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Tag: FEC

  • FEC orders SGF to remove University lecturers from IPPIS

    FEC orders SGF to remove University lecturers from IPPIS

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has mandated Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, to immediately implement the decision to remove university lecturers from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform.

    This directive aims to resolve the long-standing dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the government, as announced by President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, via his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956.

     

    Additionally, the Council ratified the establishment of the National University of Science and Technology in Abuja, a Pan African Institute dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists. This university, the first of its kind, is expected to boost scientific and technological advancement across Africa. Onanuga stated, “The council asked the Secretary of the Government of the Federation to expedite the implementation of the Council decision made months ago, separating the universities from the IPPIS platform.

    The Council ratified the anticipatory approval given on 28 May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the university in the Federal Capital. The university is the first of the network of Pan African Institutes of Science and Technology dedicated to teaching African scientists and technologists.”

     

    The FEC also approved various contracts to enhance agriculture and infrastructure development, including:

     

    – Facility maintenance service for the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, awarded to Julius Berger for N392 million, a reduction from the N533 million approved in 2018.

    – Procurement of 2,000 tractors, 4,000 disc ploughs, 1,000 disc ridges, 1,200 tractor trailers, and assorted spare parts for the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme (NAMP) to strengthen national food security. Aftrade DMCC, experienced in similar projects in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, and Togo, will supply the equipment and set up an assembly plant in the contract’s second stage.

    – Engineering audit of upstream measurement equipment and facilities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector, awarded to Messrs. PE Energy Limited, with a completion timeline of 180 days.

    – Procurement of pre-field development studies for advanced declaration solution technology in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector, awarded to Messrs. P-Lyne Energy Limited, also with a completion timeline of 180 days.

    – Two contracts for the supply of SUVs and other operational vehicles to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, awarded to Elizade Nigeria Limited, Lanre Shittu Motors, and Vinicius Global Link Ltd.

    – Procurement of low and high-voltage substation connectors for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), awarded to Messrs. Maglous Enterprises Limited.

  • Governors hold emergency meeting over minimum wage

    Governors hold emergency meeting over minimum wage

    Governors of the 36 states of Nigeria have fixed an emergency meeting for today, Wednesday, over the proposed new minimum wage.

    This comes  after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Tuesday stepped down the memo on minimum wage.

    The 36 governors had earlier rejected the proposed N62,000 by the federal government, stating that some states would have to borrow money if the amount is implemented.

    However, the organised labour is still insisting on N250,000 wage.

    According to Daily Trust, the Acting Director on Media and Public Affairs of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Halima Ahmed, disclosed that the governors would meet in Abuja by 7 pm today, Wednesday, over the matter.

     

     

     

  • FAAN begins sale of e-tags at airports

    FAAN begins sale of e-tags at airports

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Friday began the sale of 2024 e-tags that would permit entry into the 24 Federal Airports in the country.

    In a statement in Abuja, FAAN said the sale of the tags aligned with a presidential directive approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    According to the agency, the meeting mandated that all the users of federal airports across the country ought to pay charges at the gates.

    Mr Francis Ajaguna, Head of Public Affairs, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), confirmed that many people came to the airport and bought the tags.

    “FAAN’s Commercial Department confirms that it has started issuing the e-tags and people are buying them,” he said.

  • FEC approves memo on aviation, other sectors

    FEC approves memo on aviation, other sectors

    The Federal Executive Council, presided by President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday approved memos from the Ministries of Aviation, Communications, Power, FCT and Works.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this at the end of the meeting in Abuja, adding that the Ministry of Interior’s memo on the review of the new visa regime was also approved.

    Idris said that the new visa regime was to address the lacuna and challenges faced by citizens and foreign investors coming or going out of the country.

    He said the new visa process would now be completely online, with background security checks of applicants done within 48 hours, adding that this would commence in the next four weeks.

    Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo disclosed the ministry’s approval to involve the withdrawal of exemption of payment of tickets by some highly placed Nigerians at the nation’s airports.

    He said the former system, which had cost loss of revenue, had been bought into by the president and the vice-president, respectively.

    ‘’The ministry has been losing huge revenue that ordinarily should not be. With the new system everybody coming into the nation’s airports must pay the toll gate fees. Already the President and the Vice-President has agreed to be part of those that would pay.’’ he said.

    On the recurrent runway incidents, Keyamo said that the ministry would continue on the path of ensuring adherence to proper regulation while supervision under him would be sustained.

    ‘’There is no way I will allow the safety of air passengers to be jeopardised under my watch. Any airline that is consistently found wanting in this issue will be sanctioned appropriately; as in the case of the Dana Airline.’’

    The Minister of Communication, Bosun Tijani, said that a Special Purpose Vehicle would be set up for the construction of 90,000 fiber cable across the country in the next three years to improve internet service and its cost.

    According to Tijani, this cable forms a part of the government’s strategy aimed at connecting local, sub-national and federal government into a system for accountability and transparency in governance and to improve service delivery in the areas of health, education, revenue generation among others.

    Also, Minister of Power Adelabu Adebayo said the council approved the provision of earthing, reactor and emergency equipment for the sector in order to increase power generation, transmission and distribution in the country.

    Adebayo said that these contracts are expected to strengthen the power sector reforms, reduce down time and increase access of electricity to Nigerians.

    He said the contract would also address the decay in infrastructure in the power sector, which had been the bane of low power distribution and transmission over time.

    The council, he said, also approved the initiative of the ministry to use complementary energy sources like solar and wind to add to the efficiency of the national grid.

    He said that solar would continue to be used in the sunny parts of the country while wind energy would be integrated at the southern coastal parts.

    The FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, disclosed that the council approved three memos on development of bus terminals, building of Appeal Court and the operation and maintenance of street light generators in the territory.

    Minister of Work Dave Umahi also disclosed council approval of 12 memos bordering on redesign and continuation ofvroad projects across the country, adding that the projects underwent adequate bidding and followed due process.

    Umahi said the contract for the Lagos-Calabar was done through due process contrary to some reports claiming otherwise, adding that the government was concerned about having value for all funds allocated for any project.

    The minister of Finance, Wale Edun, said that the government would continue to prioritise the infrastructural needs of the nation for a better future development of the country as well as to improve the living standard of the citizens.

    In this way, he said, the federal government was working out special funding to develop the housing and infrastructural sub-sector of the economy, adding that this would involve the private sector and development partners’ financing.

    Edun said the government would leverage on the huge funds under the pension scheme, Sovereign Wealth Fund, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, insurance and other financial options to resuscitate the sector and make housing more accessible and affordable to ordinary citizens at a low interest rate.

  • FEC orders MDAs to stop purchasing petrol-powered vehicles

    FEC orders MDAs to stop purchasing petrol-powered vehicles

    The Federal Executive Council has directed that all new vehicles, generators or tricycles procured by government and its agencies must be powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), solar or electric.

    This is in line with the administration’s commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility and cut high fuel cost in the country.

    The council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, at the State House on Monday, reiterated that there was no turning back in the energy reforms initiated by the administration.

    It also ordered all government ministries, departments and agencies to henceforth procure only compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles.

    “The President’s directive is also in furtherance of Nigeria’s effort to transit to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers.

    “This nation will not progress if we continue to dance on the same spot. We have the will to drive the implementation of CNG adoption across the country, and we must set the example as public officials in leading the way to that prosperous future that we are working to achieve for our people.

    “It starts with us, and in seeing that we are serious, Nigerians will follow our lead,” presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale had said in a statement.

    He said this was line with the President’s commitment to effectively harnessing the nation’s gas potential, alleviating the burden of high transportation costs on the masses while enhancing the standard of living of all Nigerians.

    Affected by the order, according to sources, are new requests by Nigeria Customs Service and the Shipper’s Council, an agency of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy which had sought approval to buy several hundreds of operational vehicles to be powered by petrol.

    The council approved the requests but said they must be CNG vehicles.

    The Tinubu administration, which launched the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) in October 2023, plans to roll out about 800 CNG buses, 4,000 CNG tricycles and 100 electric buses in the first phase in the next few weeks.

    “Government believes its policy will unlock new investments in renewable energy, solar panels and lithium batteries.

    “It also believes that the policy will be climate friendly and reduce inflation as it will slash costs by about 60 per cent,” the source said.

  • FEC continues on Tuesday – Minister

    FEC continues on Tuesday – Minister

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said on Monday that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting would continue on Tuesday.

    Idris stated this while briefing the State House Correspondent at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “there is no briefing today. A lot of far reaching decisions are being taken and the conclusions will be made available tomorrow (Tuesday).

    “Therefore, FEC will continue tomorrow,” he said.

    The meeting which is presided over by President Bola Tinubu was attended by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike.

    Others are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola and the Minister of State Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaima-Ibrahim, among others.

    FEC comprises cabinet members and is part of the executive branch of the government.

    It determines the general direction of domestic and foreign policies of the Government; coordinating the activities of the President, the Vice-President and the Ministers in the discharge of their responsibilities.

  • Appointments: FEC approves 10% youth, women quota

    Appointments: FEC approves 10% youth, women quota

    The Federal Executive Council has approved the institutionalisation of 10 per cent youth quota in all government appointments and an equitable young women representation.

    Dr Jamila Ibrahim, Minister of Youths, disclosed this at the end of the 4th FEC meeting, on Monday in Abuja.

    She said that council also approved the restructure of the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and the revamping of the Youth Investment Fund.

    The minister said that the quota would encourage young people to participate in decision making processes and in civic engagements.

    “This will in turn lead to young people’s contributing tremendously to national development agenda.

    “I’m also pleased to announce the second council approval to restructure and institutionalise the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund.

    “This is a fund that was approved in 2020 and on assumption of Office of this administration, we commissioned a technical committee to review this fund and restructure it with the aim of institutionalising it through a legal framework, which will lead to the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Fund.

    “We have secured council approval for the immediate release of N25 billion from the 2023 supplementary Appropriation Act and an additional N25 billion from the 2024 Appropriation Act under the Youth Development Fund for Development provision in the budget.

    “We also received an additional approval from council for a N60 billion release from the Central Bank of Nigeria through the agric. investment of small medium enterprises,” she said.

    Ibrahim said that these schemes would support young businesses and bring a lot of succour to young persons in the country.

    She said that the commencement of the schemes would be done with collaboration from relevant agencies like agriculture and food security, creative economy as well as state governments among others.

  • Why FEC increased 2024 budget by N1.5 trillion

    Why FEC increased 2024 budget by N1.5 trillion

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the 2024 appropriation bill of N27.50 trillion for the 2024 budget with a N1.5 trillion increase from the earlier estimated bill.

    The government had proposed N26.2 trillion earlier but had reviewed the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) that was approved by the National Assembly.

    Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, announced this on Monday at the end of the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

    He said that the new proposal was legitimate because the  appropriation was dependent on the final process that could be changed due to many variables including new priorities and MDAs presentations.

    Bagudu said that MTEF that was approved by the National Assembly put the exchange rate at N700 per dollar and an oil price benchmark of 73.96 dollars.

    He added that FEC revised the MTEF to use an exchange rate of N750 to a dollar and oil price benchmark of N77.96 in order to further fund the eight priority areas of the administration.

    Bagudu said that the president would give more breakdown of the budget during its presentation to the National Assembly, stressing that the presentation date would be decided by the National Assembly.

    The minister said that the 2024 forecast revenue would now be N18.32 trillion higher than the 2023 budget and the supplementary budgets provisions.

    The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, said that the Federal Government has secured funds from the African Development Bank for budget support.

    He said that the one billion dollars funds would aid effective implementation of the government reform policies as well as ensure transparency and accountability in the various tax reforms.

    Edun added that it would be used in areas such as power and ensuring the  efficient utilisation of tax revenues, adding that it was not for project funding.

  • FEC approves N2.1trn supplementary budget for urgent national issues

    FEC approves N2.1trn supplementary budget for urgent national issues

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved N2,176,791,286,033 supplementary budget to fund urgent national issues including N605 billion for national defence and security.

    The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, made this known while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of FEC meeting in Abuja.

    ”The council considered a request for supplementary appropriation which is a second for 2023.

    ”And graciously approved the sum of N2,176,791,286,033, as supplementary budget and this supplementary budget is to fund urgent issues including N605 billion for national defence and security.

    ”This is to sustain the gains made in security and to accelerate and these are funds that are needed by the security agencies before the year runs out. ”

    Bagudu also said that FEC approved N300 billion for the repair of Eko and Third Mainland bridges as well as construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of many roads nationwide before the return of the rainy season.

    Similarly, he said council approved N200 billion for the provision of seed, agricultural input, supplies and agricultural implements and infrastructure to support expansion of production.

    ”Equally the sum of N210 billion is provided for the payment of wage Awards. In negotiation with the Nigeria Labour Congress.

    ”The federal government Federal agreed to pay N35,000 each to about 1.5 million employees of the federal government for September , October, November and December.

    ”And that amounts to about N210 billion which has been approved and also N400 billion as Cash Transfer payments.”

    He recalled that the federal government has secured 800 million dollars loan from the World Bank to pay cash transfers of N25,000 to 15 million households.

    According to him, the 800 million dollars is for October and November.

    ”The President graciously approved that an additional month should be funded by the federal government and that is what this N100 billion is for.

    ”Equally, N100 billion has been provided for the Federal Capital Territory in order to support them in urgent and immediate capital expenditure works that can enhance the infrastructure in the city. ”

    ”Also, N18 billion was provided for the Independent National Electoral Commission to support them in the conducting the Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states elections.”

    The minister stated that N5.5 billion was also provided for the funding of the takeover of the student loans board and N8 billion for the take-off grant of new ministries.

    ”Equally the sum of N200billion was provided as capital supplementation to deal with urgent requests that have been made to President Bola Tinubu from various parts of the country.”

  • FEC approves creation of $5bn poverty alleviation trust fund

    FEC approves creation of $5bn poverty alleviation trust fund

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund to raise 5 billion dollars annually.

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, disclosed this  while briefing State House Correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting, held on Monday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Edu said ” every year we hope to be able to raise at least 5 billion dollars within this fund and this is from the various fund and sources.

    “We are hopeful that with the creation of this funding, we can sit down with all the key stakeholders including other ministries and actually work out the full modalities of implementation in Nigeria”.

    The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the approval for the creation of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.

    ”The council approved for the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust fund to actually be put together under a governing board.

    “And then of course, the implementation of that humanitarian and poverty trust fund, would be carefully worked out by members of the committee.

    ”Of course, it will involve the Minister of Finance and other ministers that are relevant to the process. This is a flexible form of financing that is supposed to help Nigeria adequately respond to humanitarian crisis.

    “This will also respond to challenges as well as adequately address the issue of poverty in Nigeria and bring victory for the poor and indeed, bring help and succor which the Renewed Hope Agenda stands for,” she said.

    Edu further said that the fund was a flexible form of financing that could help the government get contributions from different sectors.

    She added that the fund would get contributions from the government, private sector, development partners, philanthropic individuals and other innovative form of funding.

    ”This is to allow for emergency response to humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. Every other day we hear about crisis, the flood and the rest of it. So we need to be able to respond adequately as a country.

    ”Beyond this, the issue of poverty reduction is one of the agenda of the President Bola Tinubu in his eight point agenda and we have to tackle it headlong,” she said

    The minister also revealed that the FEC has ratified the protocol on the protection of the rights of older persons in the country.

    ”The Federal Executive Council, where the chairman of Council and members of council took decisions to ratify the protocol on the protection of the rights of older persons in Nigeria.

    ”We have signed up to the African Charter and this has made us one of the countries within Africa that has approved that older people be protected and should not be discriminated against at any level.

    ”And this gives them a lot of protection and the government of President Bola Tinubu is interested in their welfare and protecting their rights,” the minister said.