 billion dollars.

    “Semi-processed and manufactured products accounted for almost 37 per cent of these exports, surpassing agriculture’s 30 per cent.

    “This is a big step in the right direction. We no longer have the luxury of business as usual when it comes to the business of making sure Nigeria succeeds.

    “We can no longer afford to export raw materials cheaply and import finished products at premium prices.

    “That train has stopped and will not be starting again. Our focus for exports is locally manufactured value-added products that create both business and employment,” she said.

    Dr Ezra Yakusak, the Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, said the Council had significantly increased the contribution of the non-oil sector to the Nigerian economy.

    According to him, for first time, the performance of the non-oil export grew by 39.91 per cent in 2022 to 4.820 billion with about 214 different products exported, ranging from manufactured, semi-processed, solid minerals to raw agricultural products.

    He said Nigerian products were exported to 122 countries, and appealed to the federal government to address the strange disease afflicting ginger farm in Kaduna State.

    “I will not do justice to this address if I do not present the challenges being faced by farmers and exporters of ginger in Nigeria.

    “It is a known fact that Nigeria’s ginger has been adjudged as the best in the world due its unique aroma, pungency and high oleorosin content.

    “This makes Nigeria one of the largest exporters of ginger in the world.  However, the Council received several complaints of the outbreak of a strange disease ravaging ginger farms in Kaduna State.

    “So far, about 2,503.9 hectares of farmland have been affected with an estimated loss of over N8 billion,” he said.

  • NASS Commends FG, Labour Unions For Averting  Nationwide Strike

    NASS Commends FG, Labour Unions For Averting  Nationwide Strike

    The National Assembly has commended the Federal Government and the leadership of the organised labour for reaching a compromise to avert the planned nationwide strike.

    The President of Senate, Sen. Godswil Akpabio said this at plenary on Tuesday.

    “The entirety of the Senate appreciates the Nigerian labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of their understanding of the precarious situation that we are in.

    “We also want to commend the Federal Government for the proactive steps taken to avert the strike action that was earlier proposed by NLC and TUC.

    “Yes, indeed the understanding will help stablish the economy and help us attract foreign direct investment, because no government can actually do well in an era of strife.

    “I commend the union, I also commend the Federal Government team and I commend the Senate Committee on Labour for their efforts and hard work done to bring amicable solution to the matter,” he said.

    Earlier, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour Sen. Diket Plang (APC-Plateau) said the senate leadership via its committee with other stakeholders had met with various groups on the planned strike.

    “I think colleagues need to appreciate the situation, yesterday, the NLC and TUC signed a memorandum of understanding with the government and agreed on 15 items of resolution which led to suspension of the strike for another 30 days.

    “We need to congratulate the two teams for the clear understanding that played out among them,” he said.