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Tag: Fed Govt

  • Fed Govt to roll out growth plans for power, says BPE

    Fed Govt to roll out growth plans for power, says BPE

    The Federal Government has put in place modalities to drive the power sector for growth, just as it has driven the telecommunication industry for better performance, the Director- General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE),Benjamin Dikki has said.

    The modalities, according to him, include making the bodies such as the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to provide stronger regulatory frameworks that would help in developing the sector and the introduction of a competitive environment for operators, among other initiatives.

    Speaking in Lagos at a stakeholders’ meeting, Dikki said the need to make the power sector more competitive and vibrant is imperative for the growth of the economy.

    The meeting, which has the Minister of Power, works and housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Chief Executive Officers of Eko ElectricityDistribution Company(EKEDC),Oladele Amoda, Ikeja Electric, Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, and other stakeholders, was at the instance of the management of Egbin Power Company Plc.

    He said once the regulators nurture power sector for growth, there would be stability in the electricity supply and the economy will get better.

    He said: ‘’ Power sector will work because the telecom industry works.  The telecom sector works because the regulators were allowed to nurture investments in that area.  I believe the regulators would nurture investments in the electricity industry for growth, given a conducive environment.  Investments would not only engender competition, but would make the operators fare better. Once there is competition in the energy sector, prices of products and services would come down and the better for consumers.’’

    Dikki said problems such as revenue shortfalls, inability of power firms to garner enough capital for operation and others,  are hindering the growth of the sector, urging operators to drive investments to generate revenue for growth.

    According to him, privatisation has opened a new phase in the nation’s power sector, because private operators are now saddled with the responsibility of running the industry.

    On industry’s performance, Dikki said some of the new investors in the sector have tried to improve electricity generation and distribution.

    Citing Egbin Power Plant, the BPE’s DG said the plant, which was owned by the Sahara Energy Group, has relatively improved power generation.

    ‘’Egbin Power Company should be commended for being a flagship of what privatisation is.  The reason is because its management has been able to increase electricity megawatts (Mw) 400 to over 1,000 megawatts of electricity.  This growth needs to be sustained for the benefits of consumers,’’ he added.

    Also, the Chief Executive officer, Egbin Power Company, Mr Dallas Peavey, said the firm has overhauled its operation to ensure growth, adding that the turbines are nearing full capacity.

    He said the firm has six turbines, adding that the turbines are returning to their installed capacity of 1,320 megawatts of electricity soon.

    Peavey said efforts are on-going to make the six turbines produce optimally, stressing that the development would help in improving power supply in the country.

  • IPOB, insurgents’ activities unlawful, says Fed Govt

    IPOB, insurgents’ activities unlawful, says Fed Govt

    •’No serious govt ’ll fold its arms and allow this kind of security breach’

    The Federal Government talked tough yesterday on the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast and the Islamic fundamentalists in the North. It declared their activities as “illegal”.

    The government said it would keep the peace in the country, warning that it would no longer fold its arms to allow their unlawful activities to continue.

    In a statement by Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, the government vowed to wield the big stick should the need arise.

    The IPOB has been behind the pro-Biafran agitation in the Southeast and the protests being staged to demand the release of the Director of Biafran Radio, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The Federal Government vowed to always protect the country’s territory and the citizens against any separatist group’s activities.

    Dambazzau said: “The Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy as encapsulated in Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, S.14(2) states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

    “The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, respects and upholds the fundamental human rights of all citizens as enshrined in Chapter IV of the Constitution. Incorporated in these rights is the ‘freedom from fear’, which every citizen must enjoy.

    “It is within this purview that it becomes necessary to emphasise that the government will do everything within the law to ensure that the lives and properties of persons, groups or organisations are protected.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government will continue to protect citizens’ rights to assemble freely and associate with other persons without hindrance; protect the freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and protect the freedom of expression. However, every citizen is under obligation to recognise and respect the rights of his or her fellow citizens, especially on matters regarding public order, safety and security.

    “No serious government will fold its arms to allow security breach of the kind which threatens the peaceful coexistence and sovereignty of its society. It is therefore imperative to remind ourselves that as long as demonstrations or processions are peaceful and do not infringe on the fundamental rights of others, the government will as a matter of principle, direct security agencies to protect the individuals or groups involved in such demonstrations or processions.

    “Democracy has provided vehicles through which citizens can convey their grievances without resorting to violence, and in our particular case, there are state governments and their assemblies; representatives and senators of the National Assembly; and the judiciary. It is expected that persons with grievances take advantage of using these opportunities instead of resorting to violence.

    “Our experience at least with separatist groups (such as Biafra Movements) and religious extremists (such as Boko Haram) in the last few years, depicted individuals or groups taking laws into their own hands, situations that sometimes led to violent clashes with security agencies. It is important for us to be law-abiding, even while expressing our grievances”.

    The minister, however, urged the security agencies to protect the citizens and residence at this Yuletide season as a result of movement and increase in activities.

    “As a result of increased movements and activities during the end of year and the beginning of a new season, the Ministry of Interior has coordinated with all security agencies under its supervision, and other security agencies, to ensure that the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens are guaranteed in line with our constitutional responsibilities.

    “We are drawing the attention of all Nigerians, especially in this Yuletide season, the necessity to keep their eyes and ears open, and report suspicious activities or persons, especially in motor-parks, airports, mosques, churches, markets and all public places attracting people,” Dambazzau said.

  • Fed Govt urged to explore non-oil sector for job creation

    Experts have said lots of jobs can be created through the exportation of non oil produce. They urged the Federal Government on effective Export Expansion Grant (EEG) to encourage investors in the value chain process.

    Speaking with reporters at the 2015 Money for Business Conference organised by Success Edge at the weekend in Lagos, the Managing Director of Success Edge International Limited, Mr. Godwin Oyefeso said there are lots of job opportunities in the non oil export value chain, adding that the  suspension of the EEG scheme by government has generated several criticisms from agro-processors and players in the value-addition sector. He  described it as a disincentive and encouragment to raw commodities’ exportation.

    “In assisting the exportation of non-oil products, government came up with EEG to give up to about N5 million but was increased to N10 million. It was stopped under the last administration and since then, things have not been going on well. But basically, the government has EEG and it is not a loan, it is a grant but the scheme has been stopped but we believe with the present administration, there is every need for it to be revived and be given to exporters,” he said.

    According to Oyefeso, with the decline in crude oil prices in the international market, government is looking for a way to diversify the economy by going into exploitation of agro commodities and solid minerals.

  • Fed Govt ‘ll create enabling environment for investors, says Osinbajo

    Fed Govt ‘ll create enabling environment for investors, says Osinbajo

    • Huawei to train 2000

    Creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive is one of the key priorities of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration,  Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has said.

    Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and a Chinese technology firm, Huawei, he said the government would work hard to make the operating environment congenial to spur  economic growth and create opportunities for gainful employment.

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, the MoU would creates 2000 information communication technology (ICT) trainee jobs to young Nigerians next year under the “Huawei  Seeds for the Future Programme.”

    According to the Vice President, who was joined by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and Communications Minister Mr Adebayo Shittu, “ICT is one of the quickest ways people can get decent jobs, so we think this is absolutely important.

    “In the change agenda, how to grow the economy is important, and we want to create ICT hubs and support existing ones. We thank Huawei for this initiative of advancing technology in Nigeria, apart from the job creation itself.”

    Lamenting the low ranking of Nigeria in ease of doing business,  the Vice President said President Buhari had already given the Trade, Industry & Investment Minister the task of addressing the challenges.

    At an event attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, Prof Osinbajo described the relationship between Nigeria and China as strategic. He urged Chinese investors and business leaders to consider Nigeria for manufacturing plants. He said Chinese investors “should encourage not just the selling, but also the manufacturing of products in Nigeria.”

    This, he said, would lead to mutual prosperity for both countries.

    According to the Chinese envoy, China is in partnership with President Buhari’s administation in the “change” agenda, adding that China plans to be involved in areas such as agric modernisation, industrialisation, infrastructure, trade and investment, poverty alleviation, peace and security among others.

    Dr Ngige and Mr Shittu whose ministries would select the 2000 trainees, signed the MoU on behalf of the Federal Government. The Vice President, Huawei West Africa, Mr. Richard Cao, signed for the technology firm.

    Ngige said: “China has blazed the trail,” with the job creation MoU with the Buhari presidency, while Shittu commended the initiative and urged the Chinese people to consider setting up a technology institute or polytechnic in Nigeria.

  • Fed Govt ‘saved N628b from procurement audit’

    Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr. Joe Abba yesterday said  through periodic audits of the various procurement processes of the Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) had in the last seven years, saved the government N628 billion that would have been spent uneconomically by its MDAs.

    He spoke at an event  set aside by the United Nations (UN) to mark the international day of anti-corruption in Abuja .

    According to him, last year, the BPP was able to save N98 billion from the various procurement plans of the MDAs.

    Speaking on the occasion,  Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo,  said  the government was already mulling a new legislation that will provide protective cover for citizens who undertake acts of ‘whistle blowing’ to expose corrupt acts and persons in government and businesses in the country.

    The anti-corruption day seminar was organised by the Inter-Agency Task Team (IMTT) which is housed through the Presidency by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

    Abba however said through careful audits of all federal MDAs procurement exercises, the BPP has since 2009 ensured that incidences of wasteful procurements are curtailed.

    He added that President Muhammadu Buhari has also directed that all queries on procurement audits issued by the BPP to any government MDAs must be answered within 24 hours of such issuance.

    According to him, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) which is domiciled in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and centralises the database system for Nigerian public service with single, accurate source of employees’ information to prevent wastage and leakages in workers remuneration has also contributed in keeping government’s funds from being fritttered away.

    “The BPP has saved N628 billion in the last seven years alone starting from 2009; we have put in place processes that have reduced wastages in government’s procurement.

    “In addition to ensuring that procurements are properly done, the IPPIS has also come into the system to help cut off ghost workers and save money. When it is fully rolled out, we anticipate that more checks on government workers will be done to weed out more ghost workers,” Abba said.

    On audit queries, he said: “In terms of audit queries, Mr. President has directed that all audit queries must be answered within 24 hours. These are some of the measures that are in place now.”

    Notwithstanding, the Vice President who was represented on  the occasion by Prof. Sadiq Radda, a member of the Prof. Itse Sagay Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, said the government would be seeking the active participation of Nigerians in its fight against corrupt practices in the country.

    Osibanjo noted that deliberate choice of Nigerians to keep quiet on instances of corrupt practices will rather hurt the country.

  • Fed Govt plans 2,000mw in 15 months, says Fashola

    Fed Govt plans 2,000mw in 15 months, says Fashola

    •Lagos-Ibadan road, Second Niger Bridge priority projects 

    •Toll gates to return •Massive construction of houses

    The Federal Government plans to generate 2,000 megawatts within the next 15 months to boost electricity supply, it was announced yesterday.

    The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge linking the West to the East will get priority attention in next year’s budget, which will allocate more cash to infrastructure provision.

    But tolling will likely be reintroduced on federal roads to generate cash for maintenance.

    These are part of the government’s plan, which Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola unfolded yesterday.

    He spoke at his maiden news conference in Abuja where he unveiled his short term plans to address housing deficit, provide good roads and increase power generation.

    Fashola, the immediate past Lagos State governor, said the highest amount allocated to road construction in recent years was in 2002 when N200 billion was budgeted.

    He said the Works sector this year  has 206 contractors handling 206 projects, covering 6, 000 kilometres with a contract price of over N2trillion. Yet, a little over N18billion was budgeted.

    The Minister said that work would soon begin on all roads that link the 36 states, adding that major roads which have been suspended due to lack of funds and are vital to boosting socio- economic activities would be quickly revisited.

    Fashola spoke of plans to partner with the private sector and fully privatise the power sector for the country to witness genuine development like in the telecommunication sector.

    Part of his plans is also to immediately restore the jobs of construction workers who were laid off by local and international companies.

    “The records that have been made available from previous budgets show that the last time Nigeria budgeted over N200 billion in a year’s budget for roads was in 2002. It seems that as our income from oil prices increased over the last decade, our spending on roads decreased.

    Poor Budgetting

    “As far as status reports go, the federal government budgeted N18.132billion in 2015 and the Ministry of Works got N13billion for all roads and highways in 2015, although it has contracts for 206 roads, covering over 6,000km with contract price of over N2 trillion.”

    Fashola said the government’s ability to achieve connectivity of interstate roads would depend largely on capital spending in the 2016 budget. He said it became imperative to pay contractors and get them back to work as soon as possible.

    “Our short term strategy will be to start with roads that have made some progress and can be quickly completed to facilitate connectivity. We will prioritise within this strategy by choosing first the roads that connect states together and from that grouping start with those that bear the heaviest traffic.

    “As at May 2015, many contractors have stopped work because of payment, and many fathers and wives employed by them have been laid off as a result.

    “Some of the numbers from only four companies that were sampled, suggest that at least 5,150 workers have been laid off as at March 11, 2015; and if we realise that there are at least 200 contracts pending, on the basis of one company per contract,” he said.

    Analysing the situation, Fashola explained that, “If each contractor has only 100 employees at each of the 200 contract sites, it means at least 20,000 people who lost their jobs can return to work if the right budget is put in place and funded for contractors to get paid.

    “The possibility to return those who have just lost their jobs back to work is the kind of change that we expect to see by this short term strategy.”

    Govt to reclaim setback

    “In order to make the roads safer, we intend to re-claim the full width and setback of all Federal roads, representing 16% and about 36,000km of Nigeria’s road network by immediately now asking all those who are infringing on our highways, whether by parking, trading, or erection of any inappropriate structure to immediately remove, relocate or dismantle such things voluntarily. This will be the biggest contribution that citizens can offer our country as proof that we all want things to change for the better,” Fashola added.

    Toll gates to return

    He added: “Maintenance would be our watchword. We are setting up a robust maintenance regime to keep our highways in good shape.

    “This shows that tolling is necessary to support government funding. So, it will not be too much if we ask every road user to pay little to augment government funding for road maintenance.

    “It is eminent commonsense for us to find that money. We will use technology; so if we don’t pay cash, you will pay by tokens or tickets and the money is accountable and it will go to the right place.

    “We will manage that fund properly and we will hold those who we put there to account,” the minister said.

    Tolling was scrapped by former President Olusegun Obasanjo after his administration imposed a fuel tax. Since then, attempts to restart the policy have failed.

    On housing, Fashola said with adequate funding, the government was ready to spend N10 billion on affordable housing in each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) annually.

    He advocated increased budgetary funding for the housing sector from the N1.8 billion allocated in the 2015 budget to over N100 billion.

    Housing projects

    He spoke of plans to partner with governors to replicate the Lagos Homs model across the country, starting with the construction of 40 blocks of housing in each state. According to him, the concept will make available 12 flats per block and 480 flats per state to make 17, 760 homes for a start nationwide.

    “We expect governors to play a critical role here, by providing land of between 5-10 hectares for a start, with title documents, and access roads or in lieu of access roads, a commitment that they will build the access roads by the time the houses are completed.

    “This will mean at a minimum of four doors and two windows very conservatively per home; a demand for 71,040 doors and 35,520 windows nationwide in year one, which we will encourage to be made in Nigeria. These figures are only examples and not fixed in definition and they are subject first to budgetary approvals and availability of finance.

    “The demand for those who will make and fix the doors and window, the hinges, the wood polish and the paint and tiles suggest the onset of jobs and change for our artisans and workers who are the real builders of every economy.

    “Our experience in Lagos was that on every one hectare of land where it was possible to build 8-10 blocks of houses, at least 1000 people got employed,” the Minister added.

    For the power sector, he spoke of a plan to liquidate verifiable and agreed debts that have been accumulated, and approve a market tariff through which it could make the electricity distribution companies more efficient and committed to a fair metering system .

    Electricity tariff

    He said the government had directed the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to work out a fair market tariff and make it public upon conclusion.

    According to him, the Federal Government will increase the current official electricity tariff for manufacturers to boost their power supply.

    He asked the the governors to identify and enumerate their most populous industrial and commercial clusters where manufacturing, fabrication, welding and related productive work is going on, especially by small businesses and to see how the government can use the existing legal framework to attract embedded power supply to these people who must be ready to pay for the power.

    The minister said that “in such cases, the tariff may be higher than the current official tariff, but it will be many times a significant improvement on what they have and we will need the collaboration of the Discos to achieve this”.

    On debt and tariff, he said: “What we expect to do is to liquidate verifiable and agreed debts that have accrued, approve a market tariff and hold the discos to a more efficient and fair collection system based on the use of meters, so that consumers pay for only what they use.

    “The Regulator, NERC, has been mandated to work out the fair market tariff and announce them when they are finalised.”

    He said the government would boost the local meter production, sale, repair and maintenance industry to create jobs.

    “We expect that this to aggressively energise the local meter production, sale, repair and maintenance industry and create spin off jobs for our people.

    “ We expect to see the growth of meter recharge small businesses like we saw in telecoms recharge cards and telephone hand set sales,” Fashola said.

    The minister urged governments live by example by paying their electricity bills.

    Fashola said that topmost in the government’s priority for the power sector was getting contractors to finish on-going transmission contracts to enable it to transport the power being generated to the Discos to distribute.

    According to him, in 2015, the total budget for the power ministry was N9.606 billion. Out of this, he said, N4.476 billiion was for recurrent expenditure to cover salaries and overheads, while N5.130 billion was for capital expenditure, supposedly for on-going projects.

    Continuing, he said:  “This was a significant under-provision, even if it was to complete only 22 (twenty-two) of the 142 (one hundred and forty-two) transmission projects I mentioned earlier estimated at over N40 Billion.

    “Apart from these, there is a 10MW wind energy project in Katsina nearing completion, a 215MW plant in Kaduna and the 3,050 MW plant in Manbilla Taraba State all of which need to be completed.”

    On gas, he noted that there are some issues that beset the gas sector, such as the environmental issue and the availability of gas infrastructure, such as pipelines and the issue of pricing which are all the responsibility of other ministries.

    He disclosed that in view of the budgetary approvals and financing, there are indications that the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources can build critical pipelines to transport gas to the power plants to increase power by 2,000Mega Watts (MW) in the next 12 to 15 months.

    Fashola said: “Subject to budgetary approvals and financing, the Ministry of Petroleum indicates their ability to build certain critical pipelines to transport gas to the power plants that will add another 2,000 mw to our stock of power within 12-15 months.”

    Low pricing, he said, is affecting the gas to power, stressing that gas vendors would naturally prefer the international corridor that offers $4:00 per unit of gas to the local market of $1.30 per unit.

     

     

    According to him, now the amount of power that is available is slightly larger than the capacity which the transmission network can support.

    The minister said: “We have identified a total of 142 (One Hundred and forty-two) projects of which 45 are at 50% level of completion and about 22 (twenty-two) can be completed within a year.

    “The budget estimates are known and we intend to aggressively pursue completion to increase the carrying capacity from the Gencos to the Discos.

    “From there, we must expand the carrying capacity to run ahead of the generating capacity so that in future there will always be capacity to carry whatever power is generated.”

     

  • Fed Govt plans N6tr for 2016 budget

    Fed Govt plans N6tr for 2016 budget

    •FEC approves three-year MTEF

    THE Federal Government will spend N6 trillion next year, if the budget estimates to be presented to the National Assembly is approved as sent.

    National Assembly will get the budget estimates before the end of the month.

    Ahead of this, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the N6 trillion expenditure plan under the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

    It was the first FEC since the cabinet was inaugurated on November 11.

    The three-hour FEC meeting approved the three-year MTEF, which pegs the oil benchmark at $38 per barrel with a 2.2 million crude oil per day production.

    Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma, who was accompanied by Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and Minister of State for Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed, at a news conference, said: “At today’s council, the council approved the MTEF, which sets out the policies of government over the next three years; it sets out the fundamental economic underpinning the budget.

    “The highlights are as follows: we project and we are working with $38 crude oil price. We consider that to be very conservative, but because of the uncertainty, we felt that we should start with a conservative crude oil price.

    “We are also working with 2.2 million barrels a day production, saying it is achievable, particularly because with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which we are working to achieve, we believe that, that is a modest figure that we should be able to produce something higher than that.

    “And so next year, we are looking at an expansionist budget. We are looking at a budget that will be N1 trillion more than last year. So, we are looking at a budget of about N6 trillion. Last year’s budget, was about N5 trillion. So, we are looking at a N6 trillion budget.”

    He explained that the increase in the budget over last year would be spent on capital expenditure to address infrastructure issues.

    With the dwindling prices of oil in the international market, he said the government would increase its drive for non-oil revenue, keep down recurrent expenditure, increase efficiency in Value Added Tax (VAT) and company income taxes and resort to borrowing to fill up any remaining gap.

    His words: “We will get the funding from two sources: we are looking at trying to increase our non-oil revenue, we are looking at trying to get more money from the various government agencies, policing their collection and trying to get more money from them. We will also look at keeping down our recurrent budget; that means we are looking at savings that we can make from overheads.

    “We will look at the efficiencies from our revenue collecting agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), in terms of company income tax and VAT. And then the difference, we will have to borrow.

    “But the level of borrowing that we anticipate and we are projecting will be well within the maximum that we allow, which is three per cent of the GDP. Because we want a prudent and credible budget, so we are working on them now.

    “We are projecting almost 30 per cent capital project, up from the 15 per cent or so that it is currently. We will try and reduce overheads, but keep personnel cost. We are not going to adjust it by much. But we are expecting some savings from the IPPIS system which we are using. So, we are not cutting anybody’s salary; everybody will get their salaries.”

    He said government is working with the exchange rate approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Asked whether oil subsidy would be provided for in the budget, he said: “We are looking into that.”

    The approved MTEF, he said, would be forwarded to the National Assembly.

    He said: “Following from this, the MTEF will be submitted to the National Assembly, and we expect a feedback from them. Thereafter, we will be working to try and get the budget finalised.

    “It is when the budget is finalised that you really see the details of what we intend to do. This is just a MTEF.”

    Before the meeting started, President Buhari swore in two permanent secretaries, Olakunle Bamgbose and Mahmud Dutse.

    They were outside the country when 16 other permanent secretaries took oaths of office on November 12.

     

     

     

  • Boko Haram: December deadline stands, says Fed Govt

    Boko Haram: December deadline stands, says Fed Govt

    THERE is no going back on the December deadline to crush Boko Haram insurgents and end the sect’s activities in the Northeast, the Federal Government restated yesterday through Information & Culture Minister Lai Mohammed.

    The reassurance came even as Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima said the northeastern state has seen the worst of terrorists’ activities.

    Mohammed and Shettima spoke in Maiduguri, the epicenter of the insurgency, when the minister led a fact-finding team to Bama, one of the most affected local government areas.

    The minister said that by the end of the month, no part of the country will be under the control of the sect, pointing out about 86 villages and towns have been liberated in the last six months.

    Fielding a question on the feasibility of the December deadline, Mohammed said: “Yes, the military will, by the grace of God, be able to see the end of Boko Haram by the end of December.”

    Though, he said it will be impossible to rule out pockets of suicide bombing here and there, the minister however said more emphasis would be placed on de-radicalisation of the environment.

    He went on: “But, let us make it clear, what the military will do is to fully liberate all the territory held by Boko Haram, if we think that by 1st of January there will be no more bombings, we are mistaken.

    “There will be suicide bombing. Because even other countries where insurgency has been over for so many years, we still have some pockets of attacks.

    “But, we as a government will ensure that by the end of this year, no territory of ours will be in the hands of Boko Haram. This is what the government has promised us and this we are going to delivered and I think by the end of the day, this will be achieved.”

    He urged the people to support the military by providing necessary information, even as he assured the military that the government will offer the civilian component of the war and will let the world know what the military has achieved and ensure the country buys into the anti-terror war.

    His words: “I must say that the military has done much better in this war. What is missing in this war is the civilian component. Many Nigerians erroneously think that this war must be fought by the military alone. Some does not even see as a national issue, sectional or religious. Terrorism is terrorism everywhere in the world.

    “We will launch national security campaign to create awareness and allow Nigerians take possession of the war, the same way they took possession during the 1966 coup. Security is virtually everybody’s business.

    “This war is not yours alone, it is our war. You are fighting it on our behalf and we will make our own contribution to ensure that your contributions are not in vain. We are going to continue from here to start our own national security campaign to ensure that every Nigerian is security conscious, every Nigerian looks at this war and ensure that when this is done with the help of the state government and federal government, when full civilian life is restored here, you will be able to go back to your family and unit. “

    He commended the Borno State governor for his efforts at rebuilding the recaptured areas.

    “In Bama we saw first-hand the scale of destruction; the scale of damage that the Boko Haram terrorists have done,” Mohammed said, adding that the visit has empowered all on the entourage to see the real victims of war.

    Responding, Shettima said the state has seen the worst of terrorism.

    The governor said: “Honestly, our people have gone through the worst of time. Believe me, we have crossed the rubicon. The worst is over. And we are on a part to regeneration, reconstruction and certainly resettlement of our people.

    “We’ll do whatever it takes to work for our people. Believe you me, Borno will bounce back in the next six months to one year. You’ll see the changes in the lives of the people.”

    On restoring life to areas destroyed by the sect, especially Bama, the governor said the state was prepared to commence reconstruction of about 5000 houses.

    Explaining the plight of the state, the governor said in the last few months, Bama which used to be epic epicentre of the battle been reclaimed by troops and so, the worst is over as far as terrorism is concerned.

    Quoting from the song of late Afro beat king, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Shettima said: “Borno has seen nothing short of hate, high scale of sorrow, tears and blood. We have witness unimaginable destruction. Of the 27 local government areas of Borno, there is no local government that has not had its own share of experience.”

    He reminded his guest that at a point, about 20 council areas were under the control of the sect, stressing that the focus of his administration now “is reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of our people.”

    According to the governor, “a Borno man has no problem of being poor… once we invest in land and agriculture, poverty can be curbed in a big way. Go to the interior and you will see that Borno is one of the state in Nigeria that has a very big land mass for agricultural purposes.”

    He commended the minister, who happens to be the first information minister to visit the state in the last six years.

    Shettima also reminded those in government that, “we have no choice than to put on our thinking cap and do what is right for the people We are all products of public schools. Once we create jobs, invest in education and agriculture, we will be back on track.

     

  • SIM infraction: Fed Govt slashes MTN’s fine to N674b

    SIM infraction: Fed Govt slashes MTN’s fine to N674b

    Communication giant MTN Nigeria got some reprieve from President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday. The President slashed the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on it by Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) over infractions on subscriber identity module (SIM) card.

    The South African firm will now pay N674 billion on or before December 31. The telco got the NCC knock for keeping some 5.2 million pre-registered SIM cards running on its network, contrary to a directive from the regulator that all operators should deactivate such SIMs on their networks.

    Heightening security concerns forced the regulator to issue the directive.

    The relief came on a day MTN’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki and its Head of Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, Akinwale Goodluck, resigned their appointments with the embattled carrier.

    The $5.2 billion fine had earlier consumed the company’s Group Chief Executive, Sifiso Dabengwa, who resigned shortly after the NCC hammer hit the telco. Pressure was subsequently mounted on Ikpoki to resign his appointment, failing which he would be risking being kicked out. He was replaced by Ferdi Moolman as MTN Nigeria CEO, while Amina Oyagbola has taken from Goodluck as Head of Regulatory & Corporate Affairs.

    The telco, however, appointed a Nigerian, Karl Toriola, Vice President, West and Central Africa (WECA) Region.  Based in Nigeria, Toriola has worked with MTN for 10 years, having held senior operational roles at MTN Group and MTN Iran. He was formerly the Chief Technology Officer at MTN Nigeria and CEO at MTN Cameroon.

    It was learnt yesterday that MTN has received a formal letter on Wednesday from MTN Group Corporate Affairs said yesterday, informing the company that, after considering the company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigerian business from the original N1, 04 trillion to N674 billion, which has to be paid by 31 December 31.  The fine has to do with the late disconnection of 5.1 million MTN Nigerian subscribers in August and September 2015.

    The letter reads: “The company is carefully considering the NCC’s reply, however the Executive Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko will immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian authorities before responding formally, as it is essential for the company to follow due process to ensure the best outcome for the company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian authorities and accordingly, all factors having a bearing on the situation will be thoroughly and carefully considered before the company arrives at a final decision.”

    The statement advised the company’s shareholders to continue to exercise caution on issues relating to national securities until a further announcement is made.

    The telco said it has also reviewed its operating structure with a view to strengthening operational oversight, leadership, governance and regulatory compliance across its 22 country operations in Middle East and Africa (MEA).

    It said it has therefore resolved to re-implement its previous reporting structure which would see MTN Group restructured into three regions – namely WECA, South and East Africa (SEA), and Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

    Under the restructuring, Jyoti Desai assumes the new position of Group Chief Operating Officer (COO). Based in Johannesburg, she will report to the Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko. Ms. Desai has 14 years’ experience at MTN.

    She has previously held the positions of Chief Information Officer at MTN Nigeria and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MTN Irancell. She was recently seconded to support the company operations in Nigeria. Her replacement as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer will be announced soon, while the appointment takes effect from December One, this year.

    Also appointed was the Vice President for MENA, Ismail Jaroudi, while the Vice President for SEA will be announced soon, the statement said.

    Jaroudi has been CEO of MTN Syria since 2006. Prior to this, he held senior operational roles for Investcom’s subsidiaries across the Middle East and North Africa.

    Also reporting to the Executive Chairman, is the new Group Executive for M&A, Matthew Odgers. The former Head of TMT for Africa and the Middle East and Head of Investment Banking for MENA at UBS, Odgers led UBS’ overall relationship with MTN.

    Mr Moolman was previously COO at MTN Irancell and recently CFO at MTN Nigeria.   Nigerian Ms. Oyagbola retains the position of MTN Nigeria’s Head of Human Resources. She formerly headed regulatory affairs at the Nigerian operating company.

    The search for the MTN Group CEO is underway and remains a priority, the telco said.

    Commenting on the announcements, Nhleko said: “This revised structure and strengthened leadership will improve operational oversight and increase management capacity. This will enable MTN to continue to realise its strategy and vision, while also ensuring we achieve high governance standards and robust risk mitigation.”

  • Fed Govt urges court to stop Dasuki from travelling abroad

    Fed Govt urges court to stop Dasuki from travelling abroad

    THE Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court, Abuja to stay execution of its earlier order granted to former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Counsel to the government Mr. Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) made the oral application yesterday at the resume of hearing of the case before Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

    Okpeseyi told the court that the government had filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja against the court ruling.

    He said the prosecution filed the motion pursuant to Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Act 2015.

    The lawyer also disclosed that the prosecution had filed another motion before the court seeking to revoke the bail earlier granted to Dasuki.

    The former NSA, who is facing charges of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms, had been granted bail on self- recognition.

    Akposeyi said they were seeking the revocation of the bail to enable the prosecution to conclude investigation into the alleged crime.

    The lawyer said if the defendant was kept in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), he would assist in the investigation process.

    Akposeyi claimed that there was never a time the prosecution flouted the court’s order as it was claimed by the defence counsel.

    Defence counsel Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) opposed the oral application.

    He alleged that the prosecution flouted the order of the court by laying siege on his client’s residence and preventing him from travelling as ordered by the court.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned the case to December 8 for continuation of hearing.