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Tag: 2018

  • Fuel scarcity: Osinbajo allays fears, says ‘No plans to increase pump price of petrol in 2018’

    The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday restated that the Federal Government had no plan to increase the pump price of petrol in 2018.

    Osinbajo gave the assurance during his visit to fuel depots in Lagos where he monitored the loading of trucks to ensure a steady supply of petrol to designated filling stations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osinbajo visited some major fuel depot terminals and stakeholders in Apapa and other parts of Lagos on Christmas Day.

    According to the Vice President, the fuel scarcity facing the country is as a result of shortage of supply to depots across the country.

    “The President is very much concerned about Nigerians and how we can quickly end the fuel scarcity crisis in the country.

    “The fuel crisis presently confronting the country is as a result of shortage of supply of fuel to depots across the country.

    “We hope that in the next couple of days, we would be able to end the fuel queues,” Osinbajo said.

    He said that any marketer who hoarded petroleum products for the purpose of making extra profit would be dealt with by the enforcement agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating the sector.

    Earlier at the stakeholders interaction meeting, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said that the long queues would be over by Wednesday.

    Kachikwu, who noted that over 150 trucks were supplying fuel daily, added that there had been series of meetings and consultations with the oil marketers.

    He said that he would meet with the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, to put together structures and additional plans to end the fuel shortage currently facing the country.

  • Kogi will experience steady power supply in 2018 – Official

    The Kogi Government on Saturday says it has achieved an appreciable success in rural electrification projects toward an improved electricity supply in 2018.

    Mr Otayitie Eminefo, the Special Adviser on Energy and Power to the governor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja, that the State Government had invested heavily in assets’ distribution to improve power supply.

    “Kogi residents should expect more stable light in 2018; as Gov. Yahaya Bello’s administration is facilitating the completion of Ohunene, Okene, Idah, Anyigba NIPP to be completed in March 2018.

    “Government is also establishing mini-grid systems for the rural areas and many more projects to light up Kogi and to ensure better services from the Abuja Electric Distribution Company (AEDC) in 2018.

    “Kogi is home to two major power generation plants which will afford us the opportunity to present our immediate needs and to show the world our efforts in boosting and enlarging the power sector in the state.

    “The governor has also set up ‘Kogi Electricity Complaint Centre’ to ensure citizen’s rights are protected as enshrined in the law. We have recorded milestone feats in power sector that have not been well captured.

    “The recently-hosted 22nd Power Sector Stakeholders’ meeting by Kogi, has enabled stakeholders to see and assess the outstanding work done by the state and set timelines for completion of the rest,” Eminefo said.

    He said that the governor on June 23, 2017, inaugurated projects of a 33KVA Overhead Line Extension moving from Jamata to Zango-Daji Junction to Banda, expected to serve eight communities in Lokoja and Koton-Karfe Local Government Areas.

    The special adviser said: “The government has also supplied several 500/33KVA, 500/11KVA and 300/11KVA transformers and installation in various communities, and building Injection Sub-stations of 5MVA across the state.

    “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is also proposing a 330KV line from Makurdi to Anyigba to ensure that Kogi people benefit from the upcoming Mambilla Hydro Project.’’

    Eminefo advised consumers against meter bypass and all forms of illegal connections, urging them to protect the facility against vandals, and to promptly pay their bills for effective and sustained services.

    NAN reports that Kogi Government on Dec. 11, hosted the 22nd Power Sector Monthly Meeting with power stakeholders and other participants at Geregu Power Plc in Ajaokuta.

     

    NAN

  • Ajimobi presents N267b budget for 2018

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Thursday presented N267,436,357,912.19 budget proposal to the House of Assembly.

    The figure is N60.4 billion higher than the 2017 budget of N207 billion.

    The presentation, christened: Budget of Stabilisation, was well attended by royal fathers, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Salaudeen Adekunle as well as monarchs, like Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin, Oba Eddy Oyewole and Oba Lateef Adebimpe.

    There were also party chieftains, captains of industry, members of the State Executive Council (Exco) and the public.

    The proposal shows that revenue is projected at N93.68 billion from the Federation Account, N7.53 billion from transfers (LG, JAAC for LGSPD and LGSC), and N112.10 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and an increase of four per cent over the 2017 budget.

    The recurrent revenue stands at N213.3 billion and the capital receipt is N43.72 billion.

    The proposed budget shows that N39.84 billion will be spent on personnel cost, N25.24 billion on overhead and N53.28 billion on consolidated revenue. While the recurrent expenditure stands at N118.37 billion, capital expenditure is N149.1 billion.

    Giving the priority sectors of the proposed Appropriation Bill, Ajimobi said his administration would spend N85.39 billion on Economic sector, N54.280 billion on Social Service, N.517 billion on Law and Justice, and N5.94 billion on General Administration.

    He said: “The aggregate percentage of 93.71 per cent of the capital expenditure allocated to the economic and social sub-sectors underscores the state government’s determination to continue to pursue a people-centred, empowerment-focused agenda. We consider this as the best antidote to the problem of poverty amongst our people.

    “In line with Fiscal Sustainability principle, personnel expenditure has been rationalised to be 15 per cent of the total budgeted expenditure.”

    On his administration’s efforts in the last six years, Ajimobi said the security and peace the state is enjoying would be taken to a higher level.

    According to him, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be mounted in crisis-prone areas to improve security surveillance and management.

    Accepting the document, , Speaker Michael Adeyemo assured the governor of speedy passage of the budget.

    He said the Assembly would continue to support and work with the Executive.

    The Speaker also said the Assembly would step up its oversight function to complement efforts of the governor to make Oyo a “transformed and well positioned” state.

     

  • Okorocha presents N190bn 2018 budget

    Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State on Wednesday presented a budget estimate of N190, 921, 464, 290 to the State House of Assembly for the 2018 fiscal Year.

     

    The budget which represents 45.58 per cent increase compared to last year’s budget is tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Continuity III.”

     

    N132.98 billion, representing 69.70 per cent of the total budget, is earmarked for capital expenditure, while N57.943 billion, 30.30 per cent, is for recurrent expenditure.

     

    Presenting the budget at the Chambers of the Imo State House of Assembly, Governor Okorocha said “the 2018 budget would not only consolidate our development efforts but would ensure prudence and efficiency in our expenditure programmes.

     

    “This administration intends to use the limited resources at our disposal to achieve maximum impact. We intend to achieve synergy through collaboration and integration of programmes and projects at all levels in order to realize our vision of making Imo better. All relevant agencies of government would be strengthened to gear up towards their constitutional responsibilities to ensure that all programmes and projects are being monitored at all times.”

     

    A further breakdown of the budget revealed that Works and Transport has the bulk allocation with N39, 811,300,000, followed by education with N13, 500,000,000.

     

    Agriculture and Environment has N7, 622,990,049, while the Ministry of Culture has N440, 244,096.

  • Nigeria prepared to make a statement at Russia 2018 World Cup

    Nigeria prepared to make a statement at Russia 2018 World Cup

    Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports, says Nigeria is prepared to make a statement at Russia 2018, adding that Friday’s draw was a decent one.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria on Friday in Moscow drew Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in Group D of the competition’s first round phase.

    It was the fifth time Nigeria were being drawn alongside Argentina in Super Eagles’ six appearances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    The Minister, who spoke with newsmen on Saturday on the sidelines of the 2017 Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championships in Abuja, said the draw was alright for Nigeria.

    “In spite of the fact that Nigeria are underdogs, compared to the other teams in our group and based on their rankings in the world, the draw was good.

    “But again, you have to look at how Nigeria prepared for the qualification competition. It is clear that Nigeria is determined to make a statement.

    “Therefore, I am confident that Nigeria will surprise the world. We will be able to go as far as setting an African record, that is if we do not even make it to the final,” he said.

    NAN reports that Nigeria will take on Croatia on June 16 in Kaliningrad, before facing Iceland on June 22 in Volgograd and Argentina on June 26 in St. Petersburg.

    The 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 14 and last till July 15.

  • Davido’s dad, Adeleke denies plan to contest osun 2018 governorship election

    Davido’s father, Deji Adeleke has dismissed news making rounds that he is plotting to contest the 2018 governorship election in Osun state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a statement released on Monday, Adeleke described the speculations as false, unfounded and ludicrous.

    The statement read: ”Adeleke is not interested in seeking any political office nor involved in any talks/plot to make him the governorship candidate of APC or any other political party.

    ”Adeleke is not a politician and has chosen to continue to render his contributions and service to humanity in his private capacity and through his foundation.

    ”We hereby appeal to the good people of Osun state and all Nigerians to disregard the mischievous publication in its entirety.”

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that the Osun state governorship election will hold on September 22, 2018 while campaigns would commence on June 24, 2018.

  • EKITI 2018: INEC registers 35,909 new voters

    EKITI 2018: INEC registers 35,909 new voters

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti has registered 35, 909 new voters as part of its preparations for the 2018 gubernatorial election in the state.

    The INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Dr. Muslim Omoleke, said this on Sunday in a statement.

    He said that the figure was generated from the ongoing continuous-voter registration in the state.

    The statement was released to journalists by INEC’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin.

    Omoleke giving a breakdown said that 35,909 eligible voters comprising of 18,193 males and 17,716 females were registered as at June 29, 2017.

    He said the exercise which began April 27, 2017 in the state has been very successful.

    Omoleke said that the commission also had 4,154 registered voters who were seeking transfer of their voting rights to new locations from within and outside the state.

    He said that 1,048 permanent voter cards (PVCs) had so far been distributed in the state out of those initially left uncollected by voters.

    He said that six new registration centres had also been allocated to the state based on returns and agitation for more centres to ease the process.

    According to the state INEC, the new registration centres are at St. Michael’s Primary School, Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti, for Ado Ekiti Local Government Area; Health Centre, Omuo-Ekiti for Ekiti East Local Government Area and CAC Primary School, Ipoti-Ekiti for Ijero Local Government Area.

    Others are: Post Office building, Ikere-Ekiti for Ikere Local Government Area; LA Primary School, Ikosu for Moba Local Government Area and St. John Anglican Primary School, Ilupeju for Oye Local Government Area.

    The commission commended the people of the state for their cooperation in ensuring a smooth conduct of the exercise.

    He advised other eligible voters to visit other designated registration centres in their respective local government areas to register.

    “They should realise that it is criminal and punishable under the law to register more than once,” he said in the statement.

  • Delta will emerge largest producer of oil by 2018 – Gov Okowa

    Delta will emerge largest producer of oil by 2018 – Gov Okowa

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said with the current peace enjoyed in the state, it is possible that the state emerge largest oil producing state in the country by 2018.

    According to Daily Post, Okowa made the prediction at the palace of the Okobaro of Ughieveen Kingdom, HRM. Matthew Ediri Egbi JP Owhawha shortly after he commissioned 10.8 Kilometres rehabilitated/resealed Okpare-Umolo-Ovwodokpokpor, Kiagbodo roads in addition to the inspection of Ewu and Okpe-Olomu roads.

    Governor Okowa noted that the State Government could not meet up to the expectations of its people because of the little derivation accruing to the state in addition to youth restiveness and militancy.

    The governor appealed to youths in Ughelli South Local Government Area to continue to maintain the existing peace as well as secure Government facilities within their areas.

    In Okowa’s words: “Delta State as fourth producer of oil is not Delta of our dream. We were first oil producer and later second before we went to fourth position. We cannot meet up the expectations of our people. Let us maintain the peace so that we can rapidly go back to second position and if we maintain the peace, by 2018 we will get back to first position.”

    Governor Okowa also commended the traditional institutions for their partnership in ensuring a peaceful Ughelli South Local Government Area.

    The Ughievwen monarch, HRM, Matthew Edirin Egbi JP appealed to the governor to resolve the “power cut” in their area, stressing,” We contribute a lot to power from our place here.

    Commissioning the road earlier, Governor Okowa thanked God for the enablement to complete the project.

    Earlier in his remarks, Delta State Commissioner for Works, Mr. James Augoye stated that the project was awarded on 6th January,2016 to Setraco Construction Company while the Okpe-Olomu road was awarded to Obakpor Engineering Company on 24th March 2016.

    Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Council, Evang. Paul Etaga hailed the governor for the rehabilitation of the road, pointing out that its benefits is enormous to the people of Ughelli South Local Government Area.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the oil rich state is currently the fourth largest oil producing state in Nigeria

  • Census may hold early 2018 – NPC

    Census may hold early 2018 – NPC

    Dr Ghaji Bello, Director General of the National Population Commission says the National Population Census will hold in 2018 if necessary logistics are provided.

    Bello, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on Sunday, said that the exercise should have been conducted in 2016 in line with international practice.

    “If we are given all the resources that we need today, we may need possibly the first quarter of next year before we can do proper census.

    “Because there are quite a number of processes that have to be undertaken as part of the preparatory activities between now and the actual census phase itself.

    “And that would be sometimes in the first quarter of 2018 and thereabout.

    “Ordinarily, it ought to have a cycle of its own and that cycle should be five years or 10 years.

    “We should have conducted the last census in 2016 but for a variety of reasons outside the control of the population commission, we were unable to do it.

    “One, in 2015, there was a general election; because of the preparations towards the general election, that in a way affected our ability to be mobilized to move with full gear for the 2016.

    “Secondly, once the election was concluded and there was a new government in place, that government also has to get its foot on ground before it can move forward.

    “But no sooner had it started to settle down than there was the issue of recession, collapse of the oil in the international market and with a variety of other reasons again, it just didn’t happen.”

    To meet the UN 10-year benchmark, Bello said the commission was working for a constitutional amendment that would allow for scheduled conduct of the census.

    Bello added that the conduct of the census under the present administration would give the exercise a deserved National and International credibility and reliability.

    “We are of the firm belief that if it is conducted under this government, that there will be a lot of international credibility for the exercise.

    “This is given the persona of the president that is there presently.

    “And then people take advantage of climes and environment and chances and there are times when everything works in your favour.

    “We believe firmly in the National Population Commission that census conducted under President Muhammadu Buhari would go a long way in actually achieving the credibility that we want.”

    The director-general explained that Nigeria would take advantage of technology in the next population census through the use of biometrics.

    ‘’That will put to rest, the issue as to whether people are counting donkeys or fishes or horses or cows or trees.’’