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Tag: approves

  • AfDB Board approves pact on customer complaints

    AfDB Board approves pact on customer complaints

    Customers of the African Development Bank (AfDB) will henceforth, have more opportunity to voice their complaints to the lender. This is because the bank’s Board of Directors of the  bank  has approved the revised version of the resolution establishing the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) and its operating rules and procedures.

    These procedures, it said, have simplified the process of filing complaints from persons adversely affected by a project or programme financed by the bank. They also enable the IRM to provide advisory service to the bank.

    Administered by the Bank’s Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), the IRM gets involved when two or more affected persons submit a complaint accusing the Bank of failing to comply with any of its policies and procedures. As a result, such failure threatens to affect them adversely.

    The bank explained that under the approved resolution, the IRM will undertake problem-solving, compliance review and advisory functions.

    “The CRMU is to disseminate information about the IRM to Bank staff, civil society organisations, affected communities and the general public. The Bank’s management is required to mainstream information about the IRM in Bank policies and project documents,” it said.

    According to the AfDB, the IRM’s problem-solving function will be applicable in cases where complaints or grievances can benefit from techniques that try to address underlying issues. These techniques, it added, will include independent fact-finding, mediation, conciliation, and dialogue facilitation, taking into consideration best customary practices for handling complaints.

    “The compliance review function will focus on issues of non-compliance by an institution within the bank group. The advisory function shall come into play after the President and/or the Board shall have been provided with sufficient information detailing how the bank group can benefit from IRM’s role to strengthen the social and environmental impact of Bank-funded projects,” it said.

  • NFF approves Feb. 19 for Plateau FA election

    NFF approves Feb. 19 for Plateau FA election

    The Plateau State football Association has received approval from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its electoral committee to conduct elections on 19th January, 2015 at the Langtang South Local Government Council.

    The NFF had last year directed that all state associations must fill their elective positions.

    According to Sunday Longbap, chairman, Plateau State Football Association, collection and submission of nomination forms have commenced.

    Longbap said all the eligible candidates can obtain their forms at the State FA secretariat.

    The screening of candidates will hold while the names of those who are successful will be displayed before the election.

    The electoral committee, headed by Barrister Dan T. Gwaza, has the following members: Barrister Zulfa B. Rimven, Godiya Danbaba, Amos Damla, Hon. Umar Aboki, Dachung Yohanna and Hon. Nanbut Famann.

    The appeal committee comprises Barrister Awal Abdullahi, Sati Godike and Gambo S. S.

    “In line with the directives of the Nigeria Football Federation that all state associations must fill their elective positions, Plateau State FA is ready to conduct a free and fair election that will be appreciated by all.

    “All interested candidates should collect their forms. We also thank the NFF leadership for the approval of the election date and electoral committee members,” Longbap said.

    The forms are available at Dan T. Gwaza & Co at 24 Tafawa Balewa Street, Jos. Chairmanship position form costs N100,000. Deputy Chairman form goes for N80,000 while Vice Chairman is N60,000. Members form is N50,000.

     

  • Fed Govt approves disbursement of N166b outstanding fuel subsidy

    Fed Govt approves disbursement of N166b outstanding fuel subsidy

    • Okays release of Q1 2015 fuel allocation to marketers

    The  Federal Government has approved the payment of about N166 billion to petroleum marketers as reimbursement for outstanding subsidy claims.

    According to sources at the Federal Ministry of Finance, the payment is for batch I to part of batch M.

    However, the other part of batch M, and batches N, O, and P to the tune of N105 billion are still at the Debt Management Office (DMO) awaiting payment.

    This part payment is geared towards ensuring stability in the fuel supply as well as to encourage banks and other financial institutions, who were hitherto, reluctant in issuing letters of credit to finance petroleum products’ importation.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani-Alison Madueke has approved the release of first quarter (Q1) 2015 allocation to marketers for the importation of petroleum products.

    A statement issued by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), said the early release is in furtherance of the government’s resolve at ensuring continuous and robust products supply in the system, aimed at sustaining the serenity in the downstream industry.

    While calling on motorists not to engage in panic buying,  the Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, assured that, “there is ample supply of petroleum products in the country and discharges and truck-out had continued in spite of the holidays and the festive periods”.

    The PPPRA further explained that apart from facilitating an improved national Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supply and stock build-up, the latest effort is also to enable marketers make adequate preparations towards products sourcing and importation early in the New Year.

    The PPPRA attributed the proactive initiatives put in place at ensuring products availability across the nation to the support and direction of the Petroleum Resources Minister. Mr. Ahmed said the agency on its part, is committed to prompt processing of documents for all imported products duly brought into the country.

    The minister had commenced a regime of early release of quarterly PMS allocations in addition to supplementary allocations to complement national demand.

    According to the PPPRA, the widely-applauded early approvals, apart from providing additional imports to supplement the prevailing stock level in the system, is now responsible for the sustained availability of petroleum products across the country at regulated prices.

  • AfDB approves $12.7m for Equity Fund

    AfDB approves $12.7m for Equity Fund

    The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $12.73 million equity investment in the African compartment of the Moringa Private Equity Fund. Moringa will invest in scalable, replicable agroforestry projects in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

    The Fund will invest in projects that combine plantation forestry (producing biomass, fuel wood or timber) with agricultural elements (producing staple food crops for local markets and/or niche export crops) to capture most of the value chain. The Fund will also be associated with a grant-based Technical Assistance Facility.

    Sponsored by La Compagnie Benjamin de Rothschild (CBR) and ONF International (ONFI), the international subsidiary of the French Office National des Forêts, the Fund will benefit from CBR back-office and investment platform, while ONFI contributes agroforestry technical expertise and regional presence in the Fund’s targeted geographies.

    The Moringa investment strategy is well aligned with the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy (2013 to 2022), focusing on inclusive green growth as the pathway to sustainable development and creating broad-based prosperity, as well as the its Climate Change Action Plan, which aims to make investments to reduce the continent’s vulnerability to climate change.

    This strategic feat should allow the bank to provide a significant boost to Moringa’s operations via its high public profile, sector expertise and network across the African continent.

    Agroforestry generates a strong and diversified platform for the development of forestry sector businesses, whilst also paying attention to the need for agricultural production.

    Smallholders benefit from an income diversification supported by an investor with a long time horizon.

  • Assembly approves 50 special advisers for fintiri

    •‘ INEC not notified on Nyako’s impeachment’

    THE Adamawa State House of Assembly has approved 50 special advisers for the Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri.

    Fintiri, in a letter read to the House yesterday by the Acting Speaker, Kwamoti Laori, requested the House to approve the list he sent.

    A motion was moved by the member representing Gombi Constituency, Jerry Kumdisi and seconded by member representing Mubi North Constituency.

    The House subsequently directed the Clerk to forward a letter of consent to the Acting Governor for the approval.

    But the Chairman on the House Information Services, Adamu Kamale, has confirmed that the lawmakers were yet to transmit a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) notifying it that former Governor Murtala Nyako was impeached.

    Nyako was impeached on July 15th and according to the Nigerian Constitution, elections are to be held to replace the vacant seat in 90 days.

    Kamale told reporters that the delay in transmitting the letter to the electoral body was because the House went on recess since July16th and coupled with the fact that some of the lawmakers went for a conference of parliamentarians in Tanzania.

    He said that the House, being under obligation constitutionally, would transmit the notification letter to the electoral body as a matter of urgency in the collective interest of the state.

    The committee chairman also used the forum to debunk the allegation in some quarters that the lawmakers decided to embark on Nyako’s impeachment because of his failure to release statutory constituency project funds as demanded by the lawmakers.

    Kamale said the process of impeachment embarked upon was a statutory function and not for vendetta as alleged.

    He also debunked the insinuation raised by the leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Madam Binta Masi Garba, that the sum of N350 million was released to the legislators as part of the constituency projects in the course of the impeachment process.

  • Jonathan approves boards for FAAN, NAPTIP, others

    Jonathan approves boards for FAAN, NAPTIP, others

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the composition and appointment of the chairmen and members of the Governing Boards of five Federal Government institutions, corporations and Agencies.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the agencies include the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP).

    Others are: Federal College of Chemical and Leather Technology, Zaria; the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria and the National Library of Nigeria.

    The dates for the inauguration of the boards, Anyim said, would be announced in due course.

    The statement said Dr. Daniel Kure is the Chairman of FAAN’s board. Its members are: Onuora Chinwe Leticia, Alhaji Ibrahim Bamalli, Ngozi Lavender E., Capt. Shafii Salisu Baba, Alhaji Habu Muazu and Mr. Phillip Aivoji.

    NAPTIP’s Chairman is Taiwo Adeife and its members are: Mrs. Evelyn Hosa Okunbo, Amb. Godson Echegie, Gambo Gujungu, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, Hajiya Rabi Muntari Muhammed and Adi Elekwachi.

    The Federal College of Chemical and Leather Technology, Zaria, has Dr. Godwin Ajakpo as Chairman. Its members are: Kemi Iyatum, Alhaji Nuhu Sani Ibrahim, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed and Alhaji Ahmed Abbas Isa.

    Edward Akangbou is the Chairman for the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria, while its members are: Alhaji Umar Dange, Engr. Baba Gana Tijjani Dikwa, Chief Dom Uzonwuru and Barr. Effiong Oqoung.

    The National Library of Nigeria is chaired by Alhaji Abdullahi Haruna Ningi. Its members are: Inye Marshall Harry Jnr., Mr. Kalabari Odimiri, Madaki Hussaini Abdullahi, Obafemi Oye, Salisu Suleiman, Hon. Tijjani Kumalia, Usman Idris Mawogi, Hon. (Mrs.) Atinuke Akinwale, Chief Innocent Anoliefo, Dr. (Mrs.) Felicia Etim and Mr. Obi Michael.

  • Gov. Ahmed approves 130% sign-on fee for Kwara Utd

    Gov. Ahmed approves 130% sign-on fee for Kwara Utd

    The Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved  payment of  the 2013/2014 sign-on fee and clearance fee for Kwara United FC of Ilorin.

    The  Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Prince Saheed Popoola disclosed this yesterday.

    He said the governor has also approved the payment of the remaining 30% of the 2012/2013 sign-on fees for the team.

    Prince Popoola said Governor Ahmed is fully committed to the welfare of the team and sports generally in the state and charged the players and management of the team to reciprocate by promoting to the Premier League next season.

    The General Manager of the club,  Haruna Maigidasanma, while commenting on the development, said the governor is a sport loving governor, who is the first governor to pay 100 per cent sign-on fee.

    He said the payment had come at a right time for the team which is currently on the second position on the log of group A of the Nigeria National League (NNL).

  • NFVCB approves release of Half of a Yellow Sun

    NFVCB approves release of Half of a Yellow Sun

    •Screening date to be announced today

    The long wait for the release of the big budget movie, Half of a Yellow Sun, has finally ended as the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), at the weekend, approved it for viewing in Nigeria cinemas.

    In a statement by the Board’s spokesperson, Caesar Kagho, it was listed among 77 other films that were given approval.

    In a chat with The Nation, Kene Mkparu of FilmOne Distribution, one of the marketing companies for the movie, said a new date for the cinema release would be announced today.

    “We will make an announcement today because we want to make sure that everything is ready, including all the elements that need to get involved, the cinemas that will show it, the materials, the marketing personnel and all that. We just want to have a clear picture; then, we will give a date later this afternoon.

    On whether or not the online release of the film will affect its cinema release, Mkparu said: “It is the producers that will be in the position to answer that. However, it is not released online in Nigeria or in Africa; so, anybody who tries to get it online in Nigeria will not succeed. It is geo-tagged. There is nothing to worry about it being available in Nigeria. It will only be available in Nigeria, first and foremost, in the cinemas.”

    According to him, Half of a Yellow Sun has not lost its creative essence, even with the editing and re-mastering of the movie, which was said to have set the movie back by N20m. “We made some editing, but we are happy. Between the Censors Board and us, we maintained the creative essence of the film. We still satisfied what the Censors Board wanted, in terms of editing. To the audience, the creative essence of the film is there,” Mkparu added.

    Directed by Biyi Bandele, Half of a Yellow Sun, an adaptation of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel of the same title, stars Academy Awards nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, Hollywood star Thandie Newton and A-list Nollywood actors.

  • Ekiti approves N9.3b for Ikere-Ondo road

    The Ekiti State government has approved N9.3 billion for the dualisation of the Ikere-Ondo State Boundary road.

    Briefing reporters yesterday on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Tayo Ekundayo said the contract was awarded to Messrs China Railway No 3 Engineering Company. The project is expected to be completed in 24 months.

    Ekundayo said the government would pay 15 per cent mobilisation fee to the contractor, who will fund the remaining 85 per cent.

    He said the contractor is on site, adding that the project would ease movement on the Ado-Ikere-Akure road when completed.

    Ekundayo said he hoped Ondo State would do its portion of the road without delay.

    He said the N2.9 billion contract for the reconstruction of the 30.2km Agbado-Ode-Isinbode-Omuo road was awarded to Messrs Prodeals Nigeria Limited.

    The contract for the reconstruction of the 14.8km Awo-Eyio-Esure-Ifaki road was also awarded to the same contractor at N1.7 billion.

    The N840 million contract for the construction of the Oye-Are road was awarded to Mac Engineering Construction Limited. It is to be completed in nine months.

    The contract for the construction of internal roads at the State Housing Estate in Oke-Ila, Ado-Ekiti, was awarded to Messrs Dromo International Limited at N210 million. The work is to be completed in 10 months.

    Ekundayo said the government approved N130 million for the dredging of some stream channels and allied construction work in Ado-Ekiti.

    The stream channels are Ofin River (8,200 meters), Dallimore-Afao road (10,950 meters), Awajin/Segudu (2,200 meters) and Odo-Ayo-Bawa Estate (4,000 meters).

    He dredging will prevent flooding in some parts of Ado-Ekiti.

    Ekundayo said the government approved the contract for the construction of Fajuyi Roundabout and installation of street lights in Ado-Ekiti to an indigenous contactor, Messrs BJEG Ventures Nigeria Ltd, at N353.8 million.

  • NERC approves interim rules for transitional electricity market

    NERC approves interim rules for transitional electricity market

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved and signed into law, the rules for the interim period between completion of privatisation and the start of the Transitional Electricity Market (TEM).

    The order which was signed by its Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr. Sam Amadi provides for regulation which shall apply to energy produced and delivered as well as associatd services during the interim period.

    According to a statement yesterday, the rules are in exercise of the powers conferred on the NERC by section 96 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (2005).

    NERC added that the Interim Rules are intended to cover all electricity taken from the transmission system by the distribution companies (DISCOs) with adjustment made to account for any bilateral arrangements between generation companies (GENCOs) and distribution companies (DISCOs).

    The statement noted that existing arrangements shall be maintained to the extent that they are modified by the order of the Commission.

    It added that the objectives of the rules are to establish a framework to govern trading arrangements during the Interim period when Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) between the privatised Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor generation companies and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and Vesting Contracts between NBET and the privatised PHCN successor distribution companies will not be effective.

    The commission also said that it is to manage the probable revenue shortfall in the industry by determining the revenue allowable to participants and service providers during the interim period.

    According to the statement: “The objectives also include the establishment of payment arrangements and flow of funds from DISCOs through the market operator to all beneficiaries and to establish the sources of funds required to ameliorate the probable shortfall in the revenues collected by the DISCOs during the interim period.

    “The market operator shall ensure the DISCOs with invoices for their allocation of energy delivered and available capacity regulatory charges and services provided in each month during the interim period.

    “In the event of disputes arising during the period between participants and service providers, it shall be resolved in accordance with the disputes resolution provision of the market rules.

    “Also in this same vein, the Commission has under the powers conferred upon it by section 96 of the EPSR Act 2005 approved the Enforcement Regulation for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.”