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Tag: FG

  • FG, China Exim Bank to spend $1.3bn on 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project

    FG, China Exim Bank to spend $1.3bn on 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project

    The Federal Government, in partnership with the China Exim Bank, will spend about 1.3 billion dollars on the construction of a 700 megawatt-capacity Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Project.

    Mr Tian Haihua, the Vice President, Power China Internationale Group Ltd., made this known on Thursday in Zungeru.

    He said that the project, when completed, would generate 700 megawatts and would start generating power by 2019.

    Haihua said that the entire project would be completed by the year 2020.

    He commended the Niger Government for providing peaceful atmosphere for the smooth take off of the project.

    Also, Alhaji Abdulmalik Cheche, the state Commissioner for Works and Housing, said that the state government would continue to ensure peaceful atmosphere for successful completion of the project.

    He said that the project would go a long way in providing job opportunities for the unemployed youths in the state.

    Cheche explained that the project, after completion, would also increase industrial development of the state.

    “We will continue to provide modern farming implements and inputs as we utilise the multi-million dollars dam for irrigation farming,” he said.

    The commissioner reassured members of the communities that the payment of compensation for their lands would soon be settled.

  • FG to impose ban on importation of 2-stroke engines in Q1 2017– NESREA

    The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has said the Federal Government will enforce ban on importation of two-stroke engines and vehicles without emission reduction technology into the country.

    Dr Lawrence Anukam, the Director-General of the agency disclosed this on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

    He said that emission releases from vehicles could be about 60 per cent of air pollution in the country.

    He said that the agency had collaborated with Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), Nigeria Police and other relevant agencies across the country.

    He said that the collaboration was to test vehicles for excessive emission and to ensure air quality in the country.

    He said that government would be launching Vehicular Emission Control Programme in the first quarter of 2017.

    Anukam said that governments with other relevant organisations were committed to ensuring that the launching of the programme would be successful.

    He explained that the programme would also involve experts from international organisations, adding that the efforts would ensure effectiveness of the programme.

    “We are still working on the launching of the programme; this is to ensure that every mechanism and plans are properly arranged.

    “A lot of work are going on and we are hoping that in the first quarter of 2017, we are going to formally launch the programme.

    “Vehicular emission is an issue that we are seriously committed to ensure for proper lasting solution, we will follow it up; to ensure that everything is put into consideration.

    “We just have to launch the programme, it has been a long time and we need to do the formal launching of the programme.

    “The importance of the programme is to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of vehicles on the roads,’’ he said.

    Anukam said that the government was concerned about air pollution from human activities and one of such was vehicular emissions.

    He added that emission could lead to harmful gases and dust into the atmosphere.

    “Vehicular emission had caused severe environmental hazards in our environment such as acid rain, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer and has led to climate change,’’ he said.

    The DG however urged Nigerians to always maintain their vehicles and obey environmental laws and regulations to promote environmental health.

  • Corrupt politicians frustrating FG’s policies – Lai Mohammed

    …as FG launches Federal Government of Nigeria Information App (FGN IAPP)

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says corrupt elements opposed to the change agenda are making government activities obscure to give the wrong impression that they are not working.

    The minister stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of the Federal Government of Nigeria Information App (FGN IAPP) that is designed to provide real time information from the government to Nigerians– home and abroad.

    The minister said that the corrupt elements, in particular, had chosen to fight the government with their ill-gotten wealth, by “distorting our messages and obfuscating our activities’’.

    Mohammed noted that government had done a lot to better the lot of Nigerians and they would not allow the opposition to stifle the progress made by leaving the public space to the “naysayers’’.

    “A government that has achieved the unprecedented feat of creating 200,000 jobs in one fell swoop cannot be said to have done nothing.

    “A government that has liberated every inch of our occupied territory from Boko Haram and sent the terrorists fleeing should not be portrayed as not doing anything.

    “A government that is surely and steadily making our country self-sufficient in staples such as rice and embarking on a massive infrastructural renewal cannot be said to be doing nothing

    “A government that is boldly tackling an economic recession that was foisted on it by years of profligacy, lack of savings and a sudden crash on oil prices deserves accolades, not vilification,’’ he said.

    The minister said FGN IAPP will help to keep Nigerians and non-Nigerians better informed of the activities of the Federal Government as well as getting the necessary feedback.

    “Irrespective of where you are in the world, from today all you needed to do is to download the FGN IAPP, and you will have access to factual and real time information on the activities of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    The minister said other value-added services of the FGN IAPP included access to the Tender Journal published twice a month to announce available government jobs.

    He said that the innovation would enable more people, irrespective of their locations, to bid for government jobs.

    Mohammed said the “Be Inspired’’ section of the App will make it possible for any Nigerian, irrespective of status, to meet top political, business, religious and other leaders.

    The minister said the App also provides a Feedback Section that allows anyone so interested to make his or her feelings known about any government policy or programmes.

    He added that those seeking government jobs could also have information about genuine vacancies in the public service.

    The minister enjoined Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, who are interested in authentic news about the activities of the Federal Government, to take the advantage of the FGN IAPP.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ayo Adesugba, said the Federal Government was underreported and the App would help to bridge the gap by providing real time information on government activities and programmes.

    Adesugba, said the App would also provide the platform to correct negative reports about the country in the foreign media in particular.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the FGN IAPP service provider, Mr Olawale Wale-Falope, said the App would be available on IOS, androids and tablets and would support rich contents, including photos and videos

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by Ministers, Directors and Heads of Parastatal Agencies in the Ministry of Information and Culture.

  • N450b unremitted revenue: FG recovers additional N793 million from defaulting MDAs

    The Federal Government has recovered an additional N793 million unremitted operating surpluses from three revenue generating agencies accused of short changing the government.

    This was announced in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Finance, Salisu Dambatta.

    According to the statement, this is thanks to the Recovery Committee set up two weeks ago by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

    The Committee was tasked to recover unremitted N450 billion operating surpluses from Federal revenue-generating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    The surpluses are legally classified as a Federal Treasury Revenue.

    The Committee immediately swung into action by issuing demand notices to 17 of the initial 33 affected Agencies, out of which it met with 10.

    They included the National Shippers Council, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, National Health Insurance Scheme, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigeria Communication Commission.

    The rest were Nigeria Postal Service, National Pension Commission, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company, Raw Materials Research and Development Council and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

    According to the statement, the recoveries, totaling N793 million, were made from the Raw Materials

    Research and Development Council (RMRDC), N278 million; Nigeria Shippers Council, N407 million and Nigeria Export Promotion Council, N108 million.

    “So far, the cumulative total amount recovered is N1.44 billion, given the earlier recovery of N650 million from the Nigeria Shippers Council.

    “Several other agencies were in the process of submitting repayment plan for approval.

    Meanwhile, four agencies that were unable to make it to the meeting due to short notice have been rescheduled to appear before the Recovery Committee.

    “They are the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Pensions Commission (PENCOM), Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),” it stated.

    Recall that the Minister of Finance announced recently that many revenue generating Federal Government agencies have not remitted the operating surpluses from the revenues they generated totaling N450 billion from 2010 to date.

    The agencies are required to pay the operating surpluses to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government not later than one month following the statutory deadline for publishing each corporation’s account as provided in the Fiscal Responsibility Commission Act 2007.

  • FG should focus on proper implementation of capital projects in 2017 – Dogara

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara on Wednesday advised the Federal Government to focus on proper implementation of the 2017 budget, particularly the capital projects.

    Dogara gave the advice while delivering a vote of thanks after President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2017 Appropriation Bill of N7. 3 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly.

    He said that low implementation of budgets in the past had led to high rate of project abandonment across the country.

    According to the Speaker, it is certainly frustrating that we go through the annual budget cycle without unlocking the full potential of our citizens.

    “This is because implementation and execution of the agreed budget is always a major challenge year in year out.

    “Sometimes, implementation rate is as low as 30 per cent; most times, it is never higher than 50 per cent at the best of times.

    “This has led to unacceptably high rate of abandonment of projects and distortions in Nigeria’s economic planning,’’ Dogara said.

    The Speaker said that Appropriation Act must be allowed to run for an uninterrupted 12 months, for the Executive to have enough time to execute it.

    “This means that both Mr President and the National Assembly must find a way to continue the execution of the 2016 Budget, especially the capital component till May 6, 2017.

    “It is crystal clear that the capital component of 2016 budget cannot realistically be implemented for only six months.

    ‘’This is so considering the time required for procurement processes and raising of the revenue; including loans by government. ‘’Except something is done, this will result in yet another failed budget.

    “We must therefore put on our thinking caps and ensure that the change promised Nigerians is reflected in our budget process.

    “We cannot really make appreciable progress as a nation without significant implementation of the capital component of the Budget,’’ Dogara said.

    “The real challenge before us is to make our annual budgets work for all our citizens, especially the poor and the vulnerable.’’

  • FG should provide quality services as response to violence–UNICEF

    FG should provide quality services as response to violence–UNICEF

    The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that the Federal Government has the main responsibility for preventing and responding to violence with quality services in place.

    The Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF, Nigeria, Mrs. Rachel Harvey made this known on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Harvey spoke on the sidelines of the campaign to End Violence Against Children by 2030, launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on Oct. 25.

    The campaign builds and expands on the success of just-ended Year of Action to End Violence Against Children, earlier launched in Sept. 2015.

    “The services should be staffed by trained professionals to help children recover from their experiences.

    “Also, perpetrators should be held accountable for their actions by strengthening the capacity of the justice sector, that children and the general public are aware that violence against children is unacceptable.

    “And that they know where to seek help when children are victims of violence, among other steps”, she said.

    Harvey said that the issue of violence against children was critical to the country as it was not confined to poor families, or to marginalised children or children living in the shadow of conflict.

    According to her, it is a problem that transcends social and economic status; it impacts the rich and the poor, urban and rural, educated and out of school children.

    “Ending violence against children is not just a moral imperative or a legal obligation; failure to prevent and respond to violence leads to a new generation of victims.

    “The Nigeria Violence Against Children survey found that adults who have suffered violence as children are much more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence.

    “Failure to end violence against children also impacts the country as a whole; it leads to substantial economic losses and constrains development.

    “Ending violence against children has been linked to sustainable growth not only by the international community but, through the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    “Violence against children is therefore not somebody else’s problem – it is everyone’s problem and everyone needs to be part of the solution, ‘’ she said.

    Harvey said that the government alone could not end violence.

    She said that religious leaders, NGOs, and the media had a fundamental role in breaking the culture of silence on violence that children suffered.

    “Also tackling the stigma that stops children from speaking out and ensuring that children who do report are treated with dignity and in a way that helps them to recover.

    “That is why the campaign to end violence against children by 2030, which brings together not only government ministries but also, key religious groups and organisations.

    “Also, working for children’s rights and protection is so critical to fighting violence against children

    “That is why this Presidential Campaign to end violence against children is as important as it shines a spotlight on the problem, and not only commits the government to take action.

    “But calls upon all Nigerians to break the culture of silence, fight the stigma that stops children speaking out and take action to prevent violence”, Harvey said.

     

  • Recession will be over in 2017 – FG assures Nigerians

    Recession will be over in 2017 – FG assures Nigerians

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured Nigerians that the ongoing economic hardship in the nation would end in 2017.

    It said a foundation for a diversified economy had been being laid, adding that “the 2017 budget will strengthen the economy further.”

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, gave this message of hope when he received a delegation from the Methodist Church of Nigeria, led by the Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Reverend Joseph Oche Job.

    A statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Bolaji Adebiyi, quoted Lawal as restating that “President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to revamp the economy and take the nation out of recession next year (2017)”

    He further added that President Buhari was determined and committed to the three major objectives of his administration, which are to improve national security, vigorously fight corruption and overhaul the economy.

    He implored them to continue to pray for peace and security of the nation.

    In his remark, Archbishop Job assured the support of the Church for the Federal Government in the fight against corruption which, he said , “is the number one enemy of our dear country Nigeria.”

    Ealier, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo had expressed optimism that Nigerian will come out of the current recession happy.‎

  • FG to fund 2017 budget from proceeds of new oil licences – Udoma

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma says that the Federal Government will issue new oil licences as part of efforts to explore new streams of revenues to fund the 2017 budget.

    Udoma made this known when he appeared before the Senate Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance to defend the revised Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

    He said that the Federal Government would also review the current joint venture arrangements with oil companies, marginal oil fields as well as mount pressure on revenue generating agencies to surpass expected targets.

    Udoma said a total of N10 trillion was being targeted by the Federal Government as revenue for the 2017 fiscal year.

    According to him, out of this amount, about N5 trillion is expected to be generated from the sale of crude oil.

    “Non-oil revenues will rake in about N5.06 trillion.

    “These revenues are expected to come from corporate and company taxes, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Stamp Duties, capital gains tax and value added tax.

    “Others are Customs, excise, fees, surcharges on luxury items, special levies and Federal Government independent revenue,’’ he said.

    Speaking further on the budget projections, Udoma said: “I know N7 trillion seems larger than N6 trillion.

    “In actual dollar term, the 2017 budget is smaller. We have had challenges in revenue generation in funding the 2016 budget.

    “We are trying to get to the bottom of revenue generating agencies in order to raise more money.

    “On independent revenue, we need to work with the National Assembly. The issue of 80 per cent of operating surplus is a problem.

    “We need to work with the National Assembly to review certain clauses of the law. We need to be more imaginative and creative in order to get out of the problem we have with revenue generating agencies.

    “We want to issue a presidential order to ensure that revenue generating agencies are unable to spend money unless payments of salaries until their budgets are passed.

    “We want to be more engaging in the Niger Delta to ensure that there is peace in order for us to produce.

    “We will be increasing the amount for the Amnesty Programme to the old figure. It is important to engage the people in the Niger Delta region,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the MTEF report submitted to the Senate by the Budget Office indicated that the 2017 budget which was initially pegged at N6.7 trillion, had also been revised upward to N7.3 trillion.

    Out of this, the Federal Government is expected to expend N1.5 trillion in servicing domestic debts, however, the Federal Government earmarked N1.3 trillion in the 2016 budget.

    On foreign debt, the Federal Government wiuld spend N175.9 billion as against N54.5 billion spent on foreign debt servicing in the 2016 budget.

    On capital expenditures, the Federal Government budgeted N2.1 trillion.

    Recurrent expenditures would gulp N1.9 trillion, about N1.8 was budgeted for the same purpose in the 2016 Appropriation.

    Meanwhile, the new figure is coming in spite of claims by the Federal Government that many ghost workers had been removed from government’s payroll.

    The Federal Government also intends to borrow a total of N2.3 trillion, out of this, N1.5 trillion would be sourced locally, while N1.1 trillion would be gotten from foreign sources.

    In the 2016 budget, N1.2 billion was reportedly borrowed locally, while N635.8 billion was gotten through foreign borrowing.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to present the 2017 budget proposal on Dec. 14, before a joint session of the National Assembly.

  • FG arraigns Justice Ademola, wife over alleged cases of corruption

    FG arraigns Justice Ademola, wife over alleged cases of corruption

    The Federal Government on Tuesday arraigned a Federal High Court judge, Adeniyi Ademola, before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

    Mr. Ademola is one of the judges arrested by operatives of the State Security Service on October 8 on allegations of corruption.

    He is alleged to have fraudulently acquired huge sums of money as gratification to impede the cause of justice.

    Mr. Ademola, alongside his wife, Olubowale, is facing a 15-count charge of alleged fraud and abuse of office.

    The office of the Attorney General had planned to arraign Mr. Ademola on December 5 but failed to do so because the judge was yet to be served with the originating summons for his trial.

    The case is ongoing.

     

  • Nigerians free to practice any religion, FG will ensure protection in worship services – Osinbajo

    Nigerians free to practice any religion, FG will ensure protection in worship services – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday assured Nigerians that government would protect them in their places of worship and ensure that they practice their chosen faith in freedom.

    Osinbajo gave the assurance at the Christian Centre during the Service of Nine Lessons Christmas Carol tagged `Celebrating Jesus, The Light’ taken from the book of John Chapter 1 Verses 1 to 5.

    He said that the Federal Government would continue to work hard to restore what the country had lost over the years.

    “On the part of government, you have our assurance that we shall continue to live by example, working hard and diligently every day to restore the years that the canker worms have eaten.

    “Government will continue to dutifully protect lives and property with all the means at its disposal while also protecting the life of every Nigerian to freely worship in their chosen faith.

    “We shall continue to pursue dialogue, reconciliation and nation building as we continue to focus on some of the areas of divergence and differences in our national lives.

    According to him, “when we live in love and we live in peace, we live in prosperity and so we should love our nation enough to serve it with diligence and upright awe’’.

    Osinbajo informed that with God and the unrelenting determination by government to resolve the problems facing the country, better days are ahead of Nigeria.

    He reminded Christians to practise love, service to the Lord and exemplary characters as Christmas was just around the corner.

    John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, described Christmas as a special celebration of the Christian faith that involved the whole world.

    According to Onaiyekan: “It is a season for sharing, for expressing solidarity and for reaching out to others, especially to the poor and needy.

    “There must not be less generosity among us all; perhaps we must seriously consider this year with the exchange of gifts; there are so many of our countrymen who are in distress and poverty.

    “This is a spiritual asset which will make a positive impact in our land; true religion must be for peace, for justice, for honesty and harmony.

    “Christmas is a time for us to take up anew the challenges of fashioning good relations among our religious communities.’’

    He said Christmas was a season for sharing, for expressing solidarity and for reaching out to others especially to the poor and needy.