The Nation Newspaper

Tag: budget

  • National Assembly raises budget by N143b

    Federal lawmakers have raised the 2017 budget estimate by N143 billion. A harmonised Approptriation Bill will be passed tomorrow.

    President Muhammadu Buhari in December presented a N7. 29 trillion estimate for consideration and passage.

    The Appropriation committees in the two chambers jointly worked on the budget and concurred on the final figures.

    The Chairman of the Senate’s Appropriation Committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, who laid the budget document at plenary, said the two chambers had concluded work on it.

    Details of the budget estimate were not made available at the Senate but a snippet of it was revealed at the House.

    The total estimate is N7,441,175,486,758.

    House Apropiration Committe, Chairman Mustapha Dawaki (APC, Kano) said it proposed  N2,174,496,775,867  for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure (exclusive of capital expenditure in  Statutory  Transfers) against N2.24tn presented by President Buhari for Capital expenditure (including capital in Statutory Transfers).

    However, there appeared to be a slight adjustment to the Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure with the House allocating N2,990,920,033,435 as against N2.98 trillion proposed by the Executive.

    The Committee is also proposing N434,412,950,249 for Statutory Transfers as against N419.02b proposed by the Presidency.

    The committee proposed N1,841,345,727,206 for Debt Service as against N1.66 trillion by the Executive; N177,460,296,707 allocated to Sinking Fund for maturing bonds remained unchanged with N177.46b earlier proposed by the Presidency.

    Barring any last-minute change, clause-by-clause consideration of the bill and its adoption is expected to take place tomorrow.

     

  • Amnesty programme’s budget increased by N35bn

    Amnesty programme’s budget increased by N35bn

    To sustain the new understanding between the Federal Government and the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta, the Federal Government has released additional N35B to step-up the Amnesty Programme in the region.
    This was disclosed in a press statement by Special Assistant Media to the Vice President, Laolu Akande.
    Although N20B allocation had been approved for the Amnesty Programme in the 2016 budget, President Muhammadu Buhari has now raised the funds, and as appropriated, to N55B with a recent release of additional N30B. There is also a planned release of another N5B later.
    Currently, the Amnesty Office has now paid up all ex-militants backlog of their stipends up to the end of 2016.
    The release of the additional funds is coming after presidential level interactive engagements in the Niger Delta, where the Buhari administration has enunciated a New Vision for the oil-producing areas based on the presentation made by the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, to the President when he received leaders and stakeholders from the region last November.
    Subsequently, the President asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to embark on a tour of the region that saw him visiting several oil-producing States in the country.
    Besides the monthly payment of about N65, 000 to N66,000 to the ex-militants, the funds would also go to the provision of reintegration activities under the Amnesty Programme including payment of tuition fees for beneficiaries from Niger Delta who are in post-secondary institutions at home and abroad, payment of in-training & hazard allowances and vocational training costs.
    There are also empowerment schemes and self-help, self-employment support funds, including provision of needed equipments by the Amnesty Office. Equally, the funds would also support the training of pilots, aviation engineers, technicians, and motor vehicles mechanics from the oil-producing communities.
    The Buhari administration reassured the Niger Delta communities of its unalloyed commitment to a faithful implementation of its promises made during the FG interactive engagement visits by the Vice President to different oil-producing communities
    Other promises made during the visits are currently at different stages of effective implementation, including the effective opening of the Maritime University, integration of illegal refiners under the concept of new Modular Refineries, resumption of all abandoned construction projects in the region, the Ogoni Clean-up, and several others.
    For instance the Maritime University is now on course to be opened before the end of the year as the presidency has already set the process in motion as announced on Friday. Other announcements are to follow as each of the commitments of the FG to the Niger Delta oil-producing communities reach advanced and implementation stages.
    Already there is an inter-ministerial group consisting of all relevant ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs of the FG, with the involvement of relevant State governments led by the Vice President that meets regularly to drive the different initiatives and ensure effective and ongoing implementation.

  • Labour accuses finance ministry, budget office of frustrating payment of arrears

    Organised Labour under the auspices of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria said yesterday that federal workers were being owed over N200 billion in the payment of promotion and salary arrears.

    It accused the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Office of the Federation of sabotaging the payment process approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Rising from its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the Association said it had decided to work in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress to shut down the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation for diverting money meant for payment of promotion arrears, salary arrears and death benefits to paying contractors.

    In a communique read by the FCT Secretary of the association, Mr. Ojemhenka Isaac, the association said it decided to picket the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office which the workers believe were subverting the express directives of the President to release funds to pay the arrears owed them.

    He said that a virement approved by the National Assembly to pay the outstanding arrears was diverted to pay contractors for some unknown reasons.

    President of the Association, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, who is also the President of the Trade Union Congress, told journalists after the meeting that the ASCSN, an affiliate Union of the TUC, was collaborating with the NLC to carry out the planned industrial actions.

    According to him, the picketing of the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office was the first step which would be followed by a strike, adding that the dates for both actions would be worked out later.

    Kaigama said the arrears owed the workers were not paid even when the President directed the Head of Service to work out the details with unions so that the payment would commence.

    He explained further that when submissions on the issue were made to the government, it came up with the explanation that there was no budgetary provision to back payment of the arrears.

    Kaigama added that workers became agitated after several years when the government told them that a virement approved for that purpose in 2016 by the National Assembly had lapsed and could only be used for capital projects.

    He said: “The picketing would be done and I will lead it because this thing has taken so long. The idea of the payment of arrears of promotions, death benefits, first 28 days started as soon as the President was sworn in.

    “We wrote Mr. President, he responded positively and then directed the office of the Head of Service to sit with us and work out details.

    “The details were worked out through the MDAs and our representatives at the MDA level and submissions were made to the Office of the Head of Service.

    “That was done, then the National Assembly approved a virement but a chunk of money was earmarked for the settlement of part of these arrears.

    “But today, the explanation they are giving us is that the virement approved by the National Assembly has lapsed, that it is only capital projects it can accommodate, not overhead.

    “In fact, except the National Assembly intervenes now as we are going, there is a tendency now that even this year’s budget may not capture these issues. And that is why we have decided that enough is enough. We are going to picket where we know the problems are.

    “Mr President has directed. The delay we are having now is between Finance and Budget.

  • ‘Police returns 2017 budget carted away from Senator’s home’

    ‘Police returns 2017 budget carted away from Senator’s home’

    Less than 24 hours after the Senate demanded the immediate return of budget documents allegedly carted away from the home of Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, the police high command has complied.

    The Office of the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, disclosed on Thursday that the police have returned all the documents, cash and laptop they took away from the house of Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Goje.

    Senator Goje had, on Wednesday, told the Senate that police operatives who raided his house on April 20th, 2017 took away sensitive documents connected to the process of the 2017 budget.

    The Gombe Central lawmaker informed his colleagues in plenary that apart from carting away 18 files, his personal laptop where information on the 2017 budget was stored, was also taken away by the police.
    He said that N18 million, $19,000 and 4,000 Saudi Riyadh were also taken away from his house by the police raiders.

    The Senate resolved to ask the police return the documents to enable the consideration and passage of the 2017 budget.

    Senate President also demanded an explanation of what informed the raid and an unreserved apology by the police high command.

    He constituted a seven-man committee to unravel the circumstances that led to the raid.

    The Special Assistant to the Senate President on New Media, Bankole Omisore, informed that the police have returned everything they took from Goje’s Abuja home.

    He said that the police claimed that they acted based on wrong information by a whistleblower.

    Omisore twitted: “Nigerian police this morning returned everything they took from Senator Goje’s house including cash and documents relating to the 2017 Budget.house including cash and documents relating to the 2017 Budget.

    They claim the raid was based on wrong information from a whistleblower

    Also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Senator Ita Enang, in a statement entitled “Resolution of issues: Re Nigerian Police Force and Senator Danjuma Goje “ confirmed the items taken away from Goje’s home by the police have been returned.

    Enang in a four-paragraph statement said: “Further to the visit of the Nigeria Police Force to the residence of His Excellency. Senator Danjuma Goje. CON in the course of routine duties wherefrom certain items was taken by the Police, and issues subsequently arising.

    “I am to inform all that all the items taken in the course of routine Police duties have been returned to the Distinguished Senator at his house by the Nigeria Police.

    “Further, to state that all other issues relating to the subject matter are being addressed with a view to a positive resolution.

    “Meanwhile, we sincerely appreciate the Senate and the House of Representatives for the enormous work that they have put in to ensure timely passage of the 2017 Appropriation Bill.”

    A competent source close to Senator Goje told our reporter that “a deputy police commissioner in the company some plain clothes police officers returned the items in the early hours of yesterday.

    The source said that Goje and some members of his committee would peruse the items to ensure that they were not tampered with by those who took them away.

  • We did not remove any 2017 budget document from Goje’s residence -Police

    We did not remove any 2017 budget document from Goje’s residence -Police

    Contrary to claims by Senator Danjuma Goje that document relating to the 2017 budget were removed during a search on his house by the men of the Nigeria Police, the police have maintained that there was no single document relating to budget sighted or removed by the Police team that executed the search warrant.
    The police also said a search warrant was duly obtained from court of competent jurisdiction and was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danujma Goje on 20th April, 2017 at No. 10 Haile Salasie Street, Asokoro District Abuja.

    The Force leadership also said Goje’s house was searched after it got intelligence that large sum of money suspected to be stolen public funds and other incriminating items are about to be moved out of the said house.
    The police also explained that its actions are in line with the provisions of Sec. 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations as mentioned in paragraph 2 above and consistent with Sec. 9 & 144 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the

    The full statement by Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood.he reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to reports in the media credited to Senator Da jump Abdullahi Goje captioned “Blame the Police if 2017 Budget is not Ready Senator Goje” “REPS gives Police 24 hours to return budget documents allegedly carted from Goje’s residence”
    “The report in its entirety is false, misleading and capable of misinforming Nigerians about the statutory roles and duties of the Nigeria Police Force as provided under Sections 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations, which includes prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations, and authority to enter any house or premises to execute search warrant.
    “It is pertinent to set the record straight and inform Nigerians of the facts of the matter.

    “A search warrant duly obtained from court of competent jurisdiction was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danujma Goje on 20th April, 2017 at No. 10 Haile Salasie Street, Asokoro District Abuja which was subsequent upon intelligence report at the disposal of the Force that large sum of money suspected to be stolen public funds and other incriminating items are about to be moved out of the said house.”
    On how the search was carried out, the Police said: “It is worthy of note that on arrival of the Police team to Senator Danujma Goje’s house, the house keeper Ango Usman informed the Senator of the presence and mission of the team and he promised coming but later switched off his phone.
    “The search warrant was successfully executed in the presence of three close relatives of Senator Danjuma Goje who are residing in the house and the recoveries were made in their presence.

    “The three relatives opened the house and took the Police team round the building, and endorsed their signatures after the completion of the search as required by the procedure of law on search warrant which contained the money, documents and Laptop recovered, and none of the items include 2017 budget document.

    “This is available for inspection by any interested members of the public”.
    The three relatives that were present during the search according to the police are; Danjuma Mohammed, a master Degree holder from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Chartered Quantity Surveyor is a nephew to Senator Danjuma Goje, Ango Usman, House keeper to Senator Danjuma Goje and Aisha Umar, Alias Iklima a step daughter to the Senator Danjuma Goje.

    Highlighting the items taken from the house, the police said: “For avoidance of doubt, the followings are the sum of money both in local and foreign currencies, vital documents and a Laptop recovered for investigation when the search warrant was executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje

    “Cash sum of Eighteen Million and Fifty Six Thousand Naira (₦18,056,000) only, Cash sum of Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty (19,850 US Dollars), and Cash sum of Nine Thousand Four Hundred (SR9, 400) Saudi Riyal”

    38 Files and six envelopes containing documents were also recovered from his home.

    Some of the files include: “file on funds spent on security administration and information gathering– a-g – 2009, file on release of funds for Special operations a- f – 2009, file on Gombe State Government of Nigeria Cash inflow 2005, file on Project 2007 – Executive Briefs on how to fight opposition in Gombe State – Strategies and Tactics

    Others are: “Envelopes containing permit to operate as an Oil Industry Service Company (special categories) 2011, a file containing write-ups on how Governor Shekarau plotted the assassination of Sheikh Jafaru

    “Letters from Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Sarkin Yakin Gombe) to the MD LUBELL Nigeria Ltd of proposed residential Devt at Kashere Phase II dated 16/01/2007 and 19/11/2010.”
    On whether the police went away with documents relating to 2017 budget, it said: “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state categorically that there was no single document relating to 2017 budget sighted or removed by the Police team that executed the search warrant.

    “There is video recording of the execution of the search warrant,” it added.

    The IG was said to have honoured the invitation of the National Assembly on 26th April, 2017 to explain the legality of the search warrant that was executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje on the 20th of April, 2017.

    The police while noting that further investigation is currently ongoing into the matter added that it’s actions are in line with the provisions of Sec. 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations as mentioned in paragraph 2 above and consistent with Sec. 9 & 144 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
    The Force leadership also described the report credited to Senator Danjuma Goje as a deliberate distraction to cast aspersion on Police investigation to pervert the end of justice.

    Members of the public were urged to disregard the report as the search warrant which was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje has nothing to do with 2017 budget.

  • NASS budget lacks transparency – El-Rufai

    NASS budget lacks transparency – El-Rufai

    …Govs should publish salary, security votes, LG funds too – Dogara‎

    Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai on Friday hit hard on the National Assembly (NASS) members, saying their budget lacks transparency.

    This was just as he said the NASS, particularly the Senate, is seen as an opposition to the fight against corruption being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    El-Rufai stated categorically that the NASS is seen as one of the fighters of the war against corruption, stressing that though, he does not believe it is entirely true, neither does he believe that it is entirely false.

    The governor stated this in his goodwill message at the closing ceremony of the  5-day retreat ‎of the National Assembly management personnel held in Kaduna. 

    Dogara
    Dogara

    Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Yakubu Dogara in a swift reaction told the Governor to champion the campaign for transparency in the budget, saying that, he would like to see Governors publish their monthly salaries, allowances, security votes and local government funds.

    Governor El-Rufai who reacted to the paper presented by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said he won’t be diplomatic like Baba-Ahmed, but blunt, because he doesn’t work for the National Assembly.

    According to him, “the National Assembly is seen as an opposition to the fight against corruption, the National Assembly particularly the Senate is seen as one of the fighters of the war against corruption and that image has to be worked on, now that we are going towards election year, the leadership and members of the National Assembly has to do something about the narratives.

    “I don’t believe that it is entirely true‎, I also don’t believe it is entirely false but it is important that the National Assembly do something about its image.”

    On the budget of the NASS, the governor noted that “no transparency in your (NASS) budget, nobody knows your budget, how much you get paid. Publications are made about your salaries and allowances that I don’t believe are true but cannot be defended because there is no transparency about your budget,  personal cost‎ and so on and so forth. I think you can do something about that to clear all the rumours and remove all the evil stories that are largely untrue,” he stressed.

    Speaker while delivering his address, however, told the Governor ‎that instructions have already been given to the appropriate quarters to publish the National Assembly budget.

    The Speaker who expressed reservation about joining issues with the Governor said, “you will have some kind of misfortune if you attempt to join issues with intellectuals like my Elder, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, but as intellectuals we expand issues and add to discussion, so I will like to challenge you to champion the call for transparency in budgeting and budgetary process of NASS to other arms of government.

    Most repeated words in the report include National Assembly, Budget, Corruption, Senate, NASS, etc.

    “We want to see Chief Executives of states published how they are paid, what they spend monthly as security votes, and also publish what happens to local government funds,” he challenged the governor.

     

    Similarly, the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan who represented the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki at the occasion said, the National Assembly fights corruption and support the fight against it at all levels of governance contrary to whatever belief of many. 

    He said: “In the National Assembly, we fight corruption through our support and as a matter of facts, the anti-corruption agencies are our creation and for our budget, it is always in the public domain.”

    He said, the legislature and Executive must work together to deliver on promises to Nigerians, adding that, Nigerians expect higher and better performances in terms of service, as legislators we are prepared to continue to support the administration of President Buhari either through the fight against corruption or in the confirmation of political appointees.

  • ‘Allocate 80% of budget to education’

    Founder Nigeria Oral Literature Association (NOLA) Prof Gabriel Godini Darah has advocated that 80 per cent of the country’s budget be allocated to education.

    Darah premised his proposition on the fact that a country with much focus on education triggers development and instils self confidence in its citizenry.

    He spoke at the 55th Anniversary of the Department of English, University of Lagos (UNILAG). His lecture was entitled: “The humanities and the redemption of Africa”.

    He said: “Nigerian government at all levels must commit about 60 to 80 percent of the budget on providing knowledge and education to all the citizens. Once we have that knowledge, each person will become self reliant. We will no longer be asking government for work. That is the kind of emancipation that exists in Korea, China, and Europe.

    “Education is the key and we are saying that it must be mandatory and paid for by the government. Once you do that in five to 10 years, other nations will run to Nigeria for solutions because we already have the first assets (human beings) of over 180million.”

    Darah of the Department of English at the Delta State University (DELSU, explained that the African society faces inferiority complex with their counterpart,which he said, has affected their psychological stability for great development.

    With statistics, Darah explained that the development of man started in Africa, precisely in Egypt over three billion years ago, adding that there is the need to restore her lost glory.

    He noted that education is needed to provoke radical thinking and self reliance.

    “First of all, we need to believe in ourselves that we are not inferior to anybody. Nigeria needs a new type of knowledge, new type of radical understanding.

    “All the geniuses who invented mathematics, engineering, medicine, architecture and the likes were blacks. So, how come that we Africans who were the originators, are now lagging behind? The truth is, if we have 180milion Nigerians educated, we do not need oil and gas,” he said.

     

    The Head of Department of English, UNILAG, Prof Hope Eghagha, lamented that the continent is competing poorly in development, noting that History as a subject which provides information about the country has not been given its right of place.

    “It is more appalling that the young people coming behind us don’t have a history of Nigeria; they do not have a sense and development of Nigeria. If we are conscious of our history, then we can understand where we are and know where we ought to go.”

    Renowned poet and literary critic, Odia Ofeimun, believes that the society is filled with moral decadence.

    “Parents who buy exam questions and answers for their children are not youths. In some parts of Nigeria, SS3 have been wiped out because parents are buying miracle centres for their children to pass exams. The universities have also been following that path.

    “There is only one means to change a society – education. Those who have not been brought up in the way of good things cannot be properly good because they do not know the meaning. If we must start, we have to start with a proper education system.

    “They did not actually cancel History subject, they just made education impossible. These are people who came to power by destroying the constitution. Why would they want their stories to be told properly because all the histories they have are negative,” he added.

  • President, Saraki, Dogara meet over budget, rift

    President, Saraki, Dogara meet over budget, rift

    BEHIND closed doors and separately, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara in Abuja.

    Expectedly, the festering rift between the Presidency and the National Assembly took the centre stage.

    The President first met with the Speaker before meeting the Senate President —for about 40 minutes each.

    The meetings confirmed yesterday’s The Nation story — that the President was billed to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly as part of efforts to address the strained relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.

    It was learnt that the meetings also discussed Budget 2017, the  amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 and other national issues.

    The Senate President and the Speaker, who spoke to State House correspondents after the meetings, said they had “routine consultation’’ with the President.

    Saraki told reporters that the relationship between the two arms of government remained cordial.

    His words: “The relationship is very cordial; you cannot examine (the National Assembly) by one or two issues.  That is the point I’m making. You cannot examine (the relationship) based on NDDC or examine it based on EFCC.

    “We have other issues like the ministerial (names) we are going to work on and the amnesty we will soon work on. We have the budget that is more important, we have INEC; we have the PIB (Petroleum Industry Bill); we have so many things and I think it is a mixture of all that that should guide us. So, don’t let us overheat the polity.’’

    On the six months suspension of Senator Ali Ndume,  Saraki said he lacked the power to recall the former Senate Leader as being advocated by some individuals and groups.

    He said: “We should try and understand how the parliament works. I wish I had such powers; these powers you give me, I wish I had them. The President or Speaker is first among equals. They are just presiding officers.

    “But, unfortunately, you know the legislative arm is the youngest people don’t understand. People give us these powers that we have. Decisions that are taken in plenary are decision of all. But, I have a role to be able to convey the message.

    “I will convey the message of the visit of the Governor of Borno and the Senate is one. We are all one family. There will be issues like that; there is nothing that is sacrosanct or rigid.”

    He added that the National Assembly is working hard on Budget 2017.

    According to him, one of the reasons for visiting the President was to let him know how far the National Assembly had gone on the budget.

    He said: “We are on course, as you noted last week, we did ask all the sub-committees to submit their reports to the appropriation Committee. All that has been done now. It’s now collation and review. Then, hopefully, it will be passed very soon.”

    On the suspension of screening of Resident Electoral Commissioners, he said: “As I said, this is a routine meeting. There are many things that are important. But there are other things that are even more important to do, which is the budget.

    “We talked also about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Bill that we have passed. I took the President through some of the areas; very important areas. Because you know the President over many years is somebody that has gone to many elections. So, that was something he was really excited about. Some of the new amendments like electronic voting, talks about electronic process for collation. Those are landmark achievements that we hope that very soon, the House will concur and we will all come here for the President to assent.

    “Some of these other issues will happen, but I don’t think it’s a major issue. But we are still moving ahead and still consulting.”

    On his views on the reconciliatory committee set up under the chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Saraki said: “Good development. But like I said, there will always be issues on one or two things. It doesn’t mean that it is the foundation of it.

    “When you have an arm of government that has to do with confirmation, there will always be…for example, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Bill.  We rejected three people from NDDC. We keep on moving. We are all part of one government. That is why despite all these, still major decisions are taken.

    “Like I said, we did critical amendments on INEC by Tuesday or Wednesday (today or tomorrow). For the first time in the history of the legislature, we are going to lay a report on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for consideration. It has never happened. For the past 20 years, it has not gotten to this stage. So, it’s work in progress in the interest of Nigeria.

    “Don’t let us get distracted by one or two infractions. It’s bound to happen. Even America that we are copying, today as we are watching, see what is happening on the Supreme Court. These are things that happen in a democracy. But, I can reassure Nigerians that it’s just a drop in the ocean. It is not an issue that should stir the whole nation; be rest assured.”

    Also speaking on the outcome of his meeting with the President, Dogara dismissed speculations that he was at the Villa over crisis between the executive and the legislature.

    The Speaker said: “It baffles me when people see you visiting Mr. President, the assumption out there is that something is going wrong. Nothing is wrong. It is just a routine consultation.

    “You might look at it as crisis but I don’t look at it as crisis. You know I have always said this that as a government our value will be the problems we have solved.

    “We can’t be remembered for avoiding or running away from problems. It is only whený we provide solution to some of the things you refer to as crises and we look at them as opportunities to begin anew that people will now remember us for putting down enduring legacies.”

    On the proposed protest against the recent activities at the National Assembly, Dogara said Nigerians were free to express their views peacefully.

    He said: “This is a democracy we are running and we have to open the space to civil society, to everyone who feels aggrieved to be able to air his grievances.

    “So, if they have grievances against the institution of the legislature, we will take it.’’

     

  • Kwara Assembly passes N161b budget

    Kwara Assembly passes N161b budget

    The Kwara State House of Assembly yesterday passed the N161 billion 2017 Appropriation Bill into law.
    The legislature increased the bill by about N26 billion, representing 18.95 per cent of the original estimate of N135,264,529,461 billion.
    It however, reduced its own allocation by N146.746 million.
    At yesterday’s plenary, Speaker Ali Ahmad said the budget was increased to N161 billion to cater for N90 billion capital expenditure and N70 billion recurrent expenditure.
    Ahmad thanked the people for supporting the government of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and assured them of government’s readiness to improve their lot.

  • FG releases Economic Recovery Plan

    The Federal Government has released the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which unveils a road map for Nigeria’s economic recovery growth and sustainable development.

    The Media Adviser to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, James Akpandem, announced this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to the adviser, the ERGP is available on the ministry’s website, www.nationalplanning.gov.ng and that of the Budget Office, www.budgetoffice.gov.ng.

    Akpandem said that the development of the plan went through rigorous processes, including wide consultation and robust engagement with stakeholders.

    “The plan has been approved by the Federal Executive Council. The core vision of the plan is one of sustained inclusive growth.

    “There is an urgent need as a nation, to drive structural economic transformation with emphasis on improving both public and private sector efficiency.

    “The aim is to increase national productivity and achieve sustainable diversification of production, to significantly grow the economy and achieve maximum welfare for the citizens, beginning with food and energy security,’’ he said.

    The official said that the plan envisaged that by 2020, Nigeria would have made significant progress towards achieving structural economic change with a more diversified and inclusive economy.

    He said that the plan was expected to deliver on five key broad outcomes, namely: a stable macroeconomic environment, agricultural transformation and food security as well as sufficiency in energy.

    Other outcomes, he said, would be on improved transportation infrastructure and industrialisation, focusing on small and medium scale enterprises.

    Akpandem said that the ERGP was different from previous strategies and plans because it focused on implementation, at the core of the delivery strategy over the next four years.

    He said that it outlined bold initiatives such as ramping up oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) by 2020.

    “It focuses on privatising selected public enterprises/assets, and revamping local refineries to reduce petroleum product imports by 60 per cent by 2018.

    “It builds on existing sectoral plan such as the National Industrial Revolution Plan and the Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Master-plan.

    “The plan signals a changing relationship between the public and private sector, based on close partnership.

    “It also utilises the value of the merger of budget and planning functions into one ministry, to create a better and stronger link between annual budgets and the ERGP.”

    In addition, he said that the plan would provide for strong coordination with the states to ensure that the federal and sub-regional governments worked towards the same goals.

    Akpandem said that the ceremonial presentation of the plan would take place when President Mohammadu Buhari, returned from vacation. (NAN)