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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • CAN visits Osinbajo, demands five-point agenda

    CAN visits Osinbajo, demands five-point agenda

    The Christan Association of Nigeria (CAN) has made five demands on the Federal Government.
    The demands were handed over to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at a closed door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
    The five demands, which were obtained on Thursday night include “Change obnoxious curriculum that demands students study Islamic Arabic Studies
    “Arrest and prosecute murderous herdsmen
    “Arrest and prosecute those who called for the expulsion of Igbos
    “Turn our youths into Entrepreneurs
    “Stop kidnapping on our roads.”
    CAN was led on the courtesy visit by its President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo A Ayokunle.
    His full speech read “Your Excellency Sir,
    The leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body for all Christian churches in Nigeria is here today to pay you a goodwill visit and to pray for the speedy recovery of the President of our nation, President Muhammadu Buhari so that he might be able to come back home and continue with his leadership responsibilities of this country to the good of all. It is our prayer that there would be miraculous intervention in his healing and all praises shall be to God.
    “This is our sacred duty as fellow human beings who can also fall sick and as Christians who value so much the life of all living creatures, especially human beings.
    “On the other hand, we want to commend your Excellency for doing your best to see that no vacuum is created by the team left behind by the President in the governance of the nation. We are watching the dexterity with which you are leading others to carry out government business with sense of admiration and thanks to God. We commend your submission to your principal and your humility in service. May God cause every grace to abound towards you so that you might be able to hold fort better each day until the President returns in the name of Jesus. Please be assured of our prayers always.”

    Obnoxious, divisive and ungodly secondary school curriculum.
    “We are here to point your attention to a time-bomb, obnoxious, divisive and ungodly secondary school curriculum that the Federal Ministry of Education is introducing into our schools and of which we had earlier complained to the Presidency. Then, if I am not mistaking, it was suspended but has again been re-introduced without any review at all. This curriculum the brain-child of Nigerian Educational Research Council, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Education. To us in Christian Association of Nigeria, it’s introduction is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good for so many reasons. Lead a State has started implementing it already and Christians that are more on the receiving side of it are already crying fowl because of its potential dangers now or in the future.
    “In this curriculum, Islamic and Christian Religious Studies will no longer be studied in schools as subjects on their own but as themes in a civic education. This is undermine the sound mitral values that these two subjects had imparted in the past to our children which had made us to religiously and ethnically co-exist without any tension. It was some three or two decades ago when our education planners started removing the teaching of religious values through the cancellation of morning devotion in schools that all these violence by youths in different forms came on board. I was in a meeting yesterday with some Muslim leaders where one of them also expressed his fears about the dangers in this new curriculum. As prophets to the nation, we demand a complete withdraw and ban of this curriculum. If allowed to be implemented, it would lead us to a godless nation with violence and all forms of ungodliness as the order of the day.
    “Furthermore sir, this curriculum went ahead to introduce Islamic Arabic Studies in another section together with French and made one of the two compulsory for the student. You are aware that we have very low percentage of French teachers in all our secondary schools in Nigeria. I am sure that over 80% of our secondary schools do not have French teachers at all but have Arabic teachers. The implication is that Christian students would have no choice than to study Arabic. If a Christian student voluntarily goes to study Islamic Religious Studies, there is nothing bad in that because some of us in both religions had done that before for better understanding, however, where the student is tactically forced into studying it because the alternative subject does not have teacher to teach it, it is a great problem tending to Islamization.
    “Still in this curriculum, Islamic Religious Knowledge was equally made available as a subject in another section without any corresponding availability of Christian Religious Knowledge. Is this not a divisive curriculum that can set the nation on fire? Is this fair to millions of Christians in this nation? A Christian student in a secondary school in Kwara State had the body lacerated with cane by the Arabic Teacher because the pupil refused to do Arabic Studies when French Teacher was not available and Christian Religious Knowledge, Hebrew or Greek were not part of the options at all. If we are going to do pilgrimage together as a nation, there must be fairplay, mutual respect for one another and justice which can be brought about by different arms of government. We demand for justice from the government on this matter very quickly. We would request for a return to the curriculum we were using before this dangerous one which did not produce insurgents or a wrongly indoctrinated Nigerians. A stitch in time saves nine.

    “Bring Murderous Herdsmen and Kidnappers to Book
    You are aware sir how the rampaging Herdsmen have been decimating the lives of farmers in this nation from the North to the South, the East and the West. Southern Kaduna is not totally free from their grip up till now. Killing and maiming of farmers continue in Benue, Enugu, Abraka in Delta State just to mention a few. The most painful thing is that we are seeing their victims without the seriousness from the law enforcement agents to arrest and successfully prosecute the murderous herdsmen. This has encouraged them to continue in their killing and kidnapping spree with reckless abandon.
    “Don’t we have a competent government in place with all the necessary law enforcement apparatus to ensure law and order? This government has to do more than what you have done presently to bring these criminals to Book. They had deemed the hopes of many and caused unprecedented sorrow in many homes. Please sir, do something to the activities of herdsmen before they destroy almost all Nigerians or before everybody would look for weapons for self defence. The sources of their weapons must be probed.

    ” We thank the Police and DSS for their recent breakthrough in apprehending some kidnappers around the country. This effort must be sustained for safety of all of us in our movements for our daily bread. We urge you to call the attention of Kogi State Governor and the Inspector General of Police to the kidnapping ring on Lokoja-Okene Road, Lokoja-Kabba Road and Abuja-Kaduna Road. Every week, several travellers are kidnapped on these roads. The feelers we have from those who got set free from them after the payment of huge ransom was that from the kidnappers’ conversations, the Police and the Community Leaders are partners with the kidnappers in the evil act. These two groups receive their own share from kidnapping. We suspect that the money amassed from kidnapping may still be used to cause further havoc by the terrorists perpetrating this act. We are hopeful that through your intervention and our prayer backing, there would be reprieve for Nigerians.

    Ultimatum from some Northern Youths and an Elder for the Ibos to vacate the North.
    “We are so disappointed to hear the ultimatum of hate made by some Northern Youths that the Easterners of Igbo extraction should leave every part of Northern Nigeria within three months. We condemn such statement in strong terms and we see it as divisive, misguided, ethnocentric and unconstitutional. We urge that the law enforcement agents should be directed by you to go after those behind it whether young or old. It is a reasonable statement that no amount of previous provocation can justify. We commend you for talking tough on this dangerous statement but still urge sir that you get them arrested as Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra was arrested and prosecuted. We believe in one indivisible Nigeria where our diversities can be explored for growth and development. We must be tolerant of one another and co-exist in love.

    “Youth Unemployment
    Youth unemployment is another development of great concern in our nation. We urge your government to pay more attention to this issue by creating investment friendly environment that would absolve millions of youth roaming the streets daily without job or hope for tomorrow. Industrial Estates should be created as the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo did in Lagos which brought many industries to Lagos and is still the life wire of Lagos State economy till today and a major employer of labour. If this is done, kidnapping and other violent crimes would reduce and there would be tranquillity in the country.
    We would appreciate that from time to time you would create time to see the leadership of CAN for progressive discussion like this and prayers.
    Thank you very much sir for your time and patience.” it stated

  • FAAN test-run upgraded safety scanner at Lagos airport

    FAAN test-run upgraded safety scanner at Lagos airport

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has carried out a test-run on an upgraded baggage scanner machine that could detect explosives, narcotics and other prohibited items at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma while speaking at the event on Wednesday, said it was aimed at boosting safety and security at the airport.

    Dunoma said that the interest of FAAN was to make sure the airports are safe and secure, protect lives and provide machines of immense benefits to airlines and all stakeholders.

    “This scanner is intended to complement the Executive Order recently issued by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and also assist the operations of other agencies at the airport, making them more efficient.

    “Our intent is to deploy these scanners to our international airports but this depends on the outcome of its performance in Lagos,” he said.

    Dunoma said that FAAN was committed to putting all necessary measures in place in line with international aviation standards and recommended best practices to enhance safety and security at the airports.

    Also speaking, the supplier of the machine, Mr Akin Mustapha, said it was an Astrophysics Baggage Scanner which was manufactured in California, USA.

    According to him, it would identify hidden threats in carry-on items and checked-in baggage at airports, and has high penetration steel and could detect explosives and narcotics.

    Mustapha said:” It has six colour generations and that enables it to do a proper analysis of objects that go into it, better than others. It is highly reliable and very sensitive.

    “In other airports around the world, they are taking away other machines and replacing them with this machine (Astrophysics) for upgrade and efficiency.

    “With superior image quality and innovative features including six colour imaging for increased object, identification and screen assistance for automatic programmable detection.

    “Astrophysics provides operators with the advanced tools required for quick and reliable airport screening”, he said.

  • Why Budget will be tough to implement, by Osinbajo

    Why Budget will be tough to implement, by Osinbajo

    • Acting President explains delay in Bill’s signing

    Text of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s remarks after signing the N7.44 trillion 2017 Appropriation Bill into Law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.

    A few minutes ago, I signed the 2017 Appropriations Bill into Law. This is an important milestone in our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) laid in April by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    I would like to express my appreciation to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as the entire leadership and members of the National Assembly for completing work on the 2017 Appropriation Bill. And I will return to this point presently.

    The process of preparing and processing this bill was much smoother than the 2016 Appropriation Bill. On the executive side, there were no allegations of errors, or mistakes, and there was a significant improvement in the quality of the preparation, as well as the presentation.

    I wish to commend the Ministry of Budget and Planning for such a remarkable improvement over a single budget cycle.

    On the side of the National Assembly, I wish to commend the collaborative spirit of the engagements our Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had with their various committees, and with the leadership, during the budget defence sessions. There were far fewer reported cases of acrimony, or hostile wrangling this year, than in the past.

    From the reports we received, the sessions were generally conducted in a friendly atmosphere. There is no doubt that our democracy is maturing.

    However, the final presentation and the signing of the budget have been considerably delayed. This was largely due to disagreements we had about the changes introduced to our 2017 Budget proposals by the National Assembly.

    The executive took the view that the changes fundamentally affected some of our priority programmes and would make implementation extremely difficult and in some cases impossible.

    I must say that the entire leadership of the National Assembly, led by the Senate President and the Speaker, adopted a commendably patriotic and statesmanlike approach to our engagements on resolving these critical issues.

    In sum, the engagements yielded acceptable results. The most important being that the leadership of the National Assembly has given us a commitment that the National Assembly will re-instate the budgetary allocations for all the important executive projects, such as the railway standard gauge projects, the Mambilla Power Project, the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, among others, which they had reduced to fund some of the new projects they introduced.

    This re-instatement will be by way of an application for virement by the Executive which they have agreed will be expeditiously considered and approved by the National Assembly.

    It is as a result of that understanding and the outcome of our detailed engagements that we feel able to sign the 2017 Appropriations Bill into law today.

    I am also pleased to mention that, in our discussions with the leadership of the National Assembly, we have jointly resolved to return to a predictable January to December fiscal year.

    It is a particularly important development because this accords with the financial year of most private sector companies, underscoring the crucial relationship between government and the private sector.

    Therefore, on the understanding that we will be submitting the 2018 Budget to the National Assembly by October 2017, the leadership of the National Assembly has committed to working towards the passage of the 2018 Budget into law before the end of 2017. I must, once more, express my appreciation to the leadership of the National Assembly, for the collaborative spirit in which these discussions were conducted.

    The 2017 Budget, which I have signed into law today, is christened: “Budget of Economic Recovery and Growth” and reflects our commitment to ensure strong linkage between the medium-term Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) recently launched by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari and the annual budgets.

    It is designed to bring the Nigerian economy out of recession unto a path of sustainable and inclusive growth. The budget has a revenue projection of N5.08 trillion and an aggregate expenditure of N7.44 trillion. The projected fiscal deficit of N2.36 trillion is to be financed largely by borrowing.

    Let me assure those who have expressed concern about the growing public debt that we are taking several actions to grow government revenues as well as plug revenue leakages. This is because, notwithstanding the fact that our borrowings are still within sustainability limits, we are determined, in the medium term, to reduce our reliance on borrowings to finance our expenditures.

    Details of the budget, as approved by the National Assembly, will be made available by the Budget and National Planning Minister.

    As you are all aware, our economy is already signaling a gradual recovery as growth is headed towards positive territory. First quarter GDP, at -0.52 per cent compares favourably with -2.06 per cent in the first quarter of 2016.

    Inflation is declining – down to 17.24 per cent from 18.74 per cent as at May 2016. Our external reserves are now $30.28 billion as at June 8, 2017 up from $26.59 billion as at May 31, 2016.

    We are also gradually instilling confidence in our exchange rate regime. This improvement in GDP growth and other macro-economic indicators is largely attributable to our strategic implementation of the 2016 Budget as well as stronger macroeconomic management and policy coordination.

    I am confident that the 2017 Budget will deliver positive economic growth and prosperity – one that is self-sustaining and inclusive. In this regard, the 2017 budget will be implemented in line with our ERGP.

    Over the 2017-2020 plan period, we are focusing on five key execution priorities, namely:

    • Stabilising the macroeconomic environment;
    • Agriculture and Food security;
    • Energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products;
    • Improved transportation infrastructure; and
    • Industrialisation through support for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs).

    The 2017 Budget includes provisions that reflect these priorities.

    To demonstrate our commitment to following through our ERGP, the 2017 Budget allocates over N2 trillion to capital expenditure, principally infrastructure.

    For instance, we are committing over N200 billion to improve transport infrastructure such as roads and rail; over N500 billion for investments in works, power, and housing; and N46 billion for Special Economic Zone Projects to be set up in each geopolitical zone.

    The signing of the budget today will trigger activities in the domestic economy which will lead to job creation and more opportunities for employment, especially for our youth. And, as I indicated earlier, we will be returning to the National Assembly to seek upward adjustments by way of virements in relation to a number of critical projects which have received inadequate provision in the budget just passed by the National Assembly.

    We acknowledge that government alone cannot achieve the overarching goal of delivering inclusive growth; that is why the 2017 Budget provides a lot of opportunities for partnerships with the private sector.

    To help the private sector thrive, we are determined to create an enabling business environment. We are already recording verifiable progress across several areas ranging from a new Visa-on-Arrival scheme to reforms at our ports and regulatory agencies.

    The Online business registration process has reduced time required for business registration from 10 to 2 days. It is expected that the Executive Order on transparency and efficiency in the business environment will make it even easier for investors to get the permits and licenses they require for their businesses.

    Pursuant to our commitments to the Open Government Partnership, we recently issued an Executive Order that will promote budget transparency, accountability and efficiency. We want to make the Federal budget work more efficiently for the people.

    Thus, beyond the huge provisions for investments in critical infrastructure, we have mandated government agencies to spend more of their budgets on locally produced goods. This will open more opportunities for job creation with benefits for government in form of tax revenues.

    We are also working hard to improve our revenue collection efficiency so that we can achieve our revenue projections. While we are deploying technological tools to enhance collections, the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) will continue to contribute significantly to improving transparency and accountability over government revenues.

    Our fight against corruption is yielding positive results. Some of the recoveries are included in the 2017 Budget which will be expended on identifiable capital projects.

    Already, we are beginning to see some improvement in the quality of public expenditure. This is great motivation for us to remain resolute in our fight against corruption so that economic prosperity is enjoyed by all Nigerians.

    Let me reiterate that the implementation of our 2017 Budget will bring added impetus to our ongoing economic recovery. We will intensify our economic diversification efforts in our bid to expand opportunities for wealth creation and employment, thereby creating inclusive and sustainable growth.

    Our path to progress and abundance is clear. The tools are in place and the resilient, resourceful and hardworking Nigerian people are set to go. I have no doubt that by the grace of God, the bleakness of recession is about to witness the uplifting dawn of abundance.

     

  • FG tags 2017 budget on economic recovery, growth

    FG tags 2017 budget on economic recovery, growth

    The Federal Government has christened the 2017 Budget which was signed into law on Monday by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as “Budget of Economic Recovery and Growth”.

    Osinbajo said the name reflected the commitment of the administration to ensure strong linkage between the medium-term Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and the annual budgets.

    According to him, it is designed to bring the Nigerian economy out of recession unto a path of sustainable and inclusive growth.

    “The budget has a revenue projection of N5.08 trillion and an aggregate expenditure of N7.44 trillion.

    “The projected fiscal deficit of N2.36 trillion is to be financed largely by borrowing,’’ Osinbajo said.

    He assured those who had expressed concern about the growing public debt that “we are taking several actions to grow government revenues as well as plug revenue leakages.

    “This is because, notwithstanding the fact that our borrowings are still within sustainability limits, we are determined, in the medium term, to reduce our reliance on borrowings to finance our expenditures’’.

    The acting president noted that the economy was already signaling a gradual recovery as growth was headed towards positive territory.

    He said that the first quarter GDP estimated at -0.52 per cent compared favourably with -2.06 per cent in the first quarter of 2016.

    He also said that inflation was declining to 17.24 per cent from 18.74 per cent as at May 2016.

    Osinbajo also observed that the country’s external reserves rose to US$30.28 billion as at June 8, 2017 from US$26.59 billion as at May 31, 2016.

    “We are also gradually instilling confidence in our exchange rate regime.

    “This improvement in GDP growth and other macro-economic indicators is largely attributable to our strategic implementation of the 2016 Budget as well as stronger macroeconomic management and policy coordination.’’

    The acting president also expressed confidence that the 2017 Budget would deliver positive economic growth and prosperity “that is self-sustaining and inclusive’’.

    Accordingly, he said that the 2017 budget will be implemented in line with the administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    He said that over the 2017-2020 plan period “we are focusing on five key execution priorities”, namely: stabilising the macroeconomic environment; agriculture and food security; energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.

    He also mentioned improved transportation infrastructure and industrialisation through support for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs).

    “The 2017 budget includes provisions that reflect these priorities.

    “To demonstrate our commitment to following through our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the 2017 budget allocates over N2 trillion to capital expenditure, principally infrastructure.

    “We are committing over N200 billion to improve transport infrastructure such as roads and rail; over N500 billion for investments in works, power, and housing.

    “And N46 billion is for Special Economic Zone Projects to be set up in each geopolitical zone,’’ he added.

  • Photo news: Osinbajo signing 2017 Budget

    Photo news: Osinbajo signing 2017 Budget

    Details of the budget showed that N434.4 billion was appropriated for statutory transfers to the National Judicial Council (N100 billion); Niger Delta Development Commission (N64.02 billion); Universal Basic Education (N95.2 billion); National Assembly (N125 billion); Public Complaints Commission (N4 billion); INEC (N45 billion); and National Human Rights Commission (N1.2 billion).

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo signing 2017 Budget into Law on Monday at the State House in Abuja. Photo: NOVO ISIORO.

     

     

  • BREAKING: Osinbajo signs 2017 budget

    BREAKING: Osinbajo signs 2017 budget

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday signed the 2017 Appropriation bill into law.
    Osinbajo accented the Budget around 4:42 p.m.
    The budget was passed by the National Assembly some weeks back while President Muhammadu Buhari left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on 7th May to follow up on his medical consultation with his doctors.
    The budget, which was presented in December 2016 before the two chambers of the national assembly by President Buhari, had an estimate of N7.28 trillion but was raised to N7.44 trillion by the Federal lawmakers.
    Details of the budget showed that N434.4 billion was appropriated for statutory transfers to the National Judicial Council (N100 billion); Niger Delta Development Commission (N64.02 billion); Universal Basic Education (N95.2 billion); National Assembly (N125 billion); Public Complaints Commission (N4 billion); INEC (N45 billion); and National Human Rights Commission (N1.2 billion).
    The National Assembly members who witnessed the signing ceremony at the Vice President’s conference room included the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, Senator Danjuma Goje, among others.
    Also at the ceremony are the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Ita Enang, Senator Phillip Aduda,

  • Photo: Guess why Osinbajo, Saraki, Ajimobi, Akande are laughing?

    Photo: Guess why Osinbajo, Saraki, Ajimobi, Akande are laughing?

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Oyo Governor, Ajimobi, APC former Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande at Akande’s daughter’s wedding in Ibadan, Oyo State, June 10 Photos: NOVO ISIORO.
  • Osinbajo to flag off distribution of relief materials in North East

    Osinbajo to flag off distribution of relief materials in North East

    There is tight security in and around Maiduguri metropolis as the Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is expected to arrive Maiduguri today to flag off a Special Relief Intervention to states of the Northeast affected by the Boko Haram crisis.

    All major roads in Maiduguri from the Airport, through Borno Express down to the Post Office and to the Government House have been blocked making clearance for the Acting President and his entourage for easy movement. The road to the venue of the event which is Bakasi IDP Camp is also under heavy security.

    The tight security in the town is not far from last night Boko Haram attack in Maiduguri which has left many people in panic with some leaving their houses in confusion.

    Apparently, the blockage of roads in the town has caused heavy traffic challenge to residents and motorists in the metropolis as many are been stuck into traffic jam at different locations in the town.

    While in Maiduguri, the Acting President is expected to distribute over 30, 000 metric tons of cereal.

    In a statement from the Head, Media and Public Relation, NEMA, Sani Datti said the distribution would be done directly to the affected people and communities by NEMA.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Government will distribute 30,000 metric tonnes (1,032 trucks) of cereal directly to affected persons in the Northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe. The exercise is expected to be flagged off by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo on Thursday 8th June, 2017 in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    “This special relief intervention has the objective of highlighting the strategies that would be adopted for distribution of relief materials approved by the federal government for displaced persons in the North East in accordance with the humanitarian principles.

    “It will also serves as litmus test for full cycle of intervention adapting world best practices while considering our own local peculiarities, exhibiting the best of transparency, accountability and in full consideration of the protection and integrity of the affected persons.

    “Each household beneficiary would be issued with a voucher, which is redeemed at the receipt of the household allocation of the food basket. It also involves taking the materials to the doorsteps of the affected persons.

    “The distribution, which is based on Dry ration calculations of 6 persons per household and food ration per individual for 30days at 280grams x30/1000k = 8.4 kg times individual requirement per household, is 50.4 kg.

    “Relief intervention will be also airlifted for areas that have inaccessible roads or security threat by the Nigeria Air force,”.

    The statement disclosed that the DG NEMA Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has assured of transparency in the distribution of the relief materials to the beneficiaries.

    “The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja said adequate measures have been put in place to ensure that the distribution was done in transparent manners for optimal accomplishment of task and operational objectives,” the statement said.

  • Bayelsa commends FG for citing new fertilizer, petrochemical plant in Brass

    Bayelsa commends FG for citing new fertilizer, petrochemical plant in Brass

    The Bayelsa Government has commended the Federal Government for citing a multi-billion dollar private sector-driven fertilizer and petrochemical plant in Brass.

    The state Governor, Seriake Dickson gave the commendation when he led the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Commodore Alfred Diete-Spiff (rtd), and a team of private investors on a thank you visit to the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    According to Dickson, we are also here to discuss other issues concerning the take-off of the project.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Brass is a Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, with headquarters in the town of Twon-Brass on Brass Island along the coast.

    It has a coastline of approximately 90 km on the Bight of Bonny.

    Dickson told state House Correspondents on Tuesday that the project would create enormous jobs and transform the economy of the state and the country at large.

    The governor assured investors of adequate security.

    “We came to discuss issues on the Brass Fertilizer Project billed to take off in Bayelsa. That is a big ticket investment running into billions of dollars.

    “The government team is here, the traditional ruler is here because the project is taking place in his domain.

    “We are here to assure the Federal Government and investors that Bayelsa as they all know is one of the safest states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We have worked hard in the last five years I have been governor to bring that about.’’

    The governor also commended the Federal Government for its new approach in pursuing integrated development in the country based on partnership and collaboration evidenced by the fertilizer plant.

    Dickson noted that the Acting President’s dialogue on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari with  Niger Delta stakeholders, saying that a new understanding was emerging for the stability, security and development of the region.

    “It is when we bring big ticket investments, create jobs and we affect the economy and create other legitimate options through which young people can survive that some of the crises that we see here will be addressed.

    “This is a good way to begin to address that and that is why I am here to assure the Federal Government and investors for the steps so far taken.’’

    The governor also commended the Federal Government for directing oil producing companies that did not have offices in Bayelsa to open offices in the state.

    He recalled that the story of oil exploration began in Bayelsa but lamented that it was shocking that no oil company had an office in the state.

    Dickson expressed concern that the state had been denied the economic benefits of oil production.

    “There are no jobs, no employment, they don’t even pay much tax, and a number of them don’t even pay tax at all.

    “The Federal Government has said that they should go back.

    “So we expect to work with the Federal Government and engage with all the oil producing companies to see how they can begin to have respectable presence.’’

    Dickson also commended the Federal Government forits decision to establish modular refineries in the Niger Delta region.

    Citing the NLNG as one of the plants in the region, Dickson said it was yielding a lot of revenue for the country as one of the most profitable partnerships the Federal Government had gone into.

    “You have other big ones like the Gbarain/Obie gas plant project in Bayelsa owned by Shell, there are other ones.

    “But this one is a fertilizer petrochemical company, And they will do a lot of skills development and skills transfer, a lot of jobs will be created and there will be a boom in the local economy, state economy and ultimately affect the national economy positively.’’

    He said the Bayelsa government would engage the oil companies to ensure that they did their businesses without inhibitions.

  • NCAA to ensure full compliance with FG’s executive order at airports

    NCAA to ensure full compliance with FG’s executive order at airports

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said on Tuesday that it had put in place measures to ensure full and sustained compliance with the Federal Government’s Executive Order at airports in the country.

    The General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, said the agency’s Director General, Capt. Muhtar Usman, had directed all Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) to monitor the level of compliance with the order.

    Adurogboye said this was alongside their statutory oversight responsibilities at the airports, as enshrined in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 (Nig.CARs 2015).

    “All aviation parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (Nimet) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have since commenced compliance to the order.

    “On its part, NCAA has prepared a standard document outlining its core functions and services, appropriate charges, fees, licences, waivers and other tax-related processes, in adherence to the order.

    “The schedule contains mode of communication of official decisions to the various applicants for our sundry services,’’ Adurogboye said in the statement issued in Lagos.

    According to him, this information, together with other vital information, for ease of doing business in the Nigerian aviation sector are contained in the official website of the NCAA.

    He said the federal government had handed down the order with the view to eliminate the unnecessary bureaucracy that impedes business activities at Nigeria’s airports.

    Adurogboye added that it would improve safety, security and facilitation of passengers within and around the airports.

    He said the NCAA director general was in constant discussions with the heads of aviation agencies to ensure sustained adherence to the order by the agencies and continuous surveillance by the regulatory authority.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had on May 18 signed three far-reaching executive orders expected to ease business, fast-track budget submission and promote made in Nigeria products.