The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal government

  • Guild wants FG to revamp building construction sector

    Guild wants FG to revamp building construction sector

    Mr Kunle Awobodu, the National President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild ( BCPG ), has called on the Federal Government to help revamp the local building construction sector.

    Awobodu said in Lagos on Friday that the sector was yet to get relief from the effects of economic recession recently experienced in the country.

    He said that lack of government’s assistance was a major factor militating against the growth of the building construction industry in Nigeria.

    Awobodu expressed regret that the government gave more support to foreign construction operators than the local ones.

    According to him, foreigners still dominate the sector in Nigeria, while their local counterparts are being neglected.

    “The few construction and capital projects in the country are being executed by foreign contractors and construction operators.

    “Any contract or construction work executed by foreigners will add little or nothing to the country’s GDP and economic growth.

    Read also: Budget 2018: Financiers to execute rail projects

    “Let the government invest in capital projects and engage the services of the local construction operators to help revamp the sector and equally enhance economic growth of the country,” he said.

    According to him, until the citizens and government learnt to value and make use of the local construction professionals and operators, the sector may not record significant growth.

    Awobodu warned that if government policies were not channeled to favour the construction sector, the nation may slip back into recession.

    He blamed the attitude of politicians for the recent economic recession and other challenges facing the country.

    Awobodu described the country’s political system as too expensive.

    NAN

  • FG to provide cheap funds to farmers – Emefiele

    FG to provide cheap funds to farmers – Emefiele

    The Federal Government will provide cheap funds of not more than five  per cent to farmers who wants to acquire agricultural equipment and feeds.

    The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele,  made this known on Thursday at the official launch of  Mitros  Ofada Rice in Abeokuta.

    Emefiele said the cheap funds  would help conserve foreign exchange as “we will no longer depend on foreign exchange to import agricultural produce.’’

    The apex bank  governor,  who identified lack of fish feeds as a major setback for fish farmers, also said the Federal Government would offer support to them.

    Emefiele commended Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun  for  the initiatives to create jobs and boost food security.

    “The Central Bank will continue to support anybody who makes an attempt to grow our agricultural sector.

    “ This is because by doing this, we provide food and jobs for our people and in doing this, we grow our economy.

    “Ogun State continues to demonstrate the urge to support the focus of the government to create jobs and grow the economy.

    “ A country that does not take agriculture seriously is naturally an unserious country.

    “We have a lot of people who wants to go into fish farming but the major problem is fish feeds. Be rest assured that if you identify yourself, you will be counted and we’ll support you,” he said.

    Also speaking, Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu,  said the Federal Government had been taking  steps to revamp the agricultural sector so as to ensure food sufficiency.

    Bagudu, who is the Chairman of the  Presidential Task Force on Agricultural Commodities and Production, said  all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, have the capability to grow  rice.

    “With rice, I believe we can achieve what we have achieved,  even with a commodity like crude oil  because around the world, about 600 million metric tonnes of rice are  produced every year, and in Nigeria, we are still having a little less than 10 million.

    ” Our land size estimated by the Rice Farmers Association indicated that there are about 12 million rice farmers.

    “ This suggests that even if an average yield per farmer is the modest five  tonnes, that means  we should be producing 50 million tonnes, not under 10 million tonnes we are currently producing.

    “ Nigeria has the ability to produce rice competitively,’’ he said.

    Amosun, in his speech, said that the inauguration of mitros rice is an investment in the mission to rebuild the state.

    He said  the state had  attracted over 70 per cent of industrial investment, adding that his  administration would continue to partner with the Federal Government and private sector in boosting  food sufficiency  in the country.

    The governor  added that production of  Mitros rice had  also helped in creating jobs for farmers in the  state.

    “The Mitros ofada rice and other rice that we grow are planted, processed and packaged  by farmers from Ogun, ” he said.

    He urged  the people of  the state to partronise Mitros rice during the festive period instead of  foreign rice.

    The rice comes  in 50kg, 25kg,10kg, 5 kg and 1 kg bags.

    NAN

  • Senate postpones deliberation on FG’s plan to withdraw $1bn

    Senate postpones deliberation on FG’s plan to withdraw $1bn

    The Senate on Thursday, postponed deliberation on the proposed withdrawal of one billion dollars from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) by the Federal Government, to fight insurgency and other security concerns across the country.

    The action followed an observation by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu on the floor of the senate on the matter.

    Ekweremadu had observed that deliberation on the matter was slated for Thursday and expressed surprise that it was not listed on the Order Paper.

    The senate thereafter moved the matter to the next legislative day, after its recess, following the absence of Sen. Sam Anyanwu who was meant to present the motion on the floor.

    In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki, assured the lawmakers that the matter would be treated as a matter of priority upon resumption, adding that it would be listed as first item for consideration.

    Read also: Senate  to Fed Govt: don’t sell National Theatre, TBS

    He said, “The issue would have come up today but Sen. Sam Anyanwu could not present the motion today.

    “He pleaded for more time and I agree that we move it to another legislative day, which is when we resume. It will be the first item on the Order Paper.

    “It is an important motion that we cannot take if the person that moved it is not here. It cannot be delegated. I assure you that we will take it.

    “Our party will not spend money that did not follow due process. I am assuring you that the money will not be spent until we come here and debate on it,’’ he said.

    The National Economic Council( NEC ) had last week in its meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, agreed to withdraw one billion dollars from the ECA to be used in tackling insecurity in the country.

    NAN

  • Leakages: Senate panel mulls liquidation of NNPC  

    Leakages: Senate panel mulls liquidation of NNPC  

    Following the discovery of billions of naira frittered away by revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government, the Senate committee on Finance Tuesday contemplated the liquidation of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    A member of the committee, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, cited unabating financial leakages being perpetrated by revenue generating agencies as part of the reason why budgets are not properly funded.

    The Taraba Central lawmaker who spoke at the budget defence of the Ministry of Finance asked pointedly whether NNPC had been cooperating with relevant agencies in disclosing its financial dealings.

    He said that there was no doubt that NNPC has become a drain pipe doing what it chooses without respect to any authority.

    Yusuf said “We are talking about leakages, is the NNPC cooperating. Why can’t we liquidate NNPC. It is better we liquidate NNPC because it is no longer relevant. They do not respect anybody. They do not respect us. NNPC has become a drain pipe that should be liquidated.”

    Senator Usman Bayero Nafada (Gombe North) said that the findings of the investigation of revenue generating agencies should bother the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

    Nafada noted that the failure to fund annual budgets should be traced to massive financial leakages in agencies.

    Loss of huge revenue, he said, should be a source of concern to the minister.

    Mrs. Adeosun told the committee that they have started scrutinizing the budget of agencies which was not the case in the past.

    She said that unnecessary budgetary line items are being removed.

    The minister admitted that “there is still a lot of latitude in the agencies that should return money to government.”

    Senator Yahaya Abdullahi asked the Finance Minister why the implementation of the 2017 budget would be truncated “simply because you want to normalize the budget year.”

    Abdullahi said that observations had shown that the 2018 budget proposal has no bearing with the 2017 budget as passed by the National Assembly.

    “What is the whole idea that the budget must begin from January. The entire template you used for budgeting has no bearing whatsoever with reality. It was the template used during the military era. We do the same thing every year and expect a different result. It does not work like that,” Abdullahi said.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator John Owan Enoh wanted Adeosun to explain why the budget performance of her ministry rose to 64 per cent when the trend they observed is low budget performance.

    Senator Joshua Dariye asked the minister to tell Nigerians the budget system the country is operating.

    The Plateau Central senator wanted to know whether the country is operating envelop system of budgeting or Zero based budgeting.

    Dariye added, “If your budget performance is 64 per cent and in other MDA it is 15 per cent, then the economy is not balanced. You need to reconcile this.”

    Mrs. Adeosun said that she has noted the general comments on the budget and would get the economic team to consider and reconcile the observations.

    The minister reiterated the N750 billion has been released to fund capital budget.

    On the type of budget system the country is operation, Mrs. Adeosun said that the Ministry of Budget and National Planning is no longer in the Ministry of Finance.

    She said that the Minister of Budget and National Planning will be in a better position to answer the question.

    Members of the committee said that from the comments of the minister it appeared that the Zero budgeting system is still in operation.

  • FG to expose Nigerian engineers to large-scale projects

    FG to expose Nigerian engineers to large-scale projects

    The Federal Government says it will expose Nigerian scientists and engineers to relevant large-scale scientific and engineering projects that will ensure long-term local contents development.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu made this known at a workshop organised by Nigerian Society of Nigeria ( NSC ) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    According to Onu, exposing Nigerian engineers to relevant scientist and engineering projects will increase job opportunities for Nigerian scientists and engineers as well as strengthen national self-reliance.

    He said that the government would fast-track infrastructural development course by fully encouraging Nigerian engineering firms to be the arrowhead of such developmental effort.

    “Nigeria is in dire need of sustainable social infrastructure to support the much anticipated socio-economic development.

    “We may take the easy route of becoming the world’s destination for “ready-made“ skills and products.

    “By extension, we will be offering other opportunities to advance ready-made capacities and skills which we will continue to pay for at the peril of killing our growth potential in all ramification,“ he said.

    Read also: Kaduna refinery pledges to patronize Nigerian engineers

    Onu expressed optimism that such development would positively affect fiscal activities such as relieving seemingly futile reactionary regulatory efforts on Nigeria currency foreign exchange values.

    The President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr Oliver Anyaeji, said that the awards of projects to foreign companies would neither help in effectively empowering local firms nor lead to the attainment of respective installed capacities.

    Anyaeji said that the workshop aimed to explore effect of Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) guidelines for planning and execution of projects, programmes and contracts with science, engineering and technology components.

    “It would interest you to know how the FEC guidelines for planning and execution of projects, programmes and contracts with science, engineering and technology would guarantee steady and rapid capacity building to Nigerian engineering companies.

    “We are most concerned with our basic occupational areas inclusive of engineering consulting, contracting, manufacturing, maintenance and repairs among others,’’ he said.

    The workshop examined the needs and benefits of Executive Order on Local Content inclusion via Nigerian engineering firms on projects and programmes with Science, Engineering and Technology contents“.

    NAN

  • Made in Nigeria: Govt takes gospel to schools

    Made in Nigeria: Govt takes gospel to schools

    The Federal Government has taken the gospel of the patronage of made in Nigeria products to  secondary schools in all the geo-political zones of the country.

    Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), a council under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology says it is to reverse the country’s culture of import dependency.

    Director General/ CEO RMRDC, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim said that for the country to make meaningful headways in the development of the economy through industrialization, the involvement of the target group is key.

    Speaking at the 2nd edition of RMRDC annual quiz competition among secondary schools in Nigeria held in Abuja.

    Ibrahim who was represented by the Public Affairs Officer of the agency, Chucks Ngaha stated.

    “This programme has been carefully packaged to arose the interest of our young ones in the effective and efficient utilization of the vast natural ’ resources endowment of this Country and to also engender innovations that will turn them into the development and value chain addition of our natural resources for economic growth and development.

    “For us as a nation to make any meaningful headway in our quest to develop our economy through industrialization, the involvement of this target group is therefore key, since the future of this great Country belongs to them. The message of patronage of our locally produced goods is better passed at this level for us to make meaningful impact in changing the orientation and our appetite for foreign goods to the detriment of the locally produced ones.

    ” As a Council, we enjoin all Nigerians to embrace this initiative and reverse our culture of Import dependent economy to an economy that is dependent on the local natural resources for growth and development. It is on this note that we call on good Spirited individuals and corporate bodies to join the Council in the sponsorship of this lofty idea as it is cost intensive to be borne by Council alone.”

  • FG pledges support for FCWC

    FG pledges support for FCWC

    The Federal Government has pledged to support the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea ( FCWC ) to achieve its goals for the benefit of the member states.

    Dr Bukar Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, conveyed the assurance at the 10th Annual Ministerial Conference on FCWC in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Ibrahim, who was represented by Mr Azeez Muyiwa, a Director in the ministry, said that the Federal Government would support the efforts of the committee to ensure that the fishery resources of the sub-region were sustainably exploited and managed.

    “Today’s annual conference is unique because the organisation is celebrating its 10th anniversary of existence.

    “The organisation’s excellent performance in fisheries management, promotion of fish trade, fight against Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported ( IUU ) fishing and regional cooperation among the member countries cannot be overemphasised.

    “The conference could not have come at a more auspicious time than now that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has redirected the focus of the Nigerian economy towards agriculture.

    “Efforts at harnessing the huge potential of fisheries and aquaculture will no doubt give an added impetus to the realisation of our shared objectives in wealth creation, food and nutritional sector in the Gulf of Guinea,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim, however, urged the participants to come up with a workable document that could be used to implement fishery development programmes that would be beneficial to the sub-region.

    Read also: ‘Mechanised Farming, key to Nigeria’s food security’

    Mr Seraphin Dedi, the Secretary General of FCWC, said that if the public and private sectors and all partners in the fishery sector invested appreciable resources in fishery development projects, the sector would record significant improvement.

    “If we are able to invest enough resources in the fishery sector, we may improve the contribution of fisheries to the food security, nutrition and the development of the sub-region.

    “The fishery sector is one sector that is helping a lot in terms redistributing the value addition of the sector to the population. So, if we invest in fisheries, you are sure that it will affect the people of the region.

    “If we look at the value chain of the fishery sector, we will discover that different people are involved in the system; by investing in the sector, you can touch all these people and facilitate the development of the region,’’ he said.

    Dedi said that FCWC was the regional fisheries body that managed the fishery resources of the region which comprised six countries — Nigeria, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic.

    “We are having this meeting in Nigeria, which is the conference of ministers.

    “We use to meet once a year and move from one country to the other. Part of the focus of the current meeting is the celebration of the 10th anniversary of our existence.

    “It means for the past 10 years, we have been working together as a body, sharing our experiences and implementing measures to combat illegal fishery in the region and manage our fishery resources.

    “So after 10 years, we need to sit down and reflect on what we have done so far and how far we can go again.

    “We have noted in our past discussions that investment in fisheries is not sufficient enough.

    “So, in efforts to support our region’s development, we decided to choose `Investment for Growth and Sustainability in Fisheries in West Africa’ as the theme of this year’s conference,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Yuletide: NURTW urges members to drive with caution

    Yuletide: NURTW urges members to drive with caution

    Mr Garba Ladi, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ),  Okene branch, Kogi has cautioned drivers against reckless driving during the yuletide to prevent accidents.

    The NURTW chairman gave the warning in an interview in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    Ladi warned drivers to avoid speeding and obey traffic laws before, during and after the yuletide.

    He also urged passengers to be alert always by ensuring they caution drivers when they violate traffic regulations.

    According to him, lives and properties of our members and passengers are more precious to the union and the nation, hence they need to work together to prevent accidents.

    “We should, therefore, not kill ourselves and others because of carelessness on the roads.

    “Our drivers must not be reckless behind the wheels and passengers must also caution drivers whenever they observe that drivers were becoming reckless on the roads for the benefit of all.

    “Safety is number one in our job. We can stop all preventable human and material losses on our roads.

    Read also: Yuletide: FG warns security agencies against traffic law violations

    “It is the union’s responsibility to sensitise its members on the need to shun reckless driving, obey traffic laws and traffic wardens in order to prevent motor accidents,’’ he said.

    The chairman, who also urged drivers to be patient on the road, cautioned against driving under the influence of alcohol.

    “Our members should shun hard drugs and all tendencies to be in haste or trying to intimidate and compete with other road users without regard to their safety,’’ he said.

    Ladi, however, urged the three tiers of government to improve on road infrastructure for the safety of the people.

    He also appealed to the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) to be more visible on the roads and do more sensitisation on road safety.

    Commenting on the fuel scarcity, the union leader urged the Federal Government to put an end to it, with a view to reducing the hardship being faced by passengers and motorists presently.

    He appealed to all drivers to always check their tyres, engine oil and other necessary parts before embarking on any journey.

    The chairman wished all drivers and commuters the best of the season, urging Nigerians to drive with care.

    NAN

  • Bello lauds FG over Geregu power plant

    Bello lauds FG over Geregu power plant

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has commended the Federal Government and other stakeholders for the completion of three turbines power generation at Geregu Power Plant in the state.

    Bello gave the commendation at the 22nd Power Sector Monthly Meeting with power stakeholders and other participants held at Geregu Power Plc, Ajaokuta on Monday.

    The governor expressed his appreciation to the Minister of  Power, Works and Housing, the President and the Vice President for the good job they had been doing in the power sector.

    “Today, we are glad that there is a relative improvement in the power generation and transmission across Nigeria, especially in Kogi.

    “The Federal Government has virtually solved all the power problems but we need a little patience to identify the communities which do not have electricity in Kogi to install the required transformers.

    “I want to encourage investors to make enough investment in power distribution so that various communities at the grassroots in Kogi and Nigeria at large can begin to enjoy the benefits.

    “When we assumed office, we met a dispute regarding Kabba Power Transmission substation, but we immediately waded in and resolved the issues for the work to be completed.”

    The governor said that the state government had made efforts to reduce cases of reported and unreported kidnapping and armed robbery cases in the state.

    “Without adequate security, the power plant here will not be safe and we will not be talking about generation, transmission or distribution.

    “We have been supporting and equipping our security agencies to ensure that the contractors and their workers working on the roads are safe and secure,” he said.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola said that the power production had reached an all-time high of over 7,000 megawatts in the nation.

    According to him, the ministry in collaboration with all the stakeholders has created a safe and more conducive environment to gain the confidence of investors in the power sector.

    “On December 8, we reached an all-time power production of 7,000 and a great peak supply of 5,155 Megawatts, which Nigeria has never produced or generated that much power into the grid.

    Read also: We are expecting additional 1,129 MW in 2018 – Fashola

    “The last supply was 5074 MW in January 2016, after which we went into a season of disruption of gas supply by militants.

    “It means that our policies and programmes are working, and we are also now able to evacuate substantially all of that power by transmission,” he said.

    Fashola expressed his gratitude to the government for paying the compensation that was militating against the development of the Kabba Transmission Sub-station.

    Mr Adeyemi Adenuga, the Managing Director, Generation, Geregu Power Plant, said that the plant was handed over to private company on Oct. 1, 2013.

    Adenuga said that the new owners had invested about 94 million dollars into the plant to bring it the present state.

    “Right now, we can successfully run three units (turbines) comfortably, effectively and efficiently. So, we hope that from this meeting, we will get the needed loads for our machine,” Adenuga said.

    Mr Otayitie Eminefo, the Special Adviser on Energy and Power to the governor, applauded the minister and stakeholders for their visit to the state.

    He appealed to stakeholders to give priority to electrification projects in the state.

    NAN

  • FG to save N43 trillion from importation 

    FG to save N43 trillion from importation 

    The Federal Government has disclosed that it would be saving about N43 trillion in five years, from the importation of raw materials.

    Minister of Science and Technology Dr, Ogbonnaya Onu made the revelation at the weekend in Lagos at the interactive session on the National Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap (2017-2030) with staff of the agencies of the Ministry in the South West geopolitical zone held at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO).

    Deputy Director Press AbdulGaniyu Aminu in a press statement stated that Dr Onu revealed that the ministry is embarking on a silent revolution.

    He stated, “The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has put in place a mechanism that would save Nigeria about N43 trillion in five years from the importation of raw materials

    “The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr, Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed that the ministry is embarking on silent revolution that will put Nigeria in a position to create jobs and fight poverty, adding that the big countries in the world do not have natural resources but her endowed with knowledge-economy.

    “The revolution, he added, would also ensure that Nigeria utilised her resources and intellectual capacity to add value to our Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

    “He said that the Ministry had already identified those raw materials and products that Nigeria can produce and also provide guidelines involving programmes and designs to ensure that Nigerians processionals are given preference in execution of contracts in Nigeria.

    “According to Dr.Onu, in the next 20 years we want Nigeria Firms to compete with Americans firms for jobs, adding that the interest of Nigeria must first be considered above that of any  expatriate.

    “The Minister appealed to members of Academic Union of Research Institutes (ASURI) to reconsider their on-going strike action while urging them to educate their members about the Road Map.

    “We are committed to making sure that the welfare of our workers is given top priority in the Ministry” he added

    “We are working to form a policy framework that will move our country from resource-based to Knowledge-based innovation driven economy where professionals can help to create jobs”  the Minister added.

    “Dr.Onu further said that more two hundred organised private and manufacturing sectors were fully involved in the preparation and final drafting of the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw materials which made it all-inclusive.

    “Earlier, in his opening remark, the Director of Science and Technology Promotion, in the Ministry, Mr Ekanem Udo said that the Roadmap will stimulate Researchactivities and ensure the commercialization of research results for economic development.

    “According to him, it is also intended to provide a long-term science and Technology Framework as well as facilitate the creation of knowledge while creating the platform to change the mindset of Nigerians to Science and Technology.

    “In her remarks, the Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Professor Gloria Elemo said that the institute is 75% ready to face the assignment as contained  in the Roadmap.”