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Tag: NAPEP

  • Govt merges three aviation agencies

    Govt merges three aviation agencies

    •EFCC/ICPC merger rejected
    Two government agencies – the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) – have been scrapped.

    Three aviation agencies have been merged into one in the Federal Government’s efforts to streamline its finances. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) are now to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA). Their enabling laws will be amended to reflect the merger.

    These are the highlights of the Federal Government’s White Paper on the report of the Steve Oronsaye Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies.

    The 105-page document dated March, 2014 was made public yesterday.

    Oronsaye, a former Head of Service of the Federation, submitted the report of his panel to the government on April 16, 2012. It was referred to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, before the White Paper was released yesterday.

    In all, the panel recommended the scrapping or merger of 270 government agencies. Some of the agencies have been approved for commercialisation and privatisation.

    The government rejected the the merger of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The government also rejected the renaming of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

    But, it accepted that “the trio of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency be merged into a new body to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) and their respective enabling laws be amended accordingly to reflect the merger.”

    It also accepted that the enabling law of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology be amended and the college restructured.

    While maintaining that JAMB should continue to exist as the central examination body for admissions into Nigerian universities, it directs that JAMB must play its regulatory role to ensure that all students for undergraduate admissions into Nigerian universities, including direct entries, must pass through JAMB.

    The government accepted the recommendation that the Bill seeking for the establishment of NEPAD as an agency of the Federal Government be withdrawn from the National Assembly as there are already laws relating to most of the activities being performed by NEPAD.

    Accepting that the Utilities Charges Commission be abolished and its enabling law repealed, it directed that the process be initiated by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    It accepted the recommendation that the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation be fully commercialised and also accepted the recommendation that the passed bill on the Nigeria Agriculture Quarantine Service should not be assented to by the President.

    The government also accepted that the practice whereby certain categories of retirees are opting out of contributory pension scheme be stopped, stating that only the military may withdraw from the scheme.

    The Veterinary Research Council of Nigeria is to be self-funding. Further budgetary allocation to the council should cease forthwith, the government said. It also accepted partial commercialisation of the Nigerian Postal Agency (NIPOST).

    Government shares in NIGCOMSAT are to be sold. The government will retain minority shares. The government also accepted that the functions of NIGCOMSAT that relates to space development be reverted to the National Space Development Agency.

    The Nigerian Institute for Education Planners and Administrators (NIEPA) will be merged with the National Teachers Institute (NTI).

    The Nigerian Film Corporation will be commercialised from the 2013 fiscal year – with the government seed funding. The government accepted that all offices of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies outside Lagos and Abuja be closed down immediately to ensure judicious use of available resources in line with government policy.

    The government accepted that the National Council of Arts and Culture be merged with the National Troupe and the National Theatre into one agency called National Council of Arts and Culture.

    The Federal Government also accepted that the Nigerian Financial Reporting Council ceases to be funded by the government from 2015. It also accepted that the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) be self-funding from 2014.

    The allegation made by the National Boundaries Commission against the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation over the funding of two non-existent boundary demarcation will be properly investigated.

    The government accepted the management audit of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

    But it rejected the recommendation for an amendment in name and status of the Federal Civil Service Commission to the Federal Public Service Commission. The recommendation for a single term of five years for the chairman and members of the commission was accepted.

    Accepting the recommendation for the scrapping of Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), the government also directed the AGF to initiate action for the abolition.

    It directed that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should perform the function of the FRC.

    The government accepted the recommendation that the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission’s enabling law be repealed and the functions of the commission subsumed under the RMAFC.

    But the recommendation that Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) be subsumed under the Bureau of Public Enterprises for greater synergy, was rejected.

    Also rejected is the recommendation of the merger of NTA, FRCN and VON into one body to be known as Federal Corporation Broadcasting of Nigeria (FCBN).

    But NTA will be fully commercialised.

    Rejecting the recommendation for the abolition of the Federal Character Commission, the government said that the commission should be strengthened to perform its constitutional role and functions.

    It rejected the recommendation that the law establishing the Border Communities Development Agency be repealed and its functions reverted to the National Boundary Commission.

    The government rejected the recommendation that it should stop funding current expenditure of National Institute on Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) from the 2015 and limit itself to certain essential capital requirement of the institute.

    The merger of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Refugees Commission into one agency to be known as the National Emergency Management and Refugees Commission, was rejected. The government also rejected the recommendation for the Debt Management Office (DMO) to become an extra ministerial department in the Federal Ministry of Finance and delisted from the office of the Vice President.

    It rejected the recommendation that the Act setting up the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) be repealed and also rejected that the Road Safety Commission (FRSC) be reverted to the Highways Department of the Federal Ministry of Works.

    The government also shunned the recommendation that the enabling law of the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS be repealed just as it disagree that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission be abolished and their functions transferred to a department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Besides, the government will not stop sponsoring pilgrims and pilgrimages.

    It also rejected the privatisation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigerian (FAAN) – in view of the security situation.

    “Government rejects that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the regulatory functions of Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST)) be brought together under a unified management structure to be known as the Communications Regulatory Authority of Nigeria,” the white paper said.

     

    Also rejected is the recommendation that the Act establishing the National Examinations Council (NECO) be repealed and the Council’s activities returned to the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

    The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NEDRC) will not be scrapped. Besides, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) will not be merged to form a single agency for wealth creation.

    The government disagree that the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council be scrapped.

    It rejected the scrapping of the Energy Commission of Nigeria and also the recommendation that that the National Sports Commission (NSC) should revert to the proposed Ministry of Youth and Sports Development as an agency.

  • NAPEP to assist 200 farmers in 12 states

    The National Coordinator of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Malam Muktar Abubakar, has said the agency will soon begin a Grassroots Agricultural Micro-credit Programme for 200 farmers in 12 states.

    The Coordinator disclosed this in Abuja on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said NAPEP had started the project in 12 states to alleviate the sufferings of the vulnerable population in rural areas.

    He declared, “We will be piloting this project in 12 states, namely Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Plateau and Zamfara.”

    Abubakar said the micro-credit programme was designed to nurture financial and entrepreneurial education for rural communities.

    He said NAPEP would empower and educate rural farmers to utilise resources in order to improve their economic standards and promote farming as a business.

    Abubakar said the programme would also enable FADAMA farmers to utilise grants and loans from government and ultimately on their own, seek out micro and macro credit loans from private banks.

    He said in the process of developing the project, NAPEP was able to bring partners such as FADAMA, that has a track record of working with farmers at the grassroots level.

     

    “We have been able to assess and provide a list of credible micro finance banks known for their close relationships with the poor to partner with NAPEP.

    “It is this model that we embrace, because we want to let Nigerians know that we are here to assist them and help them grow, teach them to help themselves and others.”

  • Senate queries NAPEP over N16.54b tricycle funds

    The Senate has asked the management of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) to explain the whereabouts of N16.54 billion appropriated to the agency for various projects.

    This is contained in “Analysis of the response of the NAPEP to the 2010 queries of the Auditor-General for the Federation” obtained at the National Assembly yesterday.

    The National Coordinator of NAPEP, Muktar Abubakar Tafawa-Belewa, however said that over N10 billion of the agency’s funds were currently trapped in micro-finance banks across the country.

    Tafawa-Balewa added that some of the micro-finance banks had been liquidated.

    He said that the agency was already conducting a forensic audit to ascertain the true position of the funds from the banks before taking necessary actions to recover it.

    The management of NAPEP claimed that another N605 million given to operators of Keke NAPEP under the platform of Keke NAPEP Owners and Riders Association (KORAN) had not been paid back by the association.

    According to the document, out of 5,000 units of Keke NAPEP ordered for and fully paid for since 2008, a total of 988 units worth N292,243,484 is yet to be supplied as at March, 2011.

    The management said that the total outstanding Keke NAPEP not supplied was 1,310 and not 988.

    The Senate also said that a unit cost of Keke NAPEP as given by Auditor-General is N295,793.00 while it was stated in some documents as N450,000.00 per unit.

    The Senate said that Revenue realised in the sale of 4,012 units of Keke NAPEP supplied at N295,793.00 per unit was N486,052,850.00 in the revenue book instead of N1,186,721,516.00 which amounted to a shortfall ofN700,668,666.00 which could not be accounted for.

    The agency claimed that the total unit supplied was 3,690 units and 4,012 as stated.

    It said that the supposed revenue to be realised was N1,091,476,170, the revenue unremitted amounted to N605,630, 820.00.

    It said that the supplier failed to supply 1,310 units of Keke NAPEP which left management of the agency with no option than to resort to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

    The Senate wondered why no reason was given for the payment of complete sum of contract before execution of the contract.

    The Senate said that NAPEP should explain why the total units valued at N292,243,484 is yet to be supplied and account for the shortfall of N700,668,666.00.

    The document said that “in 2008, N150,000,000.00 was for supply of spare parts but unfortunately as at the time of the audit in March 2011, no spare parts had been supplied.”

    Management of NAPEP said that the contractor, MS Auto Ban Limited, “is yet to supply the spare parts; the case has been reported to relevant authorities.

  • NAPEP partners German agency on agric resources

    NAPEP partners German agency on agric resources

    In its quest to improve on its core mandate of lifting the underprivileged above poverty level, the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) has entered into a partnership agreement with the German International Development Agency, as part of efforts to boost its agricultural support scheme to provide modern tools and capacity building for extreme poor farmers and those ready to embrace farming by improving them farm yields and productivity.

    The National Coordinator NAPEP, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, gave this hint in a chat with newsmen in Abuja.

    According to him, NAPEP has drawn up a farmers empowerment programme as one major area of exploring job and wealth creation for the unemployed graduates to embrace farming.

    To achieve this, NAPEP has conducted a fact-finding mission in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources as well as a team of experts from South Africa to access facilities on ground and designing projects that would make farming more attractive to the nation’s graduate youths.

    He said: “Obviously, the poverty situation has plummeted to an all time low, but it is hoped that this will begin to reverse when the policy thrust of the present administration’s economic plan manifest as electricity supply is expected to jump drastically in the next few months.”

  • Bayelsa tackles excesses of Keke NAPEP

    Bayelsa tackles excesses of Keke NAPEP

    Before they were phased out, commercial motorcycles popularly known as okada constituted nuisances in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

    They contributed to increase in crime rate, high rate of accident and poor state of the metropolis.

    People, therefore, heaved a sigh of relief when Governor Seriake Dickson banned the transport sub-sector.

    Motorcyclists fled the town with their automobile. Many of them relocated to the nearby villages; others left for other states. Still some of them sold their motorcycles, stayed in the city to embrace the new transport scheme.

    After the ban on okada, the government floated a transport scheme made up of taxis and tricycles to cushion its effects. The government acquired cars and gave them out to drivers.

    The drivers of the cars, christened Restoration Cabs, were mandated to operate within the state and remit money monthly to the government.

    The scheme also provided an opportunity for people to own tricycles popularly called Keke NAPEP, in place of okada.

    But the operators of tricycles are gradually returning to the chaos that characterised the era of Okada. Their activities have become a source of worry not only to the government but also to residents, especially private car owners.

    Keke NAPEP has taken over everywhere – streets, walkways, adjoining roads and highways. They compete for space with cars and articulated vehicles. They are always involved in accidents.

    Femi Martins, a car owner, said there is no difference between Keke and Okada.

    “Keke even occupies more space than Okada thereby creating inconveniences to private car owners.

    “When Keke hits a car, the car suffers more damage than the Keke. The body of Keke is made of iron and their drivers are reckless. They compete for space and this competition always leads to accident”, he said.

    The activities of Keke have compelled the government to restrict their operations to the streets and adjoin roads.

    Commissioner for Transport Mrs. Marie Ebikake said keke had become a bone in the throat of the government.

    She said the government had decided to restrict their operation to streets and adjoining roads.

    She said the order took effect on July 10, adding that any Keke found on highways and expressways would be impounded.

    She said: “These Keke NAPEP are causing nuisance on the highway. Apart from that we thought, we are done with motorcycles but it is like the Keke NAPEP issue is worse than motorcycles.

    “Everywhere you go you get the report of accidents involving Keke. We want to save lives and property in as much as we are looking for comfort.

    “So we decided to restrict them and the implementation of the restriction took effect on July 10.

    “From that day onwards, we will impound any Keke we see on the highway except those designated areas.

    “We have put up the signs already. They can park and pick passengers on all the adjoining streets.”

    The commissioner made good her threat. Accompanied by policemen, she raided the roads twice and impounded about 100 recalcitrant commercial tricycles.

    Through the action, she said she further discovered that most of the operators were violating the registration law which requires that all the commercial tricycles must be numbered to aid the war against criminals.

    Besides, the commissioner found that the operators had yet to paint their tricycles in the state colour.

    So, the ministry decided that for all the tricycles it impounded, their owners must pay for their registration, change their colours and pay additional fines for late registration.

    Ebikake denied claims that the restoration cabs had disappeared from the roads.

    She said commercial drivers operating the cabs had so far remitted over N100 million to the Ministry of Transport within nine months, adding that the remittance was an indication that the transport scheme was working.

    On allegations that the cars provided for the scheme have been hijacked by politicians, she said: “The restoration cabs are on the road. It is not true that they have been hijacked by politicians.”

    She said Dickson had evolved a system to track the cars.

    “There is possibility of accident which is normal but it is not true that the cabs are not on the road. The drivers should know that with the system we have adopted, they cannot escape with our vehicles.”

    But the restriction order has not gone down well with the operators of commercial tricycles.

    They complain that roads in the state, especially in the capital city, are too narrow to sustain the order.

    Besides they also lamented that the streets are not connected to one another to guarantee profitability.

    The state Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Paul Oduei, urged the government not to restrict the commercial tricyclists from the popular Melford Okilo Road.

    He said: “Even if they enforce restriction order on the Sanni Abacha and the Isaac Boro highways, they should allow them to operate on the Melford Okilo Road to allow them make profit”.

     

     

  • Govt to scrap BPE, NAPEP, NEIC, 217 other agencies

    Govt to scrap BPE, NAPEP, NEIC, 217 other agencies

    •It’s speculative, says Presidency

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has agreed to scrap the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and 219 other parastatals and agencies. There are about 540 of such agencies.

    Besides, the government is to merge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    A “proper investigation of the allegations made by the National Boundaries Commission against the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) over the funding of two non-existent boundary demarcations is to be conducted.

    The OSGOF will also be probed for alleged illegal extension of Nigeria’s maritime boundary from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles at $12 million without consulting.

    These are the highlights of the outcome of a review of the White Paper on the report of the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals and Commissions, which was headed by ex-Head of Civil Service of the Federation Mr. Steve Oronsaye.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) spent the last three weeks to review the report and concluded the exercise on June 26.

    But Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati described the scrapping of the agencies as speculative.

    “The report is still at the FEC level and the committee was set up to review the White Paper.

    “There is no final decision yet. Anything outside that is mere speculation.”

    The Federal Government in 2011 inaugurated the Oronsaye Panel to restructure and rationalise Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies of the government as part of measures to reduce the rising budget profile.

    After the submission of the report, a White Paper Committee was set up to look at the recommendations of the Presidential Committee.

    The Federal Executive Council ratified the recommendations of the White Paper Committee.

    According to a document obtained by our correspondent, some of the agencies to be scrapped are the BPE; National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP); Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC); Public Complaints Commission (PCC); Nigerian Export Promotion Council; Public Complaints Commission (PCC); National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC); Federal Highways Department; Utilities Charges Commission; and National Economic Intelligence Committee, among others.

    The approval of the EFCC –ICPC merger was in line with the recommendation of the Oronsaye Panel.

    The panel’s report said: “Extant anti-corruption laws should be repealed, while a new one is enacted to accommodate the consolidation of EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    “The establishment of strong departments, among others, in the proposed consolidated structure is desirable as they would handle the following areas: (i) Prosecution; (ii) Investigation (iii) Prevention (Advocacy); and (iv) Asset declaration/ forfeiture. The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit(NFIU) should be made autonomous.”

    The highlights of FEC decisions are: .abolition of Fiscal Responsibility Commission. Attorney General and Minister of Justice directed to initiate necessary action for the abolition of the Commission;

    .RMAFC is already empowered by the Constitution to carry out the function of Fiscal Responsibility Commission;

    .the law establishing Police Service Commission be amended to make Minister of Police Affairs head of the Commission;

    .EFCC and ICPC consolidated into one anti-corruption agency:

    .a “Sunset Clause” is to be introduced to the BPE to conclude its assignment and wind down;

    . withdrawal of the Military from the Contributory Pension Scheme should be reversed;

    .PCC is to be merged with the Human Rights Commission, which has the capacity to perform the functions of the PCC. The PCC Act to be removed from the Constitution by amending Sections 153 and 315; and

    .the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) is to be abolished and its law repealed. Its functions are to be transferred to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

    The government directed that the enabling law of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) be amended to reflect the directive of FIFA that the Organisation should be renamed a Federation.

    “The NYSC will be restructured with a view to developing a framework to cover critical areas of national socio-economic development to which Corps members would be deployed for their primary assignments.

    “The Government accepts the Presidential Committee’s recommendation that COREN should no longer receive budgetary allocation from 2015 Fiscal Year.

    “FERMA and the Federal Highways Department of the Federal Ministry of Works are to be transformed into an extra-ministerial department. The enabling law of FERMA is to be amended to reflect the change of status

    The government accepts the Presidential Committee’s recommendation for the proper investigation of the allegations made by the National Boundaries Commission against the OSGOF over the funding of two non-existent boundary demarcations as well as the alleged illegal extension of Nigeria’s maritime boundary from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles at $12 million without consulting.

    “The Government directs the Border Communities Development Agency(BCDA) to relocate to the Presidency with its own line budget and be strengthened.”

    The recommendation that NEMA be merged with the National Refugees Commission into one agency to be known as the National Emergency Management and Refugees Commission was rejected.

    The government accepted the scrapping of NAPEP and directed that the functions of NAPEP be merged with those of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    “The government accepts the recommendation for the abolition of the Utilities Charges Commission and repeal of its enabling law. The government approves the redeployment of Staff of the Commission to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, provided they are civil servants.

    “The government rejects the recommendation of the Presidential Committee that the National Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC) and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) be abolished and their functions transferred to a department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    “The government has also directed that the law establishing Police Service Commission be amended to make Hon. Minister of Police Affairs to head the Commission.”

    Some of the agencies that survived are Code of Conduct Bureau; Council of State; Federal Character Commission; Federal Civil Service Commission; Federal Judicial Service Commission; Independent National Electoral Commission; National Defence Council; National Economic Council; National Judicial Council; National Population Commission; National Security Council; Nigeria Police Council; Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission; Bureau of Public Procurement; Central Bank of Nigeria; Code of Conduct Tribunal; Economic & Financial Crimes Commission & Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to be consolidated into one anti-corruption agency; Infrastructure Concessionary & Regulatory Commission (ICRC); National Pension Commission (PENCOM):; Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); and National Institute for Sports. The others are Nigeria Football Federation/Nigeria Football Association; Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre; Council for Registered Engineers (COREN); Surveyors Registration Council (SRC); FERMA and the Federal Highways Department of the Federal Ministry of Works; Office of Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF); National Boundary Commission; Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA); National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies; National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); National Commission for Refugees; Debt Management Office; Niger Delta Power Holding Company ; National Planning Commission; National Bureau of Statistics; Centre for Management Development (CMD); National Institute of Social and Economic Research; and National Identity Management Commission. There are also Nigeria National Merit Award; Federal Road Safety Commission; Niger Delta Development Commission; New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD); National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA); Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC);National Lottery Regulatory Commission; National Lottery Trust Fund; Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM); Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI); National Centre for Women Development.

    SCRAPPED

    Fiscal Responsibility Commission

    Bureau of Public Enterprises

    Nigerian Export Promotion Council

    Public Complaints Commission (PCC)

    National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC);

    National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP)

    Utilities Charges Commission

    National Economic Intelligence Committee

    PARASTATALS, COMMISSIONS & AGENCIES TO BE RETAINED

    Code of Conduct Bureau

    Council of State

    Federal Character Commission

    Federal Civil Service Commission

    Federal Judicial Service Commission

    Independent National Electoral Commission

    National Defence Council

    National Economic Council

    National Judicial Council

    National Population Commission

    National Security Council

    Nigeria Police Council

    Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre:

    The Centre is to be refocused on moral values and re-orientation

    Council for Registered Engineers (COREN):

    The Government accepts the Presidential Committee’s recommendation that COREN should no longer receive budgetary allocation from 2015 Fiscal Year

    Surveyors Registration Council (SRC):

    Budgetary Allocation to SRC shall be stopped with effect from 2015 Fiscal Year

    Federal Roads Maintenance Agency:

    FERMA and the Federal Highways Department of the Federal Ministry of Works are to be transformed into an extra-ministerial Department. The enabling law of FERMA to be amended to reflect the change of status

    Office of Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF):

    Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA):

    The Government directs the BCDA to relocate to the Presidency with its own line budget and be strengthened

    National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies

    National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA):

    The Government rejects the recommendation that NEMA be merged with National Refugees Commission into one agency to be known as the National Emergency Management and Refugees Commission

    National Commission for Refugees

    Debt Management Office

    Niger Delta Power Holding Company

    National Planning Commission

    National Bureau of Statistics

    Centre for Management Development (CMD)

    National Institute of Social and Economic Research

    National Identity Management Commission

    Nigeria National Merit Award

    Federal Road Safety Commission:

    The Government rejects Presidential Committee’s recommendations that the Act setting up the FRSC should be repealed

    Niger Delta Development Commission

    New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

    National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA)

    Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC):

    The government rejects the recommendation of the Presidential Committee that the NCPC and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria be abolished and their functions transferred to a department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    National Lottery Regulatory Commission

    National Lottery Trust Fund

    Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM)

    Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI)

    National Centre for Women Development

     

     

  • NAPEP chief frays stipends’ payment

    The National Coordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) Muktar Tafawa Balewa yesterday criticised the payment of stipends to beneficiaries of poverty eradication.

    He said it only serves a temporary relief. What the people need is a long-lasting solution to poverty, he added.

    Balewa spoke during a visit when members of Centre for Creativity and Leadership Development, a civil society group, visited him in Abuja.

    He said NAPEP will no more pay stipends to the poor, but embark on a more profitable venture such as agriculture.

    He said NAPEP is collaborating with the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development and Women Affairs, adding that the partnership will not only boost agriculture, but also alleviate poverty to the teeming unemployed youths in the rural areas of the country.

    “Through this project, we are going to provide food security to the people as well as providing employment to the teeming unemployed youths, amounting to 70 percent of the total population, living in the rural areas.

    “I want to categorically state here that NAPEP has moved from what it used to be. We are no longer going to continue giving stipends to the poor. This process has not yielded the desired result so far. That is why we are collaborating with the three ministries in providing modern irrigation agriculture for large-scale food production.

    “Through this project, we are going to provide food security to the people as well as providing employment to the teeming unemployed youths, amounting to 70 percent of the total population, living in the rural areas”.

  • NAPEP to focus on agriculture

    The National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) has refocused its attention on agriculture as a tool in the fight against poverty in the country.

    In a statement by the Head, Publicity, Danladi Hassan Kobi, the National Coordinator, Muktar Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, led the agency to focus its core mandate on critical intervention areas such as agriculture to enable farmers participate in the agricultural transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    He said: “As a knowledge-driven agency in poverty eradication, there is the need for the Ministry of Agriculture to engage NAPEP in ensuring that not only farmers participate, but also that the poor are encouraged to join in the transformation train.

    “To fight and defeat poverty, Nigerians must support President Jonathan’s transformation agenda to generate growth, especially in agriculture where the potentials for maximum utilisation of abundant natural resources hold sway for the needed answers in our quest for solution to the poverty scourge, not just of meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target.

    “Agriculture is the mainstay of our people. They have remained subsistent and the current economic problem has exacerbated their position.

    “The poor among them need a little push to enable them benefit from the enormous opportunities in the agricultural transformation agenda. This way, NAPEP, as the apex organisation on poverty issues, will identify and target those in need of assistance in that regard.”