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Tag: Minister of Information and Culture

  • Shun disinformation, fake news – Minister tells media

    Shun disinformation, fake news – Minister tells media

    The Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed on Friday urged the media to eschew disinformation and fake news, saying the phenomenon if left unchecked, could damage the credibility of the media and endanger the country’s peace and security.

    The Minister on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of Daar Communications Plc. owners of the African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower radio station deplored what he called the current siege of disinformation and fake news in the country.

    “Unfortunately this dangerous trend, if not checked by the media – especially the traditional media – is capable of tearing the fabric of the society and bringing the country to its knees,” he said. 

    Alhaji Mohammed said that to make matters worse, a section of the traditional media often amplifies the disinformation and the fake news being spread on the Social Media. 

    He noted that in spite of the incursion of the Social Media, the traditional media remains the most credible platform, hence it should not join forces with the purveyors of falsehood. 

    “My greatest problem is with the traditional media because most people will probably say Social Media is what it is. But when the traditional media also latches on the same fake news and the same disinformation, then I begin to get worried for many reasons. Number one, it affects the credibility of the media itself and once the media is no longer believed, once the media loses its credibility, then it has serious consequences for the media and the society as a whole,” the Minister said. 

    Alhaji Mohammed recalled the role that disinformation, fake news and hate speeches played in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in which over 800,000 people were killed and urged the media to draw some lessons from that unfortunate development. 

    He expressed concern that in the past few weeks, the media was saturated with false news on the health of the President, and that even when the government and the presidency promptly clarified that the President is hale and hearty, some people did not believe them because of the lies they have read in the Social Media.

    “What happened in the last couple of weeks is quite worrisome. Mr.President left for a vacation. When he was leaving, he transmitted the necessary letter to the National Assembly on who was going to act. He said during his vacation, he will also use the opportunity to carry out his routine medical check-up. Within 12 hours of leaving the country, the news was that he had died, and when that was not sustainable, they said he was critically ill.

    ”Some even went on to say that he was actually flown out of the country in an ambulance when the whole world saw when he was leaving and it was televised. For a week or so all we heard was this dangerous disinformation,” the Minister said.

    In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Daar Communications Plc.

    Chief Raymond Paul Dokpesi, said the emergence of fake news is a global phenomenon, but noted that the Media Group has been absolutely committed to upholding the highest standard of journalism.

  • FEC approves revised National Tax Policy to check low taxation

    FEC approves revised National Tax Policy to check low taxation

    The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday in Abuja approved a revised National Tax Policy to address low taxation in the country.

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun made this known at a joint press briefing with the Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika after the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    The meeting was chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Nigeria’s tax contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is said to be the lowest in the world with about six per cent.

    Its Value added Tax is also said to be the lowest in the world at five per cent.

    The minister, however, said under the new tax policy, consumers of luxury goods would pay a higher Value Added Tax (VAT).

    According to her, the new VAT per centage for the luxury items is still subject to approval of the National Assembly.

    She expressed the hope that the new revised tax policy, which was recommended by the ministry’s National Policy Tax Review Committee in August 2016, would entrench an efficient tax system.

    This according to her, will also address the low level of tax contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “What the committee has shown is that we should look at actually increasing VAT on some luxury items.

    “ VAT of five percent, we have lowest VAT and whilst we don’t think VAT should be increased on basic items, if you are going to drink champagne you drink Champagne in the UK and VAT is 20 per cent why should it be five per cent in Nigeria.

    “So, they have made recommendations that we should pull out some luxury items and increase VAT on those items immediately.

    “And I think that is a very valid and sensible suggestion which we are going to talk to the National Assembly to see how we can implement it.

    “But as far as basic goods are concerned, I believe it is only fair that when you consume luxury goods you should pay a little bit more.

    “The National Assembly will decide the percentage,’’ she said.

    She said the approved tax policy would be jointly implemented by the federal, state and local governments, adding that other agencies of government like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the media, Civil Society Organisations and others would be involved in the implementation.

    According to the minister, the main thrust of the tax policy is to establish fundamental principles to guide and orderly develop the Nigerian tax system toward meeting its objectives.

    It also recognises the primacy of the taxpayers and clearly states their rights and duties.

    It equally reinforces the role of the ministry of finance in the formulation, coordination and implementation of tax policy on an ongoing basis.

    The policy is expected to guide the operation and review of the tax system and provide the basis for future tax legislation and administration.

     

  • Premium Times journalists: FG will not stifle press freedom

    Premium Times journalists: FG will not stifle press freedom

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has distanced the government from the recent arrest of the Publisher of Premium Times and one of its reporters.

    Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher of the online newspaper and the judicial reporter, Ms. Evelyn Okakwu were arrested last week by the police.

    The government and the police received knocks for the arrest, which many said was an attempt by the government to gag the media.

    But Information minister in a statement on Tuesday absolved the government, saying that the current administration was keenly aware of the importance of a free press to the success of any democracy and so would not do anything to stifle the media.

    According to him: “The Federal Government will not do anything to stifle press freedom because it is keenly aware that a free press is vital to the success of any democracy.”

    He explained that “the whole issue of the journalists’ arrest is purely a private affair involving a citizen and a privately-owned newspaper, and wondered how that could now be construed as an attempt by the government to intimidate the press.

    ”We have said it before and we want to re-state it: The Federal Government has no immediate or long-term plan to stifle press freedom. Even the Social Media, with its warts and all, will neither be regulated nor have its operations tampered with,” the minister assured Nigerians.
  • DSO to grow TV Advertising Market by $400m annually – Lai Mohammed

    DSO to grow TV Advertising Market by $400m annually – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that Digital Switch Over (DSO) would grow Television advertising market in the country by 400 million dollars (about N16 billion) per annum.

    The minister stated this on Thursday at the launch and roll out of digital switch over for television broadcasting in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the launching and roll out of the DSO was performed by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    Speaking on the advantages of DSO, Mohammed said 30 free digital channels would be available to TV viewers in Abuja.

    He said the viewers would have free and easy access to Government and Public information through a touch of the remote control.

    The minister said that tens of thousands of jobs would be created through technical, production and manufacturing opportunities.

    “Set-Top Box assembling and ultimately manufacturing is an irreversible mandate by the government to the industry.

    “We expect this to extend very quickly to local Smart TV and Tablet manufacturing.

    “With our strong consumer base, we can quickly become the supplier of these equipment to the whole of West Africa.

    “As we speak, jobs are already being created as we engage Engineers, Technicians, Retailers, Distributors and Marketers, among others,’’ he said.

    The minister also said that the increase in Free-To-Air channels and the separation of transmission from content aggregation would spur an increase in TV production activities.

    He said that the DSO would also give opportunity for a N100 billion per annum Free TV distribution network for Nollywood.

    “With the middleware in our STB’s/Receiving equipment, homes will be able to buy and watch the latest Nollywood movies without the need for Internet.

    “Imagine a film released on Monday morning being immediately available to 24 million plus households at the touch of a button,’’ he said.

    Mohammed doused the fear in certain quarters that digitisation would lead to loss of jobs, stressing that more employment opportunities would be created.

    He commended the National broadcasting Commission (NBC), which was driving the process, the Digiteam and Pinacle Communications Ltd, which was the signal distributor for Abuja.

    Corroborating the minister’s position, Chairman of Digiteam, Mr Edward Amana, said that from only the manufacturing of the Set Top Boxes, not less than 26,000 jobs would be created by the 13 licenced local manufacturers.

    NAN reports that the event was attended by Ministers of Communication, Adebayo Shitu, Health, Prof, Isaac Adewole, and Ministers of State for Environment, Alhaji Usman Jubril , Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar.

    The Chairman Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe, his counterpart from the House of Representatives, Hon. Olusegun Odebunmi and former Governor of Ekiti, Adebayo Oni were also in attendance.

  • Minister advocates change in visa regime

    Minister advocates change in visa regime

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Tuesday in Abuja reiterated the call for a change in the nation’s visa administration to encourage tourists and investors.

    The minister made the call when he received Mr Jim Flannery, an International Advisor to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO).

    The advisor was sent by UNWTO to assist in the review of Nigeria Tourism Master Plan.

    The minister stressed that a new regime that allowed for easy access to visa for tourists and investors at the point of entry was required for the tourism sector to grow.

    He said he was glad that government had set up a committee on the ease of doing business which would look into it.

    The minister also underscored the need for the nation to do away with bureaucracy and encourage full participation of the private sector in growing the tourism industry.

    “We must begin to understand that tourism is the new oil that we have failed to discover and exploit.

    “It is shocking that Nigeria with a population of about 170 million people and land mass of about one million sqr km has only two world heritage sites.

    “Whereas, Italy with the population of about 50 million people has 51 world heritage sites.

    “What that means is that people will not come to our country unless they see what they can be attracted to.

    “That explains why France attracted 120 million tourists last year, while the whole of Africa attracted less than 50 million and why three out of five jobs in Italy, three are from the creative industry.

    “This figure will show you the importance of tourism and Nigeria is the new tourists’ destination and we really need to work together to harness the potential in the industry,’’ he said.

    The minister said he was glad to receive the UNWTO delegate whose coming was a fall out of his trip to the headquarters of the world tourism body in Madrid, Spain in July.

    The minister recalled that during the visit, the UNWTO agreed to send an expert to help in the review of tourism master plan and to partner in revising the Presidential Council on Tourism.

    He said the organisation also promised to assist in the organising international conference with the theme; “Tourism as a Tool for Peace’’ in Maiduguri and train women on capacity building in tourism.

    The minister urged members of the review committee to cooperate and work with Flanker for a successful review of the master plan.

    He said in the course of his stay, Flannery would meet with major donors like World Bank and UNDP to exploit how they could assist the country in implementing the master plan.

    Earlier, Flannery said the review of the master plan drafted about 10 years ago would not be a total jettison of the existing one.

    “We are not here to write a new master plan because we have a very expansive document before us that has never been implemented.

    “This time, our attitude will be let us break it down into smaller steps and identify what can be done quickly to open new products and create  new markets.’’

    He said that unlike the manufacturing industry, tourism does not need special technical know how and huge investment to start.

    He noted that tourism was a very viable industry that most countries were now realising and benefitting from and Nigeria would not regret the action taken to reposition the sector.

  • World leaders urged to rise against cultural genocide

    World leaders urged to rise against cultural genocide

    A call has gone out to world leaders and stakeholders in the culture and tourism sector to rise against cultural genocide.

    The call was made by the President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the on-going International Conference for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Conflict Areas.

    The conference is organised by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) with the support of French and UAE Governments.

    The conference is to address the rising aggressions targeting humanity, cultural treasures and create an International Fund with 100 million Dollar seed fund to address the challenge.

    The President, represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said “it has become a pattern that major victims of armed conflict are no longer just the human being and property but also cultural heritages like artefacts’’.

    He said the world is coming to the realisation that genocide could be in any form, including the deliberate annihilation of cultural symbols that binds people together and symbolises their existence.

    “What we are witnessing all over the world today is cultural genocide.

    “Cultural genocide can actually be more devastating than ethnic genocide in the sense that there are heritages that bind humanity and become a force for unity.

    “If you remove or destroy them, you are destroying humanity because it is not just about the people, but also about the minds and the Arts.

    “It is no longer true that in times of war, safeguarding natural heritage is a luxury, it is now a necessity,’’ he said.

    The President said that, like Syria, Afghanistan, Mali and others, Nigeria had its fair share of the destruction of its cultural heritage sites during armed conflict.

    “We have armed conflict in the Niger Delta and terrorism in the Northeast that has destroyed our heritage sites.

    “One of our UNESCO declared world heritage sites has been affected in Adamawa state by Boko Haram insurgency, which went there and looted artefacts that dated back to several centuries.

    “In Damaturu, Yobe, we have evidence of a vault that dates back to 8000 years that was also affected.”

    He said the activities of vandals destroying pipelines in the Niger Delta have also resulted in the flow of crude destroying the habitat and affecting the ecological and cultural sites in the area.

    The President underscored the need for deliberate efforts at early preparation to preserve cultural heritage even in times of peace.

    Corroborating Buhari’s position, the Director-General, National Commission for Museum and Monuments, Alhaji Yusuf Abdallah, said one of the affected sites in the North East is the Sukur Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World heritage site in Madagali area of Adamawa.

    “The extremist went into the hill. Initially, the place was serving as a safe haven for the communities around the landscape because it is rugged up in the hill and people were taking refuge there.

    “The Boko Haram extremists discovered the place and went in there in December 2014. The community was able to repel them.

    “Although, the integrity and authenticity of the site remains but there is always the fear of the community going back to the hill.

    “The intangible component of the site is compromised because festival are not organised and other spiritual ceremonies are avoided because people do not want to congregate for fear of attack,’’ he said.

    Abdallah told journalists that Nigeria stands to gain a lot from the conference because some of the cultural sites that suffered from the destruction would get attention.

    He said when fully established, the UNESCO International Fund for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Conflict Zones would assist in training and capacity building for Nigerians on preservation and conservation of cultural heritage.

    Earlier, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova said the conference is crucial because “it brings a  coalition of partners and connects the doors between security and humanitarian in cultural issues’’.

    She said the conference would ensure that deliberate destruction of cultural heritage is recognised as a war crime and perpetrators are punished as such.

    Bokova said that the Fund to be created would have its headquarters in Switzerland and produce sustainable impetus supporting the implementation of short and long-term activities in safeguarding endangered cultural heritage.

  • Tourism: Major asset to achieving vision 2020 – Minister

    Tourism: Major asset to achieving vision 2020 – Minister

    Tourism has been said to be a major asset to Nigeria’s quest to becoming one of the twenty largest economies in the world by 2020.

    This was made known by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed during a two-day Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).

    The forum which is being organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) started in Abuja on Monday.

    He said “Tourism industry generally is assuming increasing importance in most countries of the world because of its many facets which serve as tools for economic recovery, diversification and development.

    “It enhances women’s economic opportunities, promotes their effective control over resources and offers safe spaces for women and girls to develop, support networks and life skills,’’ he added.

    The minister also emphasised on the role tourism sector plays in job creation, promoting traditional cottage industries, tourists’ attractions, as well as promoting the lifestyle and heritage of the people.

    “As countries are battling to overcome the adverse effects of crisis resulting from the severe recession and worsening economic conditions, tourism could be one of the pillars, which if properly supported by government globally, could stimulate economic recovery, development and brighter tomorrow for all,’’ he said.

    Mohammed also disclosed that the tourism sector had also been included in the government’s economy recovery and growth plan to lift the creative industries in the country.

    “In this regard, there are two key initiatives. The first is the initiative to grow the tourism industry through improved security and a strong value proposition that include security to encourage domestic and international mobility, the review of existing tourism legislation.

    “To eliminate overlapping functions among agencies regulating the industry, the strengthening of the Nigerian Tourism Development through better funding and capacity building, promotion of a national calendar of festivals.

    “And the launch of an awareness campaign within and outside Nigeria and promotion of the building of world-class hotels and conference centres.’’

    According to him, the initiative would also include the need to support creative industries by encouraging the development of a special funding window for the industry, provision of incentives for private sector investment and strengthening intellectual property rights regime.

    The representative of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Free Movement, Trade and Tourism, Mrs Stella Drabo urged members of ECOWAS state to develop common views and policy on tourism in the ECOWAS sub-region.

    Drabo also stressed the need for a development of the tourism framework that would ensure better regulation and competition among member states, as well as ensure active participation of the private sector in the drafting of the tourism development plans.

    She also called for a review of the regulations for classification of hotels in the country, as the existing ones were obsolete.

    The President of FTAN, Mr Tomi Akingbogun said the forum was aimed at creating a platform for stakeholders to fashion ways that would promote tourism as well as enable artists to exhibit their wares.

    Akingbogun said the association was working towards improving the nation’s economy in spite of the economic recession bedevilling the nation, urging more investors to also contribute towards revamping the sector.

    He, therefore, stressed the need for the government to continue to support and patronise authentic cultural practitioners in order to promote the tourism sector as well as for posterity sake.

    The Chairman, Board of Trustees, FTAN, Mr Samuel Alabi also asked participants to contribute immensely towards revamping the tourism sector towards the development of the country.

    Alabi also appealed to Nigerians to patronise made in Nigeria products for the growth and development of the nation, as well as encourage other foreign investors to tap into the abundant resources available.

  • Invest in Arts and Crafts, Minister urges Private Sector as AFAC closes

    Invest in Arts and Crafts, Minister urges Private Sector as AFAC closes

    A call has gone out to the private sector to step up efforts towards exploring the opportunity for investment inherent in the Arts and crafts sector in Nigeria.

    This call was made by the  Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,in his closing remark at the closing ceremony of the African Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Mohammed  who was represented by Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry,said that foreign participation in AFAC would offer the nation the opportunity to draw other African countries to itself and give them a hand of friendship.

    This development he said was important to position Nigeria within the continent adding that it would promote regional unity and integration in line with the African Union Charter.

    The minister also said that AFAC 2016 had afforded the nation a glimpse into the huge potential of culture and tourism products in Nigeria.

    He said that if culture and tourism products in Nigeria were well packaged, it would trigger the much needed socio-economic development and attract additional revenue to individuals, communities and government at all levels.

    The minister said that the lesson of the Expo was that culture could be one of the potent tools for driving the country’s development goals and aspirations if properly tapped.

    “This sector has a great future and is emerging as the most prosperous sector in the world.’’

    He commended the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) for a Job well done in organising the 2016 Expo, irrespective of the economic recession.

    Earlier, Mrs Dayo Keshi, the Director-General of NCAC expressed delight that AFAC came to a close with huge success.

    “I am happy with success the Expo has made and the quality of the products displayed.

    “The fair is one regional platform that has great prospects in transforming the Nigerian economy in particular and that of the African region in general.

    “The experiences shared at the fiesta by the participants should not be lost. The value and lessons gained should be used to reposition the industry in a manner that can transform it into a viable one.

    “I am very optimistic that if the sector is appropriately developed, it could contribute significantly to the economic development of the country,’’ Keshi said.

    She congratulated the participants, especially award winners and urged them to hold arts, crafts and culture of the country in high esteem.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Kogi won the “Most Enterprising Award’’, the highest award in AFAC Expo.

    Other Awardees were Lagos and Kano States as the Most Innovative in packaging, Ogun the best in textile, Niger, the best in Brass work, and Plateau, the best in metal work.

    The list also includes Katsina State, the best in leather work design, Anambra, best in Ornaments, Bauchi state, the best in Wood Works, and Gombe state, best in Calabash designs.

  • MOPICON: Committee submits review document to Minister

    MOPICON: Committee submits review document to Minister

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Monday received the report of the Review Committee of the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON), with a pledge to immediately kick-start the process of making the regulatory body a reality.
    The 29-member committee, comprising members of the various Guilds and Associations in the Nigerian film industry as well as representatives of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), was inaugurated on April 12, this year, to enable Nollywood, as the film industry is called, set up a self-regulatory structure.
    Speaking after he was handed the reviewed document by the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the Minister thanked the committee members for a job well done.
    ”Let me sincerely thank the members of the committee for their hard work over the past several months. In particular, I commend their selfless service. I sincerely hope that their sacrifice and hard work will yield fruits by leading to the establishment of MOPICON.
    ”We will critically look at the reviewed draft document, which you have handed over to us, and we will immediately kick-start the process of making MOPICON  a reality for the benefit of the movie industry,” he said.
    Alhaji Mohammed used the opportunity of the report’s submission to clear the air on the controversy that followed the inauguration of the review committee on 12 April 2016, saying the government has no hidden agenda and will not be part of anything that will stifle the growth of the burgeoning industry
    ”I have followed the debate that ensued among the stakeholders in the aftermath of the inauguration of the Review Committee. Some argued that the government has no business in helping Nollywood to set up a self-regulatory structure, while others are of the contrary opinion.
    Let me re-state what I said at the inauguration of this committee on April 12th 2016, that in line with our overall responsibility for the nation’s information, culture and tourism policies, our role in helping to set up MOPICON is simply to enable Nollywood to play meaningful roles in national development.
    ”Again, one of the ways we think we can tackle frontally the many challenges militating against professional and career fulfillment in the movie industry is to have a central body we can always refer to in decisions aimed at improving and modernizing the motion picture industry.
    ”Also, government’s interest in the setting up of MOPICON is driven by the fact that we at the supervising ministry need to work with a formidable representative group that is empanelled to lobby for the growth, development and welfare of the industry and its practitioners as well as make for a better organized and more visible and vibrant Nollywood industry,” he said.
    In her remarks, Ms Anyim-Osigwe said members of the committee were unanimous in their decision to support the establishment of MOPICON.
    “What we come to understand and appreciate is that a council of some sorts is required in order to make this industry work. How this council will operate, we have advised,” she said.
    She said in drafting the report, they have taken into consideration all shades of opinions from the stakeholders in the industry who offered their input on the setting up of MOPICON.
    “In this document, we have taken cognizance all the guilds and associations and we have also taken into cognizance all the uproar in the media about the MOPICON and what it stands for and the misconception of what it is,” the committee Chairperson said.
    The report submitted to the Minister contained the Review Act, Code of Ethics Review and the Report of the Committee’s Proceedings.
  • FG receives lands from 27 states for mass housing

    FG receives lands from 27 states for mass housing

    The Federal Government says it has so far received lands from 27 states and considering over 500 contracts for mass housing across the country.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos at the opening of the 4th Commonwealth Public Relations Congress.

    The event organised by the Management School, London, and the Business Education Examinations Council, has the theme “Strategic Management of Reputation Risk in an Interdependent World.”

    Mohammed, who was briefing the gathering on what the government was doing to better the lots of Nigerians, stressed that government was spending massively in infrastructural development.

    “We have a lot to tell Nigerians. Spending our way out of this recession, we are investing massively in roads, railways, power, etc, and creating jobs in the process.

    “Some 200,000 of the 500,000 jobs promised under the N-Power Volunteers Programme will be filled from Dec. 1, 2016.

    “Out of this, N-Power Teach/Community will provide 150,000 jobs, N-Power Agro will provide 30,000 jobs and N-Power Health 20,000 jobs,’’ he said.

    The minister said that in the agricultural sector, the government is expecting a bumper harvest that will loosen the pangs of hunger being felt in many homes.

    He said the agricultural initiative, “Anchor Borrowers Programme’’ that was launched by the government, has led to a significant reduction in the price of local rice, especially in the states that are participating in the programme.

    “As more and more states join the programme, we will gradually but surely achieve self-sufficiency in staples such as rice while at the same time forcing down food prices,’’ he said.

    The minister said that the Ministry of Water Resources is ensuring step up irrigation farming to address the challenge of longer depend on rain-fed farming.

    Mohammed said that government has re-mobilised contractors back to work on roads across the six geo-political zones.

    The road, according to him, included the Port Harcourt-Aba Road, Sokoto-Tambuwal- Makera-Kontagara Road, Ilorin-Jebba Road and Shagamu-Ibadan Road.

    Others were Abriba-Arochukwu-Ohafia Road, Abuja- Airport Road-Lokoja, and Ikot Ekpene Border-Aba-Owerri Dualisation.

    He said the government had paid consultants supervising the roads that had been denied payment for three to three years.

    “This has helped to recover lost jobs, and put some money back in circulation, as part of a government strategy to build out of this recession.’’

    On power, Mohammed said that as at Nov. 5, the nation recorded a peak generation of 4,010 MW, without the 3,000 MW lost to gas pipe vandalism, that would have taken power generation to an unprecedented 7,000MW plus.

    He said work is in progress to repair and restore the damaged gas pipelines, and also to fast-track emergency gas supply to power stations.

    The minister said the administration had also boosted its anti-corruption fight with the establishment of the inter-agency Presidential Committee on Asset Recovery (PCAR) to coordinate asset recovery process.

    He explained that the committee, headed by the Vice President, is collating and categorising recovered assets, verifying records and status of physical assets to avoid re-looting.

    On insecurity, Mohammed said the administration had achieved a feat that the United Nations as well as the US had applauded.