IFAD, FG distribute agro equipment to 840 rural farmers
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), together with the Federal Government, has distributed N109 million worth of agro equipment to 840 rural farmers in Enugu State. The exercise, which took place at the Michael Okpara Square, at the weekend, was part of IFAD/FGN’s-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). The items distributed included 500 bags of fertilizers, 10 tricycles, 55 water pumps, 115 knapsack sprayers, five fufu pounder, 50 seed planters and five rice milling machines. Others were five haulers and polishing machines, 10 grater cassava polishing machines, 20 rice harvesters and 25 starter packs for confectioneries. Also, 40 of the 840 farmers supported were empowered with POS. In a speech at the event, Gov. Peter Mbah expressed his administration’s readiness to support the IFAD/FGN programme in the state. Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, thanked IFAD/FGN for the partnership with the state. He commended the organisation for its commitment in assisting farmers through its programmes aimed at increasing food production in the state. He further lauded IFAD for focusing largely on women empowerment, saying that the approach would help to reduce poverty in rural communities. He directed that all the equipment, which must be given to the farmers, should be closely monitored. He urged the beneficiaries to put the items to proper use in order to realise the set goals of the empowerment programme. In a speech, the National Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, thanked Mbah for paying off the outstanding four years arrears of the counterpart funds. Aliyu described the governor’s gesture as a testament of the State Government’s commitment toward the development of agriculture and poverty reduction in the state. Aliyu advocated the judicious use of the equipment by the beneficiaries, urging them not to disappoint the State Government that had immensely supported the programme. “Please don’t disappoint your governor, he cares for you. “That is why he paid all the outstanding counterpart funding. “Please, use them well,” Aliyu said. She said that the VCDP had made progress from support to market values. She further said that the programme had supported over 4,000 farmers, constructed rice and cassava processing centres. Other amenities, according to her, included water, solar-powered boreholes, market stalls, mini bridges, culverts for easy transportation for farmers and offtakers and creches. Aliyu disclosed that the organisation had also used a programme, tagged, “Gender Action Learning System” to change the mindset of women in the state. “We have made impact and we are achieving our programme development goals in Enugu State and elsewhere,” she said. Earlier in a welcome address, the State Programme Coordinator, Dr Edward Isiwu, said that the VCDP programme was tailored along market development and productivity enhancement, rice and cassava value chains. According to him, the programme is aimed at reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, and accelerating economic growth on a sustainable basis. Isiwu said that they had built five cassava mills and over six rice mills and created employment for people. He disclosed that the pilot programme was being implemented in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Aninri, Udenu, Enugu East, Nkanu East and Isi-Uzo.
FG forcefully retires four senior police officers
*Says they failed to voluntarily resign after new IGP’s appointment The Police Service Commission (PSC) has executed the compulsory retirement of four Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) in a notable development that has garnered attention. The Commission, basing its decision on legal statutes and established regulations, made this announcement. This decision was reached following the invocation of specific sections of the law, namely “Third Schedule, Part 1 M, Para A&B of the 1999 Constitution,” and further bolstered by “Section 6 of the Commissions (Establishment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f.” The high-ranking officers who are affected by this directive include Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Jitiboh, Hafiz Inuwa, and Adeleke Bode. The PSC’s official spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, conveyed this information through a statement. The crux of the matter, according to the PSC, lies in the refusal of the aforementioned Deputy Inspectors General to tender their resignations following the appointment of their junior counterpart, Kayode Egbetokun, as the new Inspector General of Police. This decision was made with the intention of ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining the hierarchical integrity within the police force. The action taken by the Police Service Commission not only highlights the importance of adherence to established regulations but also underscores the dynamics that are integral to the internal operations of law enforcement agencies. The move, though significant, is part of the Commission’s efforts to uphold a structured and efficient functioning of the police force under changing leadership dynamics. “In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force. “The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General.” It also announced the appointment of four new senior police officers to replace the relieved DIGs. See full press statement below: PSC RETIRES DIGS DAN-MALLAM, JITIBOH, HAFIZ AND ADELEKE, APPOINTS SANI KA’OJE, SOKARI-PEDRO, AYUBA EKPEJI AND USMAN NAGOGO – decision to uphold discipline, discourage status reversal The Police Service Commission in exercise of its statutory powers, pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, para A&B of the 1999 Constitution, reinforced with Section 6 of the Commissions (Establisment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f, has compulsorily retired four Deputy Inspectors General of Police. The affected DIGs are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Ambakina Jitiboh, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode. In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force. The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General. Accordingly the former DIGs have been mandated to Immediately proceed on compulsory retirement with effect from Friday, 25th August, 2023.The Commission appreciates their immense contributions and efforts towards peace and security of our country and also wishes them well in their future endeavours in retirement. Similarly, the Commission also approved the appointment of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police which would be subject to ratification by the Board of the Commission to replace the retired DIGs. The newly appointed DIGs who are without Pending Disciplinary Matters and/or without any serious medical conditions and health impairments were drawn from the same respective geo-political regions of the retired ones. They are DIG’s Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje; Daniel Sokari – Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji, and Usman Nagogo. While congratulating them for their elevation to the enviable rank of DIGs, the Commission hopes that their appointment will add value and greater vigour to the efforts of the Nigeria Police in delivering on its mandate. Ikechukwu Ani Head, Press and Public Relations Monday, August 28th 2023
FAAC: FG, States, LGs share N966.110bn July allocation
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N966.110 billion July 2023 Federation Account Revenue to the Federal Government, States and Local Government Councils. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. The N966.110 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N397.419 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N271.947 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N12.840 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N283.904 billion. In July 2023, the total deductions for cost of collection was N62.419 billion and total deductions for savings, transfers, refunds and tax credit cancellation was N717.962 billion. The balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $473,754.57 The communiqué stated that from the total distributable revenue of N966.110 billion; the Federal Government received N374.485 billion, the State Governments received N310.670 billion and the Local Government Councils received N229.409 billion. A total sum of N51.545 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue. Gross statutory revenue of N1150.424 billion was received for the month of July 2023. This was lower than the sum of N1152.921 billion received in the month of June 2023 by N2.497 billion. From the N397.419 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N190.489 billion, the State Governments received N96.619 billion and the Local Government Councils received N74.489 billion. The sum of N35.822 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue. For the month of July 2023, the gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N298.789 billion. This was higher than the N293.411 billion available in the month of June 2023 by N5.378 billion. The Federal Government received N40.792 billion, the State Governments received N135.974 billion and the Local Government Councils received N95.181 billion from the N271.947 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue. The N12.840 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was shared as follows: the Federal Government received N1.926 billion, the State Governments received N6.420 billion and the Local Government Councils received N4.494 billion. From the N283.904 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the Federal Government received N141.278 billion, the State Governments received N71.658 billion, the Local Government Councils received N55.245 billion and the sum of N15.723 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13 percent mineral revenue. Also, in the month under review, Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) increased considerably while Value Added Tax (VAT) increased marginally. Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Oil and Gas Royalties recorded significant decreases.
FG to leverage Nigerian Electricity Act to boost power supply –Adelabu
The new Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu has assured that the federal government will empower Nigerians through stable and accessible power. The minister, who gave the assurance when he assumed office on Monday in Abuja stressed that every home, industry, school, and business will benefit from the government’s efforts. To achieve the feat, Adelabu said the ministry will leverage the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023 to boost the power supply in the country. The Nigerian Electricity Act, 2023 provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the operation of a fully privatized, cost and service-reflective tariff contract. The Act also provides a rule-based competitive electricity market in Nigeria and repeals the following Acts: Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005. According to the minister, the ministry will diligently provide optimal solutions for Nigeria’s power needs across the nation. He said the task was not merely a requirement, but an expectation from both the President and the Nigerian populace who had endured years of power challenges. “This responsibility weighs heavily upon us, and it is with conviction, divine guidance, and the support of President Tinubu, the National Assembly, government agencies, and Nigerians that I pledge my commitment to achieve success in the power sector. “Recognising that there are numerous deserving and qualified Nigerians for this role, I am truly humbled that the President has entrusted me with this vital task, as we collectively envision the growth and prosperity of our nation,” he said.
FG’s N5bn Palliative: HEDA wants transparent implementation, monitoring
In response to the recent announcement by the Federal Government to provide N5 billion as financial support to the 36 states, aimed at mitigating the impact of the removal of petrol subsidy, HEDA Resource Centre, has stressed the importance of transparent implementation frameworks and robust strategies to ensure accountability and effective utilization of these funds. The decision to remove petrol subsidy has brought attention to the need for comprehensive and well-defined plans to channel resources for the betterment of the citizenry. HEDA firmly believes that a clear road-map outlining how these funds will be disbursed and monitored is essential to prevent any misuse or mismanagement, diversion or corruption as experienced with previous similar measures like SURE-P amongst others. In light of this, HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju urged all State governments to put forth detailed implementation strategies that demonstrate their commitment to the responsible allocation of resources. Furthermore, the NGO challenged President Bola Tinubu to take a proactive step towards ensuring the effectiveness and transparency of the financial support initiative from the administrators of the fund. “Transparent budgeting and regular updates on the utilization of the funds will foster public trust but also provide a mechanism for citizens to actively participate in overseeing the progress of projects aimed at easing the impact of the subsidy removal.” “We propose the involvement of institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to serve as a monitoring and evaluation team for the execution of these projects.” And further charge all stakeholders, community associations, professional groups, religious institutions and artisan/labour unions to actively engage the process and demand transparent and accountable administration of the funds. “This approach will undoubtedly enhance accountability, curb corruption, and enhance the overall impact of the support initiative. We call upon all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the general public, to collectively ensure that the allocated funds are utilized judiciously and in alignment with the intended goals.