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Tag: FG

  • CSOs to FG: Publish names of treasury looters, recovered monies

    CSOs to FG: Publish names of treasury looters, recovered monies

    A coalition of civil society groups under the auspices of the Say No Campaign has asked the Federal government to make public the names of Nigerians found to have looted the public treasury and also make public the actual amount of money so far recovered as it will help the fight against corruption in the country.

    One of the congeners of the Coalition, Ezenwa Nwagwu, said a the 2017 world anti corruption day celebration in Abuja that the government owes it a duty to inform Nigerians on the progress so far made in the fight against corruption, adding that when the government says it is fighting corruption, it is not doing anybody any favour because it is part of its constitutional duties.

    He said the group was out to demystify the fact that the fight against corruption was one man’s fight, adding that “it is easy in Nigeria to build a personality cult around the anti-corruption fight; it is easy to make the anti-corruption fight a cliché. So you hear the government saying every time that it wants to fight corruption but the truth of the matter is that it is in the Constitution that it is the role of the government to abolish it.

    “So, when the government says it is fighting corruption, it is not doing anybody a favour, the consequence of corruption is upon us, its effect is upon us. When you hear that billions of naira is stolen, it means there are no drugs in the hospital, it means that citizens cannot have jobs; they will sell recharge cards.

    “It means that our industries will not work and Ajaokuta, Oshogbo and Aladja Steel Rolling Mills will never come to life”, adding that Ajaokuta mill alone could employ 17, 000 engineers. If you take 17,000 engineers off the unemployment market, that is a respectable self-esteem kind of job but corruption has hampered that’’.

    Another convener and Coordinator African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, Chidi Onuma, Keeping the names of those who have looted the treasury is a disservice to the fight against corruption, saying “I don’t know anybody you would ask in this  country who wouldn’t want to make those names public. It goes beyond the name.

    “We should also have the amount that the government has recovered so far from its effort in the fight against corruption. It will help in ensuring that there is greater confidence in the government and its anti corruption war.

    “It is important for Nigerians to know because it is beyond making an elaborate statement about how much was recovered and the corrupt people who are being prosecuted.

    “It is important that we also come out to tell Nigerians how much of the looted funds has been recovered and from who. Some of the reasons may be because of the legal implication because you have to ensure that the judicial system takes its course and ensure that things are resolved before you make anything public”.

    He said further that even though People have different opinion about the war against corruption, there has been some successes, but there is still room for improvement, adding that “we need to keep talking about it with the hope that it would primate every Sector and aspect of the Nigeria society. You do not resolve the issue of corruption in a day.

    “The current government has made efforts through whistleblowing, treasury single account among others. There has been some criticism, but it is something that we need to continue to work on as a people until we are able to reduce corruption to a bearable minimum.

    “Every now and then, you hear accusations of selective prosecution. I think the question. We should be as, I give ourselves is whether anybody who has been picked up for corruption irrespective of political affiliation, has committed a crime.

    “If a crime has been committed, we should look beyond where the person comes from, his religion, ethnicity of political party. If we look at that, I would say you that allegations can’t stand because in my own estimation. Almost everybody that has been put on trial for corruption in this country has a case to answer.”

  • FG tasked to create more rooms for local Oil/Gas Investors

    FG tasked to create more rooms for local Oil/Gas Investors

    The federal government ( FG ) has been charged to do more to open the oil and gas sector wider to local players so as to further broaden the nation’s economy and spread development.

    Making the call on Tuesday, while refuting media publications describing him as a staff of SAIPEM Contracting Nigeria Limited, a Warri-based oil and gas contractor, Chief Kenneth Bramor, said he has never been an employee of the Italian firm.

    He said that as businessman, he does business with Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd, Daewoo Nig Limited, Shell, Chevron, and other oil
    servicing companies operating in the Niger Delta region.

    Speaking on the need to support local oil and gas companies, Bramor said with such support the oil and gas industry would be able to grow
    local content, build capacity and create employment for unemployed graduates and youths in the country.

    Bramor noted that his companies have provided employment to restive Niger Delta youths and have continued to train youths in the region to build their capacity and make them employable in the industry.

    While calling for more indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry, he added that such step would help stabilize the restive oil-rich Niger Delta region as many youths would be gainfully employed.

    The oil magnate also appealed to banks to reduce their lending rates to local communities in the country so as to grow the economy.

  • FG, others shared N4.55tr in 9months, says NEITI

    FG, others shared N4.55tr in 9months, says NEITI

    DIRECTOR Communications, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji has said the total sum of N4.545 trillion was disbursed as Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) FAAC allocations between January and September 2017.

    He said Out of this amount, N1.757 trillion was shared in the third quarter of 2017 as against the N1.377 trillion and N1.411 trillion disbursed in the second and first quarters of the year adding the information is contained in the latest Quarterly Review of NEITI.

    In a statement made available to The Nation Ogbonnaya Orji said the publication which contained  information and data on FAAC disbursements for the third quarter of 2017 and on mid-year budget implementation also showed that between January and September 2017, the federal government received the highest allocation of N1.851.32 trillion, followed by state governments with N1.509 trillion and the 774 local governments with N913.8 billion adding the sum of N271.78 billion went to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Customs and the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) as cost of revenue collections.

    He said further analysis showed that the revenues shared to the federating units were higher in the third quarter of 2017 which according to him has been the pattern for some years now.

    While the federal government got N549.41billion in the second quarter of 2017, third quarter figures were N752.79billion, an increase of 37.02per cent. According to him, the trend is the same for the states and local governments which he said received N586.58billion and N363.98 billion in the third quarter as against N467.13 and 280.42 billion in the second quarter respectively adding the percentage increases between the two quarters for the two tiers of government were 25.57per cent and 29.80per cent respectively.

     

  • Don’t phase out motor cycle, tricycle operations, FG tells States

    Don’t phase out motor cycle, tricycle operations, FG tells States

    The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday urged states and local governments in Nigeria to integrate motor circle and tricycle operations into their transportation system instead of planning to phase them out.

    Amaechi said motor cycle and tricycle operations have been playing vital roles in nation building and development as they are primary means of transportation in many – difficult – to – reach areas of the country.

    The Minister made this known in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the inauguration of the state Secretariat of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).

    Amaechi who was represented by the Deputy Director, Mass Transit Administration in the ministry, Foluke Oni, noted that it is plausible to allow Nigerians to “choose the means of transportation that suit them.”

    He, however, strongly recommended a continuous use of helmets, training and retraining of riders as well as an insurance cover for motor cyclists, try cyclists and users to guarantee safety on the roads.

    “There is need for states and local governments to integrate these tricycles and motor cycles operations into their mode of transportation and should begin to think more on how to enhance their operations rather than thinking of phasing them out

    “Tricycles and motor cycles are important in the area of provision of essential and easy to reach transportation all over the country.

    “Just like in the developed nation, we should ensure that the citizenry have the opportunity of choosing the form of transportation that best suit them.

    “There is need therefore for greater understanding of inevitable presence of tricycles and motor cycles operators for an improved and affordable transportation access for rural and some urban dwellers,” Amaechi said.

    Also, a federal lawmaker representing Yewa South and Ipokia Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Kunle Akinlade, called for the integration of motor cycle and tricycle operations into the nation’s transport system, saying many of them are employers of labour in the trade.

  • FG, UNIDO partner to develop national policy on solid waste management

    The Federal Government in partnership with the United Nations
    Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), yesterday developed draft
    national policy document on sustainable solid waste management for the
    nation.
    The policy which had inputs from stakeholders in the sector is
    expected to ensure sustainable waste reduction at source, encourage
    recycling in order to promote resource conservation and protect the
    environment.
    UNIDO Country Representative, Dr. Jean Bakole, during stakeholders’
    validation workshop on solid waste management, in Abuja called for
    joint efforts to address the menace.
    He described the draft document as a comprehensive and inclusive
    effort which its success and implementation will be determined by
    ability of State governments to domesticate the policy.
    According to Bakole, it was developed to recognize private sector
    participation and to serve as guide on investments in solid waste
    managements.
    According to a report by the United Nations Environmental Programme
    (UNEP), Nigeria ranks third after India and Indonesia in the bulk
    density of residential wastes generated by six major countries.
    “To ensure the success of this policy, there must be political will,
    adequate data, private sector involvement, encourage research and
    development, aggressive awareness drive, a realistic action plan and
    an effective enforcement drive,” Bankole added.
    In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of
    Environment, Dr. Shehu Ahmed said the stakeholder’s review and
    validation workshop is expected to validate and finalize the policy
    document.
    He noted that the policy will serve as a guide in the quest for
    sustainable solid waste management practices.
    It could be recalled that a maiden similar national stakeholders’
    workshop was held in Kaduna December, 2015. Following the
    recommendation of stakeholders at the workshop, the ministry and UNIDO
    appointed a consultant to prepare a draft policy document
    He urged stakeholders present to meaningfully contribute to enrich the
    document so as to address the issue of sustainable solid waste
    management in the nation.
    “It is common knowledge that waste disposal rather than waste
    management is prevalent in Nigeria and this generally involves
    co-disposal of general and hazardous wastes on land, water bodies,
    roads and uncontrolled and open burning. These practices portend
    serious danger to our environment and health and retard our economic
    development.
    “This Policy should be able to address the above unwholesome practices
    and also promote: Waste reduction at source, recycle and reuse as the
    best option for solid waste management in Nigeria to promote resource
    conservation and environmental protection,” Ahmed added.
    The permanent secretary called for active private sector participation
    and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in waste management, stressing
    that government alone cannot handle the issue of solid waste
    management in the country.

  • FG targets inclusive, resilient, vibrant economic growth – Official

    FG targets inclusive, resilient, vibrant economic growth – Official

    The Federal Government ( FG ) says it is fully committed to the implementation of Economic Recovery and Growth Plan as the core of delivery strategy to achieve inclusive economic growth.

    Mr Leon Aliboh, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, made the statement at a meeting of the Joint Planning Board in Minna on Tuesday.

    He said that “lesson of the 2017 Nigeria Economic Summit must not be lost on the need to unleash the inherent abundant opportunities in the nation’s economy, increase productivity and create employment for teeming unemployed youths through deliberate support for the small and medium enterprises”.

    He said as seasoned permanent secretaries, directors of planning, planners and technocrats, “we are saddled with the responsibility of charting a roadmap that would lead to a total recovery of the economy”.

    He explained that the aim was to ensure an emergence of an economic growth that is inclusive, resilient and able to compete with peers globally.

    He said that Economic Recovery and Growth Plan was a veritable compass capable of helping to achieve meaningful impact in the economy and welfare benefits for all citizens.

    Alhaji Yabaji Sule, Niger Head of Service who opened the technical meeting, said it came at the appropriate time.

    He said that the state government was consolidating on the gains derived from the economic summit it recently hosted.

    He said that the economic blue print of the state was focused on agriculture, health and tourism.

  • FG to complete 21 dams, irrigation projects by 2019

    FG to complete 21 dams, irrigation projects by 2019

    The federal government has expressed determination to complete seven ongoing water supply and 21 dams as well as irrigation projects between 2018 and 2019.

    It said it is also in advanced discussions with potential investors for the Gurara II, Lokoja and Dasin hausa hydropower projects, which when completed, will produce a combined 1,250MW electricity to the national grid.

    Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu made these disclosures in Abuja while presenting the two years score card of his ministry.

    Adamu explained: “We have concluded a Technical Audit and prioritised the hitherto uncompleted or abandoned 116 major projects that I met in the Ministry.

    “We are deploying most of our resources towards completing and commissioning all the high and medium priority projects from 2016 – 2019.

    “It is in this regard that we have completed and commissioned Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Bayelsa State.

    “Shagari and Barikin Ladi irrigation projects will be completed in early 2018. Our plan is to complete 7 other ongoing water supply projects and 21 dam and irrigation projects between 2018 and 2019.”

    He went on: “We are currently making progress for the concessioning of the 30MW Gurara Hydropower plant which is planned to come into full operation by mid 2018.

    “We are also progressing on our collaboration with FMWPH to concession the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant recently completed.

    “In addition, we are in advanced discussions with potential investors for other hydropower projects including Gurara II (350MW), Lokoja (750MW) and Basin Hausa (150MW).”

  • 2018 budget: Pay attention to health, Adeboye tells FG

    2018 budget: Pay attention to health, Adeboye tells FG

    General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has charged the federal government to give more attention to health, education and poverty alleviation of the rural poor in the 2018 budget.

    He spoke last Sunday at the special prayer and thanksgiving service for fathers, intending fathers and their families at RCCG, national headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

    He said although the World Bank rated Nigeria as one of the most improved economies, the report also raised concerns for greater investment in education, employment generation, accessing loans by small and medium scale enterprises and adjusting trade policies to promote productivity growth.

    “2018 budget must reflect our position in the new rating by the World Bank and we should produce a budget of unilateral that will benefit the average person,” he said.

    Adeboye said that any nation that hopes to grow must place premium on the education, wellbeing and livelihood of the people, especially the rural poor.

    He lamented that in the last 10 years, the budgets have largely benefited few rich Nigerians, leaving the poor poorer and hopeless.

    Adeboye lamented budget implementation is relatively poor in Nigeria, urging the executive arm to up their games in that direction.

    “Those outfits that ought to enforce the compliance of utilisation of the fund should do their job.

    ”l have watched in the last 10 years, it is almost the same pattern in the area of execution. When you compare us with the developed world, they strictly spend to the last kobo before the next budget year,” he said.

    He asserted that annual budget will only become a mere economy forecast if money budgeted are not fully implemented to meet the needs, hopes, aspiration and desires of the common Nigerians.

    Adeboye, who spoke through the National Secretary and Assistant General Overseer of the church, Pastor Johnson Odesola, said Nigeria is rich enough to provide free education for every child.

  • FG to launch first African Sovereign Green Bond

    FG to launch first African Sovereign Green Bond

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Federal Government will launch the first African Sovereign Green Bond in December 2017, to finance renewable energy projects.

    Buhari said this in Abuja on Tuesday while presenting the 2018 Budget Proposal to the National Assembly.

    “I am pleased to inform this distinguished assembly that the Federal Government will be launching the first African Sovereign Green Bond in December 2017.

    “The bond will be used to finance renewable energy projects. We are very excited about this development as it will go a long way in solving many of our energy challenges, especially in the hinterland,’’ the president said.

    He said the Federal Government was working hard on the Ogoni Clean-up Project.

    “During the year, we engaged eight international and local companies proposing different technologies for the mandate.

    “To enable us select the best and most suitable technology for the remediation work, we asked each company to conduct Demonstration Clean-up Exercises in the four Local Government Areas of Ogoni Land.

    “These demonstrations were recently concluded and the results are being studied by the Governing Council of the Ogoni Clean-up Project.’’

    Buhari, who said the project would be funded by the International Oil Companies, said the Federal Government had made provisions in the 2018 Budget for the costs of oversight and governance, to ensure effective implementation.

    Read Also: Buhari presents budget 2018 Nov 7

  • FG urges Niger Delta militants to remain calm

    FG urges Niger Delta militants to remain calm

    The Federal Government on Monday appealed to the Niger Delta militants to remain calm and allow the government to address the issues in the region.

    The militants, who were bombing oil installations at the beginning of this administration, are again threatening to resume hostilities in the region.

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru, spoke with State House journalists after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    On the fresh threats by the Avengers in the Niger Delta, he said “Well, we haven’t discuss the Avengers per se. But its of essence as the President has always shown indication that whatever we need to and can do to sustain peace in the region, we would continue to do it.

    “And of course, the benefit of that, you are aware that the Vice President has been chairing the committee that handles the issues they are raising. And so, while that goes on operationally, headed by the Vice President’s position in the committee, the President just needs to be briefed on our efforts though we know that the Vice President is briefing him from time to time but per se, the Avengers issues was not discussed.

    “On a general note, it is understood that we have to be engaged to be able to sustain the peace that prevailed for a while.

    “My message is not just verbal but it has been demonstrated by the fact at all times, the government of which I am part, my role as minister in charge of the region, we have been appealing with them to just be patient with us, because, most of the time, the issues that are brought up are those that tend to portray the quest for development of the region.

    “And that is all we have been doing to say, patiently with us, these issues raised genuinely to the benefits of people of the region are being attended to. For instance, the Okerekoko University, you are aware that the Vice President has directed that that University must take off.

    “And he also directed that a minimum of N5 billion be budgeted for the take off of the University so, it’s a matter of patience knowing that some of these things have a procedure, so it will not be because it did not happen the way they wanted so it will not happen. Everything has a phase of planning and a phase of execution.” he added

    He expressed gladness that all the parties including the Government, Avengers, Elders and so on have listened to one another in the past few months.

    He added “We would wish that this continues so, we would advise all of us to remain calm and see the things that we agitated for coming little by little.

    On the claims by the Avengers that government has failed to keep its promises, he said “The first question which talks about all the promises that have been made are not seen is not correct. I just talked about the University. The other issue is the communities being part of surveillance of the petroleum infrastructure in the region.

    “And of course you know that by the modular refineries which they had also talked about as sub-sect of how they can be engaged instead of what is called illegal refineries. They are also on, because the process of building a refinery or even getting the necessary procedures to establish such is not just a one day business.

    “Advertisements have been made, people have indicated interest and of course, to get it sustainable, the government is having the state governments involved but privately driven so that all concerned will be on a common page to be able to be sure that when ever it takes off, there is no frustration or sabotage.

    “Then your second question of meeting with the Avengers,. For us as a government, there hasn’t been any group from the region that intended to meet with any arm of government that has been rebuffed. So, if any people make such overtures, we are happy to receive them. We have been receiving different groups. We are not limiting our dialogue or discussions to any particular group so any body that says he is relevant in the process and comes forth, we will engage.” he said

    Speaking on the promise on the East West road, he said “That is the unfortunate circumstance of our situation. The East West road was conceived and started from the Ministry of Works then transferred to the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. But we all have to appreciate one thing. Such physical infrastructure don’t decay over night and the so neglect has continually put liability on us,

    “Yes, its true that I met with the contractors appealed to them to go back to site, we have also been very conscientious in releasing funds as they are cashed backed to them to continue work. None the less, we are thinking of alternatives of completing that projects amidst the many issues that tend to be the undercurrent that are drawing back the execution. And such issues are technical and we tackling them. In due course, you will know the outcomes.” he said

    On why he met the President, he said “For a while, he has not been around and there are things he needed to know from me and so I had to brief him on issues pertaining to the ministry, the projects that are going on and other anthropogenic issues that have to do with the general matters concerning the Niger Delta region especially, at they throw up some of the concerns bothering on who is right to speak for, who is not right to speak for and then issues of the Niger Delta Development Commission. All these occupied our discussions with the President today.”

    Read Also: Niger Delta avengers threaten resumption of hostilities