Economy
Presidency Clears Air on Alleged Attempt To Run 4 Budgets in 2024 Fiscal Year
The Presidency on Saturday denied claims that it will run four budgets in the 2024 fiscal year.
This came as the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, reacted to a thread of tweets by former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, who alleged that the Tinubu-led government was running four budgets concurrently.
Ajayi wrote “Yesterday, @BudgITng raised a false alarm on the basis of rumours that FG is planning a 2024 supplementary budget.
“It is important to state that the FG is not planning to run 4 budgets within a fiscal year as being alleged.
“The National Assembly only approved that implementation of the capital components of 2023 budget and 2023 supplementary should be extended to December 2024 to achieve its objectives.”
Ajayi said Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development when Federal, States and Local governments focus on only consumptive expenditures which is essentially what recurrent expenditures represent.
“It is the capital expenditures that drive economic growth, strengthen private sector output and create employment opportunities for citizens,” he added.
He cautioned the civic organisation, Budgit, to be wary of flippancy and the propensity to be unduly sensational.
“Expectedly, @PeterObi has jumped on the false claims to push his new round of misinformation,” he said.
In an earlier interview with our correspondent, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said the 2023 and 2024 budgets would run simultaneously.
His comments follow a decision by the National Assembly to extend the responsive period of the 2023 budget from June 2024 to December 2024.
It had been moved from December 2023 to March 2024 earlier.
“They are some elements of that (2023) budget that were not implemented. That is why they are moving it forward to be implemented,” explained Onanuga.
He added, “They have already gotten the provisions meant for them. So they are trying to make sure they implement them based on the provision of that budget.
“It means the 2023 and 2024 budget will run concurrently.”
PUNCH Online earlier reported that a non-profit organisation, BudgiT, condemned the proposed elongation of the implementation period of both the 2023 annual and supplementary budget by the Federal Government, describing it as an anomaly.
In a Friday statement by its communications officer, Nancy Odimegwu, BudgiT said it was worrisome that the Federal Government could be drafting a 2024 supplementary budget to be implemented alongside the 2023 yearly budget, 2023 supplementary budget, and 2024 annual budget.
Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Rate As Of December 18, 2024Wondering about the current Dollar to Naira exchange rate at the black market, also known as the parallel market? Here’s the latest update for December 17, 2024, along with the rates for buying and selling US dollars in the Nigerian black market.
How Much is a Dollar to Naira Today in the Black Market?
As of Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the exchange rate at the Lagos parallel market (Black Market) stands as follows:
•Buying Rate: N1665
•Selling Rate: N1675
These rates reflect what buyers and sellers are willing to trade US dollars for in the black market. However, please keep in mind that these rates are subject to change and can fluctuate based on supply and demand.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate – December 17, 2024
•Buying Rate: N1665
•Selling Rate: N1675
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
The official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates differ from those in the black market. For today, the CBN exchange rate for the Dollar to Naira is:
•Highest Rate: N1555
•Lowest Rate: N1520
It’s important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not endorse the black market exchange rate. The CBN encourages individuals to conduct their foreign exchange transactions through approved channels, such as commercial banks and licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.
Please be aware that the exchange rates for buying or selling foreign currency may differ from the values listed here, as they can vary throughout the day. Always confirm rates with your local dealers before making any transactions.
The exchange rate for the Dollar to Naira in the black market (parallel market), also known as the “Aboki FX” rate, is as follows for 15th December 2024:
•Buying Rate: ₦1,660
•Selling Rate: ₦1,670
This rate reflects the price at which traders in the Lagos parallel market (black market) are buying and selling dollars, as reported by sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
It is important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize the parallel market and encourages individuals to conduct foreign exchange transactions through authorized banks.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Rate for Dollar to Naira
•Highest Rate: ₦1,549
•Lowest Rate: ₦1,520
The rates you receive may vary slightly from those mentioned here, as forex prices fluctuate based on market conditions.
CBN Takes Tough Action on New Naira Notes
In another development, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a ₦150 million fine on commercial banks found guilty of supplying newly minted naira notes to currency hawkers. This move is part of the CBN’s ongoing efforts to prevent the illegal trade of naira notes and ensure proper circulation to the public.
The penalty comes as the CBN reaffirmed the continued validity of the old ₦1,000, ₦500, and ₦200 notes following a Supreme Court ruling on November 29, 2023. The CBN also warned against the hoarding of cash, which disrupts the smooth flow of money in the economy.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) across its retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to a reporter from Dailypost who visited NNPCL retail outlets observed that the petrol pump price was reduced from N1,060 to N1,040 per litre. This represents a reduction of N20.
“The price was reduced to N1,040 per litre from N1,060 on Saturday morning,” a filling station attendant at the NNPCL retail outlet along Kubwa expressway said.
A motorist, Ezekiel Njoku, confirmed the development.
“The reduction of N20 is significant. We need further fuel price reductions in the coming days,” he said.
With the price cut, Nigerians will now buy petrol at N1,040 per litre at NNPCL filling stations, while prices remain within N1,115 per litre at other filling stations, depending on the location.
This development comes barely three weeks after the state-owned Port Harcourt refinery began producing petroleum products in November 2024.
The former Managing Director of NNPCL Retail, Prof. Billy Okoye, had earlier speculated that a fuel price reduction was imminent with the commencement of production at the Port Harcourt refinery.
Oil marketers, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, PETROAN, had also hinted that the deregulation of the sector—coupled with the operations of Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries—would lead to a drop in petrol prices.
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