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NCPF hails Senate over passage of North Central Devt Comm Bill

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The North Central People’s Forum(NCPF) received with tremendous
excitement and deep appreciation the news of the successful passage of
North Central Development Commission (NCDC) establishment bill into
law by the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This highly laudable and landmark bill has come at the most
appropriate time, to assist towards rapid socio-economic development of
the North Central zone of Nigeria, which had suffered great setback and
neglect in the past.
North central states, made up of Plateau, Nassarawa, Kogi, Benue,
Niger, Kwara, and Federal Capital Territory(FCT) is naturally endowed
with arable land for agriculture, huge solid mineral deposits, oil and gas,
long stretch of rivers Niger and Benue, as well as huge potential for
tourism with beautiful and attractive sites such as Zuma rock, waterfalls
and forest reserves, found in several locations in the zone.
In spite it’s huge potentials, the North central zone has remained
largely underdeveloped due to insecurity problems that has bedeviled its
landscape, such as farmer/herders clashes, banditry/kidnapping, flood
disaster, etc. which has hindered its people from engaging in productive
economic activities, such as farming and trading.
Similarly, as a result of constant violent killings due to
farmers’/herders clashes, communal conflicts and other forms of
insecurity, millions of its inhabitants were forced to live in IDP camps
spread in school buildings and temporary structures.

Therefore, the establishment of the North Central Development
Commission, with funds to be received from the federal government and
international donor agencies, offer great opportunity for resettlement of
displaced persons, reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises
of victims of farmers/herders clashes and communal conflict, tackling
developmental challenges of poverty/illiteracy, as well as creating
enabling environment to attract investments into socio-economic sectors
for rapid transformation and progress of the North Central zone.
In view of these huge benefits from the establishment of the NCDC,
the NCPF wishes to express its huge gratitude to the minority leader of
the senate, Senator Abba Moro and other senators from the North central
states, who persistently sponsored the establishment of the bill since the
9th senate until it was finally passed by the 10th senate. Similarly, the
NCPF appreciates the leadership of the senate led by the senate president
Godswill Akpabio, and other senators who supported the passage of the
NCDC bill.

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The NCPF also wish to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
GCFR, to expeditiously give his assent to the bill, after its anticipated
concurrence by the House of Representatives, to enable speedy
constitution of the North Central Development Commission, to fulfil its
mandate for socio-economic transformation of the North Central zone.

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FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

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“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.

“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.

“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.

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“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”

During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]

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Nigeria to get 6,000 power generation by December-Power Minister vows

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed his unwavering optimism that the government will successfully meet its ambitious target of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2024, despite the numerous challenges currently affecting the power sector.

The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, conveyed this assurance at the fourth edition of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s annual workshop, themed “Ending the Talk, Moving the Action,” held on Thursday in Abuja.

Nigeria’s power generation currently ranges between 3,500 and 4,000 MW for a population of approximately 200 million people. For instance, on Thursday, the country’s power generation was 3,556.38 MW as of 8 am.

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Earlier this year, Adelabu pledged that power generation in Nigeria would reach 6,000 MW by the end of the year, citing improvements in the sector over the past year.

However, the frequent collapse of the nation’s electricity grid and the vandalisation of towers have raised concerns about the stability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and its ability to achieve the target.

In his goodwill address, the Special Adviser emphasised that the minister’s primary focus remains on achieving the goal of increasing generation and ensuring its efficient distribution to consumers.

Tunji said, “The minister aims to achieve what seems to be an intractable goal—improving generation and ensuring that what is generated reaches the final consumers. There are challenges, but they are surmountable.

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“The minister has promised that by December this year, we will reach 6,000 megawatts; yes, we still hope to get there.

“We are confident that we will get there, but we are aware of the current issues with grid collapse. Efforts are being made to resolve these problems. Day and night, teams are being dispatched to address the various issues, and we remain hopeful that we will achieve the 6,000 MW target by December.”

The Director of Renewable Energy, Sunday Owolabi, also reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring 24-hour power supply for Nigerians.

Owolabi, another representative of the minister, stressed that the government’s policies are focused on resolving the challenges facing the country’s electricity transmission, distribution, and generation sub-sectors.

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“We are fully committed to transforming the country’s power sector. We are focused on ensuring that our policies are practical and sustainable. We are resolute in ensuring power supply for every Nigerian.

“The government remains fully committed to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through meaningful and actionable reforms.

“We are focused on ensuring that our policies are not only visionary but also practical, impactful, and sustainable. From the ongoing efforts to address infrastructure gaps, enhance power generation, and improve transmission networks, to vital reforms in distribution and the full implementation of the electricity market, we are resolute in our mission to improve power supply for every Nigerian.”

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Just in: Wike sends FCDA Executive Director on indefinite suspension

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has suspended the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad indefinitely.

According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.

The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, in the FCDA.

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Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has revealed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the construction of houses for judges in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor said the project is part of the government’s plan to provide secure housing for judges and strengthen the judiciary’s independence.

Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, the former Rivers Governor clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative.

Wike explained that the housing scheme was included in the 2024 budget, approved by the National Assembly, and is not his personal decision.

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He added that judges currently live in rented homes, which could make them vulnerable.

He compared this to similar projects he carried out as Rivers State governor and expressed surprise at the criticism, especially from legal professionals.

Wike insisted the project is lawful and should be welcomed as a step in the right direction.

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