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Tag: Fed Govt

  • Fed govt raises 8-member committee on financial autonomy in varsities, others

    Fed govt raises 8-member committee on financial autonomy in varsities, others

    The federal government on Tuesday, September 5, set up an eight-member committee to unveil a roadmap for the education sector in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    The eight-member committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman in Abuja.

    The committee, headed by Dr. Nuhu Yakubu, has as one of its members a former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, and Professor Sa’ad Umar.

    Other members of the committee included: Prof. Sa’ad Umar, Shulamite Paul, Dr Garba Ibrahim, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, and Mr Joseph Achede.

    The committee was given four weeks to come up with plans that would help transform the sector.

    He said there was a need to kickstart the national assignment as ministers on a clearly defined path, to craft a turnaround in the fortunes of the country.

    Mamman said President Tinubu’s commitment to re-train 10.5 million Nigerian out-of-school children with valuable skills places education as a top priority.

    He said there was therefore a need for a clear roadmap and framework to guide the ministry’s efforts in achieving these ambitious goals.

    While inaugurating the committee, the minister said: “Mr. President has clearly laid out his vision for his administration and it is anchored on improving the lives of Nigerians in a manner that not just reflects our humanity but encourages compassion towards one another, and duly rewards our collective efforts to resolve the social ills that seek to divide us.

    “On education specifically, our president has declared his commitment and as a priority, among other missions, to see that about 10.5 million Nigeria’s out-of-school children are re-trained with skills that will make them stand on their own. We will, therefore, need a clear road map and framework that will guide the ministry to achieve these goals.

    “To achieve this vision, we must harness our human resources. But before we can harness our human resources, we need to be sure of what we need to do to fill in the gaps that have, over the years, inexplicably pulled us back.”

    Addressing the committee members on the task ahead, Mamman said: “Permit me to highlight some of the issues you may need to look at, amongst all others. As Nigeria looks towards having quality education, it is important that the curriculum, from basic to tertiary level, meets the demands of our times and needs of the society.

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    “I am happy to note that work has commenced at some level, especially the secondary and tertiary levels. What we need to know is to what extent can what we already have to meet contemporary demands of education globally and if it is not sufficient, how to address them.

    “Of course, I do not need to emphasise the infrastructural deficit which the Universal Basic Education Commission and Tertiary Education Trust fund, as well as good-minded Nigerians, philanthropists and our development partners, have been supporting. Again, we ask ourselves to what extent has such gone in putting the country where it needs to be?

    The minister urged the committee to embrace technology and steer towards a digital future, emphasising that education should not merely exist for its sake but contribute significantly to individual and societal development.

  • Govt to curb rising inflation with ‘cut in money supply’

    Govt to curb rising inflation with ‘cut in money supply’

    FAAC shares N966.11b July revenue

    The Federal Government plans to cut the cash in circulation to rein in inflation, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy (CME), Mr. Wale Edun, hinted yesterday.

    He said the measure became imperative to keep rising inflation at a desirable and stable level.

    Edun, who was inaugurated on Monday as minister, spoke in Abuja while chairing the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.

    “There should be discipline in money supply to control inflation in the nation’s economy,” the minister told FAAC members.

    By emphasing discipline in money supply, the CME Finance minister is referring to the need to carefully regulate the creation and circulation of money in the economy.

    On the monetary side, it involves controlling the growth of money supply through various measures, such as adjusting interest rates, open market operations, or setting reserve requirements for banks.

    On the Fiscal side, caution will be required on how the federal, state and local governments disburse money.

    By maintaining discipline in money supply, the government aims to keep inflation within a target range that is conducive to stable economic growth and price stability.

    Ultimately, the objective is to strike a balance between ensuring adequate money supply to support economic growth and preventing excessive inflation that can erode the value of currency and cause economic instability.

    The finance minister also noted that there was the need for government to mobilise resources to deliver on its mandate to increase employment and reduce poverty.

    The FAAC agreed to share N966.11 billion as federal allocation to the three tiers of government for last month.

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    The amount was shared from a total gross revenue of N1.746 trillion.

    The total revenue was made up statutory revenue of N397.42 billion; Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N271.95 billion; Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N12.84 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N283.9 billion.

    For last month, the total deductions for cost of collection came to N62.42 billion, while the total deductions for savings, transfers, refunds, and tax credit cancellation amounted to N717.96 billion.

    The Excess Crude Account (ECA) stood at $473,754.57.

    A communiqué made available to reporters after the meeting further detailed the distribution of the total distributable revenue.

    Of the N966.11 billion, the Federal Government got  N374,48 billion, state (N310.67 billion) and the 774 local government areas went home with N229.41 billion.

    Additionally, N51.55 billion was shared among the relevant states as 13 per cent derivation revenue.

    The gross statutory revenue for the month of July was N1.15 trillion, which was lower than the N1.15 trillion generated in the preceding month (June) by N2.49 billion.

    From the available N397.42 billion as statutory revenue, the federal government was given N190.49 billion, the 36 states got N96.62 billion and the councils shared  received N74.49 billion.

    The oil producing states got N35.82 billion as 13 per cent derivation.

    For July, the available gross revenue from VAT was N298,79 billion, which was higher than the N293.41 billion available in June by N5.38 billion.

    The federal government received N40.792 billion, the states (N135.97 billion) and councils (N95.18 billion) from the N271.94 billion distributable VAT revenue.

    The N12.84 billion EMTL was shared among the federal government, which got N1.93 billion, the state governments, which received N6.42 billion and the local government areas (N4.49 billion).

    From the N283.9 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the Federal Government received N141.28 billion, the state governments (N71.66 billion, the councils received N55.245 billion, and N15.72 billion was shared among the relevant states as 13 percent mineral revenue.

    The communiqué noted that Imports and Excise Duties, as well as Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), saw significant increases for last month.

    There were notable declines in revenues from VAT, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Oil and Gas Royalties.

  • Fed Govt to enroll 4000 IDPs in Abuja, Nasarawa transitional learning centres

    Fed Govt to enroll 4000 IDPs in Abuja, Nasarawa transitional learning centres

    The National Commission for Refugees, migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) said that 4000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would be enrolled into the just launched Transitional Learning Centre.

    The Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim disclosed this while launching the Transitional Learning Center on Thursday in Abuja.

    Sulaiman-Ibrahim said that the initiative was part of the ongoing intervention under its ‘Project Educate All’.

    She said the Commission had engaged 54 instructors from the IDP hosting communities to serve as facilitators.

    “We are pleased to announce that 4,000 learners between the ages of five and 18 will benefit from this phase of our programme in eight IDP camps located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nassarawa State.

    “These camps include New Kuchingoro, Takuchara, Karamajiji, Wassa, Waru, New Karshi, Malaysian Garden, and Yimutu, with 700 pupils already enrolled.

    “Furthermore, to ensure the success of this initiative, we have engaged 54 instructors from the IDP hosting communities to serve as facilitators, ” she said.

    According to her, this engagement has not only provided much- needed employment in this communities but also allowed us to prioritize the localisation of our interventions and promote the sustainability of the programme.

    She acknowledged that education played a fundamental role in promoting peaceful coexistence, adding that lack of it during displacement could have severe social and economic consequences for both displaced and host communities.

    She further explained that having access to education during crisis was imperative with over 52 per cent of the 69 million displaced individuals globally under 18.

    She noted that displacement crises were increasingly protracted and often affect the time a child took to grow, develop, and prepare for adult life.

    “Despite significant improvements in enrolment access to education over the last ten years, most children living in conflict-affected contexts are often left behind.

    “We must not forget that education is a fundamental human right, and the right to quality education should not stop because of conflict and displacement.

    “Children must be able to go to school, learn in a safe environment, and be given a chance to develop their full potential, whether they live in an IDP camp, a makeshift settlement, a town, or are still on the move.

    “It is important to stress that education is a right enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Children and a collective responsibility of all stakeholders”, she added.

    She said the Commission regarded education as an essential foundation for individual, social, and economic development and a pillar for equality, respect, tolerance, and dignity.

    According to her, basic education and vocational skills development are priority areas of our integrated approach towards ensuring durable solutions.

    “Therefore, since 2021, the Commission has scaled up technical and financial provisions in education in emergencies and protracted crises.

    “In line with the Commission’s camp exit strategy and delivering durable solutions to persons of concern (POCs), with strong consideration for host communities, the Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (Areai).

    “This is to support the implementation and facilitate access to accelerated and informal educational opportunities for IDP, refugee, and migrant children.

    “This is through a comprehensive multi-layered approach that matches learning and academic skills with psycho-social support and life skills training, ” she said.

    She said the main objective was to promote social integration or re-integration into formal education in camps and host communities.

    She further explained that the Transitional Learning Center was an outcome of this very robust collaboration.

    “The learning center is more than just a school. It is a place where children can regain a sense of normalcy and stability in their lives.

    “It is also a place where these children will make friends, learn new skills, and dream of a brighter future and build their foundation needed to succeed in life.

    “Given the human-centred design nature of our interventions as a key fundamental of our Strategic Roadmap, it is important to note that aside from members of the IDP community, host community members are also playing a critical role in co-leading the implementation process of the Transition Learning Centers.

    “Bi-monthly workshops for key stakeholders are deployed as part of quality control measures.”

    Sulaima-Ibrahim also said that workshops are also hosted at the Centre that focus on training local stakeholders and women groups on peacekeeping, self-awareness, basic hygiene education, and prevention of violence against children, including gender-based violence (GBV) and disabilities.

    “In addition to providing comprehensive education, the Commission is committed to promoting sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention of children in displacement”, she added.

    (NAN)

  • Fed Govt to meet SDGs on clean water by 2030

    The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Mahmoud, has outlined some things to be achieved before the country can meet up with the 2030 Seventh Sustainable Development Goal aimed at clean water and sanitation.

    The minister said the goal of the SDG-7 was to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The targets are expected to be met by 2030, which is barely 10 years away. We have a lot of work on our hands not only to meet the SDGs target but to free our people from the consequences of water pollution.

    Mahmoud disclosed this at the opening of the 13th NESREA National Stakeholders Forum, with the theme, “Water pollution, innovative solutions for the environmental compliance, monitoring and enforcement” in Abuja. He said our water bodies, including surface water, marine waters and groundwater, were impacted and affected by various levels of intolerable pollution.

    He quoted the United Nation on Environmental Pollution UNEP as saying: “Today, 80 per cent of global wastewater containing everything from human waste to highly toxic industrial discharges goes untreated” the nature and amount of pollutants in fresh water determines the suitability of water for many human uses, such as drinking, bathing and agriculture.

    “The SDGs goal is to achieve universal equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. Achieve access to adequate equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation. Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.’’

  • Fed Govt to grow automotive sector with right policies

    The Federal Government will initiate needed legal framework to grow the automotive sector, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami has said.

    He spoke in Abuja at the unveiling of a competition on automotive design, rganised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

    Malami said the Federal Government was committed to putting in place necessary legal framework and right policies for the growth of the sector.

    “This will provide an enabling environment for investments in automobile sector, which will earn foreign exchange for the country and create jobs for the youths,’’ he said.

    The competition is aimed at discovering talents will promote automotive design.

    The yearly event presents automotive challenges and gives opportunity to innovative Nigerians to express their talents in applicable design solutions. The challenge focuses on the design of mini-taxi and cost-effective mini-tractor.

    Malami described the  challenge as a commendable effort in promoting innovations and solutions to the nation’s challenges in mechanical, agricultural and transportation sectors. “The Federal Government will support your efforts through provision of necessary legal framework and desired support aimed at boosting public transportation, agricultural development and food production.

    “The competition would translate to greater savings of foreign exchange earnings in relation to which Nigeria spends about $8 billion annually importing automobiles,” he said.

    He urged youths to explore the opportunity provided by the competition to showcase their creativity and their concepts relating to automobile designs.

    “The desired legal framework and policies will be provided to your ideas,’’ he pledged.

    NADDC Director-General Mr. Jelani Aliyu said the contest was to provide a platform for the realisation of abundant human capital and creative abilities.

    He said: “Apart from giving talented Nigerians the opportunity to showcase their abilities in the automotive sector, the challenge will also open exciting possibilities for them to contribute to the actualisation of innovative transportation solutions.’’

    Aliyu urged participants to submit entries of their design concepts through (https://naddcdesignchallenge.com). He said winners in the six geo-political zones would win amazing prizes. In addition, national finalists will be attached to the Council’s research and development team.

    He, however, added that designs must be original and must show advanced aesthetics, functionality and practicality for Nigerian use. The NADDC automotive design challenge jury will be evaluating entries based on design innovativeness, aesthetics and functionality, he said.

    NADDC Chairman Senator Osita Izunaso said there was the need to review the national automotive policy to address issues inhibiting the growth of the industry.

    He expressed concern that inconsistency in policies was driving away investors “because they lack confidence in the system’’.

    “We want a situation that a new car manufactured in Nigeria could be sold at most N4 million. By 2020, we are working on Made-in-Nigeria car that you can pay for over 15 years at a single digit interest,’’ Izunaso said.

  • Fed Govt adopts Sept 16 as National ID Day

    The Federal Government  has approved the recognition and observance of September 16 of every year as National Identity Day. It said it is in line with the  United Nations (UN) position on  the contribution of dates to the achievement of the purposes of its Charter to promote action on political, social, cultural, humanitarian/human rights issues,

    This is a move to create awareness among the citizens on the importance of  identification as a modern tool for national development and social cohesion.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha conveyed the approval in a letter dated August 29, 2019 and addressed to the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz.

    In the letter signed on the SGF’s behalf by David K. Gende, the Director, Planning, Research & Statistics in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Mustapha conveyed government’s approval to the NIMC chief executive officer that Nigeria “should join the Coalition for International Identity Day,” in response to the latter’s earlier request.

    “I am to inform you that the SGF has considered and approved that Nigeria should join the Coalition for International Identity Day, which will recognise the role of identity management for proper planning, governance and efficient service delivery; that the National Identity Management Commission should proceed with educational and awareness campaigns on the proposed identity day to other public and private sector stakeholders including institutions in the movement,” the letter read.

    By that approval therefore, Nigeria becomes the first country in the world to formally adopt September 16, otherwise called 16.9, as Identity Day (ID-Day).

    Aziz said already, NIMC has lined up a number of activities to formally launch Nigeria’s Identity Day on September 16, 2019, year being the debut edition.

     

     

  • FG parastatal paid rent on own land for 50 years

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Managing Director, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, has revealed that the company has stopped paying rent on its land at the National Control Center (NCC), Oshogbo in Osun State.

    He recalled that the government had paid rent on it for 50 years but at the point of planning to install a SCADA in the center, it realised that it was inappropriate to install it in a rented property.

    He spoke at the Market Operator’s Participants Key Stakeholders 2019 3rd Quarter Interactive Forum in Abuja.

    While deciding to relocate the center, the TCN was told that the property on which it has paid rent in error for 50 years belonged to the federal government.

    This has culminated in the stoppage of further payments of rent on the property.

    He did not however disclose whether the government has plans to recover the fund from the private individuals that fraudulently collected its rent for five decades.

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    Mohammed said “For your information, for several years we have been operating our National Control Centre, Osogbo, the land we use is a rented land. We had been paying rent on that land for over 50 years. I am happy to announce that that land belongs to us and we are not paying rent again.”

    He said that all the company’s contracts must now be completed within 18 to 24 months, stressing that “we don’t need politics. We need infrastructure.”

    He debunked the claim that the TCN was not considering local contractors in its award of contracts.

    The TCN boss noted that the management would not respect local content to reencounter what led to the “problem that caused us to have 800 containers stranded in the ports; we cannot repeat it.”

    Mohammed threatened that the company would charge any contractor that fails to complete his project in record time liquidated damage.

    Following the failure of Nigeria to install a SCADA after three attempts, the company has now accepted a zero knowledge of it and decided to sign a bond with 15 staff to undergo training on SCADA abroad no matter the cost. The staff, in line with the bond, must serve the company for five years, he said.

    The Market Operator of the TCN, Engr. Edmund Ejie, disclosed that the Federal Government has approved N600billion that would be injected into the nation’s electricity market.

    He said that the fund is ripe for disbursement any moment from now.

  • FAAC shares N769.523b JULY 2019 revenue to Fed Govt, States and LGAs

    The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of N769.523 billion to the three tiers of government for the month of July 2019. The N769.523 billion comprised revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT), Exchange Gain and Gross Statutory Revenue.

    The Committee announced that as at 22nd August 2019, the balance in the Excess Crude Account was $274.407 million.

    The gross statutory revenue for the month of July 2019 was N674.365 billion. It was higher than the N652.949 billion received in the previous month by N21.416 billion.

    For the month of July, revenue from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was lower than what it was in the preceding month. A gross revenue of N94.159 billion was available from the Value Added Tax as against N108.631 billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in a decrease of N14.472 billion. Exchange Gain yielded a total revenue of N0.999 billion.

    Read Also: FAAC: Fed Govt, states, councils share N617.566b

    A communique issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) confirmed that from the total revenue of N769.523 billion, the Federal Government received N299.799 billion, the States received N190.381 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N143.569 billion. The Oil Producing States received N42.917 billion as 13% derivation revenue and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N92.857 billion as cost of revenue collection.

    A breakdown of the distribution showed that from the gross statutory revenue of N674.365 billion, the Federal Government received N285.767 billion, the States received N144.945 billion, the Local Government Councils received N111.746 billion, the Oil Producing States received N42.816 billion as 13% derivation revenue and the Revenue Collecting Agencies received N89.091 billion as cost of collection.

    From the N94.159 billion Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N13. 559 billion, the States received N45.197 billion, the Local Government Councils received N31.638 billion and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N3.766 billion.

  • Anambra monarch to sue subjects over character assassination

    Traditional ruler of Umunya in Oyi local government area of Anambra state, Igwe Chris Onyekwuluje, on Wednesday threatened legal action against some of his subjects for maligning his image.

    The monarch who stated this while addressing newsmen in his palace, said he would consult his lawyers to commence legal prosecution on the persons involved.

    Some indigenes of the community under the aegis of ‘Odumodu Ebenabo Improvement Union’, had on Monday, staged a protest at the government House, Awka over alleged highhandness of the traditional ruler.

    The protesters accused the monarch of felony, incessant brutality, destruction of property, indiscriminate, unauthorised and illegal sale of Odumodu land, among other allegations.

    But speaking to reporters, Onyekwuluje, who is also the Chairman, Oyi Traditional Rulers Council, described the allegations as untrue and deliberate attempt to malign and tarnish his public image.

    He vowed to fish out those behind the actions.

    He said, “I’m not a land grabber. I’m a successful business with offices in Lagos, Abuja and Anambra State.

    “It is not true that I sold their lands. I never did nor got involved. Those, who are saying this are part of those threatening to kill me since 2012 for no reason than jealousy.

    “They went and registered a group called ‘Odumodu Ebenabo Improvement Union’, and were selling the properties and lands of Odumedu people.

    “On hearing their illegal activities, I stopped them. Those who are saying that I arrested them are liars. I have never asked the police to arrest anybody nor petitioned anyone.

    READ ALSO: Anambra monarch donates campaign vehicle to Buhari

    “Instead, they are the ones petitioning against the people they think they can oppress. Mine is just to broker peace amongst them.

    “Some people were arrested by the vigilantes for robbery and were handed to the police. Why should I arrest or detain my subjects?”

    “I have forgiven them several times, but this time the will not go unpunished. My lawyers will soon commence legal action against.”

    While alleging assassination plot by the same individuals, the monarch noted that the case was still on with the police, vowing that the perpetrators, this time, would not go unpunished.

    On his part, President General of Umunya, Engr. Kenneth Okafor, expressed the readiness of the community to back the traditional ruler on his legal action against those behind the protest.

  • Analysts to Fed Govt: institute fiscal reform for more revenue

    The Federal Government should institute fiscal reform to garner more revenue into its coffers, analysts at Afrinvest West Africa Limited, an investment and research firm, have said.

    In a report released at the weekend, it said the government needs a strong revenue boost and cost- containment strategies to improve its finances and enhance its contribution to the economy.

    The strategies to boost revenue, in the first term of President Buhari, fell short of expectations. This includes a whistle-blower policy, which helped in recovering looted funds and the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDs) that supported a broader tax net and N30 billion in receipts despite a target of N305 billion.

    Accordingly, the Federal Government’s revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) only improved to 3.1 per cent in 2018 from a low of 2.3 per cent in 2017.

    “To achieve revenue targets, we believe there is a need for comprehensive fiscal reform. This would include action plans to improve the tax system and administration in a bid to drive efficiency by reducing costs and boosting collection. In addition, more transparency and accountability would be required by the citizens to encourage tax payments. The VAT increase being mulled given Nigeria’s lower VAT rate of five per cent when compared to peers represents a quick fix,” report said.

    However, this would not be a silver bullet as total VAT receipts for the entire country is weak at 0.8 per cent of GDP in 2018. Similarly, as two cities – Lagos and Abuja – account for 75 per cent of the Value Added Tax (VAT) receipts, the government should work on bringing more businesses into the VAT net rather than imposing more taxes on taxpayers.