Government

FG to Spend N1.9bn on Sewage, Fumigation in 2017

Published

8 years ago

December 29, 2016

Budget 2017 year on cube with pencil and clock

FG to Spend N1.9bn on Sewage, Fumigation in 2017

The Federal Government and some of its agencies that are not under the first line charge will spend N1.91bn on clearing of sewage and fumigation in the 2017 fiscal year, investigation has shown.

Details of the proposed spending are contained in the 2017 budget, which was submitted to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 14.

The N7.3tn budget has a total capital vote of N2.24tn, representing 30.7 per cent while the recurrent component stood at N2.98tn with the rest allocated for debt servicing.

The Presidency, which includes some parastatals, will spend a total of N132.47m on the items.

The State House Headquarters leads the pack in terms of sewage as it will spend N52.83m on sewage charges. The State House Liaison Office in Lagos will spend N10m.

The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals will spend N1.8m on sewage charges while the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President will spend N3.71m.

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, will spend N7.07m on sewage and fumigation; the Bureau of Public Enterprises, N346, 400; and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, N19.5m.

Others are the Bureau of Public Procurement, N3m; the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, N3.31m; the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, N5.6m; and the National Emergency Management Agency, N25.3m.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Finance and its parastatals such as the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation among others will spend N108.57m on fumigation and cleaning while N16.97m would be used to clear sewage in 2017.

For the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and its parastatals such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Consumer Protection Council among others, the sum of N75.96m is allocated for fumigation and cleaning while the proposed spending for sewage is estimated at N6.46m.

Similarly, the sum of N53.03m is allocated to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and its parastatals such as the National Bureau of Statistics and the Budget Office of the Federation, among others for fumigation in 2017.

For clearing of sewage, the budget ministry and its parastatals are allocated a total sum of N12.48m for the 2017 fiscal year.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and its parastatals such as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure among others, got a total allocation of N83.06m for fumigation in 2017 while sewage charges have been put at N0.4m.

While no amount is budgeted as sewage charges for the Ministry of Health, a total of N11.99m is budgeted for some of the parastatals under the ministry as sewage charges.

The bodies are the National Health Insurance Scheme, N1, 200,000; Radiographers Registration Board, N400,000; the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile- Ife, N1,170,465; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, N500, 000; and the Federal Specialist Hospital, Irrua, N900,000.

Others are the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, N625,484; Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, N433,484; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, N164,352; and the Federal Medical Centre, Kogi, N3,715,200.

Similarly, FMC, Bayelsa, got N110, 045; Federal School of Medical Laboratories, N1, 405,600; Nigeria Institute for Medical Research, N300, 000; NOMA Children Hospital, Sokoto, N95,258; Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, N67,995; and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, N13,053.

On the other hand, the sum of N3,527,555 has been allocated to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for sewage charges.

While the Ministry of Labour and Employment headquarters got N1,580,388, the National Directorate of Employment, Industrial Arbitration Panel, the National Productivity Centre and the Michael Imoudu Institute of Labour Studies budgeted N1.3m, N407,171, N242,000 and N240,000 respectively as sewage charges.

The budget also captured N2,444,519 as proposal for sewage charges under the headquarters of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

The Ministry of Education, on the other hand, plans to spend N38m on cleaning and fumigation of its headquarters in Abuja in 2017.

It will also spend N4.8m on clearing of sewage as indicated in its 2017 budget breakdown. Its total allocation for the year stands at N17.9bn.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes to spend N18m on fumigation and N2.52m on clearing of sewage in the New Year. Its total allocation is put at N13.1bn.

The Ministry of Interior said its sewage charges would gulp N1,400,582, while cleaning and fumigation would take N9.5m. The ministry has a budget of N11.9bn.

On the other hand, the Nigeria Police Force expects to spend N30m for sewage clearing at all its formations and commands nationwide, while cleaning and fumigation will cost N20.1m.

The Force has a total allocation of N323.1bn, made up of N9.25bn for overhead; N297bn for personnel; N307bn for recurrent; and N16.2bn for capital projects.

The Police College, Wudil, Kano, proposes to spend N800, 000 on sewage clearing and N1.8m on cleaning and fumigation.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps plans to spend N240,000 as sewage charges and N2.160m for fumigation in 2017. The service has a total budget of N69.4bn.

The Nigeria Immigration Service, in its budget, allocates N2.9m for sewage charges and N12m for fumigation out of its total budget allocation of N54.6bn.

Provision of water and sewage network in prisons will cost N153.7m in 2017 out of the total allocation of N72.3bn for the Nigerian Prisons Service.

The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, including its agencies, is to spend N79.33m on sewage charges and cleaning/fumigation services in 2017.

The ministry headquarters will spend the highest amount of N28.76m, followed by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, N23.92m; while the National Power Training Institute is allocated N1.3m.

Of the 14 agencies captured in the ministry, seven have no allocation for the services under review.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has 41 agencies, which include the ministry’s Abuja headquarters. A total of N72.25m is to be spent on sewage charges and cleaning/fumigation services by the ministry and its agencies.

While 16 of its agencies have no allocation for the highlighted services, the Nigeria Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin, has the highest budget of N10.73m, followed by the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, Ilorin, N7.41m.

The lowest allocation of N141,600 goes to Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Kuru, Jos.

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources provides a budget of N51.74m for sewage charges and cleaning/fumigation. It has 17 agencies, including the ministry’s headquarters, but four do not get any allocation for the services in the 2017 budget.

The highest allocation of N13.58m goes to Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, followed by N10.33m for the ministry’s headquarters, while the lowest was N100,000 for Chad Basin River Development Authority.

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and its 10 agencies will spend N114.1m on sewage charges and cleaning/fumigation services.

The ministry’s headquarters has the highest allocation of N37.15m, followed by Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, N31.51m, while the lowest amount of N2m is allocated to the National Iron Ore Mining Project, Itakpe.

For the Ministry of Environment, N133m is budgeted for the services under review. Of its 19 agencies, including the ministry’s headquarters, only one does not get allocation for sewage charges and cleaning/fumigation services.

The ministry’s headquarters gets the highest allocation of N61.01m, followed by the N17.03m allocated to the Forestry Research Institute of Ibadan, while the lowest allocation of N307, 840 goes to Kamuku National Park.

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources has six agencies, including the ministry’s headquarters, and is to spend N50.42m on the services.

But unlike most ministries, the headquarters of the FMPR has no allocation for sewage and cleaning/fumigation services.

The highest allocation for the services under review went to the Department of Petroleum Resources as the agency is to spend N38.45m, followed by N4.55m to be spent by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority.

The lowest allocation of N1.58m goes to the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation and its agencies will spend N36.62m. Of its nine agencies, including the ministry’s headquarters, four do not get any allocation for the services being considered.

The ministry’s headquarters gets the highest allocation of N29.5m. The second highest allocation of N2.76m is for the Accident Investigation Bureau, while the lowest budget, N828, 000, goes to the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture proposes to spend N1,086,693 on sewage charges.

There are 13 agencies under the ministry which also plan to spend a total of N14,396,122 as sewage charges.

The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation and the News Agency of Nigeria have the highest budget proposal for sewage charges. NTDC proposes N2, 769,072 while NAN plans to spend N2, 580,000 as sewage charges.

The rest are the Voice of Nigeria (N1,176,660); Nigerian Film Corporation (N261,444); National Broadcasting Commission (N889,999); Nigeria Press Council (N255,858); National Troupe of Nigeria (N233,011); National Theatre (N1.2m); National Gallery of Art (N750,000); National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Development Studies (N1,361,801), and National Institute for Culture Orientation (N868,277); National Orientation Agency (N800,000) and National Council for Arts and Culture (N2m).

The Federal Ministry of Justice also plans to spend N3,784,596 as sewage charges for year 2017.

Two other organisations under the ministry, the Council of Legal Education and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons, propose a total of N1.75m for the same purpose.

While the Council for Legal Education budgets N900, 000, NAPTIP proposes to spend N850,000 for it.

Other agencies under the Justice ministry, comprising, the Nigeria Law Reform Commission, the Legal Aid Council, the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Regional Centre for International Arbitration, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and National Copyright Commission, do not have budgets for sewage charges.

The Ministry of Youth and Sport Development also proposes N1,872,696 as sewage charges for 2017.

This is apart from the amount other agencies under the ministry have proposed for the same expenditure. Three agencies under the ministry plan to spend N3,500,000.

The three agencies are the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (N200, 000); the National Youth Service Corps (N2.6m), and the Nigeria Football Federation (N720,000).

The National Institute of Sports has no budget for sewage charges.

The Ministry of Defence and the agencies under it, including the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army, plan to spend a total of N225.64m on fumigation, sewage charges, and clearing of sewage in 2017.

The Ministry of Women Affairs and its parastatals, on the other hand, plan to spend N15,677,004 on similar services while the Ministry of Communications and one agency under it plan to spend N29,340,637 on the services.

While the ministry headquarters will spend N17,355,053, the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited will spend N11,985, 584 on cleaning and fumigation services.

Story by: Everest Amaefule, Fidelis Soriwe, Ifeanyi Onuba, Adelani Adepegba, Ade Adesomoju, Okechukwu Nnodim, and Olaleye Aluko.

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Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Government

Ghana Ordered to Pay $111.5M to Power Company After U.S. Court Ruling

Published

2 weeks ago

August 22, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The government of Ghana has been ordered to pay $111.5 million to Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC) following a ruling by a District of Columbia Court in the United States.

This ruling was granted in favor of GPGC after Ghana failed to respond to an earlier tribunal ruling from the United Kingdom, which found the country in breach of a power purchase agreement.

The court’s decision comes after Ghana terminated its contract with GPGC on February 18, 2018. The UK tribunal, in its final award dated January 26, 2021, found that Ghana had violated its contractual obligations, resulting in significant financial damages for GPGC.

The tribunal initially awarded GPGC $134.3 million in damages, calculated using the Early Termination Payment formula as specified in the purchase agreement.

Ghana, however, did not comply with the tribunal’s verdict, prompting GPGC to pursue the matter in U.S. courts. On January 19, 2024, GPGC filed a lawsuit in the District of Columbia, citing the Federal Arbitration Act and the New York Convention, which provides for the recognition of international arbitration awards.

Court documents reveal that the petition was formally delivered to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on January 23, 2024.

Despite receiving the legal documents, Ghana failed to respond to the court proceedings by the March 29, 2024, deadline. This non-response led the U.S. court to grant a default judgment in favor of GPGC.

Chief Judge James E. Boasberg emphasized that the arbitral judgment fell under the New York Convention, which requires member states, including the United States, to recognize and enforce international arbitration awards.

He further noted that Ghana had voluntarily submitted to international arbitration when entering the power purchase agreement, waiving its sovereign immunity in the process.

Although GPGC was not awarded pre-judgment interest, Ghana will be obligated to pay post-judgment interest at rates set by U.S. law.

This adds an additional financial burden to the $111.5 million judgment as the payment accrues further interest over time.

The country narrowly avoided a separate $11 billion arbitration award in the infamous P&ID case, which was eventually overturned due to findings of corruption and bribery.

However, in the GPGC case, multiple European courts have upheld enforcement orders, leaving Ghana with limited legal recourse.

The court’s decision is expected to place added pressure on Ghana as it faces mounting financial obligations related to international arbitration disputes.

GPGC has indicated that it will pursue all available legal avenues to ensure full recovery of the damages awarded by the tribunal, including possible enforcement actions in other jurisdictions.

Government

Zhongshang Fucheng Moves to Auction Nigerian Properties in UK Following $70M Arbitration Award

Published

2 weeks ago

August 21, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd has escalated its efforts to collect a $70 million arbitration award from Nigeria by putting two residential properties in Liverpool up for sale.

This significant development follows a 2021 arbitration verdict against Nigeria, which remains unsettled.

The Chinese investment group has reportedly listed two buildings linked to the Nigerian government—15 Aigburth Hall Road and Beech Lodge, 49 Calderstones Road—on the global online marketplace eBay.

The move is part of a broader strategy to recover the outstanding $70 million, which includes a principal amount of $55,675,000, plus interest and legal costs, as stipulated by the arbitration verdict.

The arbitration stemmed from a dispute between Zhongshang Fucheng and Ogun State over a trade treaty violation.

The company claimed that Ogun State rescinded its rights to a free trade zone in 2016, prompting a legal battle that saw Zhongshang’s executives expelled from Nigeria.

The British court granted Zhongshang the authority to seize Nigerian assets in the UK after the Nigerian government failed to settle the arbitration judgment.

The seizure and subsequent auction of these properties mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal conflict.

The properties were confiscated because they were not classified as diplomatic or consular assets, making them subject to seizure under the court’s orders.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the properties are valued at approximately $2.2 million.

Zhongshang Fucheng has opted for an online auction to expedite the sale, aiming to reach a broad pool of potential buyers.

The decision to use eBay highlights the company’s commitment to transparency and swift asset recovery.

“This move is not just about recovering the funds; it’s a demonstration of our commitment to enforcing the arbitration award and ensuring that due process is followed,” said a consultant working with Zhongshang Fucheng, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Nigerian government, already grappling with similar arbitration cases, is facing increased scrutiny as European courts have granted enforcement orders in several countries, including the UK, Belgium, and France.

The ongoing conflict with Zhongshang Fucheng has intensified pressure on Nigerian authorities to address these legal and financial challenges more effectively.

In June 2024, the UK High Court, King’s Bench Division, ruled in favor of Zhongshang’s right to seize the Liverpool properties.

Master Lisa Sullivan’s ruling emphasized that the properties were used for commercial purposes, thereby excluding them from sovereign immunity protections.

The case against Nigeria underscores broader issues related to international arbitration and asset recovery, reflecting a growing trend of global legal disputes over state assets.

For Zhongshang Fucheng, the auction of the Liverpool properties represents a critical step in securing the funds awarded by the arbitration panel.

Government

NLC Prepares for Protest Against Alleged Intimidation of President Ajaero by Police

Published

2 weeks ago

August 21, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for mass protests and industrial action in response to what it describes as the harassment and intimidation of its president, Joe Ajaero.

This decision follows a summons by the Nigeria Police, accusing Ajaero of involvement in criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

In a communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting held on Tuesday, the NLC expressed outrage at the police’s actions and warned that if any harm befalls Ajaero or any other leader of the labour movement, the organization would mobilize its members for nationwide protests.

The congress also hinted at industrial action in defense of its leadership, which it views as being under attack.

“The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement,” read the communique signed by Sani Minjibir, Deputy President of the NLC.

“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the state, we will not stand idle.”

The NLC further called upon civil society groups and the general public to stand in solidarity with the labour movement, describing the situation as a fight against “injustice and oppression.”

The congress urged Nigerians to defend the country’s democratic values and support their cause in what they see as a critical moment for the future of the labour movement in Nigeria.

The controversy began earlier this week when the police issued an invitation to Ajaero, asking him to report to their Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024.

The police warned that a warrant for his arrest would be issued if he failed to comply. According to the invitation, Ajaero is being investigated for a range of serious charges, including terrorism financing and cybercrime.

However, Ajaero’s legal counsel, led by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, responded to the police on Tuesday, citing the short notice of the invitation as the reason Ajaero could not attend on the scheduled date.

The letter stated that Ajaero had prior engagements and requested an extension to Wednesday, August 29th, 2024. Falana also demanded detailed information regarding the allegations against Ajaero.

In its communique, the NLC condemned the invitation as a form of “witch-hunting, intimidation, and harassment,” insisting that the charges against Ajaero were politically motivated and intended to weaken the labour movement.

The NLC described the police’s actions as a blatant attempt to silence the leadership of the workers’ movement, warning the government to desist from further antagonizing its leaders.

“We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses,” the statement continued. “We remain resolute in our commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us.”

In anticipation of further escalation, the NLC directed its affiliate unions and state councils to begin mobilizing members across the country, stating that it is prepared to take any measures necessary to protect its leadership and the integrity of the labour movement.

The NLC warned the government that any attempt to undermine their rights or freedoms would be met with fierce resistance, including potential strikes and mass actions across Nigeria.

As the deadline for Ajaero’s appearance before the police approaches, tensions between the government and the labour union continue to rise.

The outcome of this confrontation could have far-reaching implications, not only for the leadership of the NLC but also for the broader landscape of Nigeria’s labour and civil rights movements.

The NLC has vowed to stand firm, declaring that it will continue to fight for justice, fairness, and the rule of law in Nigeria.