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Tag: FG

  • FG alerts Nigerians of the resurgence of Lassa fever in Nigeria

    The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians, medical personnel and other stakeholders of the resurgence of Lassa fever in Nigeria.

    The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, in a circular signed on his behalf by the Director, Hospital Services, in the ministry, Dr. Wadapa Balami, advised medical personnel across board especially those domiciled in federal hospitals to ensure safety measures are urgently effected to check the spread of the deadly virus.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com had earlier reported the resurgence of the fever in Ogun State with one person confirmed dead.

    The circular reads in part: “I am directed to inform you that there has been a report of resurgence of Lassa fever in the country with one death recorded in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Consequently, you are requested to activate your surveillance systems, maintain universal precaution and embark on community mobilization, to ensure that this resurgence does not escalate to epidemic proportions”.

    The minister mandated the personnel to treat the resurgence with utmost importance.

    See copy of circular below:

  • We eliminated 50,000 ghost workers, saved N143bn in 2016 – FG

     

    The Federal Government says it eliminated about 50,000 ghost workers from its payroll and saved the nation about N143 billion that would have been spent on paying the ghost workers in the in 2016.

    It also said that it has handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for prosecution 11 persons believed to be members of a syndicate responsible for the presence of 50,000 ghost workers on the Federal Government’s payroll.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

    Shehu said some of the suspects involved in the ghost workers scam were already undergoing trial.

    He explained that the Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance created by the present administration was able to uncover the 50,000 ghost workers and saved the nation of N13bn monthly during the year.

    Shehu said the amount was taken off the government’s payroll from February to December.

    The presidential spokesman said, “The flagship programme of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to rid the system of fraud and instill good governance is on course.

    “Through a notable initiative, the Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the government has embarked on the continuous auditing of the salaries and wages of government departments.

    “When the committee was constituted in February 2016, the Federal Government’s monthly salary bill was N151bn excluding pensions.

    “Now, the monthly salary warrant is N138bn, excluding pensions, which means that the government is making a monthly saving of about N13bn. That is from February 2016 to date.”

    Shehu added that the pension bill which was N15.5bn monthly as of February had been reduced to N14.4bn.

    He said the government was making an average monthly saving of about N1.1bn on the pension bill.

    Shehu also allayed the fears of many members of the ruling All Progressives Congress concerning board appointments.

    He assured the agitated members that the process would be fully back on track at the beginning of 2017.

    He said, “You know that the reconstitution began methodically, from sector to sector. You should expect that to resume at the beginning of the New Year. The President has given directions on what to do.”

    On the agricultural programmes of the administration, Shehu said the President’s persistent call for a return to farming was yielding good results.

    He added, “The talk about agriculture has driven people to the farm. This year, there is a huge boom in the rural economy. We have witnessed an excellent harvest. Farmers are getting value for their output.

    “What has encouraged the farmers the more is the increasing availability of extension services. New farming techniques are helping farmers to do their occupation better.”

     

  • MTN pays N80bn of N330bn fine — FG

    MTN pays N80bn of N330bn fine — FG

    The Federal Government says MTN had paid N80 billion of the N330 billion fine imposed on it for failing to deactivate more than five million unregistered SIM cards.

    Speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja, the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said that the company paid the sum for the first year.

    It will be recalled that MTN was initially fined 5.2 billion dollars (N1.04 trillion) for failing to deactivate more than five million unregistered SIM cards but was later reduced to N330 billion.

    “For the first year, they paid N80 billion, after paying the initial N50 billion, and they will have to pay for three years until they will complete the N330 billion.

    “MTN does not have a choice, when the law was made, it said for every unregistered SIM card in use, the fine is N200, 000, the law never anticipated that one company will be in violation to the tune of millions of lines.

    “It was inconceivable, so when the thing was added 200,000 times 5.2 million lines, it came to a trillion plus.

    “When it happened, the MTN did four things; one they accepted that they were in default, two, they apologised for that and three they committed themselves never to allow such a thing to happen and number four, they asked for remission.

    “Government had to look at a number of factors because if they have to pay this amount; they will pack up.

    “We also knew that we invited the international community to come and invest and anything that will be done which will shake the confidence of international investors in Nigerian economy, we must avoid it.

    “Consequently, we must not throw away the baby with the bath water, if they had packed up and left, let us assume all their staff are not more than 5, 000, it means all of those 5,000 will lose their jobs.

    “Also those who made investment, who bought shares will lose their shares and the Nigeria banking sector would go into crisis,’’ he said.

    The minister said that even in the court system, if one was fined and could not pay for one reason or the other, the person would ask for reconsideration either by way of appeal or bringing a motion.

  • Christmas bliss as Buhari approves N71.8b for workers’ salaries

    Christmas bliss as Buhari approves N71.8b for workers’ salaries

    Federal Government workers across the federation can now smile to the banks for a festive yuletide as President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved additional N71.8 billion to augment shortfall in the 2016 budgetary allocation for payment of delayed workers’ salaries
    This will enable the government pay thousands of workers who are owed November and December salaries.

    According to a report by Daily Trust, the amount is part of the N213 billion virement assented to by Buhari on Thursday.
    The Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun had explained inability of some government agencies to pay November salaries saying the shortfall is to be augmented through the virement.

    She told State House reporters after cabinet meeting on Wednesday that “What we did in the virement we sent to the National Assembly, which the National Assembly approved, was that we listed all the agencies that had problems with their salaries and applied to National Assembly.

    We had to go back to the National Assembly to ask for an increase in the budgetary allocation of those agencies.”

    The president sent the virement proposal of N180.8 billion to the National Assembly on October 26, 2016, requesting the approval for the N166.6billion for special intervention (recurrent) and N14.2 billion for special intervention (Capital Supplementation).

    Several government agencies could not pay November salaries including the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC). Adeosun said “All the agencies have an allocated IPPIS which is the salary platform. If for example an agency has a N12bn salary for the year, we insist they continue to pay until that N12bn is exhausted.

    “Instead of taking N1bn a month, such agencies were taking N1.2bn or N1.3bn. So, by the time it got to October, many agencies had exhausted their allocations.

    The approved virement provides N71.8billion for settlement of the Public Service Wage Adjustment (PSWA). Other provisions are: Contingency N1.2billion; margin for increase in cost (MIC) N2billion; cadet feeding (Police Academy, Kano) N932million and Amnesty Programme N35billion.

    There is also internal operation of the Armed forces N5.2billion, Operation Lafiya Dole N13.9 billion, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) N19.7billion, Foreign Missions N14.6billion and augmentation of meal subsidy/ direct teaching and laboratory cost N900million.

    For statutory transfer, N1.2bilion was approved for the Public Complaints Commission.

    In the area of capital, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will get N12.7billion and Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) is to receive N1.5billion.

  • FG commits N550m for revitalization of 110 PHCs – Minister

    The Federal Government on Thursday said it has committed N550 million to renovate 110 primary healthcare facilities in the country as a pilot programme for the revitalization of Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) in Nigeria.

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this known while briefing newsmen after inspecting the renovation of Kuchingoro PHC in Abuja.

    Adewole said that the revitalization of the PHCs was one of the key components of the Rapid Result Initiatives (RRI) of the government.

    He said the pilot phase comprised of 109 of the clinics across the country, stressing that we will pick one per senatorial district.

    He added that additional one centre was in Fuka village of Niger where Lassa fever case was first recorded in 2015.

    He said the government has spent N7 million on the renovation of PHC Kuchingoro in Gwarinpa Ward of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

    He added that the revitalisation of the PHCs is the cardinal agenda of the Buhari administration.

    “We want to bring the healthcare services to the door step of our people and the only way to do that is to deliver health through a network of functional PHCs.

    “We are working with the state governors and development partners to replicate it in 10,000 electoral wards in Nigeria during the second phase of the initiative.

    “When we have them working across the country we will be able to serve the majority of Nigerians and provide an improved access to healthcare services to them,’’ Adewole said.

    According to him, many of the ailments that take people to hospitals can be addressed at the PHCs, thereby decongesting the tertiary health facilities.

    He said it is a partnership between the ministry, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and General Electric.

    He said that general electric would supply the equipment such as radiotherapy machines, warmer and other accessories.

    “In addition to this, the ministry would ensure that each of the rehabilitated PHCs has a small laboratory for common investigations,’’ the minister said.

    Besides, the government would also ensure that the PHCs deliver immunisations and there is provision for living quarters for the midwife to provide 24-hour services, Adewole said.

    He said through this “we can save life and deliver essential care to reduce maternal mortality in the country’’.

  • FG approves 5 percent of recovered loot for whistleblowers

    As part of measures to fast track effective recovery of stolen public funds, the Federal Government at its Executive Council meeting on Wednesday approved the Ministry of Finance Whistleblowing Programme that hopes to reward individuals, who voluntarily offers credible information on stolen or concealed funds, with about 2.5 per cent and five per cent of the funds when recovered.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Adeosun said the programme was designed to encourage anyone with information about a violation, misconduct or improper activity that impacted negatively on Nigerians and government, to report such.

    In her words: “If there is a voluntary return of stolen or concealed public funds or assets on the account of the information provided, the whistleblower may be entitled to anywhere between 2.5 per cent (minimum) and 5.0 per cent (maximum) of the total amount recovered.

    “You must have provided the government with information it does not already have and could not otherwise obtain from any other publicly available source to the government.”

    The minister said the programme would serve as a stop-gap till a bill on the same matter, presently before the National Assembly, was passed into law.

    Adeosun explained that there would be a secure online portal where the information could be submitted.

    After submitting such information, she said the whistleblower could also check the status of his report on the portal.

    According to Adeosun, examples of information that could be submitted are mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds and assets, including properties and vehicles; financial malpractice or fraud; collecting/soliciting bribes; and corruption.

    Others infraction, the minister noted, included diversion of revenues; fraudulent and unapproved payments; splitting of contracts; and procurement fraud that included kickbacks and over-invoicing among others.

    The minister however stated in clear terms that the whistle blowing programme will not entertain personal matters, concerning private contracts or agreements.

    She explained that the information could be submitted through the online portal by e-mail or by phone.

    Adeosun added that the information, which could be submitted on condition of anonymity, could be submitted through documentary evidence and provision of specific and fact-based information such as what occurred, amount involved, who was involved and dates of occurrence on the portal.

    “Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent within the limitations of the law. If you choose not to disclose your identity, there will be no record of who you are. If you choose to disclose your identity, it will be fully protected.

    “If you ‘whistleblow’ in public spirit and in good faith, you will be protected. If you feel that you have been treated badly because of your report, you can file a formal complaint.

    “If you have suffered harassment, intimidation or victimisation for sharing your concerns, restitution will be made for any loss suffered,”Adeosun said.

    Adeosun added that the information provided would be reviewed and analysed to determine whether or not to open an investigation into the matter.

    In matters that are criminal in nature, she said such cases would be referred to relevant agencies such as the police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    The minister explained that apart from possible prosecution, those found guilty would be blacklisted from working with or doing business with the government.

    Adeosun, however, warned that false information could attract prosecution.

    “A first-level review will always be carried out to determine credibility and sufficiency of information received.

    “If you report false or misleading information, it will be referred to the enforcement agents for investigation and possible prosecution,” the minister warned.

  • BREAKING: FG releases postings of 47 Career Ambassadors

    The Federal Government on Wednesday released the postings of the 47 career Ambassadors recently appointed by President Buhari.

    The lists of the Ambassadors, who are currently undergoing a four-day induction in Abuja, are as follows:

    Abia: Obinna Chukwuemeka Agbugba (Togo), Adamawa: Salisu Umaru (Senegal), Paragalda Ilyasu Audu (Turkey), Akwa Ibom: Inyan Udo-Inyang (Gabon), Anambra: Okeke Vivian Nwunaku (Spain), Nonye Udo (Austria).

    Bauchi: Liman Munir (Congo), Benue: Ndem Jane Ada (Sweden), Demenongu A. Agev (Equatorial Guinea), Borno: Mohammed Hassan Hassan (Kenya), Toko Ali Gongulong (Sao Tome & Principe), Lawan Abba Gashagar (Mali), Cross River: Martin Nyong Cobham (Thailand), Odeka Janet Bisong (Zimbabwe).

    Delta: Janet Omoleegho Olisa (Jamaica), Edo: Itegboje S.Sunday (Permanent Mission in New York), Queen I. Worlu (Cuba).

    Others are: Ekiti: Olatunde Adesesan (Angola), Emmanuel Kayode Oguntause (Benin), Enugu: Lilian Ijeukwu Onoh (Namibia).

    FCT: Adamu Onoze Shuaibu (Rwanda), Gombe: Manaja Tula Isah (Israel), Habu Abubakar Gwani Ibrahim (Zambia), Imo: Ngozi Ukaeje (Portugal), Kenneth C. Nwachukwu (Cameroon), Jigawa: Bello Kazaure Huessini (North Korea), Kaduna: Enoch Pear Duchi (Ireland), Kano: Garba Baba (Poland), Rabiu Akawu (Algeria).

    Katsina: Usman Bakori Aliyu (China), Ibrahim Hamza (Iran), Kebbi: Umar Zainab Salisu (Botswana), Kogi: Momoh Sheidu Omeiza (Liberia), Kwara: Kadiri Ayinla Audu (Permanent Mission, Geneva) and Olufemi Abikoye (Ghana).

    Lagos: Balogun Hakeem (Indonesia), Nasarawa: Inusa Ahmed (Ethiopia), Niger: Ibrahim Isah (Australia), Ogun: Bankole Adegboyega Adeoye (Belgium), Sonaike Adekunbi Abibat (Philipines).

    Osun: Ibidapo-Obe Oluwasegun (Port of Spain T&T), Oyo: Ogundero Sakirat (Washington), River: Eric A. Bell-Gam (Argentina), Sokoto: Attahiru Halliru (Niger), Taraba: Rahmatu A. Dunama (Burkina Faso), Yobe: Musa Saban Mamman (South Sudan) and Zamfara: Kabiru Bala (Mozambique).

     

  • FG declares Dec 26th, 27th, Jan 2nd, Christmas, New Year holidays

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th December, 2016 and Monday 2nd January, 2017 as Public Holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year Celebrations respectively.

    The Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido on Wednesday.

    The minister enjoined all Christian faithful and Nigerians in general to remain supportive of the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained efforts towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.

    Dambazau also urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for unity and peaceful co-existence across the country.

     

  • FG to enforce ban on importation of dirty fuel by July 1

    …Says it will suspend exportation of rosewood from Nigeria to other countries effective from December 31, 2016

    The Federal Government has set a dateline for the ban on importation of dirty fuel with high surphuric content from Europe to Nigeria to begin from July 1, 2017.

    The government also announced that beginning from December 31, 2016, it would suspend the exportation of rosewood from Nigeria to other countries in a bid to address the increasing level of deforestation across the nation.

    This is as stated by the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed at an event organised by the ministry in Abuja on Friday to mark her one year in office.

    Recall that on December 1, 2016, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire agreed to introduce strict standards to ensure cleaner, low sulphur diesel fuels and vehicle emission standards, effectively cutting off Europe’s West African market to export its dirty fuels.

    Mohammed stated that the Federal Government had decided that the sulphur in fuels imported into the country should be reduced from 3,000 parts per million to 50 parts per million, as this would result in major air quality benefits in Nigerian cities and would allow the country to set modern vehicle standards.

    In her words: “From July 1, 2017, we will commence the enforcement of the 50ppm sulphur in fuel. And the July deadline is on all fuels, your diesel, petrol and kerosene. Everybody knows that this is going to take some efforts, which is why we gave the six months’ notice. What is more important is that we are working with the refineries on a long-term approach.

    “Some of the new refineries that are coming into position in Nigeria are coming in at 10ppm; South Africa is 15ppm. But for us, it is a West African problem and we hope that we can lead in West Africa by reducing it. So, there is no reason why we can’t do that.”

    On deforestation and the suspension of rosewood export, the minister stated that over a million trees were being cut down per day in the country without any alternative in terms of afforestation.

    According to her, the suspension on exports of rosewood would last for three months, beginning from December 31, 2016.

    She stated further: “On the suspension of wood export as a result of deforestation, let me make it clear that first of all, it is a suspension on rosewood and any semi-processed rosewood that goes out. For it goes out in thousands of containers. So, what we are saying is that we do not see any alternative to replenishing what is going out hugely.

    “It is not that this is the worst part of deforestation; the use of trees as fuel is one, the logging is another, which is illegal in most cases, but we must find alternatives. So, we say suspension because we intend to continue to see better performance when we want to deal with the export of semi-processed wood.

    “This involves factories, young people, trade revenues and more. We don’t want to stop it in a way, but we don’t what to do it at the cost of taking down all our forest cover in this country. Which was why we had enough consultation before the date of December 31, 2016 was arrived at,” the minister said.

     

  • FG signs agreement with IOCs to increase revenue by $2bn

    FG signs agreement with IOCs to increase revenue by $2bn

    The agreement that Nigeria signed with International Oil Companies, IOCs on Thursday will increase the nation’s revenue by $2 billion per annum, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

    According to Kachikwu, net payments to the Federation Account is expected to double from about seven billion dollars to over 14 billion dollars by 2020.

    ”The immediate effect of the new cash call policy will increase net revenue per annum by about $2 billion.

    ”These strategies which are fully supported by the National Economic Council (NEC) will lead to an increase in national production from the current 2.2 million barrels per day (mbpd)to 2.5mbpd by 2019.

    ”It will also see a reduction in Unit Technical Costs from $27.96/Barrel Oil Equivalent (boe) to $18/boe,” he said.

    The agreement signed with international oil companies will enable the nation exit from the joint Venture Cash Call (JVC) arrears accumulated over 14 years, totalling 6.8 billion dollars.

    Kachikwu outlined other innovations and initiatives championed by the ministry over the past year as revamping the sector, restoring investors’ confidence and positioning Nigeria’s Oil and Gas value chain for profitability.

    He said the agreement was historic, adding it would bring clarity and stability to the management of the country’s main revenue source.

    Kachikwu said based on historical records, the current Cash Call system was structurally defective and failed to address the perennial Joint Venture funding challenges being experienced in the industry where the Federal Government under-funding of the industry through JV Cash Calls stood at $9.125 billion by September.

    ”This new arrangement will guarantee payments of statutory Oil and Gas Royalties and taxes by NNPC and its JV partners as well as profit from its investments in the Joint Ventures,” Kachikwu said.

    Earlier, while displaying his scorecard in the past year, Kachikwu said the Ministry was able to, among others, see to the successful election of Mohammed Barkindo of Nigeria as the Secretary-General of the OPEC.

    He said the ministry successfully mobilised OPEC members and Non-OPEC Oil Producers to dialogue on the stabilisation of the global market in Doha; Algiers which culminated into the achievement of freeze on production at the 171st conference in Vienna.

    It also ensured rise in oil prices to $55/per barrel for the first time in 16 months after negotiations with non-OPEC producers.

    ” Nigeria’s successfully negotiated an exemption from the production freeze and the successful hosting of the 52nd Conference of Ministers of African Petroleum Producers Association in March.