The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal government

  • The creative industry is our life and our job – Austen Peters

    The creative industry is our life and our job – Austen Peters

    Ms. Bolanle Austen-Peters has described the creative industry  as a money-spinning sector that the Federal Government must not neglect its development.

    “Art is money; art is life, art is job, art adds value to the individual and the environment,” the Founder and Managing Director, Terrakulture, a cultural firm, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

    She said in Lagos that it if well developed by the government, it would also boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and employment generation for its teeming unemployed youths.

    She said that the industry was blessed with enormous potentialities that could be harnessed to solve the unemployment challenges facing the country.

    “Some of the areas of specialisation that the youths can venture into in the sector are: visuals, food, music, dance, and script writing.

    “ These areas are capable of employing millions of Nigerian youths and solve problems facing them,” she said.

    She also said that the industry was a fertile ground for the production of artistic and movie producers/directors, fashion designers, models, image makers and painters.

    Austen-Peters tasked the National Bureau of Statistics to disclose the data on revenue generated from creative arts and its contributions to the nation’s economy.

    She said that the data would enable government to know the immense contributions of the industry to national development in the areas of employment, revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

    She said that her firm had engaged several youths since its inception in 2013 through its periodic organised exhibitions.

    Austen-Peters said that the organized private sector should be ready to partner the Federal Government under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative because the former had lots of statutory responsibilities to perform.

  • FG releases Economic Recovery Plan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Abuja Airport shuts down Wednesday night – Sirika

    Abuja Airport shuts down Wednesday night – Sirika

    The Federal government said on Tuesday that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja will be shut down from midnight of Wednesday, March 8, 2017, and not Tuesday March 7, 2017.

    James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affair, Ministry of Aviation said in a statement on Tuesday morning that Stakeholders in the Aviation sector and the general public should note that the Abuja airport remains open for operations until the midnight of Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

    He said government has also concluded all arrangements for the complimentary transportation of passengers to and from Kaduna as soon as the Abuja Airport shuts down for operations, adding that this is in line with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to mitigate the discomfort of air passengers resulting from the closure.

    “As part of the arrangements, and for security reasons, there will be an initial screening of passengers and luggage at the Abuja Airport which is the departure point for the buses, while screening for boarding will be done at the Kaduna airport. Government will also set up contact points at the Idu and Kubwa railway stations for those opting to travel by rail to Kaduna.

    “However, in order to properly identify genuine passengers, government has decided that only those with valid air tickets and / or Boarding Passes will be allowed on the buses or travel by train at government expenses.

    “Minister of State for Aviation wishes to once again appeal to the public to understand that decision to shut down the Abuja Airport has been taken in the overall public interest, and in line with government stand on enhancing the safety and security of the nation’s airport and, of course, the flying public”, he said.

     

     

  • FG assures of seamless operation at Kaduna airport

    FG assures of seamless operation at Kaduna airport

    The Federal Government on Monday announced its readiness to ensure seamless operation at Kaduna International Airport as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja closes on March 8 for runway repairs.

    The Minster of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this during a World News Conference organided by the ministry in Abuja.

    The news conference featured the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahi Idris.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, was also represented at the news conference.

    Mohammed said the Acting President had inspected Kaduna airport and the rail station to ascertain the level of readiness to ensure smooth operation during the six-week closure period.

    He said that the summary of the findings during the inspection was that even though the airport might not be 100 per cent ready, its current state was suitable enough for the operation.

    The minister also disclosed that the repair work on the Abuja-Kaduna highway had been completed to ensure smooth passage for Abuja bound passengers.

    “As you are all aware, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja will shut from the midnight of Tuesday March 7 to the Wednesday March 8 for the purpose of repairing the failed portion of the airport runway.

    “During that time, Abuja flights will be diverted to Kaduna.

    “On Friday, the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo inspected the Kaduna airport and the railway station to ascertain the state of readiness.

    “The summary of the finding is that while the airport may not be 100 per cent ready, by the time Abuja airport is shut, it will indeed be suitable enough,’’ he said.

    Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the government had concluded arrangements to provide free transportation service for Abuja-bound passengers to and from Kaduna.

    Amaechi said that the train services would be rearranged to suit the flight schedules at Kaduna airport, adding that the train would be coming from Kaduna instead of the current arrangement.

    He said the Kaduna airport runway was in perfect shape, adding that it was a portion of the terminal building that was yet to be completed as at Friday.

    According to him, the work was nearing completion as at that day and the contractor promised to deliver it before the deadline.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sirika, craved the indulgence of air travelers to bear with the government on the closure.

    He said that the decision was for safety reasons, which is the key word in aviation sector.

    The minister said the part of the Kaduna airport terminal building had been completed as at this morning, adding that much work had been done to ensure smooth operation.

    According to him, the ministry has provided a dedicated website (www.abujaairportclosure.info) to update airport users on the operations at Kaduna during the period.

    Sirika said the government had no other option than to shut the Abuja airport runway considering the level of dilapidation that had made it to fail completely.

    He said that Kaduna airport would remain a seasonal international airport even after the six weeks period until it met the requirements to be a designated international airport.

    According to him, Ethiopian Airline is the only foreign airline that has expressed its readiness to fly the airport so far but at the end we expect more to operate the airport.

    The minister reiterated the government’s plan to concession all the airports for efficiency beginning from the big four such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

    “We have already concluded the arrangement for the appointment of transaction adviser that will commence work in a matter of weeks,’’ he said.

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, assured that the police had made adequate security plans to ensure seamless operation between Abuja and Kaduna airports.

    Idris said the police force had enough capacity and capability to carry out efficient surveillance on the road, the rail line and air during the six weeks.

    According to him, he was in Kaduna on Sunday to conduct assessment of security in the airport, on the road and the rail at Jere and Idu stations.

    “In the whole, our deployment on the ground is perfect because we have the various units of the Nigeria Police Force in charge of specialized units.

    “We have the force Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), we have the force animals in charge of dogs; we have the patrolling team and the mobile force as well as the air wing.

    “As I stated, all the units are deployed fully on ground,’’ he said.

     

  • Economy coming out of recession – Presidency

    The Presidency on Tuesday reacted to the review of the economy by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), saying the report indicated that the economy was coming out of recession.

    “There are now indications that the Nigerian economy is well on its way out of recession considering the 2016 overall and last quarter Gross Domestic Product reports,’’ the Presidential Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu, said in a statement.

    A review of the recent GDP figures released by the NBS shows a contraction of -1.30 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016, translating into an estimated economic growth rate of -1.51 per cent for the full year.

    Dipeolu said the Nigerian economy actually performed better overall last year as the growth rate was higher with a contraction at -1.5 per cent than the -1.8 per cent predicted by the IMF.

    He said the report had raised the hope that Nigeria was gradually coming out of recession with the improving trends in several key sectors of the economy including agriculture and mining.

    The presidential aide said the Buhari administration was also hopeful that with the series of ongoing engagement with the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta, the increased oil production output would be sustained.

    He added that the ongoing implementation of the Social Investment Programmes and significant infrastructural spending of the Federal Government would spur a positive multiplier effect on the Nigerian economy.

    He said same effect was expected from the possible early legislative passage of the 2017 budget.

    “The Buhari administration will not relent in its determined effort and its comprehensive approach to bring about the full recovery of the Nigerian economy and set it on a solid path of sustainable growth.

    “Our work continues and we renew the pledge to do it with diligence, and the firm commitment it deserves,’’ he said.(NAN)

  • Ogidigben gas project activated under Buhari – Presidency

    Ogidigben gas project activated under Buhari – Presidency

    With the renewed interactive engagements of the Federal Government with oil-producing communities in several states in the Niger Delta region, the Presidency on Monday said that there is now a process to put in place a gas industrial park valued at about $20 billion through a Public-Private Partnership model.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said that the project tagged the Gas Revolution Industrial Park, GRIP, Ogidigben, envisaged to be a regional hub for all gas-based industries, will cover 2700 hectares with fertilizer, methanol, petrochemicals, & aluminium plants located in the park that has already been designated as a Tax Free Zone by the Federal Government.

    The statement said that the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo spoke during a meeting with international developers and investors of the project at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the Buhari administration is committed to the development of the Niger Delta, and the importance of the project is underlined by the presidential attention it is attracting.

    “The presidency is very interested,” he said.

    Before going on vacation, President Muhammadu Buhari had mandated the Vice President to embark on visits to oil-producing communities to demonstrate the resolve of the administration to the pursuit of a new vision for the Niger Delta.

    It reads “The building of an industrial gas hub in Ogidigben, Delta State was one of the feedbacks that was received during the visit to the state.

    “As a follow-up on the Niger Delta trips, Acting President Osinbajo, alongside the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Group Managing Director; Dr. Maikanti Baru and other top government and NNPC officials met today with a group of international investors and developers put together under a consortium by Dubai-based firm, AGMC.

    “The consortium is made up of Fortune 500 companies like the GSE&C of South Korea, the China Development Bank, Power China and several others global operators from Asia and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle-East.

    “Under the plan presented today by the consortium to the Acting President, about $20B would be invested to develop the Gas Revolution Industrial Park, and generating 250,000 direct and indirect jobs in the process.

    “The industrial park would be a cluster for several industries in one location benefiting from an efficient, cost-competitive and abundant supply of natural gas, proximity to a deep sea port and centralized utilities, & services such as uninterrupted power,  world class telecommunications and processed water.

    “The park, originally conceived by NNPC, is located about 60km from Warri, and is about 1km away from the operational base of Chevron Nigeria Limited. It will be connected to over 18 trillion Cubic Feet of gas reserves in fields such as Odidi, Okan, Forcados, located within a 50km radius. It is equally planned that the park will be connected to Nigeria’s most dominant gas pipeline network-ELPS, enabling supply of gas to and from the park.” it added

    The Acting President said “we already have a Steering Committee in place, chaired by the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and that shows the level of our commitment. We are unwavering.

    “We take the project very seriously and glad to see you are committed and ready to make several other commitments. This is a process that we intend to see happen.”

    In his own remarks, Dr. Kachikwu expressed confidence that the GRIP will bring the much needed succor to the people of the Niger Delta, and the oil-producing states.

    Speaking earlier the leader of the group of investors and developers, Sheik Mohammed Bayo reiterated the commitment of the consortium, adding also that the project is important to solving the Niger Delta crisis.

     

  • Aso Villa owes Abuja Disco N555m

    Aso Villa owes Abuja Disco N555m

    The Federal Government will spend the sum of N94.5 million to purchase bullet-proof tyres for the use of President Muhammadu Buhari and others in the 2017 fiscal year, Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal A. Arabi, has said.

    The purchase of canteen and Kitchen equipment, on the other hand, will gulp N100.8 million.

    This is contained in the breakdown of the State House 2017 budget presented by Arabi to the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

    The number of treated (bullet proof) tyres that will be purchased with N94.5 million was, however, unspecified.

    The Permanent Secretary told the committee that a total sum of N94.5 million is proposed for 2017 representing 50% of the actual sought for in 2016.

    He noted that they expected that the amount will address the shortfall and compliment the requirement of “the sector which is mostly treated tyres procured at an exorbitant price.”

    On why the tyres should be purchased at “exorbitant price” Arabi explained that “some of the tyres being purchased are actually treated (bullet proof)” and hence constituted the bulk of the purchase cost.

    On canteen and kitchen equipment, Arabi said that the sum of N100.8 million was provided for in the 2017 proposal for the items.

    He added: “This amount is principally the un-released appropriation for 2016 which was the unpaid balance in 2015 for contracts awarded and executed. The sum of N80.2million appropriated in 2016 has up to this moment not been released hence its roll over and inclusion in 2017.”

    He noted that it was important to mention that the proposal covered kitchen equipment in the main residence, VP residence, banquet hall, State House medical centre, State House auditorium and 22 other guest houses.

    On electricity charges, he said that N45.3 million was approved in the 2016 budget for the purpose.

    He said that the State House electricity bill for 2016 alone as forwarded by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for State House Abuja was N252 million with another outstanding liability of over N300 million for State House, Lagos facilities.

    He noted that the provision in the 2016 budget could not accommodate the outstanding liability.

    He said that the management of the State House was forced to install meters in 2016 to ensure proper billing “and that was what reduced the bill to a reasonable figure.”

    Arabi said that since the bills were currently subject of reconciliation “we have made a modest provision of the sum of N319.6 million for 2017 to settle current and part of outstanding bills as noted above.”

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    He said that other outstanding bills will be captured in 2018 proposals.

    Arabi said that a “modest provision of N4.9 billion” was made for annual routine maintenance of Villa facilities for the 2017 fiscal year.

    He said that they considered some factors including exchange rate and inflation trends before coming up with the provision.

    He said: “The services under this heading are very wide and vary. For instance, in 2016 alone, our analysis indicated a consumption of about 123 trailers (about 4million litres) of diesel in the State House Power House alone and which falls under this arrangement. This gives a conservative estimate of almost N900 million on diesel consumption alone. This would rise higher in 2017 unless drastic measures are taken to lower the price of diesel and improve power supply in 2017.”

    Arabi said that another major contributing factor to the rising cost was the undetermined nature of unscheduled works that come at the instance of “our principals.”

    He noted that the facilities covered under the maintenance arrangement included but not limited to maintenance of electrical/mechanical installations, building and civil infrastructure in President/VP residences and offices, President/VP safe houses, banquet hall, council chambers, State House conference center, Villa administrative block, presidential and ministerial chalets as well as Airport lounges.

    The Permanent Secretary said that the sum of N52.8 million was provided for sewerage charges in 2017.

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    He said that the bills received from Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for liquid waste disposal for the State House for 2016 is N15.6 million with outstanding liabilities of previous years standing at N37.5 million totaling N52.8 million.

    He noted that the figure remained consistent over the years which informed the provision of the same amount in the sum of N52.8million in 2017.

    Arabi said that the position was the same sought for in 2016 proposal “but only a paltry sum of N6.1 million was appropriated.

    He said that they have already commenced negotiation with AEPB to arrive at a mutually acceptable changes henceforth.

    The Permanent Secretary put the sum of N5.08 billion as the total sum of overhead expenditure.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Tijjani Kaura said that the State House Medical centre should be properly funded by the center does not serve the Presidential Villa alone but provides services for outsiders.

     

  • NBA to FG:  Stop allowing looters enjoy part of loot

    NBA to FG:  Stop allowing looters enjoy part of loot

    The Nigeria Bar Association has urged the Federal Government to stop allowing looters of public fund to enjoy any part of the loot.

    It said the fight against corruption would remain a joke if looters were made to pay fine or part of the looted fund.

    Delivering a keynote address entitled “Evaluating the Current Anti-corruption Efforts of the Federal Government in Nigeria”, Edo State Chairman of NBA; Barrister Ede Asenoguan said there was no enforcement of stringent sanction against those who looted public funds.

    Asenoguan noted that corruption has been fostered in the country when those who looted public funds  pay a fragment of the huge sum of money stolen from government coffers and allowed to work on the streets freely without forfeiture and adequate sanctioning.

    He was speaking at a forum organized by CLEEN Foundation.

    His words, “I can assure you that over 80% of Nigerians, if given the chance, would prefer to steal N5b and pay the sum of N5m or to go to jail for six months or one year and later come out to enjoy the balance of the N5b.

    “The fight against corruption must not be centred on only the influential people in the country but should cut across board regardless of whoever that is involved.”

    Head, Public Relations, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, South-South zone, Mr. Oluwale Oladele, said the commission secured a total of 1,500 convictions between 2015-2016.

    Mr. Oluwale said the EFCC has proven that it is working and proactive owing to the number of persons it has prosecuted.

    He explained that the commission could only be more effective in its fight against corruption when Nigerians join hands to fight corruption by volunteering information to the body that can lead to the arrest and investigation of individuals.

    Project Manager of Budgit, Abayomi Akinbo, noted that the trust and confidence of Nigerians in the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari could only be restored if money recovered from looters are made known to the public.

  • FG to deploy renewable energy to diversify economy

    FG to deploy renewable energy to diversify economy

    The Federal government is working towards deploying renewable energy technology to assist Nigeria in the diversification process of the nation’s economy.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu revealed this when he received members of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics in his office in Abuja Thursday.

    According to the Minister, priority would be given to the energy sector to explore the natural resources Nigeria is endowed with through research and innovative processes that will add value in building national development.

    He said that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is contributing immensely in research and developmental work in order to build up renewable energy in Nigeria in areas such as solar energy, wind energy, bio energy and small hydro power plants.

    Onu further stated that the Energy Commission is a focal agency under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology would help in generating renewable energy for the nation.

    The Ministry he said is playing an important role in this regard and assured that it will do everything humanly possible to ensure that energy is not only affordable but also accessible for rural communities in Nigeria.

    The Minister said that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is designing stoves and coal as well as pallets and compressing biomass with a view to improving the life of rural communities

    He further stated that, the Ministry, in conjunction with agencies such as National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) as well as the National Space Research and Development Council (NARDA) are utilizing the renewable energy to increase the energy contents and add value to the huge resources we have in the energy sector.

    Dr Onu asserted that in order to have the appropriate energy mix in Nigeria, which will be crucial to aid the diversification process of the federal government, the ministry is working assiduously to ensure the harnessing and utilizing of natural  resources efficiently to bring the country out of recession.

    He affirmed that ministry of Science and Technology is well positioned to take the lead in the diversification process of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

    He promised Nigerians that the Ministry will provide the necessary technological and scientific backups to protect  palm oil pipelines since Nigeria will soon be engaged in the production and exportation of palm products in the country in the near future.

    In his opening remarks, the President of the association, Professor Wumi Iledare informed the minister that the association has been working in collaboration with Energy Commission an agency under its purview, to determine technology for energy mix required in Nigeria.

    He further, intimated him of their upcoming 10th anniversary programme coming up in march 25th 2017, with a view to discussing the interplay of energy, economy, environment, affordability, adaptability, sustainability, and security of energy resources in Nigeria for national development.

     

  • FG to link farmers, processors to ready export market for cassava chips

    FG to link farmers, processors to ready export market for cassava chips

    The Federal Government says it will assist cassava farmers and processors to create linkage markets to guarantee export and sale of cassava chips at the international market.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said this at an Agribusiness Supplier Development Programme (ASDP) meeting organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ibadan on Tuesday.

    Represented by Mr Auwal Maidabino, the Director, Planning and Policy Coordination in the ministry, Ogbeh said the linkage when actualised, would secure and inject more foreign exchange into the country.

    The minister, who said that in 2012 the country secured and supplied 2.2 million tonnes of cassava chips to China, which earned it over 534 million dollars, expressed regret that the business was not sustained.

    Ogbeh said the government would continue to provide improved yielding cassava stems, disease resistant varieties, access to finance and markets to improve the country’s current market share.

    He appealed to cassava farmers to improve cassava chips production and supply chain system to meet demands from other countries.

    “In order to facilitate the attainment of this objective, we have put institutional framework in place to promote agribusiness and investments.

    “We are working with donour agencies, financial institutions, and the organised Private Sector to build an agribusiness economy for food security, job creation and export for inclusive growth.

    “In view of the potential that abound for export trade in cassava chips, I urge you to take advantage of this to focus on cassava chips production, standardisation and training to meet with market export requirement,’’ he said.

    Dr Nelson Abila, an Agribusiness Specialist with the UNDP, said the meeting was aimed at bringing together stakeholders in the cassava value chain with a view to increasing productivity, expand profit gap and stimulate local economy along the chain.

    According to him, the meeting is also to encourage and promote more participation in the cassava value chain.

    Abila expressed concern over the dwindling market for the cassava produce at the international level.

    “ASDP is an initiative of the UNDP to make farming a business, improving the supply of agricultural products by farmers, contribute to the development of the nations’ economy,’’ he explained.

    Mr Tony Egba, a guest lecturer, said that Nigeria was the highest producer and local consumers of cassava produce across the world.

    In a lecture entitled: “The How of Cassava Chips Processing’’, Egba said that the best drying method for cassava was through sunlight.

    He advised farmers and processors to imbibe the right way for the drying and storage of the produce.

    Egba noted that low or high moisture content in cassava would introduce moles in them which would cause its rejection at the international market.

    The Country Manager of the Africa Commodities Exchange (AFEX), Mr Ayodeji Balogun, stressed the need for the provision of storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and close the glut gap in cassava value chain.

    Some of the farmers called on the government to provide enabling environment and policies that would encourage farmers in the country.