The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fed Govt

  • Healthcare fund for Lassa fever treatment coming, says Fed Govt

    SUCCOUR is underway for patients with confirmed cases of Lassa fever as the Federal Government plans to introduce a funding mechanism to cater for them, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said yesterday.

    Ihekweazu, who dropped the hint in chat with the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, explained that the aim of the healthcare fund was to ensure that money does not become a hindrance for patients in accessing Lassa fever treatment.

    He said: “We are making plans through the Basic Primary Healthcare Provision Fund, the new funding instituted by the federal government, to cover the cost of treatment of confirmed cases of Lassa fever patients.

    “A process is ongoing on how to manage this and it is at the heart of discussion at all levels of government at the moment. The aim is to make sure that ability to pay is not a barrier to accessing the treatment for public health diseases such as Lassa fever.”

    According to him, efforts are being made by the government through the NCDC to reduce the burden of treatment on patients, pending the take- off of the healthcare fund.

    Ihekweazu explained: “We from the Federal Government level have made sure that the core treatment costs are covered; of course when you are admitted in a hospital there are other costs accrued to you.

    “What we have been doing with the Teaching Hospitals is to make sure that such cost is reduced to the barest minimum. In some cases we are able to treat patients absolutely free, in other cases they still have to pay.

    “What we have ensured in all the treatment centres in Nigeria is that no patient has ever been turned away because of his or her inability to pay and no patient has been detained in any hospital for not being able to pay.

    “So, eventually, either upfront or at the end of that treatment period, we ensure that everyone gets the treatment.”

    The NCDC chief said: “You don’t need to be wealthy to keep your environment clean, so, the key thing is to get the messages out in all Nigerian languages that this is what you need to do to prevent the disease. Prevention is so much cheaper than cure because the illness can kill. This is a big financial burden for government.”

  • Fed Govt restates call to combat illicit cash flows

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has restated his call for urgent steps to tackle Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).

    The latest call was through the Director-General of Nigeria’s Directorate of Technical Aid Corps, Pius Osunyinkami, at the second United Nations (UN) High Level Conference on South-South Cooperation in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Osunyikanmi, who led the Nigerian delegation to the conference presented a stunning charge from the President. According to Mr. Osunyinkami, IFFs distort the growth and development of countries, drain foreign reserves, undermine genuine investment and eliminate resources that would have been used for poverty alleviation.

    The director-general said: “Ending the scourge of IFFs was one of the most cost- effective strategies for facilitating the timely implementation of the 2030 Agenda and other development priorities of the affected countries.

    “I, therefore, call on all member states and corporate entities participating in this conference to commit to scaling up international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows and strengthen good practices on assets return.”

    Drumming support for the South-South and other similar cooperations, Osunyinkami stated that Nigeria had been providing volunteer assistance to various countries in need of relevant expertise, a gesture which has challenged the view that Africa was only at the receiving end.

    According to him, “this scheme and other such schemes in Africa, have challenged the commonly held perception that Africa is only a recipient of aid. It is gratifying that Nigeria’s volunteer service has over the years made positive contributions to the socio-economic development of many African, Caribbean and The Pacific Countries”.

  • Earthquake: Fed Govt acquires device to monitor earth movement

    The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has installed high sensitivity seismometers and tilet meters for the monitoring and detection of earth movements and earthquake in the country.

    Mines and Steel Development Minister Bawa Bwari Abubakar dropped the hint yesterday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy to defend his ministry’s budget.

    Abubakar, who said that the device was acquired as part of the measures to address the country’s geological security, explained that the device was installed at the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) premises, Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kaduna.

    The minister said that the effort was accelerated in response to the earth tremors experienced in the country, especially around Abuja.

    He said that the proactive measure became necessary in order to predict, detect and monitor earth movement and earthquake-related activities.

    Abubakar listed insufficient and untimely release of funds, direct intervention by states in the management of mineral resources, multiple taxation by states and local government areas and inadequate geological data, as some of the challenges facing mining sector.

    Besides, he said that limited supporting infrastructure, insecurity of minefields, especially in Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau and the Northeast, as well as illegal mining and community challenges were other obstacles.

    He noted that there was no doubt that the mining sector could do better if leakages were blocked.

    Committee ChairmanSenator Enyinnaya Abaribe urged the minister to furnish the panel with detailed breakdown of the budget.

    Read also: Japan cancels friendly with Chile after earthquake

    The committee believed that the revenue capacity of the sector should be raised for the country to benefit, adding that steps should be taken to position the sector to take its pride of place in the economic diversification policy of the Federal Government.

    The ministry proposed N20, 480,057,749 as its budget estimate for this year.

    Out of the amount, N8,559,365,940 is for personnel cost, N1,726,419,857 is for overhead while N10,194,271,952 is for capital projects.

  • Fed Govt’s N20m to publish journals

    The Federal Government has donated N20 million to four national academies for the publication of professional journals.

    It said this was part of its efforts to boost research and innovation in the country.

    Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu enjoined the academies to integrate their knowledge, adding that “knowledge cannot be compartmentalised…”

    Head of the ministry’s Press and Public Relations Abdul-Ganiyu Aminu spoke in a statement that the four academies are Nigeria Academy of Letters, Nigeria Academy of Science, Nigeria Academy of Social Science, and Nigerian Academy of Engineering.

    He said Onu urged the academies to explore the benefits in social sciences to solve some societal problems and boost innovations.

    “The Federal Government, on Monday, donated N20 million to four national academies for the publication of professional journals.

    “Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who made the donation, enjoined the academies to strive to integrate their knowledge, especially as innovations are at the reach of everyone, adding that “knowledge cannot be compartmentalised in this fast-growing Internet age.”

    “He commended them for their contribution to national development and charge them to continue to harness the potential in the country to make it greater.

    “It will be easier to solve critical national problems when we bring together the best brains we have in the country because, according to him, in solving scientific problems one needs to relate to the environment.

    “It is time we moved from just having potential but utilise them to move Nigeria forward,’’ Dr. Onu added. President of the Nigeria Academy of Science Prof Mosto Onuoha thanked the minister for his thoughtfulness and innovative ideas in considering the academics for cash donations.

    He said  the publication of journals by academies had suffered due to lack of finance.

    Onuoha assured the minister the money would be well utilised to advance the frontiers of knowledge, research and innovations.

     

  • Tuberculosis patients affected by catastrophic cost, says Fed Govt

    A ‘catastrophic cost survey’ conducted by the Federal Government, in collaboration with its partners in 2017, showed that 71 per cent of TB patients are affected negatively by the ‘catastrophic cost due to tuberculosis (TB).’

    Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole spoke at a news briefing  at the World Tuberculosis Day and the official launch of the report on the ‘catastrophic cost survey’ yesterday in Abuja.

    The minister, represented by Dr. Felix Ogenyi, director of General Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, said: “A worrisome trend is that of funding. The catastrophic cost survey conducted in 2017 showed that 71 per cent of TB patients and their household are affected negatively by the catastrophic cost due to TB.”

    The report defines catastrophic cost as the total costs (indirect and direct combined) exceeding a given threshold (e.g. 20 per cent) of the household’s annual income, and as ‘dissaving’ (such as loans taken, property or livestock sale) incurred by patients to face health costs associated with the TB disease (Working definition adopted by the WHO Task force, March, 2015).

    “Our National TB treatment coverage for 2018 was 25 per cent. This implies that of the estimated 418,000 new TB cases, only 106,533 TB cases were notified in 2018, leaving over 300,000 cases undiagnosed.

    “Similarly, the current proportion of health facilities in the country with TB services is barely 26 per cent.

    “Let me add that the access to TB diagnostic services is also a challenge. The current LGA coverage of Gene Xpert (which is the first-line test for diagnosis of TB) is 41 per cent,” he said.

    He added: “To address these challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari participated in the first-ever United Nations high-level meeting (UNHLM) on TB in New York, United States in September 2018.

    “The President, with other leaders, made a firm commitment towards eradicating TB in the world.

    “To further demonstrate government’s determination to end TB, we have developed an action plan for translating the UNHLM commitments on TB into action.

    “Nigeria is committed to enhancing available services alongside expansion of TB diagnostics and treatment services to improve access in line with our Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.”

    “Our plan going forward is to: Rapidly expand TB treatment and diagnostic services in both public and private health facilities; ensure capacity development of health care workers on diagnosis and management of TB;

    Read also: Ondo records 1,606 tuberculosis cases in 2018

    “Strengthen intra-facility linkage for TB services by ensuring every OPDs attendees are screened for TB in all health facilities; create an increased demand for TB services through awareness campaigns on TB in health facilities, schools and communities; ensure improved social protection packages for TB patients and families; and ensure a more robust engagement of professional associations and Civil Society Organisations,” he said.

    Dr. Adebola Lawanson, national coordinator for the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), said: “TB is no more a disease that should be confined to the health care facilities alone. We see that social exclusion is one of the greatest problems we have for those who have TB.

    “Stigmatisation against people with TB is one major risk factor that we have found out that is also leading to the spread of the disease.

    “A lot of people with the disease shy away from coming out to access health care facilities. It is a social disease that must be tackled head-on to make sure that people with it are no more stigmatised.

    “The Federal Government wants Nigerians to be healthy.

    “With the support of our partners, these drugs and facilities are made available to ensure that people access them, and don’t expend a lot of their resources. In fact, they don’t expend any of their resources in taking care of themselves because service have been provided free of charge.”

    TB is curable; diagnosis and TB treatment are available free of charge in all DOTS centres nationwide; persistent cough for two or more weeks could be TB; Toll-free help-line for TB is 08002255282.

  • NACCIMA, Fed Govt to partner

    NATIONAL President of Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Iyalode Alaba Lawson has said the body will partner the Federal Government in key areas of the economy.

    Lawson said the association would be part of ongoing transformative revolution in the agriculture sector.

    The NACCIMA said: “This revolution unfolding before our eyes must be explored, hence the association is concluding partnership arrangements with the International Institute for tropical Agriculture (IITA).”

    She spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday at the association’s First Council Meeting for 2019, saying the association would continue to partner governments to promote private sector activity.

    Lawson said the private sector could tap into opportunities in the mining sector and how those in mining states could take advantage of innovation  in the mining roadmap.

    Lawson said: “We have also started to explore new areas, such as entertainment and creativity, travel and hospitality industry, which contributed N239 billion to GDP in 2016…

    “NACCIMA is poised to tap into opportunities opening up, such as the Global Inter-Agency Initiative on Youth Employment in which OPS members… will play a crucial role. We hope …through our participation, more opportunities will be opened for our NACCIMA youth entrepreneurs …

    “…the association’s Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) 2018-2022 continues to be a useful roadmap … ”

    Lawson, who praised Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi for his achievements in the first term, said “the governor’s four cardinal agenda in the second tenure would move the state forward and break new frontiers.”

  • Fed Govt, private sector to partner on labour-friendly policies

    The  Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has called for synergy between the government and the private sector in promoting labour-friendly policies.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Nwankwo Alo, made the call in Abuja when the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Timothy Olawale, visited him.

    He described NECA as a critical and dependable partner in maintaining industrial harmony in Nigeria, and therefore encouraged the association to join hands with government to move the country forward.

    The Permanent Secretary pledged government’s continued support to NECA, and appreciated the association’s outstanding performance in providing the platform for private sector employers to interact with government.

    The Permanent Secretary was optimistic that Federal Government and NECA would continue to have a robust relationship, which would bring peace and tranquillity in the work environment.

    Earlier, the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Timothy Olawale, said the association would continue to partner with government to deepen the nation’s industrial relation’s system and ensure industrial harmony.

    In a related development, Alo has called for a more comprehensive identification of risks associated with the Labour sector, for inclusion in the National Risk Register.

    The Permanent Secretary spoke at the flag-off of a workshop on the Development of National Risk Register (NRR) for Nigeria, organised for the staff of the ministry.

    He described as narrow, the risk proposed by the Risk Assessment Working Group (RAWG) for ownership by the Ministry – Industrial Action Affecting Key Industries and Government-run Services.

    He said: “It, therefore, became necessary to develop in-house capacities on the subject for more comprehensive identification of risks associated with the Labour sector”.

    Represented by Director, Human Resources and Management, Mr Ajibola Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary said: “Any unidentified risk in this sector would not appear on the Risk Register, and would not be taken into cognisance while planning for avoidance of occurrence or reduction of impact on the nation’s economy.”

    According to him, the National Risk Register is developed and maintained by countries to serve as information and planning tool on risk identification and management, and Nigeria is adopting the process as a best practice.

    Director, Special Duties/Projects, Dr Martina Nwordu said the training was aimed at building staff capacity in-house to enable optimal contribution to the development of the NRR, with the labour sector adequately covered; and to acquire sufficient knowledge to develop Local Risk Register (LRR) for the ministry at various levels.

  • Falana urges Fed Govt to obey judgments on asylum seekers

    Activist-lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to obey the judgments ordering it to bring back refugees and asylum seekers who were deported by the National Security Adviser (NSA).

    He vowed to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents if they fail to comply with the verdicts within two weeks.

    In a March 20 letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN), Falana said the judgments were on suits numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/147/2018 by Wilfred Tassang and 50 others against the NSA and another, and FHC/ABJ/CS/85/2018 by Mr. Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and 10 others against the NSA.

    The SAN said the applicants are refugees and asylum seekers entitled to legal protection under the 1999 Constitution, the National Commission for Refugees (Establishment Etc) Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the United Nations on Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees Commission.

    According to him, in utter breach of their rights to personal liberty and dignity guaranteed by the statutory and international human rights instruments, they were deported from Nigeria and dumped in Cameroon on January 26, 2018 by the Office of the NSA.

    Falana said the applicants filed the lawsuits through his chambers to challenge their deportation.

    On March 1, Justice Anwali Chinkere of the Federal High Court declared the applicants’ deportation illegal and unconstitutional.

    The judge awarded reparation of various sums to them, and ordered the Federal Government to bring them back to Nigeria and restore all their rights and privileges as bona fide refugees and asylum seekers.

    “In view of the foregoing, we are compelled to request you to use your good offices to advise the Federal Government to comply with the aforesaid judgments of the Federal High Court without any further delay.

    “In particular, you may wish to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the case of the Minister of Internal Affairs v. Alhaji Shugaba Darman (1982) 3 NCLR 915 where the respondent who had been illegally deported to the Republic of Chad by the Federal Government was brought back to Nigeria in compliance with the orders of the Borno State High Court presided over by the Honourable Justice Oye Adefila of blessed memory.

    “Take notice that if the Federal Government fails to comply with the aforesaid judgments within the next two weeks, we shall not hesitate to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents including your good self without any further delay,” Falana writes.

  • 1.6 million people die of Tuberculosis, says Fed Govt

    No fewer than 1.6 million people die of Tuberculosis (TB) globally, Minister of State for Health, Dr Osaghe Ehanire, has said.

    The implication of this death to Nigeria as a country, Ehanire said, was to drastically reduce the mortality due to TB.

    The minister made this known yesterday in Abuja during the community outreach programme aimed at increasing TB case finding.

    The programme, organised by the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, is part of the activities to commemorate the 2019 World TB Day.

    The minister added that as a country, “we must be able to improve our capacity to diagnose, treat TB and improve TB case finding, hence the reach out programme.”

    He noted that only 41 per cent of local government areas in the country had gene expert machines that are used for diagnosis of TB.

    “We are short of about 460 diagnostic machines because we want to ensure that each local government has a diagnostic machine,’’ he said.

    He renewed the commitment of the government to procure more diagnostic machines to expand TB case finding and put more people found to be infected with TB on treatment.

    According to him, the Federal Government is committed to boost healthcare financing in line with the Abuja Declaration.

    He said the Abuja Declaration suggested that countries must try to allocate at least 15 per cent of their annual budget to increase health funding.

    “We are going to be asking for 15 per cent of the national budget to be allocated for funding the health sector. We know we will not get there immediately, but we are working towards getting the 15 per cent or more funding to solve the problems in the health sector,” he said.

  • Fed Govt adjusts 2019 MTEF

    Budget and National Planning Minister, Udoma Udo Udoma yesterday told the Senate Committee on Finance that some slight adjustments had been effected on the 2019 Medium Term Fiscal Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

    The adjustments came between when it was approved by the Federal Executive Council and the finalization of the 2019 budget proposals.

    The minister who was briefing the Committee on the 2019 revenue and expenditure projections said the adjustment only affected the expenditure levels as it was done to reflect some unanticipated expenditure items and the consequences of those adjustments.

    The key assumptions and macro-framework of the 2019 Budget targets 2.3 million barrels per day of oil production at an oil benchmark price of $60 per barrel; exchange rate of N305/$, Inflation rate at 9.98 per cent, Nominal consumption of N119.28 trillion, Nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at N139.65 trillion and GDP growth rate of 3.01 per cent.

    Before giving an overview of the 2019 Expenditure Framework, the Minister briefed the Committee on the 2018 expenditure out turns. He stated that of the total appropriation of N9.12 trillion, N7.24 trillion had been spent as at December 31, 2018; representing 79 per cent performance. He indicated that Debt Service and the implementation of Non-debt Recurrent Expenditure, including payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, were on track.

    He explained that Capital releases only commenced after the signing of the 2018 budget on June 20, 2018; and as at January 11, 2019, a total of N1.226 trillion had been released for capital projects.

     

    Spending on Capital, he explained further, was prioritised in favour of critical ongoing infrastructural projects in the power, roads, rail and agriculture sectors. “Implementation of the 2018 Capital Budget will continue into 2019 until the 2019 Budget is passed into law,” he pointed out.