Presidency denies budget padding allegations, slams Ningi’s claims.

Presidency denies budget padding allegations, slams Ningi’s claims.

Following the false claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget, the Presidency has denied allegations of padding the 2024 budget by an additional N3 trillion.

Acting under the banner of Northern Senators' Forum, Senator Ningi, falsely claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service, that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 Trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government. 

However, in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency pointed out that Tinubu had initially presented a N27.5tn budget to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023.

This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 Trillion. 

Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly. 

We don't expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.

It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024 as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7 Trillion. 

The National Assembly, in its wisdom, increased the amount proposed by the Executive by N1.2 Trillion.

In the spirit of democracy which allows give and take, President Tinubu didn't withhold his assent to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly. We want to stress that if the budget figure was increased and made to be different from what the Executive proposed, it was the National Assembly that jacked it up in exercise of its power of appropriation. 

On the uncharitable claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, we found such position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status. 

President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria. In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country. 

The North as an integral part of the country is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture. 

It is concerning that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive rhetoric at a time well-meaning Nigerians are joining hands with President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics. 

We want to use this opportunity to commend Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity for setting the record straight. We also commend Senators Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for their forthrightness and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi. 

President Tinubu is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy. As an avowed democrat, he will not engage and indulge in any unconstitutional action or act in any manner that assaults the Constitution of Nigeria by operating any budget outside the one approved by the National Assembly, which he dutifully signed into law. 

We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7 Trillion budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President. 

Included in the budget are statutory transfers to the Judiciary, National Assembly, Tetfund and others. 

NBS: Nigeria’s crude oil export up 20.8%, hits N10.31 trillion in three months.

NBS: Nigeria’s crude oil export up 20.8%, hits N10.31 trillion in three months.

In the three months from October to December 2023, Nigeria exported crude oil valued at N10.31 trillion, which constitutes a bulk of the nation’s overall exports of products

Foreign trade data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023 showed that the value of crude oil taken out of the country in the three months under review grew by 20.80 percent, accounting for a substantial portion of 81 percent of the total exports during the period.

Comparatively, Nigeria exported N8.53 trillion worth of crude oil in the third quarter of last year, compared to N4.91 trillion in the second quarter. This represents a 109.91 percent rise in value.

Owing to shrinking investment, vandalism, and widespread theft in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s overall crude oil production had been slowly declining for years.

With a decline in crude production to nearly 900,000 barrels per day in the third quarter of 2022, the federal government decided to step up and enlist local security organisations in the pipeline’s monitoring programme.

A growth in upstream activities in the oil and gas sector is further illustrated by the notable increase in Nigeria’s oil rig count, which has recently reached around thirty.

Following months of consistent expansion, Nigeria’s crude oil production, excluding condensates, rose above 1.42 million barrels per day in January for the first time in years.

Moreover, it appears the nation will have either met or surpassed its 1.5 million barrels per day renegotiated quota with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Q3, 2023 when the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) releases the production data for February.

The report stated: “The value of crude oil exports in Q4, 2023 stood at N10,310.70 billion indicating an increase of 20.80 percent compared to the value recorded in Q3, 2023 (N8,535.61 billion) and increased by 109.91 percent when compared to the same period in 2022 (N4,911.92 billion).

“The value of other oil products exports in Q4, 2023 was N1,287.65 billion; this showed an increase of 13.61 percent and by 79.98 percent when compared to the value recorded in Q3, 2023 (N1,133.42 billion) and the value in the fourth quarter of 2022 (N715.45 billion) respectively,” the NBS report indicated.

Despite a 6.43 percent gain from the previous quarter, Nigeria’s performance in the solid minerals sector fell below expectations during the period under review, earning just N58.92 billion.

“The value of solid minerals imports in the fourth quarter of 2023 stood at N58.92 billion. This value was 6.43 percent higher than the value recorded in Q3, 2023 (N55.36 billion) and 72.68 percent higher than the value recorded in Q4, 2022 (N34.12 billion).”

The largest exported product in the fourth quarter of 2023 was petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude was valued at N10,310.70 billion, representing 81.23 percent.

“This was followed by natural gas, with N1,015.84 billion accounting for 8.00 percent, and urea, whether or not in aqueous solution, with N251.90 billion or 1.98 percent of total exports,” the report added.

However, Nigeria’s total trade during the fourth quarter of 2023 was N26,801.95 billion. The value of imports was N14,108.33 billion, while the value of exports was N12,693.62 billion.

The overall value of trade was N71,880.01 billion each year, of which N35,917.62 billion was recorded as imports and N35,962.39 billion as exports.

When compared to the total exports recorded in the third quarter of 2023, which came to N10,346.60 billion, and to the corresponding quarter in 2022, which came to N6,359.61 billion, the total exports in the reviewed quarter grew by 22.68 percent and 99.60 percent, respectively.

EPL: Liverpool draw Manchester City 1-1 as Arsenal secure top spot.

EPL: Liverpool draw Manchester City 1-1 as Arsenal secure top spot.

Liverpool and Manchester City fought out a thrilling draw at Anfield to leave Arsenal top of the Premier League.

This meeting of the pre-eminent domestic powers of recent years lived up to its billing in an encounter of the highest quality in which both sides had chances to claim a vital victory.

Manchester City took a 23rd-minute lead when a slick corner routine caught Liverpool cold and John Stones turned in Kevin de Bruyne’s delivery at the near post.

City deserved the lead but were pegged back when they conceded a penalty only 84 seconds after the interval – Darwin Nunez was sent crashing to the ground by keeper Ederson after intercepting Nathan Ake’s poor backpass. After a delay, Alexis Mac Allister scored the spot-kick.

Ederson, who was injured in the incident, tried to play on initially – facing the penalty – but was unable to continue, and had to be replaced by Stefan Ortega.

As Liverpool finally turned on the full power in front of an expectant Anfield, Luis Diaz missed a glaring chance when put clean through by substitute Mohamed Salah while Ortega blocked crucially from Nunez.

City had chances of their own as Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher blocked from Foden. Kelleher also had a lucky escape when he punched Ake’s cross on to Foden, the rebound crashing against the bar, while Jeremy Doku struck the post late on.

Liverpool will also feel they had strong penalty claims when Doku’s foot was high on Mac Allister in the dying seconds but nothing was given.

These two outstanding sides could not be separated on the day – which means, for now, it is advantage Arsenal in the title race.

Tinubu to decide on border reopening.

Tinubu to decide on border reopening.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, on Saturday, said that only President Bola Tinubu has the prerogative to reopen the borders in the country.

He stated this during an interaction session with members of the Kongolam border community in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Adeniyi, who was reacting to agitations for the reopening of the borders, assured that engagements and consultations were being held regarding the issue.

“Once consultations are concluded, a decision will be taken on the matter,” he said.

Continuing, Adeniyi assured that the Service will focus on removing obstacles militating against free trade in line with the present administration’s agenda of fostering economic prosperity.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that CG maintained that proactive measures had been employed to reduce the number of checkpoints along the border posts and promote synergy between the Service personnel and traders.

“We are conscious of the concerns of the border communities, particularly with regard to the number of checkpoints and the closure of land borders.

“I assure you that our operations are always guided by law, and we only operate on delegated powers.

“We have communicated the concerns and complaints by residents of the border communities to the President and because he has listening ears he directed that we should release confiscated food items, on the condition that they will only be sold in the Nigerian markets,” he said.

Adeniyi, who also visited former President Muhammad Buhari and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq-Umar, disclosed that the Service is collaborating with the Police and other sister agencies to address obstacles militating against free trade in the border areas.

“We know that there are markets around our borders, and we know that not all of them are targeted at taking goods across the borders.

“We will continue to monitor and ensure that food produced in Nigeria remains and is consumed in Nigeria. This is because we are in a period of national emergency that has to do with food insufficiency.

“And that is why we must collectively work together to assist the government to enforce the various laws prohibiting exportation of food items at this time,” he stressed.

RMAFC blames high cost of governance for slow economic growth.

RMAFC blames high cost of governance for slow economic growth.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has lamented the current high cost of governance.

The Commission noted that the high cost of governance was responsible for the reduction in the provision of infrastructure and social services and the consequent fall in investment, high-level unemployment and rising insecurity in the country.

It also attributed the high cost of governance to several factors, including the expensive presidential system, a bloated bureaucracy with overlapping ministries, and widespread corruption.

The commission in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Nwachukwu Christian in Abuja on Sunday, said the issues are draining public resources and hindering economic development, adding that no society can make meaningful progress unless it develops a competent and cost-effective management system capable of maximising the nation’s resources to the benefit of all.

The statement read, “The problem of the cost of governance is responsible for the reduction in the provision of infrastructure and social services and the consequent fall in investment, high-level unemployment and rising insecurity in the country adding that no society can make meaningful progress unless it develops a competent and cost-effective management system capable of maximising the nation’s resources to the benefit of all.

“The RMAFC Boss also noted that the cost of governance over the years has been very high and alarming and therefore unsustainable as recurrent expenditure continues to significantly exceed capital expenditure thus negatively impacting investment, industrial expansion, infrastructural development and growth of the real sectors of the economy.”

“The high cost of governance in Nigeria was caused by the expensive nature of the presidential system of government, large bureaucracy, duplication of government ministries, departments and agencies and endemic corruption. Other factors were the high cost of public service delivery due to infrastructure failure, high-security costs as a result of insurgencies, kidnappings, ethnoreligious agitations and armed robbery, multiple salaries and severance allowances; extravagant activities and expenditures, high domestic and foreign debts and weak enforcement institutions.”

Nwachukwu made the comments in reaction to the Federal Executive Council’s adoption of the Oronsanye Committee Report as a way of curbing the high cost of governance through the restructuring and rationalisation of Federal agencies, parastatals and commissions.

President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government announced on February 28, 2024, that parts of the recommendations in the 12-year-old Oronsaye report would be implemented.

The 800-page report recommended that 263 of the statutory agencies be slashed to 161; 38 agencies be scrapped; 52 be merged and 14 be reverted to departments in various ministries, among others. In the report, the commission is expected to be subsumed with the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

The RMAFC spokesperson who commended the Tinubu administration for embracing the Oronsanye Report as a blueprint for streamlining government agencies, further stated that the report’s full implementation can significantly reduce administrative costs, freeing up funds for vital infrastructure projects that benefit Nigerians directly.

According to him, the imbalance hurts the real sectors of the economy, ultimately impacting the lives of everyday Nigerians.

“The Chairman of the Commission expressed optimism that the wholesale adoption of the Oronsanye report by President Tinubu’s administration was laudable as it was capable of drastically reducing the cost of governance that would conserve funds for infrastructural development which would impact positively on the lives of the citizens.”

Speaking on the current fiscal and monetary reforms being undertaken by the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the RMAFC spokesperson explained that the policies of prioritizing price and exchange rate stability to promote sustainable economic growth and safeguarding the livelihoods of Nigerians are quite commendable.

According to him, such policies will play a crucial role in cushioning the impact of hyperinflation on the economy. “The RMAFC sees price stability and exchange rate stability as good policies in the right direction. The price stability preserves the purchasing power of the national currency, provides confidence to the investors and assists the citizenry to plan their spending and savings more effectively”.

Nwachukwu further advised that the committee overseeing the Oronsaye Report’s implementation consider agencies established since the report’s initial publication in 2014 to ensure a comprehensive overhaul that maximizes savings for infrastructure development.

He called on the federal government and states to use the increased allocations from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee wisely.

“These additional funds should be used to provide adequate support to the Nigerian people, particularly those struggling with the effects of subsidy removal,” he said.

The commission urged the government to strengthen cooperation between monetary and fiscal authorities stressing that by effective cooperation and implementing the Oronsaye Report alongside ongoing structural reforms, Nigeria can achieve a more stable exchange rate, control inflation, and create a more business-friendly environment for all.

Kwara Gov approves bursary, scholarship for indigenes.

Kwara Gov approves bursary, scholarship for indigenes.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the disbursement of the 2023/2024 Bursary and 2022/2023 Scholarship Award to the state indigenes in tertiary institutions owned by state and federal governments.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner, Kwara State Ministry of Tertiary Education, Dr. Mary Arinde, in a statement posted on the state’s official X handle on Sunday.

According to the statement, only indigenes of Kwara State who are final-year students attending government-owned, state, and federal, institutions are eligible to apply.

The statement read, “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State Malam #RealAARahman CON has given approval for the payment of the 2023/2024 Bursary and 2022/2023 Scholarship Award to Kwara State indigenes in Tertiary Institutions owned by State and Federal Government.

“Only final year Students of Kwara State indigenes in Governments (State and Federal) Tertiary Institutions are eligible.

“All interested applicants are given Two (2) weeks from Monday, 11th March 2024 to apply for this year’s Bursary and Scholarship Award.

“Registration for this Bursary and Scholarship Award closes on Sunday, 24th March 2024.”

According to the statement, those interested in the bursary should register by logging on to https://scholarship.kw.gov.ng and following the registration procedure.

Focus on governance, Diri urges political leaders.

Focus on governance, Diri urges political leaders.

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has urged the political class in the state to sink their political differences and jettison petty jealousies in the interest of the unity and development of the state.

Diri, who spoke at the grand reception in honour of some eminent sons and a daughter of the state from the Ekeremor Local Government Area held at the Ekeremor community pavilion on Saturday, said politics was over and it was time for governance.

The governor and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, were sworn in for their second term in office on February 14, 2024, following their victory at the November 11, 2023 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Among those honoured were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; the state representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Denyanbofa Dimaro; a member of the board of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mrs Bekearedebo Warrens; a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kemasuode Wodu; and Mr Felix Okorotie, who were both conferred with the legal title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The governor, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, stressed that the time for politicking was over and urged the people, irrespective of political differences, to rally around his administration to accelerate the pace of development.

He claimed that his administration was building a new Bayelsa where political boundaries would not hinder the sustainable development of the state.

Diri, who expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing illustrious sons and a daughter of the state into various positions of trust in his administration, also appreciated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, for his role in the appointment of Lokpobiri as a minister.

He said, “This is not the time for PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) or APC (All Progressives Congress). Politics is over. It is time for governance. We do not have party differences in Bayelsa but what we have is the development of our state and Nigeria at large. Let us jettison petty jealousies and join hands to develop our state so that it will grow from strength to strength.

“The persons appointed have what it takes to represent Bayelsa. Under Senator Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, we will see a different kind of representation. We need to partner with the NDDC and the Delta State government to build a bridge across both states. We need to also partner with the NDDC to take the Ekeremor road to Agge. We need this road infrastructure for easy movement of our people.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, l thank President Bola Tinubu for making these appointments possible. Aside from God and the president, l also thank the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for contributing to the appointment of Senator Lokpobiri as minister.”

Diri also assured the people that the construction work on the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East senatorial district would continue and hinted that the Federal Government had indicated interest in the project.