All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed joy in the social welfare package contained in the 2016 federal budget as presented today, to the joint session of the National Assembly, by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun described the budget as unprecedented ‘Budget of Change.’
Chief Odigie-Oyegun said that the budget was an assurance that many of the promises made to the Nigerian electorate by the Party in the course of the 2015 presidential campaign will be fulfilled.
This, he said, was because provisions for these are contained in the proposed 2016 National Budget.
In a statement today in Abuja, Odigie-Oyegun said that the present administration’s pro-people policies will be implemented “full blast” in the coming 2016 financial year.
“In fulfilment of APC’s election promises to the Nigerian electorate, the Party, the party welcomes the proposed Social Welfare Programmes contained in the proposed 2016 National Budget submitted to the National Assembly. President Buhari has proposed N500 billion to pay unemployed Nigerian graduates (post-NYSC grant) and feed school children, amongst other social welfare programmes in 2016.
“A phased Social Welfare Programme created to cater for a larger population of the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians upon the evidence of children’s enrolment in school and evidence of immunization has also been proposed to the National Assembly.
“President Buhari has also promised that 500,000 new teachers would be recruited.
“Compared to the last 16 years of locust, Nigerians are getting a much better deal from the seven-month old APC-led administration. On the strength of these proposals, the future holds more dividends of democracy for Nigerians.” [myad]
The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has cautioned groups agitating for one type of human rights or the other to also respect the rights of others.
He solicited the support and assistance of religious leaders to help drum it in the ears of their followers that it does not pay to be antagonistic towards the constituted authorities.
Arase who received a delegation of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs on a courtesy call in his office at the Force Headquarters in Abuja today, stressed the commitment of the Force to the protection of lives and property and adherence to the tenet of fundamental human rights. He emphasized that the Police and other security agencies are conscious of Nigerian citizens’ fundamental rights and would protect them. The Inspector General of Police told the delegation that lawyers, relatives and friends can visit the leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, and other members of the sect being held in police custody. He added however, that those wishing to visit Zakzaky and others must observe “necessary legitimate procedures” even as he assured them of professional investigation of the incident. He appealed to the Islamic body to use its reputable and respected platform to caution all groups in the country that while they have the constitutional rights to express their views, it should not circumscribe the rights of others. The head of the delegation and the Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Professor Ishaq O. Oloyede, appreciated the leadership qualities of Arase and the Force Management Team. Oloyede thanked the Force for the cooperation extended to the Islamic body even as he sought for the mediation in the clash between the Shiite Islamic group and the military, which occurred recently in Zaria, Kaduna State. He asked Arase to look into the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to avoiding such in future. He appealed for medical assistance to those detained in connection with the incident. [myad]
The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has inaugurated a nine-man governing board for the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, headed by Professor Wole Atoyebi, with a charge that the board should make those who are expected to die in the hospital is made to live.
The Governor while inaugurating the Board at the EXCO lounge of the Governor’s Office in Abeere Osogbo, said that the board is being inaugurated at a time when public finance is at its lowest point on account of falling oil price and uncertainties at the global economy. Aregbesola charged the board to run the hospital as a world class one without passing undue burden on patients, adding that in addition to the statutory responsibilities of the Board, members will be required to think for the hospital and make it a centre of medical excellence by national and global standards. He charged the Board to change their mindset of what an hospital should be and let LAUTECH be a miracle centre where those expected to die would live. The Governor also enjoined them to secure funding for the hospital without passing the burden to patients beyond what it is at the moment even as he said that there is the need to have harmonious relationship with workers and trade unions. “I am glad the chairman of the Board is himself a labour titan and the chairman of the medical association is on board. While not discounting the right of the people to association, industrial actions should have no place in a hospital where the difference between life and death is a matter of seconds. “It is a sign that we are fast losing our humanity when caregivers look on indifferently and on purpose while people die. “The board must also be on board our administration’s renewed efforts at work ethics. This is why work must yield a higher value of result than the input. The surplus value between input and result is called profit. “This is not a problem at the private sector; it is indeed the raison d’etre of enterprise where every worker hired is expected to add value.” The Governor said that in spite of recent financial challenges facing the state, he will continue to fulfill his obligations, especially to critical institutions like LAUTECH and other hospitals. Aregbesola said that government has employed multifaceted approach towards achieving her goal of providing healthcare for the people, adding that measures taken cover such health-related areas as provision of potable water supply to people, especially in the rural areas to promote personal hygiene. Speaking after the inauguration of the Board, Atoyebi thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in them, saying they will leave no stone unturned at taking the hospital to an enviable height. He noted that his team will heed the charge of Aregbesola that they hit the ground running immediately, saying they will be working round the clock to transform health institution in the state. He said: “We are going to do all the needful because this is our state. “The teaching hospital in Osogbo is supposed to be the best where people will come and get solution to their health problem. “We are going to be serious and I have no doubt in my mind that with the calibre of people you have put together on this Board, the hospital will be moved to higher ground.” Also speaking, Lasisi promised to work with the Board to move the hospital forward. He held that the hospital henceforth will take to its responsibilities and occupy its rightful position among teaching hospitals in the country.
Members of the Board are Dr. Kayode Akinlade; Dr. Ademola Akintolu Onifade; Oba Folorunso Agboade Makanju Olaniyan; the Acting Chief Medical Director LAUTECH, Prof. Akeem Lasisi; and the Permanent Secretary of the Osun Ministry of Health, Dr. Temitope Olalekan Oladele. Others are the Chairman of Osun State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Surajudeen Ogunyemi; the Provost, College of Medicine, LAUTECH, Prof. Samuel Sunday Taiwo; and the Chairman for eh Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Daniel Adebode Adekanle. [myad]
Wife of the President Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to corporate organizations and well meaning Nigerians to assist in taking care of the HIV/AIDs patients in the country.
The President wife, who spoke when he visited the HIV patients in the National Hospital, Abuja, during which time she donated assorted food items said said that the health of every Nigerian is very important, requiring attention.
She acknowledged the intervention of the private sector and international partners but that but more efforts are required to ensure that Nigeria attains a zero level in areas that pose threat to the health of the citizens. [myad]
The Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of Governor Agbeni Aregbesola of Ekiti Osun state, Semiu Okanlawon has announced in Osogbo, that the state government has offered to provide free Christmas and New year train services for its citizens who would want to return home to celebrate with their relatives.
Okanlawon said that the free train service is in continuation of the commitment of Aregbesola’s administration to making life more meaningful for the people of the state.
He added that the free train ride would be offered between Thursday and Sunday of Christmas and New year, urging indigenes of Osun to maximize the opportunity.
“The train would, by 11.00 A.M on Thursday the 24th of December 2015, convey people from Lagos to Osogbo. The return journey to Lagos from Osogbo will be Sunday the 27th of December by 11 A.M.
“The train will also resume the services of conveying people from Lagos to Osogbo for the New Year celebration by 11 A.M Thursday December 31st 2014 and by same 11 A.M on Sunday 3rd of January 2016 return to Lagos from Osogbo”.
Okanlawon said the gesture by the Aregbesola-led administration is aimed at facilitating a stress-free homecoming for the people during the celebrations.
The state government had, since 2011, been making such similar arrangements for people of the state, to travel home during festive seasons.
The gesture had according to the Nigerian Railway Corporations, helped many Nigerians to restore their hope in the viability of railway as a reliable means of transportation in the country.
While wishing Christmas and New year holiday makers successful journey back home, the statement urged them to take advantage of their homecoming to have a feel of the developments of the state and various tourists sites that abound in the state. [myad]
Lagos state government has vowed to rejuvenate the abandoned Traditional Rulers’ role in maintaining peace, stability and harmonious co-existence among residents in their various communities.
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon Muslim Folami who made this known at a One-Day workshop organized by the State Government for the Traditional rulers in Lagos with the theme: “Roles of Traditional Rulers As Community Developers and Managing Communal and Intra Communal Conflicts,” charged all Traditional Rulers in the State to ensure that they educate rural people on government projects, policies and programmes.
He asked them to coordinate all activities on developmental projects in their respective domains to get better results.
The facilitator, Mrs. Olutoyin Falade, said that community development is a way of strengthening civil society by prioritizing the actions of communities and their perspectives in the development of social, economic and environmental policy.
“Community Development is a skilled process and part of its approach is the belief that communities cannot be helped unless they themselves agree to this process. Community Development has to look both ways, not only at how the Community is working at the grassroots, but also at how responsive key institutions are to the needs of local communities.”
She urged traditional rulers o be conscious of their roles in ensuring even development in their various communities through the promotion and maintenance of peace, security, economic, cultural values and heritage.
While imploring them to embrace effective communications, friendly and harmonious relationship among their people, Falade noted that their initiative and desire to promote stability in their community will lead to sustained development and improved standard of living of the people. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that 500,000 unemployed graduates and NCE holders would soon be recruited and deployed across the country to teach in the nation’s schools.
The President, who presented the 2016 federal government budget to the joint session of the National Assembly today, said that the recruitment of teachers for the schools is an emergency measure, to address the chronic shortage of teachers in public schools across the country.
“We also will partner with State and Local Governments to recruit, train and deploy 500,000 unemployed graduates and NCE holders. These graduate teachers will be deployed to primary schools, thereby, enhancing the provision of basic education especially in our rural areas.”
He said that as the government focuses on inclusive growth, it would be conscious of the current rate of unemployment and underemployment, saying that this is a challenge he is determined to meet.
The budget, the first since he took over the leadership of the country in May this year, is the platform for putting more Nigerians to work.
“I can assure you that this administration will have a job creation focus in every aspect of the execution of this budget. Nigeria’s job creation drive will be private sector led. We will encourage this by a reduction in tax rates for smaller businesses as well as subsidized funding for priority sectors such as agriculture and solid minerals.”
President Buhari said tha the 2016 budget, as outlined, is designed to ensure that the government revived the nation’s economy, deliver inclusive growth to Nigerians and create a significant number of jobs.
He acknowledged that the state of the nation’s economy has been a source of concern for many and that the situation has been further worsened by the unbridled corruption and security challenges which the nation has been facing in the last few years.
“From those who have lost their jobs, to those young people who have never had a job, to the people in the North East whose families and businesses were destroyed by insurgents, this has been a difficult period in our nation’s history, lessons that we must not forget or ignore, as we plan for the future.”
Looking at the 2015 Goodluck Jonathan’s budget as the nation’s President then, Buhari said that as at June 2014, oil prices averaged $112 per barrel but that as at today, the price is under $39 per barrel.
This huge decline, he stressed, is having a painful effect on the nation’s economy with consumption declining at all levels.
“In both the private and public sectors, employers have struggled to meet their salary and other employee related obligations. The small business owners and traders have been particularly hard hit by this state of affairs.
With such unpleasant economic climate, Buhari concurred, the confidence of many might be shaken, assuring however: “I stand before you today promising that we will secure our country, rebuild our economy, and make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger than it has ever been.
“The answers to our problems are not beyond us. They exist on our farmlands; our corporations; in the universities in the hearts and minds of our entrepreneurs; through the gallantry of our Armed Forces; and the resolute spirit of Nigerians, especially the youth, who have refused to give up despite all the obstacles confronting them.
“This Budget proposal, the first by our Government, seeks to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth; and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians. We believe that this budget, while helping industry, commerce and investment to pick up, will as a matter of urgency, address the immediate problems of youth unemployment and the terrible living conditions of the extremely poor and vulnerable Nigerians.” [myad]
The Federal Government of Nigeria has for the first time in many years, given capital expenditure the biggest share of N1.8 Trillion out of the total 2016 budget of 6.08 Trillions, representing 30 percent of the budget.
President Muhammadu Buhari who announced this when he presented the 2016 budget proposal to the joint session of the National Assembly today in Abuja, said that the capital expenditure portion of the budget for last year was N557 billion. The budget has a total revenue projection of N3.86 trillion with a deficit of N2.22 trillion against the background of 2015 budget.
“Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, for the first time in many years, capital expenditure will represent 30% of our total budget. In future years we intend to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure.”
President Buhari said that this is a fulfillment of the government’s promise to align expenditure to the long-term objectives, and a sign of government’s commitment to sustainable development. According to him, this increased capital expenditure, commits significant resources to critical sectors such as Works, Power and Housing – N433.4 billion; Transport – N202.0 billion; Special Intervention Programs – N200.0 billion; Defence – N134.6 billion; and Interior – N53.1 billion. “These investments in infrastructure and security are meant to support our reforms in the Agriculture, Solid Minerals and other core job creating sectors of our economy.
Buhari who made it clear that his government would invest to safeguard lives and property, adding: “We will invest in equipping our farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques.
“We will invest in empowering and enabling our miners to operate in a safe, secure and humane environment.
“We will invest in training our youths, through the revival of our technical and vocational institutions, to ensure they are competent enough to seize the opportunities that will arise from this economic revival.
“Indeed, the future looks bright. And I ask that we all work together to make this vision a reality. The 223% year on year growth in capital expenditure demonstrates our desire to make Nigeria more competitive, and start the journey to deliver sustainable development in our country.”
The President said that in fulfillment of his promise to run a lean government, he has proposed a 9 percent reduction in non-debt recurrent expenditure, from N2.59 trillion in the 2015 Budget to N2.35 trillion in 2016.
He said that N300 billion has been budgeted for Special Intervention Programs, which takes the total amount for non-debt recurrent expenditure to N2.65 trillion.
“As I mentioned earlier, the Efficiency Unit set up by this Administration together with effective implementation of GIFMIS and IPPIS will drive a reduction of overheads by at least 7%, personnel costs by 8% and other service wide votes by 19%. Distinguished and honourable members, this budget will be executed to provide optimum value by ensuring every naira spent by this Government, counts.
“We will devote a significant portion of our recurrent expenditure to institutions that provide critical government services. We will spend N369.6 billion in Education; N294.5 billion in Defence; N221.7 billion in Health and N145.3 billion in the Ministry of Interior. This will ensure our teachers, armed forces personnel, doctors, nurses, police men, fire fighters, prison service officers and many more critical service providers are paid competitively and on time.”
President Buhari said that the 2016 borrowings will be principally directed to fund the capital projects even as he said that sum of N113 billion will be set aside for a Sinking Fund towards the retirement of maturing loans; while N1.36 trillion has been provided for foreign and domestic debt service. This calls for prudent management on our part, both of the debt portfolio and the deployment of our hard earned foreign exchange earnings.
“I am aware of the problems many Nigerians currently have in accessing foreign exchange for their various purposes – from our traders and business operators who rely on imported inputs; to manufacturers needing to import sophisticated equipment and spare parts; to our airlines operators who need foreign exchange to meet their international regulatory obligations; to the financial services sector and capital markets who are key actors in the global arena.
“These are clearly due to the current inadequacies in the supply of foreign exchange to Nigerians who need it. I am however assured by the Governor of Central Bank that the Bank is currently fine-tuning its foreign exchange management to introduce some flexibility and encourage additional inflow of foreign currency to help ease the pressure.’
The President said that the deficit in the 2015 budget, which is equivalent to 2.16 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, will take the nation’s overall debt profile to 14 percent of our GDP.
“This remains well within acceptable fiscal limits. Our deficit will be financed by a combination of domestic borrowing of N984 billion, and foreign borrowing of N900 billion totaling N1.84 trillion. Over the medium term, we expect to increase revenues and reduce overheads, to bring the fiscal deficit down to 1.3% of GDP by 2018.”
According to him, in 2016, oil related revenues are expected to contribute N820 billion even as non-oil revenues, comprising Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Customs and Excise duties, and Federation Account levies, will contribute N1.45 trillion. Finally, by enforcing strict compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and public expenditure reforms in all MDAs, we have projected up to N1.51 trillion from independent revenues.
“Although we are working to diversify our economy, we will not lose sight of the need to restructure the oil and gas sector which has been marred by corruption and plagued with inefficiencies. Accordingly, I have directed the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to adjust its pricing template to reflect competitive and market driven components. We believe this can lower input costs and attain efficiency savings that will enable PPPRA to keep the selling price for all marketers of petrol at N87 per liter for now.
“The current fuel scarcity with long queues at petrol stations all over the country causing social dislocation is very unfortunate. Government profoundly apologizes to Nigerians for this prolonged hardship and misery. It is as a result of market speculators and resistance to change by some stakeholders. Government is working very hard to end these shortages and bring fuel to the pumps all over the country.
“I have also directed the NNPC to explore alternate funding models that will enable us to honour our obligations in Joint Ventures (JVs) and deep offshore fields. We are confident that these measures can be achieved and will lower the burden that the traditional cash calls have imposed on our budget and cash flows as well as contribute towards shoring up our national reserves.” [myad]
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has abolished uniform tariffs for all the electric consumers across the country. This is contained in the new power tariff regime, in which the regulatory body outlined the various rates of increase in energy charges for consumers.
About two weeks ago, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, revealed that electricity tariffs would increase and asked consumers to comply by paying their bills, as he promised that the sector would record considerable improvement thereafter.
Confirming the tariffs increase today, NERC said that henceforth, from the next billing period, power distribution companies would no longer charge their customers monthly fixed charges.
Fixed charge is that component of the tariff that commits electricity consumers to paying an approved amount of money not minding whether electricity is consumed during the billing period.
Outlining the rates of increase in tariffs for various customer classes in selected locations across the country, NERC said, “For instance, residential customer classification (R2) in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will no longer pay N702 fixed charge every month. Their energy charge will increase by N9.60.
“Also, residential customers (R2 customers) in Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution areas will no longer pay N750 fixed charges. They will be getting N10 and N8 increase respectively in their energy charges. Similarly, the burden of N800 and N750 fixed charges would be lifted off the shoulders of Kaduna and Benin electricity consumers. These consumers will see an increase of N11.05 and N9.26 respectively in their energy charges.”
This comes less than a week after the House of Representatives asked NERC to stop plans to increase electricity tariffs. [myad]
The Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Nweze Umahi, has directed the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Bernard Odoh, to probe the circumstances that led to the death of the 10 Ebonyi youths in a motor accident at Ezzangbo on their way to the Court of Appeal in Enugu. Governor Umahi who spoke at a thanksgiving service of the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki said: “Yesterday, I saw a situation that made me to almost shed tears. I saw youths were crying about the loss of 10 of our brothers and a sister. I felt so bad. “Some of these are things we could avoid because this is a new dispensation where there is love, where there is unity, togetherness and orderliness in the land of Ebonyi. “I want to assure the youth that I have directed the SSG to probe the death of those 10 young people and whoever that pushed them into that will have to pay for that.” The governor, who attributed the success of his government to fervent prayers and the cordial relationship among the three tiers of government in the state, noted that the economic recession in the country could be overcome through prayers and trust in God. He promised that despite the poor economic situation in the country, his administration was poised to fully implement the 2016 Budget estimate of the state. Governor Umahi maintained that from henceforth, the government would embark on aggressive revenue generation to augment the poor federal allocation to the state. Stressing that the state government may reconsider giving overhead to the ministries, Umahi said he would approve the usage of a certain percentage of the Internally Generated Revenue of each ministry as its overhead. He said in view of the harsh economic situation facing the state, the fees of tertiary institutions in the state had not been reduced. Students of the state university, according to him, were expected to continue to pay their tuition fees as at when due until the state’s economy improved. Governor Umahi mandated the Commissioner for Works to, as a matter of urgency, take steps to reconstruct the three failed bridges in Izzi, Ivo and Afikpo South. He restated the government’s policy on agriculture and appealed to the people of the state to release their lands for the programme. Earlier in her sermon, the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Pastor Eunice Oyeyemi, said the people and the state government needed to be grateful to God for His mercy. Oyeyemi said the transformation being noticed in the state under the leadership of Umahi was prayed for during the electioneering period. Pastor Oyeyemi also enjoined all Ebonyians to see themselves as ambassadors of the state by always speaking good about the state. [myad]
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