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Tag: world bank

  • OAU opens ICT knowledge-driven Park

    The Nigerian Computer Association says a knowledge-driven park with a Centre of Excellence in ICT situated in the Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU ) to train software engineers will be ready in May.

    Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, the President of the Nigerian Computer Association made this known on Wednesday at an Academia-Industry Engagement/Interface seminar in Lagos.

    The park, known as OAK-PARK, sponsored by the World Bank, started in 2014 and is aimed at creating a regionally recognised and acknowledged model-driven high quality post graduate education.

    It will also ensure the uptake and commercialisation of research and technology to advance the growth of ICT industry.

    Aderounmu said that inside the park, there would be a Centre of Excellence in ICT, which would serve as a training hub in software engineering for Nigeria and other countries in the sub-region.

    “It will develop the next generation of scientists, researches, teachers, entrepreneurs and product developers in the area of ICT by enrolling new post graduate students from Nigeria and West African countries.

    He said the Oak-Park would provide the launch pad for start-up companies produced from the university and would enable partnering with ICT companies.

    “The OAK-PARK will stimulate creativity and excellence in research and innovation in ICT applicable to other fields and related to regional developmental objectives.

    “It will expand learning opportunities for postgraduate students in all the sectors by deploying existing and new development in ICT for which OAU is leading in the sub region.

    “The park will leverage on the intellectual infrastructure and output of the university to serve as the launch pad for start-up ICT companies borne out of university’s research activities by partnering companies.’’

    He said some of the existing facilities that would make up the park were data centre servicing 400 computer nodes, cyber security research laboratory, post graduate research ICT laboratories among others.

    Aderounmu said that for the project to thrive, the university would have to collaborate with ICT companies.

    “The university cannot do it alone without the help of ICT companies, and that is why we are here today to show you what the park is about and how you can be part of the business,’’ he said.

    He said the park would also provide employment opportunities for postgraduate students,“ he said.

    Aderounmu expressed the hope that the project would be completed in May.

    NAN

  • Ogun targets N10bn IGR monthly

    The Ogun government says it plans to increase its monthly Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) from seven billion naira  to N10 billion.

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun  stated this in Abeokuta on Tuesday  at a press conference held ahead of the fourth  edition of its annual Investment Forum scheduled to hold between March  20 and March   21.

    Amosun said that the state’s  monthly IGR,  which was N750 million when he assumed office in 2011,  had since increased to seven billion naira.

    He attributed the increase to the success of the rebuilding mission embarked upon by his administration.

    The governor, who described the state as the industrial capital of Nigeria, said  his administration has  set N10 billion as the new target for its monthly IGR.

    He also said his administration had opened up the state  for business after creating conducive environment which had continued to attract new businesses.

    The governor recalled that Ogun,  which was in 2011 rated as 26th in terms of ease of doing business among Nigerian  states in  a World Bank Report, disclosed that  the state had moved up to the  second position  by 2014.

    Amosun also said  that no fewer than  304 new firms had since began business in the state.

    He said 148 of these firms had each invested between $200 million and $2 billion in the state while the remaining 146 firms had each invested up to $50 million.

    According to him, the state has now entered into a phase of consolidating its gains and accelerating  growth by focusing on key sectors of education, agriculture and technology.

    He said the Investors’ Forum would be attended by both local and foreign investors, adding that the programme would enable the state to showcase the vast investment opportunities in the state.

    NAN

  • Fashola reassures Nigerians of steady power supply

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola said that the Federal was making efforts to ensure steady power supply in the country.

    Fashola said this at the 25th Monthly Power Sector meeting on Monday in Uyo.

    He said that the power sector recovery programme put in place by the ministry and other stakeholders in the power sector was beginning to yield results.

    The minister said that the Federal Government had secured the World Bank approval for 486 million dollars Transmission Company of Nigeria transmission expansion funding.

    “Progress is being made with the same bank for the Rural Electrification and Distribution Expansion Funding.

    “Clearly, our implemental power initiative is well underway, some jobs are manifesting and the promise of steady power is real.

    “If we persevere, I am certain that we will witness uninterrupted power, which is the final destination of our journey.’’

    The minister said that the Power Sector Recovery Programme ( PSRP ), policies, actions and programmes in the sector were meant to solve the power sector problems.

    He said that the policies, programmes and actions were delivering results.

    “One of the results is the regulation that will democratise access to meters for power sector customers.

    “We have reached a 7,000 Megawatts (MW) Generation Capacity and have a 5,000 MW Distribution Capacity, what is newsworthy is that in the last month, we have met with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria ( MAN ), DisCos, and GenCos.

    “On how to implement the Eligible Customer Policy and increase connectivity to the 2,000 MW that is available.

    “In many parts of the country connected to the grid, citizens’ feedback is positive, even though all the problems are not solved.

    “Citizens acknowledge more power in dry weather, reduced hours of running their generators and reduction in fuel (diesel and petrol) purchase to power generators,” Fashola said.

    He, however, described solar energy as cleaner and more efficient source of power, emphasising that in many states, solar power is being accepted and used.

    The minister said consumers were already embracing the solar power generation plan, an initiative of the government to boost electricity.

    Fashola said that the country was moving away from theorising power to actual provision of efficient power to support trade and business, especially Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs ).

    The minister also inaugurated the Meter Asset Provider Regulation 2018, and presented a copy of the regulation to Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom.

    In his remarks, Emmanuel said his administration was working toward the provision of digitalised meters in the state, adding that by 2019, every household in the state would be using a digitalised meter.

    Emmanuel said the metering company in the state would solve the four million meters need of the country.

    The governor, however, called on the Federal Government to take advantage of the metering company existing in the state.

    He warned against vandalism of power installations, adding that the state government would wage a war on vandals to protect the infrastructure in the sector.

    “The major cardinal point when we did our five-point agenda that anchored on industrialisation is also the drive that we are doing on electricity generation and distribution.’’

    The governor commended Fashola for his drive and efforts in solving the power problem in the country.

    “If the effort is sustained, the country is close to solving its power problems,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • FG projects N141b from mining by 2020

    According to the recently launched ‘Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017-2020)’, the Federal Government projects a sectoral contribution of N141 billion from Minerals and Metals to the GDP.

    This will be an increased contribution to the GDP, from N103 billion in 2015 to N141 billion in 2020, at an average annual growth rate of 8.54%.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi made this revelation yesterday in Abuja, at the inauguration of the newly constituted Boards of agencies and parastatals.

    Fayemi also stated that other targets for the sector includes the facilitation of Coal to Power Plants to contribute to our energy mix towards bridging the energy deficits.

    His words, “The Mining sector remains crucial as one of the frontiers of the Federal Government’s recently launched ‘Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (2017-2020)’, in which the Minerals and Metals sector was duly recognised as one of those to drive Nigeria’s recovery. The strategic document projected to grow sectoral contribution to GDP from N103 billion (2015) to N141 billion in 2020, at an average annual growth rate of 8.54%.

    “Consequently, the Ministry has been selected as one of the critical players in the ERGP Focus Labs about to be launched by Mr. President this week.

    “Other targets for the sector include the facilitation of Coal to Power Plants to contribute to our energy mix towards bridging our energy deficits; the production of geological maps of the entire country by 2020 on a scale of 1:100,000; as well as the sustainable integration of artisanal miners into the formal sector.

    “Moreover, we are being guided by other far reaching prescriptions contained in our ‘Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Mining Industry’, which was approved in August, 2016 by the Federal Executive Council, which provides a pathway for the sustainable turnaround and growth of the mining and metals sector over the short, medium, and long term. As you may well know, Institutional Strengthening and effective sector governance is one of the major themes that run through our roadmap.

    “It is therefore noteworthy that this inauguration is coming at a time we have commenced the full operationalisation of the Roadmap, as well as the implementation of the World Bank supported Mineral Diversification Project. We therefore count on the patriotic service of the new Board members to play their own part as crucial enablers in the industry, towards advancing a common vision for the revitalization of the sector.”

    Fifty three members were inaugurated into the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), National Steel Raw materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), National Metallurgical Development Center (NMDC) and Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG), including four board chairmen.

     

  • Buhari’s advisers moving nigeria backward – Pioneer NLC president

    Buhari’s advisers moving nigeria backward – Pioneer NLC president

    The pioneer President of Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ), Comrade Hassan A. Summonu has said that most of the Advisers and so called technocrats in the Buhari government does not have the capacity to move the nation forward as they were merely playing politics with the life of Nigerians.

    Summonu who was contributing to the discussion on the future of work at the ongoing 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the President’s advisers were working hard to turn Nigerians to starved slaves.

    He said government’s reactive, rather than proactive measures has contributed largely to drawing the country backward, pointing out that most of the socio economic and security challenges can be attributed to unemployment.

    He said: “Some of the so called technocrats in the present  government and advisers of Buhari are mere Buharist, they cannot move Nigeria forward. So NLC and other civil society organisations across Nigeria must fight those people who want to dull Nigeria and turn its citizens to starved  slaves.

    “Education, health, housing and industries are core to socio-econimic development of any country. And thses are areas that can generate millions of jobs for Nigerians. Most of the socio-economic and security problems facing Nigeria is as a result of unemployment and this becauseof poor or Wactive socio-economic policies of both the present government and the past ones.

    “Are we reacting instead of being proactive. Nigeria, led by its government have to be proactive. What is our government doing in terms of socio-economic development in order to prepare for a better  future of work for Nigerians? We cannot prepare for the future of the world of  work if we don’t massively invest in new technology through research for a viable industry  development. 

    “Look at Ajaokuta Steal. No country can induatrialise without a viable steal industry. We have been told that Ajaokuta Steal has been built up to 90% and then they want to put some money there and sell it to their friends. In the name of privatising our national asset. 

    “NLC, Nigeria Civil Society organisations  and every Nigerian should oppose any attempt by anybody or any government to privatize Ajaokuta Steal and other industries in the country. We should resist it because it is unpatriotic, unpardonable, unreasobale and unforgivable. 

    “Look at the number of tens of thousands of jobs that should be available for Nigerians if that industry is viable. Since they privatize our electricity industry, what have we gotten? Instead of constant light, we are paying more for darkness.

    “In electricity, are we investing in research and technology for solar energy, wind energy which are the future of electricity across the world? Are we preparing and training youths for electric engine motor cars because in another decades, petrol might not  be the source of running cars.” 

    Summonu said further that Nigerians must work to revamp the education sector from kindergarten to primary,  high school and university level, saying “Over 60million Nigerians are said to uneducated. So it means that those 60million Nigerians are not effectively contributing to the economy of Nigeria because of illiteracy. 

    “So if we decide to train teachers for the purpose of eradicating illitracy in Nigeria within the next 2 to 3 years, are we not going to generate massive jobs? On the other hand, if the socio-economic policy of the government is directed to providing decent housing for the majority of Nigerians, would that not create millions of jobs?

    “So far, even with the so much job creation promised they made to Nigerians every now and then, they are only focusing on pocket economic policy agenda. Being what IMF and World Bank direct them to do. What they can actually do to provide jobs for Nigerians  is so obvious. 

    “Though I commend the federal government for now seeing that agriculture is among the ways to provide for our country and so create jobs. However, Nigeria government must invest in research and development.”

  • Climate Change: World Bank pushes for smart technologies

    Climate Change: World Bank pushes for smart technologies

    The World Bank is to support Nigeria and other members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the uptake of climate-smart technologies.

    The bank has introduced a new initiative, West Africa Agricultural Transformation Programme (WAATP), which it will solely fund  to this effect. The funding will run into millions of dollars.

    Beneficiary countries of the initiative, such as Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo,  will be able to increase productivity and incomes through responsible farming without damaging the environment.

    To ensure success, the bank is working with the West and Central Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and ECOWAS to scale up the adoption of climate-smart technologies, enhance job creation and increase access to regional markets for targeted commodities.

    According to CORAF, WAATP seeks to transform the agriculture industry sustainably by scaling up replicable innovations and crop varieties using ICT tools and geo-mapping.

    Under the programme, CORAF said the geographical scope of coverage would extend to Central Africa with Cameroon among benefitting countries. Chad and other Central African nations could potentially join.

    CORAF Executive Director Dr. Abdou Tenkouano said: “This programme has assigned itself very ambitious targets because West and Central deserve that. Among the beneficiaries, at least 40 percent must be women. The technologies disseminated have to be linked to critical areas such as climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, mechanisation, and processing. And it will be judged on the number of permanent and seasonal jobs it creates.”

    WAATP will focus on five mutually-reinforcing components:    strengthening the new model for innovation development in West Africa, accelerating large-scale adoption of improved technologies and innovations, policies, markets, and institutional strengthening, contingent emergency response and     project management, learning, monitoring and evaluation.

    WAATP will take over from West African Agriculture Productivity Programme (WAAPP), which was launched in 2008 and assigned the mission to boost productivity, reduce hunger, improve nutrition, create jobs, and support collaboration across borders.

    In 2016, the World Bank rated the WAAPP as the second-best project it funded in Africa.

    “This rating is not only an acknowledgment of the effective management of the program across the West Africa region, but it is also recognition of the development outcomes achieved by the programme,” Tenkouano said.

    “Despite the progress made, agricultural productivity in the West and Central Africa sub-regions still lags behind the rest of the world,” said Dr. Niéyidouba Lamien, WAAPP Regional program coordinator.

    “Focus has to go beyond productivity to address the overall issue of enhancing the food system to address the demand of an increasing population, address youth unemployment, climate change, migration, gender, and nutrition.”

    ECOWAS collaboration with WAAPP led to improvement in  agricultural production and increased food security in member states.

  • ‘Mining reforms behind improved World Bank’s ease-of-doing-business ranking’

    ‘Mining reforms behind improved World Bank’s ease-of-doing-business ranking’

    The remarkable improvement in Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rating, has been attributed to the various reforms by the present administration, including reforms in the mineral and mining sector.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday, said the reforms in the mining sector has helped to reposition the sector as a major revenue earner and improved the country’s rating as a mining destination of choice.

    Dr Fayemi spoke at the opening session of a policy and capacity building workshop for senior officials of the ministry, professionals and stakeholders in the mining industry, organised in partnership with the Australian government.

    The Australian delegation, which comprised of mining experts,  was led by the Deputy  High  Commissioner, Cleo Wilson.

    The minister stated that the mining sector was being positioned to contribute optimally to diversifying the Nigeria economy’s revenue base and creating jobs and economic opportunity for the nation as captured in the Roadmap for the growth and development of the mining industry.

    He said the workshop would provide officials of the ministry, and other stakeholders essential  knowledgeas well a great opportunity to share experiences on both technical and regulatory issues.

    Dr.Fayemi said   the ministry’s aspirations is to build a World Class Mineral and Mining ecosystem designed to serve a targeted domestic and export market for the mineral sector, adding that the Federal Government has demonstrated commitment by collaborating  with different  stakeholders including government of advanced mining jurisdiction.

    He said the workshop with the theme:  “Policy and Capacity Building Workshop for a Successful and Sustainable Mining Sector 2018”, was a follow   up to the first edition that took place in 2016, which focused on the significance of transparency, legislation, and regulatory framework as well as  geoscience and resource information.

    Represented at the workshop by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr MuazuAbdulkadir, the Minister noted mining’s contribution to the country’s economic growth that grew by 0.55% as at 2017.

    “The  miningsector also grew by 2.24% and achieved a 300% increase in revenue (royalty and fees) between 2015 and 2016, and a steady progress and as at  November 2017, the sector had already surpassed the entire revenue of about N2billion generated for the whole of 2016, with over N3.5billion contributed to the federation account. “

    “We also excitedly welcomed the news that Nigeria moved up an unprecedented 24 steps in the World Bank’s Ease-of-Doing-Business ranking, and was adjudged one of the 10 top reforming economies. Reforms in the sector and efforts to make the Nigerian jurisdiction more attractive to investors impacted on Nigeria’s ranking in perception indices in the ‘World Risk Report’, published by the Mining Journal, which indicates that Nigeria has made remarkable improvements in both hard risk and perceived risk factors.

    “The Nigerian Mining Jurisdiction is now considered to have a better investment risk profile than several other leading jurisdictions, and among the best in Africa”.

    Speaking further, the Minister said that Nigeria and Australia have a long standing history of commercial, cultural and diplomatic build  up link built up over the years. That both countries had in 2012 signed an MoU covering political economic, commercial, Scientific, technical  and cultural cooperation.

    According to the Minister, “We recognize that the imperative of cooperation has never been more urgent as we pursue maximal growth for the sector. The economic fortunes and aspirations of sovereign countries of the world over are now so interconnected and inseparable.

    “In Nigeria, we consider it imperative to go beyond our borders to engage ever more intensely with the matrix of knowledge, experience and global support. In an interconnected world, no nation can pursue its economic interests as an island.

    “Essentially, the significance of this workshop is to provide information on leading practice from Australia on building a sustainable mining sector for Nigeria. There is no better time to have this workshop than now, diversification is ongoing and at the heart of the government’s agenda.”

     

     

  • World Bank approves $486m loan to improve Nigeria’s electricity transmission

    World Bank approves $486m loan to improve Nigeria’s electricity transmission

    The World Bank on Friday approved an International Development Association (IDA) Credit of $486 million for the rehabilitation and upgrading of electricity transmission substations and lines.

    The Senior Communications Officer, World Bank, Nigeria, Ms Olufunke Olofon, said in a statement the investments would increase the power transfer capacity of the transmission network.

    The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grant and low to zero-interest loans for projects that boost economic growth and reduce poverty.

    The World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, said the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETP) would help address key bottlenecks in the transmission network.

    “It will also improve access to affordable and reliable electricity service to citizens. The credit will also enable distribution companies supply consumers with additional power.

    “Together with other investments and policy measures, the project will contribute to ensuring adequate and reliable electricity supply that is necessary for Nigeria’s continued economic development,” he said.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, reiterated the government’s commitment to improving power supply in the country.

    “The Federal Government is committed to addressing the challenges in the public-owned transmission network.

    “The financing being provided by the World Bank under the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project power sector underlines this commitment.

    “The Federal Government anticipates that private sector financing in the privately-owned segments of the value-chain will complement the government’s efforts in bringing better quality service to citizens,” he said.

    The NETP is part of the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) initiated by the federal government.

    It is a comprehensive package of policy, legal, regulatory, operational and financial interventions that will restore the financial viability of the power sector.

    The measures that will be implemented through 2021 are aimed at improving transparency and service delivery and re-establishing investor confidenc

  • World Bank okays $611m for school kids

    The World Bank yesterday, said it had earmarked $611 million dollars to support Nigeria in reducing the number of out-of-school children in the country.

    Nigeria currently has over 10.5 million out-of-school children with the Northeast having a larger chunk of the figure.

    The Bank’s Education Specialist and Consultant, Mr Adebayo Solomon, who spoke during the flag-off of the 2017/20198 Annual School Census exercise across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, said the funds would be spent under its Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) Programme.

    According to him, the bank would also use the money to support both the federal and state governments in generating credible and reliable data in the education sector.

    He said: “He said the money is available to the level at which data are collected first of all by the states themselves. They have to spend their money and after they have spent their money somebody will now verify.

    “We are working with the National Bureau of Statistics to ensure that the data are verified. Immediately they are verified, each school will collect $30. And each state government will collect $100000.

  • FG launches 2017/2018 annual school census

    FG launches 2017/2018 annual school census

    The Ministry of Education on Tuesday launched the 2017/2018 Annual School Census, aimed at solving the problem of out-of-school children.

    The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, said at the ceremony in Abuja that the census was designed to obtain the accurate number of schools and validate the figures.

    The theme of the launch is “Making Every Learner’s Environment Count: A Panacea for the Dearth of Empirical Education Data and as a way of solving the problem of out-of-school Children Syndrome in Nigeria”.

    The minister said that five states had already been mapped and placed on the website www.nemis.gov.ng for accessibility by all.

    “Imo, Edo, Ondo, Kogi and Taraba states have keyed into this initiative and we hope all states will key into this exercise and link up so that our data could be validated promptly.’’

    He said the launch signalled the simultaneous commencement of the enumeration of all schools, pupils, teachers and facilities at the basic and post-basic levels in the 36 states and FCT.

    “The conduct of the Annual School Census is in line with the provision of the Nigeria Education Management Information System Policy of 2007 which provides for the collection of education data beginning from the school.

    “Thus, the Education Management Information System processes have since 2009 been decentralised to the states in order to enhance efficiency in the collection, collation, management and dissemination of credible, reliable and timely data in Nigeria.

    He added that the ministry, through NEMIS, would coordinate and monitor the process, while states would conduct the exercise.

    The minister called for cooperation and full participation of the military, paramilitary, private schools, almajari centres and integrated Quranic schools in the exercise.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Sonny Echono, urged federal and states education ministries as well as development partners to organise training on school records keeping for head teachers and principals.

    He said that the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNICEF, had organised trainings on school records keeping in 27 States and the FCT.

    He said the training would continue until all school heads in the basic and post basic levels were trained and cascaded to other teachers in the system.

    He, therefore, urged states to take the exercise serious collect more accurate and reliable data.

    Also, Mr Adebayo Solomon, Education Specialist and Consultant at the World Bank, stressed the need to improve data collection mechanism in the country.

    Solomon said that the 611 million-dollar project targets the utilisation of 90 per cent of the money to ensure the return of children to school, adding that it would last for five years.

    NAN