Connect with us

Finance

FEC Approves N348.59b for Akwanga-Gombe Road

Published

on

Naira - Investors King
  • FEC Approves N348.59b for Akwanga-Gombe Road

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N348.59 billion for the road linking Akwanga though Jos to Gombe.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola briefed State House correspondents after the FEC meeting.

He was with the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun and Minister of State for Petroleum Ibe Kachikwu.

According to Fashola, the project, which will be completed in 48 months, covers 420.6 kilometres.

He said: “FEC approved N348.594 billion contract for the construction of 420.6 kilometres Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road. The project scope is the expansion of the current two-lane highway into a dual carriageway.

“What is significant about it is that it completes the integration of the Northcentral with the Southeast and the Northeast.

“Council had previously approved the Abuja-Keffi Road and the Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road – all in the Northcentral. In May this year, Council had also approved Nineth Mile Enugu to Makurdi road that connects the Southeast to the Northcentral.

“That completes the spine of the major movement of agro produce and other related produce. The construction period is 48 months.”

The FEC also approved N12.104 billion for ecological projects across the country.

Adesina, who said the approval covers 12 projects, listed the states for the projects as including Anambra, Lagos, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Kachikwu said the council approved the installation of technology monitoring schemes and structures under Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) at N17 billion.

According to him, it is for automated fuel system management and censor network.

He said: “The narrative is that we have all struggled with this whole subsidy payment and how much is consumed in Nigeria, volumes of products moved out illegally and the whole impact on FAAC accounts.

“The President has given a very serious mandate that we ought to rein in on this process. The essence of what PEF is doing is that this will enable us track refined petroleum product movement from the point of LC (letter of credit) opening from the vessels that come into Nigeria, up until the point where they are discharged into tanks in Nigeria and from the tanks into trucks in Nigeria. Monitor the trucks till they deliver the products into the storage tanks for the filling stations and they are discharged and sold.

“So, that will produce a 100 per cent holistic monitoring of this production. For the first time, we will be able to tell how much petroleum products we consume in this country. Because, there has been so much going on in terms of the movement of consumption numbers from 30 something million litres a day to 70 million liters to 18 million liters a day during the difficult times.”

According to him, FEC also approved the revision of contract for the construction of NCMB’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He said the project, which was awarded in 2015 at the sum of about N27 billion was on Wednesday revised to N42 billion.

The FEC also approved N8.047 billion for Rapiscan Mobile Cargo Scanner-Eagle M60.

Mrs. Adeosun, who briefed State House correspondents, said: “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is seeking the approval of the Federal Executive Council to procure 3 Units of Rapiscan Mobile Cargo Scanner-Eagle M60, including 30 months on-site service/support and maintenance, training of120 officers and integration of Rapiscan Eagle M60 Scanners into Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II) from Messrs Air Waves Limited at N8,047,425,000.

“Currently, there are no functional scanners in all the ports for the operations of Nigeria Customs Service as the once previously installed are now unserviceable. The development has negative effect on the operations of the service.

“To solve this challenge, NCS has identified Rapiscan Mobile Cargo Scanner-Eagle M60 as a suitable option and Messrs Air Waves Limited is an accredited representative of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Messrs Rapiscan Systems Limited, USA, with vast operational experience, which is transferred to clients through Technology and Skill Development programmes.”

The contract cost, she said, included three units Rapiscan Mobile Cargo Scanner Eagle M60, on-site services/support and maintenance for next 30 months after installation and commissioning of the scanners.

Mrs. Adeosun said it also included provision of spare parts for 36 months after installation and commissioning, training of 120 NCS officers and integration of Rapiscan Eagle M60 Scanners into Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II) and future upgrade.

Through another memo, she said the FEC also approved World Bank’s $150 million credit facility in support of polio eradication in the country.

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.

Banking Sector

Zenith Bank Enhances Customer Online Experience with Revamped Digital Channels

Published

on

Zenith Bank - Investors King

Zenith Bank, one of Nigeria’s foremost financial institutions, has successfully restored full operational services across its electronic transaction channels, ensuring that customers can now enjoy seamless access to digital banking services.

This restoration follows temporary disruptions caused by a routine upgrade of the bank’s technology infrastructure, which aimed to optimize service delivery but impacted e-channel services recently.

In a post shared on Thursday through its social media platforms, the leading lender confirmed that all services across its electronic channels have been fully reinstated.

Reiterating its commitment to providing quality digital services, the bank assured customers of exceptional service with its newly enhanced technology infrastructure, designed to deliver seamless and innovative financial solutions.

The announcement stated:

“We are pleased to inform you that access to our digital channels has been restored, allowing you to perform transactions conveniently via your preferred platform. We appreciate your patience during the IT infrastructure upgrade and sincerely apologize for any inconveniences you experienced.

“Rest assured, we are dedicated to providing you with exceptional service, and the new IT infrastructure we have implemented will enable us to do so moving forward.

Thank you for choosing to bank with us.”

Important Reminder

Zenith Bank will NEVER call, SMS, or email you requesting your card details, PIN, token codes, mobile/internet banking login details, or any other account-related information.

“We will also NEVER ask you to click on a link to update your bank information or activate your account. If you receive such messages, please DO NOT respond,” the bank stated.

Continue Reading

Banking Sector

CBN Assures Nigerians of Bank Deposits’ Safety Amid Online Disruptions

Published

on

Bank - Investors King

Amid growing challenges of maintenance delays and internet disruptions being faced by many of the commercial banks in Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured depositors and other clients that their money is intact.

Reassuring the public of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the stability and reliability of the Nigerian financial system, the apex bank asked Nigerians not to panic, stating that it remains dedicated to fostering a secure banking environment where depositors can be fully confident in the safety of their funds.

In a statement signed by Hakama Sidi Ali, Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, the apex bank noted that it recognises the crucial role confidence plays in banking operations and wants to affirm that all deposits in Nigerian banks are secure.

Ali said the CBN is actively ensuring that banks adhere to established regulations and best practices to maintain the integrity of the nation’s financial system.

According to him, regular stress testing is conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities, helping to ensure that the financial institutions are resilient.

He added that the CBN has implemented Early Warning Systems that proactively detect and address emerging risks, allowing the bank to provide timely solutions to any foreseen issues.

The statement pointed out that the bank’s approach to Risk Based Supervision ensures that it focuses its regulatory efforts on institutions that may pose the highest risk to the financial system.

“This targeted strategy allows it to maintain a robust oversight mechanism while promoting the overall health of the banking sector,” it stated.

Ali disclosed that the CBN has established a Memoranda of Understanding with the various countries where Nigerian banks’ subsidiaries are located, adding that the collaboration enhances regulatory coordination and ensures that the nation’s banks operate within a safe and sound framework in accordance with banking regulations, both domestically and internationally.

He further assured bank customers that the CBN remains dedicated to fostering a secure banking environment where depositors can be fully confident in the safety of their funds.

The statement revealed CBN’s plans to continue to monitor and adapt strategies to safeguard the financial interests of all Nigerians and stakeholders in our financial system.

Investors King had reported that customers of Zenith Bank recently expressed their frustration over difficulties with online banking transactions.

Just like other banks, Zenith Bank witnessed online service disruptions and maintenance delays for hours as its customers experienced hitch in sending, receiving money and viewing their balance on their bank apps.

Continue Reading

Banking Sector

Unity Bank, CashToken Rewards Promo Produces New Millionaire

Published

on

A Unity Bank customer, Mr. Amadi Chinmenem Gift Chike, has emerged as the latest winner of One Million Naira in the ongoing Cash Rewards Promo by Unity Bank Plc and CashToken Rewards Africa.

CashToken Rewards Africa is a Cash-Reward-as-a-Service company that rewards customers for their patronage and loyalty.

Mr. Amadi, a customer from Unity Bank’s Aba Road Branch, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, won the cash prize after completing qualifying transactions on Unity Bank’s digital banking channels including Unifi, *7799#, and on his Unity Bank-issued Verve card. Through these transactions, he received CashTokens, which entered him into the weekly national consumer draw, where he was selected as the lucky winner of the N1 million prize.

The grand prize winner, Mr. Amadi is the second customer to claim the N1 million grand prize in the rewards promo, which commenced in November 2023. Since the launch, Unity Bank customers have collectively won over N6 million in cash rewards.

Unity Bank and CashToken Rewards promo offers guaranteed instant cash rewards and life-changing opportunities for loyal customers who transact on any of the Bank’s electronic payment platforms, including the Unifi mobile banking application and the *7799# USSD platform. Every card transaction earns customers CashTokens, which qualify them for the weekly national consumer draw, with prizes ranging from N5,000 to N100 million.

Presenting the cheque to the winner in Port Harcourt, Unity Bank’s Regional Manager for Port Harcourt/Uyo Region, Mr. Etop Ikpe, congratulated the winner and reiterated the Bank’s commitment to building a sustainable loyalty platform for customer engagement and satisfaction.

He said, “We are happy to see another one of our loyal customers win a substantial cash prize through the Unity Bank and CashToken Rewards Promo. This initiative aligns with our mission to reward customer loyalty while providing a seamless and rewarding banking experience. As we continue to innovate and enhance our digital banking platforms, we are committed to creating more opportunities for our customers to benefit from their relationship with Unity Bank.”

In his reaction, an elated Mr. Amadi said, “This is a reward for my steadfastness. I have been banking with Unity Bank for a long time and I am really happy to win the cash prize. I commend the bank for the initiative and Unity Bank has always come through in keeping their promises both in terms of service delivery and meeting expectations of customers.”

Also commenting on the development, Simi Adeoye, Chief Business Development Officer for CashToken Rewards Africa, added: “We are proud to partner with Unity Bank in bringing life-changing opportunities to their customers through our Cash-Reward-as-a-Service model. We aim to make every transaction meaningful by turning regular banking activities into chances for customers to win significant rewards. We congratulate Mr. Amadi on his win, and we look forward to creating more millionaires as the promo continues. Mr. Amadi just like other beneficiaries can easily cash out his win by dialling *6700#, following the prompt and transferring his wins directly to his Unity Bank account.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending