Gov Otu Presents N250bn 2024 Budget For Cross River

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River on Thursday presented a budget of N250 billion for 2024 to the state House of Assembly for approval. Presenting the budget titled: “The Peoples First Budget’’, Otu said that the figure was made up of N154billion capital expenditure and N96billion recurrent expenditure. He said that the budget was aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) goal 11, which focused on zero hunger, goal 111 which focused on good health and wellbeing and goal 1V which focused on quality education. “The 2023 budget of quantum infinitum which my administration inherited sought to transform as well as empower citizens through wealth creation and employment generation, improvement of educational standard, access to healthcare among others. “So, we intend to consolidate on the gains made by my predecessor as well as deliver quality service to our people. “For the 2024 fiscal year, the government is expecting N133 billion from the Federal Allocation Account (FAAC) while independent revenue is estimated at N35 billion,” he said. Otu said that the budget would priotise agriculture, education, healthcare delivery, environment, infrastructure, youth and sports development, security, tourism and general administration. The governor said as a newly elected governor, he would continue from where the previous administration stopped by continuing with some of priority projects while adding some innovative ones. “The 2023 budget of quantum infinitum which my administration inherited sought to transform as well as empower citizens through wealth creation and employment generation, improvement of educational standard, access to healthcare among others. “So, we intend to consolidate on the gains made by my predecessor as well as deliver quality service to our people. “For the 2024 fiscal year, the government is expecting N133 billion from the Federal Allocation Account (FAAC) while independent revenue is estimated at N35 billion,” he said.

Shettima Departs To China For 3rd Belt, Road Forum

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday departed the country to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in Beijing, China which is scheduled to hold between October 16 and 18. Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday. Nkwocha said that Shettima would join world leaders from over 130 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America to deliberate on the theme, “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.” According to him, the vice president is expected to avail Nigeria of the platform provided by the forum to woo investors for more developmental projects. Nkwocha added that the Vice President would hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to promote Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in line with the economic development agenda of the Tinubu administration. “The 2023 edition of the BRI will mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) championed by the President of China, Xi Jinping, as an initiative for global infrastructure development strategy. “Adopted and launched by the government of the Peoples Republic of China in 2013. “The initiative seeks international action to enhance cooperation and promote infrastructure investment in nearly 70 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes.” He recalled that in 2018, former President, Muhammadu Buhari, on behalf of Nigeria, signed the Belt and Road cooperation agreement with China. “Nigeria and other partner-countries across the world are to benefit from the initiative in areas of infrastructure investments such as ports, skyscrapers, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams and coal-fired power stations.” Nkwocha said that the delegation of the vice president to the forum includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu and the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali. Others are the Minister of Works, David Umahi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, and the Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Michael Ohiani. In a related development, Nkwocha said in pursuance of the food security and diversification policy of the Tinubu administration, the vice president will, from China, depart for the United States of America, USA. “While in US as the special guest, Shettima will deliver a keynote address at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Food Prize – facilitated Norman E.Borlaug International Dialogue slated to commence on October 24th, 2023. “Also, he will join other African international leaders, Heads of State and Government who in the past have delivered keynote addresses at the Borlaug Dialogue. “They include former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan; World Food Prize Laureates; Ghana President, John Kufuor, AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adeshina and former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others.” The media aide also stated that Shettima was expected to highlight reforms being instituted in the Nigerian Agrifood sector by the Tinubu administration. “The vice president will engage several stakeholders, partners and investors in opportunities for investments in Nigeria. “Several meetings and engagements have been slated for the vice president who is expected to be back to the country after his commitments in the US.” 

Bwari Area Council Launches Website To Promote Activities, Development Strides

The Bwari Area Council administration of the FCT on Monday, inaugurated its official website to promote its diverse activities and development with a view to attaining global limelight. The Chairman of the council, Mr John Gabaya, while inaugurating the project at the council secretariat in Bwari town, Abuja, said that the site was built to also showcase the diverse culture of the people. Gabaya, represented by the council Secretary, Mr Eli Kadanya, also said that the project would not only be beneficial to the people in the council but to Nigerians and the world at large. He said that the project started in February, adding that Bwari was one, out of the very few area councils in the FCT, to have the platform. “The site will be upgraded and updated on the go to include vital information about the council’s culture, institutions, food production, site attractions and other developmental activities. “It is expected to give easy access especially to those visiting the council for the first time or seeking information about the council from any part of the world. “By so doing, the site is expected to project all the positive things the council has to offer to the world,” he said. The chairman also assured that the site would capture the various towns under the council like Kubwa, Mpape, Dutse, other villages and their unique domain and expertise. Similarly, Mr Solomon Danjuma, the site Developer and Consultant, in his presentation, said that the site, www.bwariareacouncil.com, will allow people to discover the unique and captivating blend of tradition and modernity of the people. “The site was developed in a way for people to experience the vibrant markets, serene landscapes, and the rich spirit of Nigerian culture in one remarkable destination,” he said. Mrs Hadiza Usman, a staff of the council lauded the effort of the administration for providing the platform for both staff, residents of the area and Nigerians at large. While commending the developers for a job well done, she described the website as user-friendly, sleek and offering easy navigation to find essential information. “The responsive design on various devices enhances the overall experience, making it a well-crafted platform,” she said. Similarly, Mrs Julie Shekwomaza, a resident, said that she was impressed by the meticulous attention to detail, while adding that the website, seamlessly delivered vital information. “The news and events updates keep the community connected, reflecting a job well done,” she said.