The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Borno IDPs vacate camps ahead of deadline

    Borno IDPs vacate camps ahead of deadline

    Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri have vacated their camps, ahead of the November 30, deadline for the closure of all Displaced Persons camps by the Borno State Government.

    It was gathered that most the IDPs have left the camps unannounced.

    It was also gathered that the state government had, on Saturday, provided cash and food items to the IDPs ahead of the planned closure of the camps, to enable them to move to their respective homes.

    Some of the IDPs from Gwoza, Monguno and Guzamala local government areas who spoke with reporters in Maiduguri said household heads were given N100, 000 each, while housewives were given N50, 000 each to facilitate their home return.

    The Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Mr Mustafa Gubio said the development was part of the government’s commitment to close all IDP camps in Maiduguri in line with its resettlement programme.

    Gubio said the IDPs from Bakassi Camp numbering about 7, 000 were expected to return to their local government area headquarters from where they would proceed to their villages after necessary clearance.

    “The resettlement is being done in a dignified way in line with Kampala Convention,” he said.

    Also yesterday, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom said some hungry Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have stayed long in camps are stealing from his farm.

    Governor Ortom further said despite the stealing, there is nothing he could do because they are hungry after spending years in the IDPs camp.

    He said there were not enough resources to feed them as a result of dwindling state resources.

    Playing host to British High Commission’s Head of Governance and Security Samuel Waldock at Government House Makurdi, the Governor said: “The IDPs in Guma Local Government Area where he hailed from had been stealing from his rice, yam and cassava farms as well as other people’s farms to survive hunger, saying the assistance of donor agencies would help to halt the trend.”

    Ortom also told the British High Commission that his consistent advocacy for peace, fairness and equity in Nigeria was for the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility by tackling the problem of herdsmen, banditry and other crimes.

    The Governor also reiterated his administration’s willingness to partner with the British Government in order to improve security around farming communities and create public awareness on conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives.

     

  • Businessman faults EFCC, says I didn’t obtain goods under false pretence from Chinese

    Businessman faults EFCC, says I didn’t obtain goods under false pretence from Chinese

    The Managing Director of Superior Textiles Limited Abraham Adeniji has denied allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he obtained goods under false pretence and diverted funds to the tune of N82.8 million.

    The Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, in a statement, said it has arrested Adeniji for allegedly obtaining goods under false pretence and diversion of funds to the tune of N82, 803,550.00.

    A statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said Adeniji was arrested following a petition received by the Commission from one Gao Shu Quin, a Chinese national.

    But Adeniji, in a rejoinder said the report the EFCC circulated in the media against him was false, malicious and defamatory.

    He said: “On Tuesday October 5, 2021, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) published in various print and online media including PM News, The Nigerian News Direct and on her website a news item captioned “Nigeria’s Adeniji Smashed for defrauding Chinese Gao Shu Quin N 82.8m” amongst other varied headlines.

    “In the body of the said publication my photograph was displayed with a board indicating EFCC Lagos Zonal Office, my name, CR/NO 2158/2021 Section PFS/TA and offence indicated as Alleged Criminal diversion of goods.

    “The publication further stated that I obtained goods under false pretence to the tune of N82,803,550:00k since 2017 and diverted the proceed for personal use.

    “This story in completely false, malicious and defamatory and I have requested my lawyers to take the necessary steps in the circumstance.”

    He added: “I am the managing Director of Superior Textiles Limited which carries on the business of sales of Textile materials among other business.

    “I met the Chinese woman Gao Shu Qin sometime in the year 2017 and she uses any of the following companies for her transactions: 5 Star Nigeria Limited, Easy Akcess Nigeria Limited, Akcess prospects Nigeria limited and Sabiz Feeds and Fertilizer. All sums due to her are usually paid into any of the above company accounts in line with her instructions.

    “We have since then done business in very high volumes without any hitches. The nature of the business is to receive a supply of containers of Textile materials from the company and credit the company’s account as the materials are solid. At any point where we require further supply, both parties will balance the sales account and any outstanding unpaid is carried over and record of all new supplies are kept by both parties.

    “This continued until sometime in November the year 2020 when Gao Shu Qin came over to my office requiring that we document the outstanding indebtedness at the time in the form of an agreement as she intended to show same to her mother company in China and she gave a commitment in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 which captures the tradition of the business.

    “For the avoidance of doubt the paragraphs read this:

    1.      The supplier variously supplied the customer wit textiles materials and the customer is indebted to the supplier to the tune of N82, 803, 550.00 (Eighty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Naira) only, resulting from various transactions between the supplier and the customer.

    2.      The supplier agrees to continue from time to time during the lifespan of this agreement, to supply the customer with at least two containers of textiles materials every calendar month while the customer undertakes to settle up the outstanding debt of N82, 803, 550.00 (Eighty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Naira) only by paying N15, 000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira) every six calendar month which includes the costs of the clearance until the total outstanding debt is completely liquidated.

    3.      The parties agree that the customer shall be the sole agent/distributor of the supplier in the whole of Lagos State of Nigeria and that whosoever intends to do business of buying the goods supplied by the supplier in the State shall do so only through the customer, provided that the supplier’s compliance with this paragraph depends entirely on the customer’s compliance with and commitment to the terms and conditions contained in this agreement.

    4.      The parties agree that the costs of clearance of any goods supplied shall be paid by the customer, provided that the supplier shall reimburse the customer the clearance costs which will form part of the N15, 000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira) the customer agrees to pay every six calendar month to enable it liquidated the said outstanding debt of N82, 803, 550.00 (Eighty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Naira).

    5.      In the event the customer does not have money to pay for the clearance at a particular time, the supplier will pay for the clearance fees.

    6.      The supplier will also open an office in Lagos State which will serve as an overseer of sales of the goods supplied to the customer, the rent of the office shall be paid by the customer, provided that the rent of the warehouse used to keep the goods shall be shared equally between the supplier and the customer.

    “The amount of indebtedness at the time of the written agreement and the was N82, 803, 550.00 (Eighty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Naira) only to be offset by the payment of the sum of N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) every six calendar month which includes the clearance costs until the total outstanding debt is completely liquidated.

    “Gao Shu Qin on November 14, 2020, returned with her copy of the agreement and requested me to give her security for the outstanding debt which was adjusted to N82, 803, 550: 00 (Eighty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Naira) only by virtue of payments which I had already made. I handed over to her the original copy of my property in Alimosho valued at N65, 000, 000 (Sixty-Five Million naira) only

    “Interestingly, after this agreement was executed, I paid the sum of N53, 846, 000 (Fifty-Three Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand naira) only into Gao Shu Qin’s Company account and other accounts supplied by her which sum was for the existing stock of goods in the store. The last payment to her was on 25th January 2021 when I paid him the sum of N2,340,000 (Two Million Three Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) into the account of Sabiz Feeds and Fertilizer.

    “Since the agreement was executed, no single container of textile materials was supplied to me despite my remitting over N52, 000, 000 (Fifty-Two Million naira) only to Gao Shu Qin.

    “I severally called Gao Shu Qin to demand the reason why she is not keeping up with the agreement by supplying textiles as undertaken by her but her excuse was that the parent company in China was yet to release the goods. I then informed her that if the business was no longer appealing to her, she should, as is the custom, refund all expenses for the payment for warehouses and shop outlets around Lagos so we could establish new contacts in the business and do business with other company/persons. Our claim for refunds which were jointly verified by both parties is well over N50, 000, 000 (Fifty Million Naira) only.

    “This was what prompted Gao Shu Qin to write a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission boasting that she will deal with me.

    “I got an invitation from the E.F.CC to report to its Lagos Zonal Office for questioning in an ongoing investigation on the 9th September 2021.

    “Upon receipt of the notice of the said invitation, I caused my solicitors to respond to the invitation of the E.F.C.C informing them of my unavailability since I was in Abuja at the time and that I would be at their office on Tuesday the 18th day of September 2021.

    “Despite this letter duly acknowledged by the E.F.C.C on 9th September 2021, the E.F.C.C invaded my home at Lekki in Lagos with a truckload of policemen armed to the teeth seeking to arrest me. This was repeated the following day.

    “As promised in my letter I reported to the E.F.C.C on 18th September 2021 and was asked to make a statement and a few days later I was given some onerous bail conditions which I struggled to meet up with.

    “Little did I know that my photo taken during the process of interrogation and several Publications had been sent out to the public domain insinuating that I obtained goods from Gao Shu Qin under false pretence. I make bold to say that at no point in time did Gao Shu Qin or anybody release goods to me on any false pretence.

    “My account details are there to prove that payments have always been made to Gao Shu Qin up till 25th January 2021.

    “To ventilate my grievance against Gao Shu Qin for her breach of the agreement entered into in November 2020, I filed a civil suit No: K/445/2021 in the High court of Kano state BETWEEN SUPERIOR TEXTILES LIMITED & ANOR VS. AKCESS PROSPECTED NIGERIA LIMITED & ANOR wherein I am seeking damages against her for breach of contract. A copy of processes filed in this suit was given to the E.F.C.C but was discountenanced by her officers.

    “After several consultations I have decided to assert my right by consistently following the path of truth and justice by redeeming my image via instituting a Fundamental Rights action to assert the civil nature of the contract and to restrain the E.F.C.C from allowing itself and its machinery to be used and exploited by foreign citizens for the oppression of Nigerians and seeking to turn to a civil case into a criminal case and dehumanising, degrading and humiliating Nigeria business partners on the pretext that they know our system better than we do and so must do business in any manner they dictate, including blackmail.

    “While I take the above steps and many others, I call upon the E.F.C.C to as a matter of urgency withdraw the publication under reference and tender to me an unreserved apology.”

  • Fire razes 40 shops in Kano market

    Fire razes 40 shops in Kano market

    A fire outbreak yesterday razed no fewer than 40 shops at Layin Yan Littafa’i, Kurmi Market, Kano.

    The blaze was caused by an electric fault, a source in the market said.

    Eyewitnesses said no life was lost in the disaster.

    Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency, Saleh Jili, confirmed the incident to reporters in Kano.

    He said the inferno occurred at about 2:00 p.m., affecting mostly book- shops.

    Jili said the State Emergency Management Agency visited the market to condole with those affected and to make an assessment of the extent of the damage for a comprehensive report to the government for possible action.

    “This incident is not the same with the fire outbreaks in homes where we offer relief materials. Those affected in this kind of disaster needs to be financially assisted, especially during this financial crisis,” he stated.

    He disclosed that preparations were on for the commencement of a disaster management conference with relevant stakeholders on fire prevention measures.

    Dr Jili reiterated the state government’s readiness to do everything possible to protect the lives and properties of its citizens.

    He revealed that the conference was aimed at sensitising the public to ways of preventing fire disasters, which would involve traditional rulers, religious leaders, CSOs and community-based organisations responsible for fire campaigns so that the information can go round.

    He urged the public to maintain safety at all times by using fire and electric appliances with care to avoid fire outbreaks, especially during the harmattan season.

  • EFCC boss in Nigeria’s team to INTERPOL General Assembly

    EFCC boss in Nigeria’s team to INTERPOL General Assembly

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa is in Nigeria’s delegation to the 89th Interpol General Assembly in Turkey.

    According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwuajaren, the session began on Tuesday.

    The statement said: “The Nigerian delegation to the event which ends on today is led by the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi.

    “Others in the delegation are the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Interpol, Garba Baba Umar.”

    On the sideline, the EFCC Chairman attended a bilateral meeting between Nigeria and Turkey, where several law enforcement-related issues were discussed.

    The Turkish government was represented at the meeting by its Minister of Interior, Suleyman Soylu.

  • Agency intercepts 135,000 litres of diesel in Bauchi

    Agency intercepts 135,000 litres of diesel in Bauchi

    The Bauchi Office of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) intercepted 135,000 litres of diesel that were being diverted to an unlicensed fuel station.

    Abdullahi Iliyasu, the Operations Controller of the agency in Bauchi State said yesterday that the culprits would be sanctioned.

    He said the interception of the diesel was made possible through surveillance on the movement of petroleum products across the state.

    He explained that the diesel was intercepted in three unregistered trucks, each conveying 45,000 litres.

    “Those involved use fuel stations to discharge the diesel and later take them back into waiting trucks for distribution to illegal stations,” Iliyasu said.

    He said the agency would take a sample of the diesel for laboratory analysis to determine its quality for proper documentation.

    The agency sealed 35 fuel stations in Bauchi recently for flouting operational codes.

    Also yesterday, the agency shut seven fuel stations and queried proprietors of three others in Adamawa over sharp practices.

    Mr Sadiq Ibrahim, the Operations Controller disclosed this to reporters in Yola yesterday.

    He said the NMDPRA shut the stations within two weeks of surveillance to address the problem of artificial scarcity of petroleum products in Adamawa State capital.

    “In the past two weeks, we shut seven fuel stations. We do not close business facilities unless we are compelled to do so.

    “Three of them were able to pay penalties to the government and we unsealed them. Four are still sealed.

    “We queried proprietors of three other fuel stations; the latest being yesterday,” he said.

    Ibrahim further explained that the seven petrol stations shut were selling petroleum products above the approved pump price, while the queried stations allegedly diverted petroleum products to other stations without approval.

    He said one of the proprietors that were queried gave satisfactory responses and was guided on how to avoid a repeat of the offence.

    Ibrahim called on people in Adamawa State not to resort to panic buying petroleum products as there was enough in stock.

    He also appealed to petroleum products marketers to play the game by the rules.

  • ‘No plan to strip Shekarau of Sardauna title’

    ‘No plan to strip Shekarau of Sardauna title’

    The Kano State Government yesterday described as false speculations that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was considering the removal of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau as the Sardauna Kano.

    “The allegation is baseless. It is nothing but an imaginary story which has no basis,” Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs Alhaji Tijjani Mailafiya Sanka stated yesterday.

    Shekarau, who is currently a Senator representing Kano Central, was Minister of Education from 2014 to 2015 and two-term Governor of Kano State from 2003-2011. His title and appointment as Sardauna of Kano were given by the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, in 2007.

    The Nation gathered that Senator Shekarau’s frosty relationship with Governor Ganduje over who controls APC delegates in Kano has made his loyalists fear that the governor would strip him of the title.

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    Shekarau had led his loyalists to boycott the ruling APC’s state congress held recently. He has also used the media to accuse Ganduje of causing a crisis in the state chapter of the APC.

    “Ganduje is the catalyst of the APC crisis in Kano State with his incompetence and lack of leadership qualities,” Shekarau has alleged.

    Yesterday, speculation was awash in Kano that following Shekarau’s continuous row with Ganduje, the governor was hatching plans to strip the Senator of his titles as payback for being “disrespectful.”

    The Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tijjani Mailafiya Sanka, stated that: “Governor Ganduje is so generous and pleasant- hearted that he even pays bad deeds with lots of goodies.

    “Just like in the case of Shekarau himself. Ganduje had picked him from near political oblivion and sponsored him to the Senate.

    “What has Shekarau’s Sardauna titles got to do with Ganduje? As a governor, will he claim the position if Shekarau is removed? No. I suspect this story is even emanating from the Shekarau camp, in fear of their misdeeds to Governor Ganduje.

  • Minister hails NESREA over data gathering

    Minister hails NESREA over data gathering

    By Franca Ochigbo and Grace Obike, Abuja

    The Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor yesterday praised the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for embarking on gathering analysis of data and information on environmental activities.

    Ikeazor said it was aimed at the confirmation, remediation and mitigation of environmental challenges, which brings it to the enforcement of all environmental law, guidelines, policies, standards and regulations in compliance with all international agreements, treaties, protocols and conventions which can only commence with the incentivisation and monitoring of the environmental media.

    The Minister disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 15th NESREA National Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja, with the theme, “Environmental Data and Information: A Key to Environmental Governance in Nigeria.” She stated that environmental governance stretches to capture a wide range of environmental issues, including drought and desertification, soil erosion and flooding, pollutions from effluents and emissions, deforestation and solid waste menace, among others.

    According to her, attempting solutions to this plethora of environmental problems without appropriate data and information will not lead to the expected result.

    The Director-General, NESREA Prof. Aliyu Jauro said the agency has done well in data and information management as it has developed a compliance Monitoring Information System. (NECMIS), which is dedicated to ensuring that compliance records generated over years are organised to produce useful environmental information for environmental governance.

  • Group hails Sokoto for signing Child Protection Bill

    Group hails Sokoto for signing Child Protection Bill

    A coalition of civil societies has commended the Sokoto State Government over the passage of the ‘Child Protection Bill’ into law.

    The Coalition, which hailed the Governor, Aminu Tambuwal for signing the bill into law, said it was a remarkable step taken for the good of the children.

    In a statement yesterday by Executive Director of YouthHubAfrica, Rotimi Olawale, the coalition said the Child Protection Law will safeguard the rights and privileges of every Nigerian child.

    The coalition added that the law would ensure that parents and guardians fulfil their obligation to protect the child, prioritise access to education, especially for the girl-child among several other demands.

    The statement reads: “Following continuous and relentless advocacy efforts by YouthHubAfrica, Civil Society Organisations and concerned citizens, the passage of the ‘Child Rights Bill’ whose nomenclature was changed to the ‘Child Protection Bill’ by the House of Assembly, is a requisite and laudable step towards the domestication of the Child Rights Act, adopted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2003.

    “The Child protection bill which was just signed into law a few hours ago by the Governor will safeguard the rights and privileges of every Nigerian child, ensure parents and guardians fulfill their obligation to protect the child, prioritise access to education, especially for the girl-child among several other demands.

    “YouthHubAfrica is delighted to have worked with partners, Civil Society Organisations, non-state actors, stakeholders, and concerned citizens in the past four years to advocate the passage of the Child Rights Act into law in Sokoto State.

  • ICPC docks Gwagwalada council chief over ‘N10m bribe’

    ICPC docks Gwagwalada council chief over ‘N10m bribe’

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Adamu Mustapha Danze, for allegedly receiving N10 million kickback from a contractor.

    The contractor was handling construction projects in the area council when the bribe sum was allegedly collected.

    A statement by the spokesperson of ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua said Danze was arraigned before Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 4 in Abuja, on allegations of corruption bordering on abuse of office and gratification.

    The statement said: “ICPC had filed a six-count charge before the court in which it accused the council chairman of demanding and receiving N10 million bribe from the Director of Remotosh Construction Limited, Aremu Omotosho, in exchange for approving payment for the construction of double cell culvert in Paiko-Kore.

    “The offence, which was allegedly committed in March 2018, when  Danze directed the contractor to transfer the money to his lawyer handling his election tribunal case, violated Sections 8 (1) (a), 10 (a) (i), 18 (b) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under relevant Sections of the same Act.

    “One of the charges reads: “That you, Adamu Mustapha Danze on or about the month of March, 2018 at Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, while being a public officer as the Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council received the sum of N10 million from Engineer Aremu Omotosho, the director of Remotosh Construction Limited for approving payment for the construction of double cell culvert at Paiko-Kore awarded to Remotosh Construction Limited by Gwagwalada Area Council, the sum you asked the contractor to transfer to your counsel defending you in the election tribunal and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 (a)(i) and punishable under Section 10 (a) (ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

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    “Danze pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.”

    “Mohammed tendered an apology to the judge for failing to attend proceedings on two previous dates fixed by the court, as he blamed it on recent kidnapping activities in Gwagwalada area council.

    “He told the court that the defendant was coordinating rescue operations in the area council following the spate of kidnappings and other criminal activities in recent times.

    “He then moved a motion praying that the accused be admitted to bail at the discretion of the court pending trial.”

    “The Counsel to ICPC, Michael Adesola averred that the accused was very deliberate in his actions of ignoring court sittings as he was duly served of all proceedings since last year, 2020.

    “Adesola, who also opposed the bail application prayed the court to remand the accused in a correctional facility to prevent him from interfering and intimidating witnesses, some of whom were employees in the area council.”

    Justice Kekemeke, having listened to both counsel, held that the defendant cannot jump bail based on his current position.

    He said: “The defendant who is the current Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council cannot evade his trial. He has nowhere to hide as I give him the benefit of doubt. The application therefore subsists. Bail is therefore granted to the defendant.”

    The court admitted him to bail in the sum of N20 million and a surety in like sum.

    The surety shall be an owner of landed property with a statutory right of occupancy within the jurisdiction of the court or a Federal Civil Servant in the rank of an Assistant Director and above.

    The matter was then adjourned to 1st March 2022 for trial.

    The trial judge at the end of the sitting warned the accused not to take the court for granted. He said: “Mr Chairman, that is what you called yourself. We just gave you the benefit of the doubt. You don’t play with the court. You don’t take the court for levity, if you do that, you will find yourself in trouble.”

    She promised that the utensils would be judiciously distributed to food vendors engaged in the programme

  • Katsina Assembly: Declare bandits terrorists

    Katsina Assembly: Declare bandits terrorists

    The Katsina State House of Assembly yesterday called on the federal and state governments to declare bandits terrorists.

    The call followed the presentation of a report by its Committee on Security on incessant attacks on people by bandits.

    Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar (APC-Dutsinma), said the call was part of its recommendations after the committee’s investigation into activities of bandits.

    Abubakar said the declaration of bandits as terrorists would give the military, the police and other security agencies the power to deal with them accordingly.

    “During our investigation, we realised that the Security Containment Order signed by Governor Aminu Masari recorded a lot of successes in inhibiting the bandits.

    “We have realised that attacks, kidnapping and killing of people by bandits have reduced by about 35 per cent,” Abubakar said.

    According to him, the committee recommends that the government reviews the order to eliminate its attendant negative effect on residents of affected areas, but without curtailing its successes.

    The House adopted the report after deliberations by the lawmakers.

    Following deliberations on the issue, the Assembly ordered its Committee on Security to meet with security agencies over the issue and revert for further actions.

    The plenary yesterday was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Shehu Dalhatu-Tafoki.

    Also yesterday, the Katsina State Government said it has spent N15.7 billion this year for the stabilisation, reclamation and channelling of Katsina, Funtua, Malumfashi and Jibia towns’ stormwater drainage.

    This was contained in the 2022 Katsina State Government budget proposal document made available to reporters in Katsina.

    The document showed that the project is being executed under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

    The document further showed that the project provides for the construction of stormwater drainage in Katsina, Funtua, Malumfashi and Jibia local government areas at the sum of over N23 billion.

    “So far, those awarded in Katsina, Malumfashi and Funtua were completed while that of Jibia has attained 95 per cent completion.

    “The projects succeeded in achieving a drawdown of over N15.7 billion in 2021 alone and a cumulative drawdown of over N21.6 billion representing 94 per cent of the total project costs.

    “Prior to the closure of the NEWMAP in June 2022, the Federal Government, with the World Bank support, commenced preparations for the enlistment of states to participate in the developed Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (ACReSAL).”