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Tag: The Federal Government

  • Fed Govt secures 200 hectares for Lekki housing materials hub

    Fed Govt secures 200 hectares for Lekki housing materials hub

    •Houses now between N3m and N50m

    The Federal Government has secured 200 hectares of land within the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, for a building materials hub to reduce housing production costs.

    Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, disclosed this during a tour of industrial areas within the Lekki and Lagos Free Zones.

    The Lagos Free Zone is part of the larger Lekki Free Trade Zone ecosystem, a commercial hub integrated with the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

    Dangiwa inspected various housing projects, industries, building materials testing laboratories, the deep sea port, Alaro City, Lagos Coastal City, and other ongoing developments.

    He said establishing a building materials hub is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at cutting construction costs and providing affordable housing.

    According to him, the hub will promote local content, curb rising costs of materials, encourage domestic production, and ensure sustainable housing delivery nationwide.

    He added that President Tinubu’s vision is to establish similar hubs across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    The minister, conducted round the projects by Lekki Worldwide Investments Ltd Managing Director, Mr Adeniyi Akinlusi, commended the firm for its remarkable achievements.

    Dangiwa also thanked the company for providing a strategic site for the proposed Federal Government Building Materials Manufacturing Hub within the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

    During inspection of Alaro City, he praised the management’s sustainable building efforts, saying they align with the government’s plan to close Nigeria’s shelter gap through PPPs.

    He said the building materials hub is a key agenda of the current administration’s Housing and Urban Development Renewed Hope programme.

    According to him, one hub will be built in each zone of the country, with the Lagos hub already sited within the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

    The minister said intermodal transport infrastructure, including a seaport, airport, rail and roads, will support the effectiveness of the hubs.

    He disclosed that an investor has been secured for the project, which will cut Nigeria’s housing deficit by boosting local building materials production.

    Dangiwa stressed that this would reduce foreign exchange spent on imports, while creating jobs through local manufacturing of essential construction inputs.

    Interacting with businesses, he noted their operations were driving economic growth, with houses and residential areas springing up within the zone.

    He explained that infrastructure such as ports and an airport inevitably attracts real estate, as housing is required to support these developments.

     “We are pleased, some houses here have already been acquired by off-takers,” he added.

    Earlier, Akinlusi provided updates on projects, noting that the free zone was designed to stimulate growth, reduce imports, attract investment, create jobs and boost housing.

    Highlighting real estate and industrial aspects, he described the 16,500-hectare Lekki Free Trade Zone as a national asset.

     “The whole zone is Nigeria’s best-kept investment secret,” he said.

    Industry heads within the zone also showcased power plants, manufacturing sites and new projects, explaining their operations to the minister during the tour.

    In a related development  Dangiwa, said President Bola Tinubu will, in the coming weeks, inaugurate the Renewed Hope City Project in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

    He described the project as one of the flagship schemes in the South-West under the Renewed Hope Cities initiative, being developed across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

    According to him, the Ibeju Lekki project is already 80 per cent completed, with over 700 housing units ready for allocation.

     “We have come and seen that the project is almost 80 per cent completed, and it is about to be commissioned by Mr. President.

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     “On that day, he will also lay the foundation for the second phase of the scheme,” Dangiwa said.

    The minister explained that the Lagos scheme, when fully completed, would deliver 2,000 housing units.

    He added that the project underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to bridging Nigeria’s housing deficit.

    Executive Director, Loans and Mortgage Services, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN),   Dr. Muhammad Abdul, , said the houses are designed to be affordable and accessible to workers and cooperative societies.

    He explained that beneficiaries were expected to make a 10 percent initial payment, while the balance would be spread over their years of service.

    Abdul noted that the interest rates are kept between six and nine per cent, being among the lowest in the market.

    Abdul noted that some units had already been handed over, with prices ranging from N3 million to N50 million, depending on type and design.

     “This model ensures that no worker pays beyond one-third of their income for housing, in line with international labour standards,” he said.

    The minister reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Cities initiative would be replicated nationwide to provide decent and affordable housing for Nigerian.

  • FG convenes economic management team meeting to review policies

    FG convenes economic management team meeting to review policies

    The federal government has convened a meeting of the Economic Management Team (EMT) to assess critical economic policies and progress in key sectors. 

    The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience and featured presentations from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Agriculture.

    In a statement signed by Mohammed Manga, Director, Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, it was revealed that the meeting noted efforts to address foreign exchange (FX) market reforms and agricultural performance.

    The CBN’s presentation, titled Enhancing FX Market Efficiency, was delivered by Mohammed Sani, Deputy Governor of Monetary Policy. 

    It highlighted the launch of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), which aims to improve transparency and enhance market operations.

    Sani further disclosed that the apex bank had phased out high-interest FX swaps to stabilise financial markets, settled 80 percent of FX forward obligations, thereby boosting liquidity and market confidence, and maintained robust external reserves to support exchange rate appreciation.

    Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture, presented a report on the 2024 wet season performance, revealing a 4.5 percent increase in overall crop production. However, millet production declined slightly by 0.2 percent.

    The minister expressed concerns over rising production costs, particularly maize, which surged by 69.7 percent, and significant food price increases, with cowpea prices rising by 300 percent. He lamented the food crises reported in 31 states, which have severely impacted the North-East region.

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    Despite these challenges, the report noted slight improvements in mechanization and farmland expansion, with a 2 percent increase in tractor use and a 2.3 percent rise in cultivated farmland.

    The Ministry of Agriculture outlined ambitious plans for 2025, which include: boosting food security through hybrid seed production, technology adoption, and climate-smart practices; promoting export crops such as cocoa, sesame, and ginger; and enhancing rural infrastructure with cold chain facilities, feeder roads, and electrification.

    The Minister, Wale Edun commended the progress made in the foreign exchange and agricultural sectors while urging stakeholders to accelerate efforts toward achieving economic stability, food security, and sustainable growth.

    He emphasized the importance of coordinated implementation of policies to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at ensuring affordable food and improved living conditions for Nigerians.

    The meeting concluded with an insistence of the government’s commitment to tackling economic challenges and delivering tangible benefits to citizens.

  • In- country training facilities coming for aviation personnel

    In- country training facilities coming for aviation personnel

    The Federal Government has concluded plans to leverage the availability of accredited and certified training facilities located within the country for the development of manpower for the critical and technical personnel in the aviation eco- system.

    The new move, it was learnt, is part of the government’s strategy to save the huge cost of foreign exchange spent offshore of training of aviation personnel in Europe, the United States and other parts of the globe.

    Besides enhancing local content in manpower development in the aviation sector, the initiative will assist to conserve the foreign exchange earned in the air transport space that will now be ploughed to fix serious gaps in the industry.

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo who disclosed this at the weekend, said the move will be deepened through intentional policy rolled out by the Tinubu administration to drive the development of the aviation and allied sectors.

    Keyamo spoke in an interview while inaugurating  an Aviation Training Centre at the Prime Atlantic Safety Services in Ibara Remo, Ogun State.

    The minister said if training centres intended to develop local capacity are scaled to the prescribed international standards, there will be no need to send aviation technical personnel to facilities abroad.

    He said most training centres located abroad are merely using their big names to secure patronage.

    Read Also: Alumni to partner Kwara govt on school infrastructure upgrade

    To reverse the trend, Keyamo said the Ministry of Aviation is already working out the template to actualise the discovery and patronage of local training centres for the growth of the aviation sector through partnership and capacity building.

    Keyamo, while expressing satisfaction with the facilities at Prime Atlantic Safety Services, said partnership with the managers of the centre will save the air transport sector huge sums spent on less developed centres abroad.

    He said : “ This will not only develop our capacity to retain expertise in – country, it will create revenue opportunities for its investors, and Nigeria could target it as a major training centre for aviation in Africa.

    “ Besides the figures, it will help the government through policy to emphasize local content, a policy President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been driving for the economy. In fact, Tinubu has directed ministers to ensure the development of training and capacity development . With the right international standards and certification, this facility would have earned some clients already . Why do we need to send aviation personnel for training abroad if there are facilities such as this that will enhance the aviation eco- system  with other centres like the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology , which will help to expand the burgeoning industry.

    “ Tinubu is concerned about the growth of the aviation sector through intentional policies. As the government targets such growth, with locally developed capacity, the objective of sustainable partnership is being achieved.. So , we must continue to develop infrastructure at reasonable costs and save the much needed foreign exchange.”

    Keyamo said the government will explore options that will drive collaboration for maximum use of the facility by the industry regulator.

    He said : “ The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority could ask the managers to use the training centre and bring in the required resource persons to drive indigenous capacity for many professionals in the sector.”

  • Govt begins disbursement of N75b loans to MSMEs

    Govt begins disbursement of N75b loans to MSMEs

    The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of N75 billion single digit loan to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the Bank of Industry (BoI).

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Mr. Tola Adekunle-Johnson, broke the news in Abuja at a nationwide town hall meeting to sensitise MSMEs to the Presidential Grant and Loan Scheme.

    Adekunle-Johnson explained that the town hall meeting was going on simultaneously in Ogun, Bauchi, Enugu and Kaduna states with a view to educate MSMEs on the conditions for accessing the loan.

    He said: “We are live in Ogun, Bauchi, Enugu, Kaduna states simultaneously. In 2023 President Bola Tinubu approved some funds as palliative to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.

    “We are here today to sensitise MSMEs to the loan which is currently open all over the country.

    “MSMEs can work into any Bank of Industry from today and apply for this loan. It is a single digit loan, it is nine per cent, it is fixed, no hidden charges.

    “This is the one and only single digit loan you can get and you can get up to N1 million.

    “It is important for us to sensitise the people to this facility so that they don’t fall into the hands of people that will tell them to bring money before they can access it.”

    The presidential aide said that his office had been collaborating with BoI, which is an important implementing agency for the scheme.

    “If you need any information, if you are not sure of anything, go to the Bank of Industry.

    “Once you provide the requirements, very quickly, you will get yours, immediately,” Adekunle-Johnson said.

    The Managing Director of BoI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, explained that the N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund for MSMEs and Manufacturing Enterprises was established to support them towards driving economic growth and job creation.

    Olusi was represented by Mabel Ndagi, Executive Director, Public Sector and Interventions of BoI.

    He said that MSMEs are the driving force behind the nom-oil economy, contributing significantly to innovation, economic growth and job creation in the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors.

    The director said: “Despite the immense contribution to economic growth, MSMEs struggle to access the necessary funding to reach their full potential.

    Read Also: Floods wreck havoc in Rivers communities 

    “In recognition of this, the Federal Government introduced the N200 billion intervention fund for MSMEs and Manufacturing Enterprises and appointed Bank of Industry as the executing agency to implement this initiative.”

    He reiterated that the bank remains committed to playing its part in promoting and supporting MSMEs growth across the country.

    Also, the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, said the bank was committed to supporting MSMEs.

    Ogbonna said: “In 2008, we focused on MSMEs with particular attention on women and youths. Ninety-four per cent of all businesses are MSMEs; 66 per cent of that, are owned by women and youths.

    “That is the reason for our focus; we want to be known as Nigeria’s MSMEs bank.”

    In Ogun, Governor Dapo Abiodun urged MSMEs in the state to take advantage of the N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund to boost their businesses.

    Industry, Trade and Investment commissioner Adebola Sofela gave the advice at a town hall and sensitisation programme for MSMEs and manufacturing enterprises on the fund in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The fund comprises N50 billion Nano grant, N75 billion loan scheme for big businesses and N75 billion loan scheme for MSMEs.

    Sofela said the fund was designed to help enterprises to boost businesses and strengthen the operational capacity of entrepreneurs to contribute effectively to the local and national economic development.

    “Many entrepreneurs in the state have benefitted from the Nano grant and other loan schemes of the fund at favourable terms for businesses, which are yielding results.

    “The scheme is ongoing, and we are here today so that more entrepreneurs can be sensitised and their questions answered. We believe that more entrepreneurs will be able to benefit from this programme,” he said.

    The commissioner, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Mrs. Oluyemisi Somorin-Dawodu, noted that the intervention aligned with the economic transformation of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.

    He added that different programmes had been facilitated to engender business growth, skill development, access to finance, and many more, with provision of infrastructure and implementation of business-friendly policies.

    The State Manager of the Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Michael Agidani, announced that the N75 bilion loan scheme for MSMEs was available for existing small businesses and start-ups that had registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

    The banker explained that each business could borrow up to N1 million with nine per cent interest rate within fourth and sixth month, and repayable within three years, while enjoying a moratorium of three months.

    A laundry business owner, Mr. Daniel Olukoga, and a member of the Association of Skilled and Vocational Artisans of Nigeria (ASVAN), Mr. Roshid Sodamola, said the programme had proven to be beneficial to different entrepreneurs across the state.

    Also, the Federal Government has given conditions for prospective beneficiaries of the Presidential Grants and Loan Scheme for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to meet before they can access the loan.

    The Akwa Ibom State Manager of the Bank of Industry (BoI), Tolulope Toluwase, listed the requirements at the formal launch of the scheme in Uyo, the state capital.

    Toluwase said the project targeted 75,000 MSMEs, 75,000 direct jobs and 150,000 indirect jobs.

    The state manager explained that each applicant must present a guarantor not below Grade Level 10 at the Federal Government civil service, BVN/NIN, four passport photographs, a valid means of identification of the applicant and their guarantor.

    He added that any successful applicant who meets all the requirements would get N1 million loan to boast their business.

    Toluwase said the repayment plan would span three years and be made on a monthly basis with an interest rate of a single digit.

    He said: “We believe that N1 million per beneficiary when injected in a small and medium scale operation shall make a significant impact. Since it’s a loan, there must be some documentations. Anyone who wants to access must first of all be in business, must be a sole proprietorship and must be registered with Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC). The interest rate is actually a single digit.”

  • FG rakes N400bn investment from rice in three years

    The Federal Government Wednesday disclosed that it has secured a little over N400 billion investments in the rice sector in three years.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Developement, Chief Audu Ogbeh disclosed this at meeting organised by Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Nigeria Agribusiness Group in Abuja.

    Read Also:Kano to harvest three million tonnes of rice

    The meeting was to assess impact of the MIRA Project being implemented by the NABG aimed to provide supports on regulatory reforms especially on farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizer.

    Ogbeh stated that rice production has continued to witness increase in the past three years of the administration from 2.4 tons to 5 tons per hectare on average.

    “It is on record and notable that most of the staple crops witnessed production increase in 2017 compared to what was recorded in 2016.

    “For instance, an increase of 4.4 per cent was witnessed for sorghum, 6.1 per cent for cowpea, 11.4 per cent for soybean, 7.7 per cent for cassava, 5.5 per cent for groundnut while others such as cocoyam increased by 16.8 per cent, tomatoes 13.2 per cent and onion 7.6 per cent.”

    The Minister, who was represented by IFAD Coordinating Director, Alh. Olumuyiwa Azeez  emphasised that all states have  increased production in rice with Lagos on the top list of 30.5 per cent rise.

    “We are able to save close to N300 million forex  in import substitution and through the local processing of rice. There is also increase in milling capacity of functional integrated rice mills from 13 to 21 mills and from less than 600, 000 Mt production capacity to 1.295 million metric tons with total investment of a little over N400bn.”

    However, he lamented over the challenge of Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) and policy reforms adding that PHL still looms.

    In his remarks, NABG Vice President, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere said regulatory frameworks have not been effective in the sector, thus need for the MIRA Project.

    He said there are conflicting laws which according to him called for a process to train lawmakers in the country.

    “We want to support African government’s efforts to reform regulations that limit private sector investment in smallholder value chains,” he said, adding that, they are facilitating passage and enactment of the Growth Enhancements Support bill that targets subsidy to poor farmers for fertilizer and certified seeds.

    AGRA Representative, Zonkeng Guepi restated commitment to addressing problems in the input industry.

  • FG supports diaspora voting ahead of 2019

    The Federal Government has said it would support “any’’ mechanism to ensure the inclusion of Nigerians abroad in future elections.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama said this at a seminar on the validation of proposed “National Policy on Diaspora Matters’’ in Abuja on Thursday.

    Onyeama was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.

    The minister said there was the need to promote the capacity of Nigerians abroad to achieve the “immense potential of the diaspora’’.

    He added that enhanced inclusion of Nigerians abroad in the voting process would support their contributions to national development.

    “This is for the socio-political and economic development of the nation.

    “In addition, the empowerment of Nigerians in the Diaspora as change agents for national development should be speedily scaled up.

    “On our part, we deeply support any mechanism for the inclusion of Nigerian Diaspora to participate in future elections,’’ he said.

    He urged that the challenges impeding the effectiveness of Nigerians abroad should be considered.

    “Many of them (Diaspora) are deeply concerned about the situation in the country and have critical skills and potential that could be harnessed to solving Nigeria’s sociology-economic challenges.

    “What has been lacking is the mechanism of effective engagement and interface with the government, with a view to ensuring that our country reaps fully the benefits of this engagement.

    “The ministry, therefore, sharpening its in-house resources to effectively harness the potential of Nigerians wherever they are based.’’

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu said that the committee was in touch with the Independent National Electoral Committee on Diaspora voting.

    Sunmonu added that efforts were being made by the committee to promote opportunities for Nigerians abroad to participate in future elections.

    She reiterated that Nigerians had “huge potential if properly harnessed would contribute to the development of the country’’.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa also emphasised the need to strengthen the diaspora policy.

    Dabiri-Erewa said that the development of a viable policy would address the concerns of Nigerians abroad.

    “We cannot ignore our diaspora; when Ireland went into recession they reached out to their diaspora community and one thousand of them saved the country from recession.

    “Now that Nigeria is going through challenges, we cannot have this enormous human resource and not engage with them.

    “We are working on the diaspora policy today; with the document, we have identified a few challenges impeding the effective contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora.

    “We do not have an accurate database of Nigerians in the diaspora; there is the lack of an enabling environment, bilateral agreements on avoidance of double taxation, and integrated framework for Nigerians in the diaspora.

    “Let us have a policy that we will be proud of.’’

    She said that a technical committee would be set up to work on the recommendations agreed on and come up with an action plan for implementation.

    Dabiri-Erewa also emphasised that the passing into law of the Diaspora Commission Bill would facilitate the realisation of a commission that would address diaspora matters.

    “The eighth assembly has taken it up, the house has passed it, we are waiting on the Senate to pass it and it has assured that it will pass.

    “It is going to be a one-stop agency to deal with diaspora matters, domiciled in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,’’ she said.

  • FG urged to encourage large scale palm oil production

    FG urged to encourage large scale palm oil production

    The Federal Government has been urged to encourage large-scale palm oil production for export in order to boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

    This call was made by the House of Representatives in a resolution following the adoption of a motion titled “Need for Revival of Large Scale Production of Palm Oil in Nigeria”, sponsored by Rep. Emmanuel Akpan (PDP-Akwa Ibom).

    Moving the motion, Akpan said in view of the downturn in Nigeria’s economy, there was a need for the country to diversify into agriculture especially palm oil production.

    He said that diversification would earn the country foreign exchange as the product was in high demand all over the world.

    Akpan said state governments, particularly the palm oil producing zones, needed to provide necessary incentives for private investors to establish oil palm plantations.

    “If the smallholders presently producing about 80 per cent of the country’s palm oil and the large scale investors are provided with needed incentives, there will be an increase in palm oil production for local consumption.

    “This will also facilitate the creation of employment for thousands of youths and boost in export to improve foreign exchange earnings’’, he said.

    Rep. Chris Azubogu (PDP-Anambra), said the motion was a wake-up call for the Federal Government to act fast in diversifying the economy.

    Rep. Abubakar Kanike (APC- Kwara), said Nigeria should look beyond theory on how to diversify the country’s economy.

    “We need to focus on cash crops if we want to alleviate unemployment in the country”, Kanike said.

    He decried the country’s neglect of palm produce, saying that the gains of palm production were as important as crude oil.

    “The palm produce are used for making soap and other useful items.

    “It is embarrassing for the country to import palm oil from Sierra Leone and other countries when we have the palm trees and fertile land’’, he said.

    The House, while adopting the motion, mandated its committees on agricultural production and services, and commerce, to ensure implementation and report back within eight weeks for further legislative action.

  • Stop using President’s name to solicit favour – FG

    Stop using President’s name to solicit favour – FG

    The Federal Government has warned fraudsters using the name of President Muhammadu Buhari and those of his family members and senior government officials to solicit favour.

    The government also warned the fraudsters to stop using the President’s name for soliciting favour from government establishments or face the wrath of the law.

    The warning is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    The statement was signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr Segun Adeyemi.

    The minister said the government was aware that some opportunists had been going from one government organisation to another with notes purportedly recommending them for contracts and other patronage.

    He said the opportunists were using the names of the President, his family members and senior government officials to intimidate those organisations.

    The minister said the president didn’t authorise any government official to write notes recommending anyone for contracts or any form of patronage.

    He warned those involved in such fraudulent activities to stop immediately or face arrest and prosecution by security agents.

    The minister also warned government officials who might be working in collusion with the con men to desist from the act or face dire disciplinary action and prosecution for fraud.

  • FG bans PTAs from collecting levies in Unity colleges

    FG bans PTAs from collecting levies in Unity colleges

    The Federal Government has banned the collection of development levies by Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) in the 104 unity colleges across the country, the Federal Ministry of Education says.

    The ministry in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said the ban, aimed at alleviating the sufferings of parents, would take effect immediately.

    The statement was signed by Mr Bem Goong, Deputy Director, Press, in the ministry.

    “No PTA of any unity college is allowed to initiate any development project in any of the unity colleges without the express or written authorisation of the Federal Ministry of Education.

    “The new measures are aimed at arresting the shocking trend where development levies imposed on parents by PTAs are becoming higher than the school fees charged by government which established the unity schools,’’ the ministry said.

    The ministry said that the Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, had noted excessive PTA levies in Kings College, Lagos, and Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos.

    It said that in the two schools, fees charged for JSS1 in the first term was N69, 400 while the PTA collection was N70, 000 at Kings and N74, 000 at Yaba.

    “This brings the total paid by parents in these two schools to N139, 400 and N143, 400 respectively.

    “With the reduction on development levies and ban on charges for new projects as well as pegging of the development levy to a maximum of N5, 000, parents of JSS1 in these two schools will now pay N88, 000.

    “I acknowledge the complementary roles played by parents and the support provided by the PTA to the colleges but I will not allow the PTAs to constitute themselves into a government within a government at the level of unity schools and at the expense of parents,’’ the ministry quoted Adamu as saying.

    It said that Adamu expressed concern that PTAs in unity colleges had formed themselves into national associations and said that running additional organisations, such as National Parents and Teachers Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC), increased the burden on parents.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that NAPTAFEGC recently rejected an alleged 300 per cent increase in school fees of unity schools.

    Dr Gabriel Nnaji, National President of NAPTAFEGC, had told newsmen that the alleged increase from N20, 000 to N75, 000, was unacceptable to parents.

    He said that an average parent with more than a child in unity schools would not be able to afford the cost.

    However, Adamu on Tuesday denied knowledge of the increment in fees.

  • FG to reduce importation of items to by 201

    FG to reduce importation of items to by 201

    The Federal Government is targeting to reduce the costs of its annual importation of various items into Nigeria from N9.85 trillion in 2016 to N8.79 trillion by 2019.

    This is part of the proposal the Federal Government plans to make in the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework to be submitted to the National Assembly in October.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) obtained the document from a source at the Ministry of Budget and National Planning on Monday in Abuja.

    According to the document, this shows a decrease of about N1.05 trillion in import bill from 2016 to 2019.

    NAN recalls that the country is heavily dependent on importation. Trillions of Naira is spent annually on importing processed meat, poultry, tomatoes, toothpicks and clothing, among others.

    This has led to the depletion of the nation’s foreign reserves.

    Statistics from the Central Bank of Nigeria shows that rice, wheat, fish and sugar account for the highest amount of food imports into the country.

    About N3.4 trillion is being spent annually on importing the food items.

    However, the document shows that the Federal Government is projecting that the level of importation into the country would rise slightly to N9.9 trillion in 2017 due to slow economic recovery.

    However, after the recovery, it is projected that the country would begin to see a significant reduction in the level of importation from N9.9 trillion in 2017 to N9.34 trillion.

    Accordingly, it is also projected that there will be a reduction in the level of importation to N8.79 trillion in 2018 and 2019 fiscal periods.

    The Strategy Paper shows that the government is determined to reduce the level of import by further diversifying the economy and focus on agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing.

    It also stated that the government will focus on other areas where the country has comparative advantage.

    “The fiscal strategy for 2017 to 2019 builds on the framework of the 2016-2020 Medium Term Development Plan is designed to reflate the economy out of recession to a sustainable and inclusive growth path.

    “Government will support rapid development of Small and Medium Enterprises through increased funding and focus on value chain that will generate wealth and improve sufficiency,” the document stated.

    The document also shows that the Federal Government is determined to increase exports of locally manufactured goods and services in the next three years.