The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Surge in gas price affecting stable power supply

    Surge in gas price affecting stable power supply

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu said the surge in gas price has a profound impact on the power generation subsector.

    He said some of the key consequences include increased cost of production, reduced reliability, investment challenges, and environmental concerns when power companies resort to using cheaper but more polluting fuels.

    Adelabu said the surge affects not only our economy but also the daily lives of every Nigerian citizen.

    He spoke yesterday in Abuja at the African Natural Resource and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2023).

    He said: “As we begin conversation on power and renewable energy at this summit today, I want us to discuss a matter of utmost importance that affects not only our economy but also the daily lives of every Nigerian citizen; the impact of high gas prices on power generation in Nigeria. In recent times, we have witnessed a significant increase in the price of natural gas in the global market.

    “This surge in gas price has a profound impact on our power generation subsector. Let me mention some of the key consequences which include increased cost of production; reduced reliability; investment challenges; and environmental concerns when power companies resort to using cheaper but more polluting fuels.

    “I am using this medium to seek your continued cooperation and collaboration so that we can together implement government policies and programmes in the energy sector for the well-being of Nigerians and the country’s economic development. I also encourage all of you to engage actively in the discussions, network with fellow participants, and explore potential collaborations. Together, we can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s energy sector and set the stage for a brighter, more sustainable future.

    “You will agree with me that the Nigerian government is making commendable efforts in the power sector to address the long-standing issues of electricity supply.

     While there is still work to be done, the commitment to improving the power sector is evident.

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    “The initiatives to expand access to electricity, upgrade infrastructure, promote renewable energy, and encourage private investment are steps in the right direction. With continued dedication and collaboration between the government, private sector and other key stakeholders, Nigeria can look forward to a brighter future with a more robust and reliable power supply.”

    Senior Director, African Finance Corporation (AFC), Mr. Taiwo Adeniji said one of the key paths towards the achievement of net-zero is significantly scaling up investments in green projects.

    He said it is estimated that Africa requires about $250 billion annually to close the climate financing gap. High volume of finance is required for sustainable infrastructure (clean energy and transport systems, green buildings and others).

    “One of the key paths towards the achievement of net-zero is significantly scaling up investments in green projects. At AFC we believe the most efficient way to transform the continent, without further aggravating the climate situation, is to increase the amount of green energy available within Africa and at the same time develop the industrial capacity of the continent. . Africa indeed holds the key to the world’s transition to a sustainable future, being the home to significant proportions of the key transition metals, yet today it not only pays the price for the climate indiscretion of the past, but also struggles in accessing the funds it needs to change the course for a better future.

    “It is estimated that Africa requires about $250 billion annually to close the climate financing gap. The bulk of these resources are expected to come from the private sector. Thus, African governments have a responsibility to design and implement conducive policies and regulations to attract private investments, particularly in priority sectors for climate action and green growth.”

  • CBN assures of sufficient cash supply

    CBN assures of sufficient cash supply

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it has enough cash-in-circulation to meet the transaction needs of Nigerians.

    In a statement, CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin said denied reports on alleged scarcity of cash at banks, automated teller machines (ATMs), Points of Sale and among Bureaux de Change (BDCs) in some major cities across the country.

    He said: “Our findings reveal that the seeming cash scarcity in some locations is due largely to high volume withdrawals from the CBN branches by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and panic withdrawals by customers from the ATMs.”

    “While we note the concerns of Nigerians on the availability of cash for financial transactions, we wish to assure the public that there is sufficient stock of currency notes for economic activities in the country. The branches of the CBN across the country are also working to ensure the seamless circulation of cash in their respective states of operation”.

    AbdulMumin advised members of the public to guard against panic withdrawals as there is sufficient stock to facilitate economic activities.

    “Nigerians are also advised to embrace alternative modes of payment, which would reduce pressure on using physical cash,” he said.

    Findings showed that the apex bank has commenced clearance of an estimated $7 billion forex forwards backlog to strengthen the naira and bring stability to the forex market.

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    The CBN had in recent months reiterated its commitment to clearing the backlogs to firm up the naira and bring stability to the forex market.

    CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said the apex bank is working on clearing the $7 billion FX backlog.

    Unconfirmed report estimates that between 75 to 80 per cent of the outstanding matured FX forwards will be cleared in the coming days through the commercial banks.

    The Minister of Finance and Coordinating minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, stated last month that the country anticipates receiving $10 billion in inflows in the upcoming weeks.

    These inflows would help ease liquidity and clear the backlog of past-due forward contracts that are weighing on the naira.

    Analysts said that the settlement by the CBN is a positive move for the Nigerian economy, the FX market, the value of the naira, and the country’s gross external reserves.

  • Flight delays, cancellations likely as NiMet predicts poor visibility

    Flight delays, cancellations likely as NiMet predicts poor visibility

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised pilots and airline operators to be cautious of hazardous weather due to the onset of the dry season.

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) in its latest release alerted the public on the possibility of a decline in visibility as a result of observed dust haze propagated into the country from the source region.

    The release by NiMet reads: “Winds over 10m and 925hPha are favourable for Dust-Haze propagations into the Northern parts of the country.

    “Stations in the source region, Niger (Goure, Zinder, Maine-Soroa, Diffa, N-Guigmi and 61091) reporting horizontal visibility between 800m and 6000m. The sources from Chad are expected to report poor horizontal visibility in the next 24hrs, based on available models.”

    NiMet further explained that due to strong winds, the dust in suspension is expected to propagate to some states in the northern part of the country, which will further reduce horizontal visibility, especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Potiskum, and Maiduguri in the next 24hours.

    NiMet while advising members of the public to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension over the atmosphere, urged individuals with respiratory ailments to protect themselves as the current weather condition is not good for their health.

    Quoting the release by NiMet, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Musa Nuhu stated that flights are bound to be delayed, diverted, or canceled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minima.

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    He stated: “This information is intended to alert pilots about the nature of weather associated with dry season in Nigeria ranging from light/moderate to severe dust haze and sometimes early morning fog which can sometimes reduce the horizontal visibility to below the aerodrome operating minima.

    “Therefore, members of the general public are to take necessary precautions during this time in the planning of their trips so as not to encounter unnecessary flight delays.”

    Highlighting the impacts of the hazardous weather on flight operations, Capt Nuhu stated: “Air-to-ground visibility reduction due to haze dust or fog; Aerodrome visibility may fall below the prescribed operating minima and in severe conditions, dust haze can blot out runways, markers and airfield lightings over wide areas making visuals navigation extremely difficult or impossible; and flights are bound to be delayed, diverted or canceled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minima.”

    Following the likely impacts, the DG urged all pilots, operators, and Air Traffic Controllers to abide by some safety requirements.

    He said whenever hazardous weather conditions are noticed, Air Traffic Controllers should close the airspace and strictly adhere to published aerodrome weather minima by flight crews/operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC).

    “Pilot and flight crew members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route, and destination weather information and briefing from NiMet Aerodrome Meteorological offices and stations prior to flight operations and exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed,” he added.

    He also tasked operators to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to cushion the effects of delays or cancellations on their passengers.

    The Authority, while urging all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during this period as their safety is of utmost importance, advised airline operators and stakeholders to avail themselves of weather reports for effective planning in their operations as violations would be viewed seriously.

  • No room for monopoly in CNG, says Fed Govt

    No room for monopoly in CNG, says Fed Govt

    The Federal Government yesterday said it will not allow cabal or monopoly in its execution of the energy transition initiative with the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in powering vehicles in the country.

    The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Domestic Affairs, Toyin Subair gave this hint while speaking in Abuja at the commissioning of a CNG conversion and training centre at the National Institute of Transport Technology (NITT).

    Subair said: “With the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI), there is no monopoly that is going to be created. There are no special suppliers, there are not going to be special companies. All the players from every part of the country will be treated equally.

    “We are not going to focus on one part of the country and ignore other parts. This is everybody’s product and everybody’s initiative to achieve.

    “There is no cabal that will be involved in this. We are opening the economy and this part of it to everybody in the country.

    “We have direct instruction. If you are able to set up a conversion centre, we will work with you. If you are able to import kits, we will work with you. If you are able to do training for people we will start working with you.”

    “We are bringing all the banks and private equity companies together to let the see what the sector is and let everybody come in.

    “There is going to be a level playing field. And that is the assurance of the President on this initiative and we pray to God that it is going to be extremely successful.”

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    Subair, who expressed disgust that the country had wasted its resources on the importation of refined petroleum products from foreign countries, said CNG remained the best way to reduce transportation cost in the country.

    He spoke about the many benefits of CNG, adding that not only is it cost effective, the country can power every vehicle with it at one-third of the current cost.

    Subair expressed delight that many people are optimistic about the success of the transition project.

    The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali said CNG is not only cheap and available in high quantity in Nigeria, it has many uses.

    Alkali, who was represented by the Acting Director Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Ministry of Transportation, Mrs. Cynthia Akhideno Isimeme also spoke about the many benefits of CNG, which he said include reduction in noise and air pollution, among others.

    The Director-General and Chief Executive (DG/CE) of the NITT Dr. Bayero Salih Farah said the newly commissioned centre “is open to all categories of vehicles.”

    Farah urged vehicle owners in Abuja and its environs to take advantage of the cheap energy that CNG provides.

  •  PTAD chief: Losers against my reappointment

     PTAD chief: Losers against my reappointment

    • Federal pensioner threaten strike

    People who missedout from being appointed as Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) are those against the reappointment of Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, it was learned yesterday.

    Speaking in a telephone conversation with reporters, Dr. Ejikeme also said the verification exercise of PTAD that led to the removal of over 50,000 ghost pensioners from the payroll and the adjustment of inflated pension benefits by corrupt persons within pension offices of some government agencies in the past, are also brewing trouble with the Directorate.

    She said corruption that has been fought to a standstill under the old pension scheme; the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) is fighting back, especially because of her reappointment.

    Federal pensioners under PTAD had kicked against the re-appointment of Dr. Ejikeme The pensioners, in a letter, warned that any attempt to retain her would ignite nationwide protest and appealed to the Federal Government to replace her with “a decent, honest, sincere, compassionate and hardworking officer within two weeks.”

    The pensioners also demanded the audit of the activities of PTAD under her leadership including N163 million monthly running cost, recovered looted pensions funds by both Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as well as the recovered N9 billion asset from Bot’s and insurance companies.

    The pensioners had also accused her of allegedly cutting pensioners’ monthly token allowance and requested that the ES accounted for the bogus stakeholders forum meetings across the country and the “I am alive” project expenditures.

    The pensioners also accused her of not paying the entitlements of deceased members to their respective next of kin(s), despite monies made available on monthly basis for the purpose.

    She said the corrupt elements in the pension system are determined to make her office unbearable, hence the information making the rounds that pensioners plan to protest.

    She said genuine pensioners are happy with the work of the Directorate as many who were removed from payroll and replaced with ghost pensioners by the unscrupulous people have been brought back on payroll while others short paid are paid appropriately.

    She said: “We deployed mobile verification to ensure no qualified pensioners are left uncaptured. This has enabled us to eliminate over 50,000 ghost pensioners from the system. We carried out two major removals of ineligible people from the payroll of parastatal pensioners.

    “The first one was done in 2019 when we did an assignment with the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System to ascertain people who have valid BVN (bank verification number) and those who do not. When we did the removal, we created a complaint resolution channel for those who have genuine BVN to send their complaints to us. After the complaints came in, those that we have restored thousands back on payroll and we are saving millions daily from not paying pensions to those who do not have valid documentation.

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    “Through verification, PTAD has created a centralized database, complete with pensioners’ personal information, biometrics, and career documents. The database is the first of its kind in DBS history and as such its integrity is paramount,” she added.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reappointing Dr. Ejikeme as the Executive Secretary of PTAD.

    The NUP also distanced itself from the talk of protest against her reappointment.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the National President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi.

    The NUP which is the umbrella body of pensioners in Nigeria noted that the recent reappointment was one borne out of merit as Ejikeme had in the last four years rejuvenated the hopes of pensioners all over the country by her leadership style and professional disposition to the job.

    The statement read as thus: “I Chief Godwin Abumisi wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the reappointment of Dr Chioma Ejikeme as the Executive Secretary (ES) of Pension PTAD.

    “This sterling reappointment is indeed well merited and gladdens the hearts of the over two hundred and fifty thousand pensioners managed by PTAD, considering the diligent work she has so ably done for the pensioners ensuring the prompt payment of our monthly pensions and attendance to other challenging issues in the last four years.

    “I wish to state that in the NUP, there exists no objection to her appointment and any talk of protests against her reappointment exists in the hollow minds of persons obviously sponsored by arch enemies of the Nigerian pensioner. I hereby call on all members of the NUP to rally around Dr Ejikeme in order to ensure that she continues the good works of restoring the dignity of the Nigerian pensioner,” Abumisi insisted.

    The circular reads in part, “For the past four years of her first tenure, the pensioners under her purview suffered untold hardship, she is not pensioners friendly, rather she is terribly hostile.

    “With the short time of her exit after the expiration of her first tenure, pensioners applauded her exit with a lot of positive achievements.

    “Where is your re-appointment letter from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the President is not aware of your re- appointment, pensioners are totally fed-up with your obnoxious policies since you entered PTAD as the custodian.

    “We therefore, appeal to the Federal Government and any concerned authority to please remove this E.S. PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme now in order to avoid more sorrow, pains on pensioners of the defined benefits scheme.”

    Reacting to the development, the Spokesperson of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Bumi Ogunkolade said the union was aware of the different challenges faced by pensioners under PTAD.

    Ogunkolade however said that the NUP will respond to the development in due course.

  • Interswitch loses N30b to chargeback fraud

    Interswitch loses N30b to chargeback fraud

    African payments and infrastructure firm, Interswitch, has lost as much as N30 billion after a system glitch allowed some merchants to fraudulently file and receive chargebacks, according to court documents.

    An online platform, Investopedia, defined a chargeback as a charge that is returned to a payment card after a customer successfully disputes an item on their account statement or transactions report. A chargeback may occur on debit cards (and the underlying bank account) or on credit cards. Chargebacks can be granted to a cardholder for a variety of reasons.

    The company is now attempting to recover the funds through legal action, and it has reported the fraud to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-money laundering agency. So far, Interswitch has recovered a little over ?10 billion, according to one person with knowledge of the matter. When contacted, Interswitch declined to comment.

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    The court documents seen by TechCabal and corroboration by three people with direct knowledge of the situation showed that Interswitch filed a motion at the courts on the suspected bank accounts. The payments giant has also requested that 54 banks place restrictions on hundreds of suspected bank accounts until the investigation and recovery process is complete, said a lawyer at a top Nigerian law firm with knowledge of the ongoing case.

    The chargeback fraud dates back several years, two sources with knowledge of the situation said but they declined to share a specific timeline. The current incident, however, is directly linked to a few former and current Interswitch employees who likely exploited vulnerabilities in the company’s system, the sources said. At least one person has been arrested in connection with the incident, a source also said. 

    Nigeria’s financial services industry has seen an increase in incidents of fraud in the last four years. Nigerian financial institutions have reported ?159 billion ($201.5 million) loss to fraud cases since 2020, according to the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC).

  • NEITI urges transparency in oil, gas, mining sectors

    NEITI urges transparency in oil, gas, mining sectors

    The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has engaged the international communities for collaboration to enhance transparency in the oil, gas, and mining sectors.

    At a meeting with the Executive Secretary, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, prominent diplomatic missions in Nigeria pledged their support and readiness to strengthen NEITI’s commitment in offering technical assistance, pursuing governance reforms and deepening its involvement in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and mining sectors.

    The diplomatic missions include the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nigeria, Mr. Pieter Leenknegt, the High Commissioner of Canada, James Christoff, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Australian High Commission, Ms. Leann Johnston.

    The Ambassadors explained that they had closely followed NEITI’s reports and activities in the extractive sector with keen interest. They also commended Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

    The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, particularly commended the quality and depth of NEITI’s recently released 2021 Oil, Gas, and Solid Minerals Industry Reports, praising the groundbreaking disclosures on outstanding remittances to shore up government revenue, the incisive findings and recommendations, and NEITI’s overall courage in public disclosures to enhance transparency and accountability in the sector.

    The Belgian envoy pledged his country’s support to NEITI, with a focus on capacity building to expand its operations into the Solid Minerals sector in a manner that attracts investors, especially from Belgium. Leenknegt expressed the contentment with the meeting, recognizing Belgium’s interest in the global implementation of EITI.

    The High Commissioner of Canada, James Christoff, welcomed Nigeria’s implementation of the EITI and identified the Solid Minerals sector as an area of special interest to Canada. He emphasized that collaborating with a reputable agency like NEITI would provide his mission with reliable information and data to assist potential Canadian investors in making informed business decisions.

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    Christoff noted that as a supporting country to the global EITI, the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria is willing to partner directly with NEITI in the areas of information and data sharing, training, capacity building, and providing technical support.

    The High Commissioner expressed his contentment with NEITI’s close collaboration with Civil Society and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in combating illegal mining activities through policy reforms and coordination.

    The Australian High Commission Chargé d’Affaires, Leann Johnston, welcomed Nigeria’s new policy on economic diversification and expressed confidence in NEITI to support this initiative with reliable information and data in the Extractive Industries. She noted NEITI’s reports so far inspired confidence.

    Ogbonnaya Orji reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling obstacles and working with relevant ministries to open the solid minerals sector to the public engagement and debate required to implement groundbreaking reforms. He said NEITI would support the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in reforming and repositioning the sector as an alternative revenue source.

    The executive secretary described NEITI’s international affiliations, civil society partnerships and government ownership as major strengths. He stated NEITI would prioritize the solid minerals industry, which contributes less than 1percent to the gross domestic product (GDP).

    Ogbonnaya Orji expressed the delight in the renewed interest and support from the Belgian, Canadian and Australian embassies.

  • Walure Capital okays N20m for 200 SMEs

    Walure Capital okays N20m for 200 SMEs

    A technology resource company, Walure Capital, has set aside N20 million to boost the operations of 20 small, medium enterprises in Lagos.

    Its General Manager, Mr. Obafemi Okubanjo, who announced the gesture during the fourth anniversary of the company yesterday, said though SMEs are currently confronting a myriad of challenges in the country, they must devise strategies to weather the storm.

    According to him, the decision to lift 20 SMEs aligned with the company’s efforts to genuinely ensure survival of retail and small business owners in Nigeria.

    “We operate in the tech industry and we want to contribute our quota to the development of Nigeria as a whole. As a way of giving back to the society, we have decided to support two hundred businesses that consistently use IPOS for six months with the sum of 100,000.

    IPOS is completely free with no charges or subscription fees. Also, businesses that consistently use IPOS for six months will have their businesses displayed for free on our LED billboard,” Okubanjo said, adding that the company has business interests in tech training, software development, tech hub, talents outsourcing, and media resources.

    According to him, the company’s passion to ensure the success of SMEs and tech talents in Nigeria informed the establishment of Walure Academy, an arm of Walure Capital which trains and nurtures tech talents for local and global exposure.

    “We don’t only train. Tech training is a journey. Walure Capital supports tech talents throughout the journey; from training, through internship, hands-on experience, collaboration, tech accelerator programmes, and down to facilitating employment for the talents through the Walure Talent outsourcing service that provides talents-as-a-service solutions to organisations within and outside Nigeria,” he said.

    As a way of giving back to the society to support both businesses and young tech talents, Mr Okubanjo said the company recently donated a Tech Lab to Community Primary School, Magodo in Lagos as one of its several corporate social responsibility initiatives. “As an organisation, Walure Capital will continue to explore impactful ways the company can support businesses, talents and the society as a whole,” he reiterated.

    Also speaking on the occasion, its Managing Director, Mr. Samuel Adeleye, who spoke on the importance of leveraging technology for business growth, advised SMEs adopt sustainable strategies and leverage technology for operational efficiency in order to scale their businesses. He said a technology-driven product such as IPOS offers retail and SMEs businesses a lot of benefits, especially in terms of operational efficiency and scalable opportunities to grow their businesses.

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    He said IPOS is a solution by Smartware designed for book-keeping and inventory management solutions developed for retail and SMEs to enhance operational efficiency by addressing book-keeping and inventory management challenges often faced by retail and SMEs.

    He explained that with IPOS, retail and SMEs can take stock level, automatically apply tax to taxable goods, track products, product history, top performing products, customer’s purchase history, generate invoices, and store all information for future purpose, using a cloud-based technology, noting that SMEs owners can use the data stored by IPOS to secure grants and loans from financial institutions to scale their businesses.

    During the occasion, Walure Capital also announced plans to hold a fitness initiative on November 18, 2023, codenamed “Walure Fit”. The initiative highlights the importance of health, wellness, fitness, and lifestyle in the tech ecosystem. It is an opportunity for tech experts, tech bro, tech sis and other professionals in the corporate world to interact with fitness experts, have fun, burn some calories, and network for business opportunities and collaborations.

    The fourth anniversary of the company kicked off with “Walure Tech Connect ’23”; a two-day event that explored and proffered sustainable strategies for SMEs owners to scale their businesses. The event was a convergence of retail, small and medium business owners, SMEs accelerator experts, human resources professionals, tech experts as well as tech innovators.

  • Union Bank wins Euromoney award

    Union Bank wins Euromoney award

    Union Bank of Nigeria has been named Nigeria’s most diversified and inclusive bank by Euromoney, a leading authority on banking and financial markets, in its 2023 Euromoney Awards for Excellence in Leadership.

    Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Olufunmilola Aluko said the remarkable recognition underscores Union Bank’s unwavering commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion and empowerment, particularly for women and other underrepresented groups.

    According to Aluko, Union Bank’s initiatives, like alpher, designed to help women become the best versions of themselves through mentorship and sponsorship, and the UnionKorrect DaiDai savings product for marginalised groups in Northern Nigeria, highlight the bank’s dedicated mission to empower all its customers.

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    “We are deeply honoured to receive this award. At Union Bank, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the essential values we uphold. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and offered the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

    “Our dedication to equal access to financial services is unwavering, as reflected in our wide range of inclusive financial solutions. This is why we take immense pride in being a bank that is truly for everyone,” Aluko said.

    Aluko assured that Union Bank remains resolute in its commitment to providing financial inclusion for all Nigerians, noting that the bank offers a range of products and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of all customers, regardless of their background or financial standing.

  • Wike approve funds for National Mosque, Christian Centre

    Wike approve funds for National Mosque, Christian Centre

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved funds for the maintenance of the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre.

    The Minister made this known after routine inspections of both religious centers in Abuja, yesterday.

    Wike said he was satisfied with work done at both the National Mosque and the Christian centre, despite the initial stoppage of the work by contractors due to additional works to be done.

    He said the Christian Centre had requested funds for Phase 2 of the renovation, noting however, that if the FCT did not have the funds to complete the project, he will meet with President Bola Tinubu for more funds.

    He said: “Jobs were awarded for the maintenance of the two National Monuments, which is the Mosque and the Church, and the jobs stopped because there were additional works that ought to be done.

    “I’m satisfied with all I have seen today and I have given the approval that the money should be released to the contractors to complete the additional project.

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    “While the Christian Center had requested for a phase II, which I said that I would look at the cost, if it is within what the Ministry of the FCT can build on its own, we would likely go ahead, but if it is what is above our threshold, we would have to go back to Mr. President for approval”.

    Wike further emphasised that the maintenance of both religious centres were part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, and that the President was not against any religion, but was interested in inclusivity for persons of both faiths.

    He said: “What this tells you is that, it is in line with the agenda of Mr. President which is the Renewed Hope agenda of running an inclusive government, not abandoning National Monuments like this, which is part of our pride. Look at what we saw at the mosque, see the landscaping, look at what we have seen here in the church and the landscaping.

    “They are built for the city and that is why I have said that Mr. President is not anti any religion. He takes all religions as one because we are all one Nigeria. Of course, you should know that he gave me the approval to come and visit these places and take up what it requires to be done”.