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Tag: Government

  • Tinubu inherited almost empty treasury– NSA Nuhu Ribadu

    Tinubu inherited almost empty treasury– NSA Nuhu Ribadu

    National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu has said President Bola Tinubu inherited a bankrupt country.

    He linked the financial distress being faced in the country to an alleged bankrupt government inherited by President Bola Tinubu.

     

    Ribadu who spoke at the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023 themed: “Leveraging Defence Diplomacy, and Effective Regional Collaboration for Enhanced National Security”, stated that in spite of the financial constraint that has affected budgetary allocations, the federal government would do everything within its power to ensure a robust and viable defence management and apparatus in the country.

    Hear him:

    “I assure you that the federal government will not rest on its oars in ensuring a robust and viable defence management and security apparatus to address contemporary challenges even in the face of enormous budgetary constraints.

    “Yes, we’re facing budgetary constraints. It is okay for me to tell you. Fine, it is important for you to know that we have inherited a very difficult situation, literally a bankrupt country, no money, to a point where we can say that all the money we’re getting now, we’re paying back what was taken. It is serious!

    “But this administration is doing its best to meet our requirements, particularly the armed forces, and I believe that you leaders will be able to testify to that.

    “Let us come together as one and continue to support our armed forces and other security agencies with this work of securing our country for peace and stability.

    “They have done an amazingly good job without talking and I believe that with the support and the resolve of the leadership we have today in our country, things will only be better.

    “We are just four or five months old, but certainly things have changed and we believe that what they are doing, they are doing it right. We want to encourage them, stand by them and support them 100 per cent and hopefully this country will be okay in a short time.”

  • Delta reads riot act to land grabbers

    Delta reads riot act to land grabbers

    Delta State Government on Tuesday said it would not hesitate to prosecute trespassers, who encroach on government lands across the state.

    The State Commissioner for Lands and Surveys, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, gave the warning at a meeting with officials of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Government House Annex, Warri.

    The Commissioner observed and frowned at the action of SPDC for issuing a stop-work order to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc despite the fact that Shell had released substantial part of their previous holding to the State Government and divested their interests in Osubi Airport to Shoreline Oil Services Limited, before the recent takeover by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    The Commissioner added that such action was against the good intentions of the State Government which is aimed at improving the lives of the ordinary Deltans.

    Obiodeh noted that no responsible government would fold its arms and watch some recalcitrant developers and land grabbers take possession of the state’s lands.

    He said that the Delta State Government have always regarded SPDC as partners in the development and growth of our dear State.

    “As part of that partnership drive, SPDC commenced the development of the Osubi Airport and allowed the State government to acquire the unused area in addition to a large expanse spanning through Ohorhe, Adagbrasa, Ugolo and Uwagba for the upscaling of the Osubi Airport to an international airport.

    “Out of the area acquired from Shell and the communities, the State Government is providing a portion to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for use temporarily as a fabrication yard.

    “This is to enable the company settle down quickly to commence the preliminary works and construction of the flyovers recently awarded to the company by the Oborevwori administration which is poised at giving Warri and Effurun a new lease of life.

    “The State Government is therefore asking for the support of Deltans to enable it succeed in its M.O.R.E Agenda which is in the interest of the citizens,”

    The Lands Commissioner warned those who had already encroached into government lands to come to the Ministry for regularisation.

    “The State Government is using this opportunity to issue a very stern warning to those who have been encroaching on Government lands and those who are parading fake and forged documents to desist and retrace their steps as Government is bent on recovering it’s lands and may prosecute these land grabbers for trespass of state lands and forgery of government documents.

    “I wish to also remind those who have enjoyed the State Government’s benevolence through the allocation of lands and those with Certificates of Occupancy to pay their annual ground rents to date to avoid  penalties recommended for delayed payment.

    “All Circle offices of the Ministry of Lands and Surveys have been directed to report every encroachments to the Office of the Honourable Commissioner for immediate action,” he stated.

    The Commissioner had on assumption of office, warned those who built in error on government land to hurry to the Ministry, for regularisation and proper documentation.

    The Honourable Commissioner urged Julius Berger to hit the ground running in line with the Governor’s speed to develop Warri, Effurun and environs now that all logistics have been sorted out.

  • I’ve every confidence PDP will bounce back – Atiku

    I’ve every confidence PDP will bounce back – Atiku

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will bounce back to give Nigerians a responsive government.

    Abubakar said this in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja on Friday.

    “PDP is the progenitor of our contemporary democracy and shall ensure that democracy did not only survive in Nigeria, but that the country thrives through it.

    “Being one of the founding fathers of our great party, the PDP, I take great pride in having participated in the process of nurturing the party from infancy to a deliberate agency of socio-political and economic development in Nigeria.

    “In the 16 years that the PDP was at the helm of affairs in our country, the party offered quality leadership through various administrations and the achievements recorded in those 16 years have remained the benchmark for positive growth in our economy and other critical areas of our national life.

    “Of course, the PDP took leading role in the deconstruction of military rule in Nigeria, and the peculiarities of our contemporary experiences both within Nigeria and other countries in Africa demand that the PDP should once again, rise to the occasion in cancelling the economic hardship and other structural deficiencies that directly bear negatively on our people in the past nearly eight and half years,” he said.

    Abubakar added: “I have every confidence that the PDP will bounce back to give Nigerians a responsive government.”

  • Tinubu’s choice of Edun as Finance minister, welcome devt for Nig’s economic stability – Amb Oluwafemi

    Tinubu’s choice of Edun as Finance minister, welcome devt for Nig’s economic stability – Amb Oluwafemi

    The Managing Director of African Development Study Centre, ADSC, Amb.Victor Oluwafemi has said President Bola Tinubu’s choice of a seasoned economist, investment banker and former Finance Commissioner of Lagos as Finance Minister and Coordinator of the Economy will help to rapidly transform Nigeria’s economy within a short period of time.

    Speaking at a roundtable on the state of the Nigerian economy with business associates in Abuja on Thursday, Amb Oluwafemi said:

    “The capabilities of Wale Edun, who within eight years transformed the economy of Lagos in active collaboration with the then governor of Lagos, Tinubu and his World Bank accomplishments is definitely a sound choice.

    “He has done it at a micro level in Lagos state and he can excellently deliver at the federal level which definitely is at a macro level.

    ” Wale Edun as a minister of finance definitely has all it takes to help galvanize the Nigerian economy to greater heights.

    Amb Oluwafemi explained that Edun’s expertise and experience in economic management. & transformation, have been exemplary, adding that his character, competence, capacity, ingenuity, and professionalism contributed to the transformation of the economy of Lagos State from a paltry sum of N600m in internally generated revenue(IGR) in 1999 to billions of Naira during the administration of President Bola Tinubu as governor of the State.

    “This is what I call affirmative transformation from nothing to something great as bringing IGR from the million to the billion benchmark, which Lagos state has continued to improve upon till date is remarkable.

    “With such a man with impeccable track records as manifested in the investment banking sector of the Nigerian economy and Lagos as a melting pot, Edun will help to invigorate ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Tinubu to prosperity for all and sustained economic development thereby enhancing welfare, wellbeing, and wellness of the masses”.

    Edun background in merchant banking, corporate finance, economics and international finance & development at both sub national,national and international levels are great assets for speedy recovery of the Nigerian ailing economy.

    Wale Edun untill his recent appointment as finance minister is the Chair of ChapelHillDenham Group, Lagos, a leading investment bank. He was an executive director of Lagos
    Merchant Bank, Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited, now Stanbic IBTC. Wale is the founder and Chair of Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, a registered not for profit organisation that runs amateur boxing in Lagos.

  • Kenya reinstates small fuel subsidy in government U-turn

    Kenya reinstates small fuel subsidy in government U-turn

    Kenya’s energy regulator announced that the country had reinstated a small subsidy to stabilise retail fuel prices for the next 30 days.

    The regulator, known as EPRA, announced late on Monday, a reversal of government policy following public anger over the high cost of living.

    In September 2022, President William Ruto removed fuel and maize flour subsidies put in place by his predecessor, saying he preferred subsidising production rather than consumption.

    The move was also aimed at cutting government spending as the government seeks to get a handle on debt repayments that have forced it to deny market speculation about a possible default.

    However, the subsidy cuts and recent tax hikes have increased living costs and contributed to violent anti-government protests in recent months.

    The energy regulator said the maximum retail price of a litre of petrol would remain constant at 194.68 shillings ($1.35), shielding consumers from an increase of 7.33 shillings, which the government will shoulder through a price stabilisation fund.

    Daniel Kiptoo, the director general of EPRA, said retail fuel prices are set in the middle of each month adding that the government also applied small subsidies on kerosene and diesel.

    Kiptoo said the move did not amount to a reinstatement of the subsidies, since the regulator was using the petroleum development levy to stabilise prices, rather than asking for exchequer support.

    “We are basically giving to Kenyans the money that we have collected over the past couple of months,” he told Reuters, referring to the levy, which is charged at the rate of 5.40 shillings per litre of fuel.

    Officials from the energy ministry and the finance ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    Fuel prices shot up when Ruto removed the subsidies. They spiked again in July after the government pushed through parliament a contentious law that doubled the fuel tax.

    The protests organised in response to that law were called off in July after the opposition and Ruto agreed to talks to resolve their differences, the second such attempt this year.

  • More than 75% of Germans unhappy with government – Survey

    More than 75% of Germans unhappy with government – Survey

    Around three-quarters of German people are not happy with the work of their current government, according to a survey published by broadcaster RTL and its subsidiary n-tv on Tuesday.

    Out of 1,002 respondents, 77 per cent said they were less satisfied or not satisfied at all with the current government in the poll conducted by the research institute Forsa at the beginning of July.

    This figure was 64 per cent in February 2022, towards the beginning of the coalition’s time in government.

    The survey had a statistical margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

    Germany’s three-way-coalition involving Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), has been in power since December 2021.

    A majority of those who supported one of the three governing parties also shared this assessment: 52 per cent of SPD voters.

    Others were; 55 per cent of Greens and 71 per cent of FDP voters said they were dissatisfied with the coalition’s work.

    A key topic in the survey was Germany’s controversial heating law, which aimed to ensure that at least 65 per cent of new heating systems were powered by renewable energy.

    The question over how much of this would be subsidised by the government has been hotly debated for months.

    In a blow to Scholz’s government, the heating law was halted by Germany’s top court last week, to prevent lawmakers from rushing the issue through parliament.

    The survey showed that 61 per cent of people felt the heating law issue showed that the coalition was governing “unprofessionally and chaotically’’.

    Meanwhile, 35 per cent felt this assessment was exaggerated.

    The heating law has been pushed back until September.

  • Ekiti government bans 3-day kissing marathon scheduled for July 7

    Ekiti government bans 3-day kissing marathon scheduled for July 7

    The government of Ekiti State has banned a three-day kissing marathon tagged: “Kiss-A-Thon,” being put together by a youth group under known as  Sugar Tee.

    The  kissing marathon event was scheduled to start tomorrow, July 7, 2023, at one of the hospitality outlets in the state.

    However, a letter from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dele Ogunsemoyin, and addressed to the Hoteliers Association, described the event as absurd, unhealthy, immoral

    “The attention of the state government has been drawn to a planned hosting of ‘Kiss-A-Thon’ in Ekiti State. According to information at the disposal of the ministry, Kiss-A-Thon, a three-day kissing marathon event, has been scheduled to hold on July 7, 2023, at one of the hospitality outlets in the state.

    “This event is said to be planned towards setting a Guinness World Record. “Kiss-A-Thon,” as an event, is not only absurd, unhealthy, immoral and capable of denigrating the image of the state, it is a programme that runs counter to the values of the people of the state and therefore capable of plunging youths morally backward.

    “In view of the foregoing, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism hereby prohibits the hosting of such event or any other events like it in any facility that wishes to continue to operate lawfully in Ekiti State.

    “To the above, you are hereby requested to convey the content of this notice to members of Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association to effectively monitor their outlets against being used negatively to cause embarrassment to the government and people of Ekiti State.”

  • Mali’s Junta partially reshuffles government after draft constitution vote

    Mali’s Junta partially reshuffles government after draft constitution vote

    Mali’s junta carried out a partial reshuffle of the government on Saturday, a day after announcing the end of the UN peace mission in the country and eight days after a referendum in favour of the draft new Constitution.

    Though strategic posts remained occupied by the same people, government was significantly reshuffled, with 16 appointments, 13 ministers and three swaps.

    A representative of the Coordination des mouvements de l’Azawad, the main alliance of former rebels in the north, is also leaving the government, at a time of high tension between the two parties.

    A new member of the military joins the government, Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré, at the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

    Malians approved the draft of the new Constitution with 97% of votes in favour, a plebiscite for the ruling military, although voting was hampered in many central and northern localities either by fear of jihadist attacks or by political disagreements.

    Critics of the draft describe it as tailor-made to keep the junta in power beyond the presidential elections scheduled for February 2024, despite initial commitments.

    This was the first election since the military seized power by force in August 2020, and since then they have ruled virtually unchallenged in a country faced with jihadism and a security, political and economic crisis.

    The Constitutional reform provides amnesty for the perpetrators of coups d’état prior to its promulgation, and is fuelling persistent speculation about a possible presidential candidacy for Colonel Assimi Goïta.

  • eGov Foundation and Compliance Professionals announce partnership to improve governance in Nig through open digital public infrastructure

    eGov Foundation and Compliance Professionals announce partnership to improve governance in Nig through open digital public infrastructure

    Today, eGov Foundation and Compliance Professionals Plc, announce a historic partnership to improve governance in Nigeria through open digital public infrastructure deployments.

    eGov Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to improve the ease of living for people through ensuring effective service delivery and good governance.

    Compliance Professionals Plc (CPP Limited) is a subsidiary of Compliance Professionals Plc Group (CPP Group) that helps individuals, organizations and states achieve peak performance while complying with local and international laws and regulations.

    The CPP Group is an aggregation of several companies and professionals in various sectors under one umbrella with a common mission to impact the Nigerian and African space positively.

    The partnership between eGov Foundation and Compliance Professionals Plc will facilitate the deployment of eGov Foundation’s DIGIT platform in Nigeria with the ultimate goal of promoting e-governance, ensuring statutory compliance, optimizing revenue generation, and improving government performance.

    DIGIT is an open, interoperable, free-to-use platform that offers solutions for citizens, first-mile employees, administrators, commercial players and policymakers.

    DIGIT uses a building block and shared data registries approach that ensures it can be reused, repurposed and extended to new sectors to solve pressing problems. DIGIT has been adopted in ~1500 cities and 14000+ Villages in India with over 250+ million citizens served.

    It is often said that the economic growth of a country is significantly impacted when exposed to indicators of bad governance. However, different indicators influence the degree of impact.

    A lack of regulatory policies and frameworks, government’s ineffectiveness, lack of control on corruption, unaccountability, lack of transparency and compliance with the laws of the country have always been linked to poor economic growth and development.

    The DIGIT Platform will aid the effective functioning of government bodies and also promote e-governance.
    “We are excited about the digital transformation possibilities in Nigeria leveraging the DIGIT platform. We will facilitate this by providing the necessary support, documentation, and knowledge.,” said Viraj Tyagi, CEO, eGov Foundation
    .
    “Compliance Professionals Plc will drive the transformative and institutional change required by government bodies in adopting DIGIT Platform for effective e-governance,” said Ifueko M. Omoigui Okauru, Managing Partner, Compliance Professionals Plc.

    It is our belief that this partnership will foster a strong bond between eGov Foundation and Compliance Professionals Plc, and meet the common goal of improving governance in Nigeria.

  • Lagos residents defy govt’s warning on ‘ponmo’ consumption

    Lagos residents defy govt’s warning on ‘ponmo’ consumption

    Despite the warning by the Federal Government on the purchase of cow skin (ponmo) due to the outbreak of Anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries, the trade in the commodity still thrives.

    A survey of some markets at Mushin, Egbeda, Oshodi and Ikotun, all in Lagos State, by NAN revealed that the demand for ponmo hasn’t dropped.

    This is in spite of the announcement made by the government.

    The Federal Government had, on June 13, alerted the general public, to the outbreak of anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region.

    It advised Nigerians to desist from the consumption of hides at the moment.

    The statement read in part, “the disease, which has claimed some lives, is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man that is a zoonotic disease.

    It said that anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.

    It specifically stated that the disease was widespread in Northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

    A Housewife, Mrs Adewunmi Onalaja, told NAN that she did not know how to stop buying ponmo because her family enjoyed it.

    “I’d be lying if I say I haven’t heard the announcement, but it’s hard to comply. When the news broke out, I was afraid initially but after a week I spoke with my customer and she told me she hasn’t gone to the market of late, so I bought from her.

    “The only precaution I will take is that when the one I stocked up from my customer finishes, I will stop buying till it’s safe,” Onalaja said.

    Chidera Ezeokocha, who runs a restaurant at Egbeda, told NAN that cooking local delicacies such as Afang, Edikaikong and Egusi stew are almost impossible without cow hides.

    “I still put ponmo in my soups, those soups are incomplete without them, but I make sure I season it well. I thought the announcement was to alert us about poisonous ponmo.

    “If I see a ponmo that is not good I will know, I have been in this food business long enough for me to know that a particular ponmo is bad,” Chidera said.

    Sakirat Rafiu, who hawks peppered cow skin, told NAN that she doubted if Nigerians could obey government’s warning.

    “The truth is that I don’t believe Nigerians will stop trading in ponmo, except they start getting arrested, which I am not sure is possible.

    “Ponmo is cheap and demand for it is high and with how expensive things are, people don’t have a choice,” she said.

    Kikiopefoluwa Idris, a businesswoman, said that she couldn’t be bothered about the warning on ponmo comsumption because she had never been a fan of ponmo.

    “I have always preferred the dried ponmo; the ones you have to dip inside water to soften it. I buy that in bulk because it has longer life span than the fresh ones displayed in the open market,” Idris said.

    On her part, Mrs Esther Adebamowo, the Market Leader (Iyaloja), Olugbede Market in Egbeda, appealed to buyers and sellers to comply with government’s directive.

    “Government knows it all, and they’re particular about our wellbeing. I’d advise that we listen to them, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

    “On our part, there’s nothing we can do to stop the buying and selling of ponmo, except government comes out to say anyone caught selling or buying will be punished.

    “I as Iyaloja can’t sanction the sellers,” Adebamowo said.

    NAN reports that the government had resuscitated a standing committee on the control of anthrax in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    People can get infected with anthrax spores by coming in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

    The silver lining is the fact that Anthrax is not a contagious disease, and so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person.

    The signs of anthrax are flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, leads to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.nb