Connect with us

Government

Buhari Renegotiated Lagos-Calabar Rail Project’s Funding – Osinbajo

Published

on

Light Rail
  • Buhari Renegotiated Lagos-Calabar Rail Project’s Funding

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari personally renegotiated the funding of the Lagos-Calabar rail project under the China-Exim loan agreement.

Osinbajo, who departed Calabar on Friday after a two-day working visit to Cross River State, had during a town hall meeting with stakeholders on Thursday, said the Federal Government was desirous of assisting the state after the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon.

He also disclosed that the Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene Road was captured in the 2017 budget, adding that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Uguru Usani, was also pressing for the reconstruction of the Calabar-Ogoja Road.

He promised that issues of militancy in the Bakassi region raised by stakeholders during the town hall meeting would be addressed by the Federal Government.

Osinbajo said, “The ceding of Bakassi (to Cameroon) as a result of the judgment of the International Court of Justice is a development that we all consider a loss. But the President strongly believes that while we ruminate over the legal issues, we must not allow Nigerian citizens in Ikang and elsewhere to suffer.

“The Federal Government will certainly do more and engage more with the displaced persons in Bakassi. This is our duty and our commitment. We will also thoroughly investigate the issues you have raised on the relationship between the military, the militants and the people of Bakassi.

“The Federal Government is certainly interested in Cross River State and the President himself renegotiated the China-Exim loan for the Lagos-Calabar rail.

“In our budget this year, we have provided for the Odukpani/Ikot-Ekpene Road and I also know that the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru, has been negotiating for the Calabar/Ogoja Road.

“There are other environmental projects that this government is working on, I’m sure you must have heard of the work we are doing concerning Adiabo-Okrikang Erosion Control, Eastern Naval Command Erosion Control Project Phase 1, among others,” he said.

Osinbajo commended Governor Ben Ayade for the vision of opening a garment factory to create jobs.

He said, “The business of government is to ensure that we facilitate trade, facilitate commerce, facilitate the professions and that is exactly what we are going to do and what we are doing in the next few months and in the next few years to ensure that we are able to provide all of the opportunities that are necessary.

“And that is why I commend the state government on the (establishment of the) garment factory. That factory is an outstanding example of how to provide jobs very quickly for a large number of people and I hope that will be replicated in different states of the federation.”

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

Continue Reading
Comments

Government

Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

Published

on

Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

Continue Reading

Government

Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

Published

on

Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

Continue Reading

Government

President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

Published

on

power project

President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending