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Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah, has approved bursaries totaling N44.1 million for 294 state indigenes currently enrolled across seven campuses of the Nigerian Law School nationwide.
Out of the beneficiaries from Enugu’s 17 local government areas, 284 individuals have already undergone verification and received N150,000 each.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to advancing human capital development in the state.
Mbah also granted a N12 million scholarship to Miss Chidiogo Igwebuike, a native of Ukana in Udi LGA, Enugu State, enabling her to pursue pilot training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Appreciating the governor, the beneficiaries under the umbrella of the National Association of Enugu State Law Students, described the gesture as an auspicious intervention, especially against the backdrop of the challenging economic realities of the country, and commended him for his vision and commitment to educational development in the state.
In a letter signed by the national president of the association, Stephen Obiora; the National Secretary, Johnpaul Obisike; and the National Public Relations Officer, Uzoamaka Aguoma, they expressed their commitment to bringing honor to the state.
“This bursary has come at the right time to allivate the financial challenges the entire country is facing at this time, giving us room to focus on our court and chamber attachments without too much worry about the current state of the economy.
“Your commitment to education and youth development is truly commendable. Your support is a testament to your administration’s dedication to empowering Enugu State indigenes and investing in our dear state’s future and progress.
“We appreciate you for believing in us. We look forward to making Enugu state proud,” they stated.
In a related development, Governor Mbah has also paid the sum of N12m to see Miss Chidiogo Igwebuike, a 24-year old graduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Enugu, through a Standard Pilot Course at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
It is recalled that the governor had in May 2024 awarded scholarship in the sum of N23.3m to Master Israel Echezona, a 17-year old indigene of Mgbagbu-Owa, Enugu State, who emerged the overall best candidate in the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology entrance examination, to also enable him train as a pilot.
[TheNation]
The Police Service Commission has challenged the Nigeria Police Force to provide verifiable evidence to support the allegations regarding the recruitment of constables.
The police had, in a statement on Saturday by the force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, rejected the names of those recruited by the commission.
Adejobi added that the PSC portal was scrutinised, and it was discovered that “several names of persons purported to be names of successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise.”
The Joint Union Congress of the Police Service Commission had several denied the allegations, demanding the removal of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
On Thursday, Egbetokun denied having scores to settle with the PSC, adding that his action was to ensure qualified people were recruited into the force.
Speaking on the matter for the first time, the PSC in a statement on Friday by its Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the allegations by the police were to give the commission a bad name.
The statement partly read, “The Commission has studied the issues around this successfully concluded recruitment exercise and has come to the conclusion that even after the Supreme Court Judgment, the Police is reluctant to allow the Commission perform this constitutional assignment. The Commission demands that the Police should provide verifiable evidence to prove the allegations peddled against it as it is obvious that it is a case of giving a dog a bad name to hang it.”
Ani noted that due process was followed throughout the exercise, stating that a forensic audit be conducted on the list the PSC released.
He said, “It is important to state that due process was meticulously followed throughout the exercise, and the Commission wishes to assert its prerogative to exercise full control over recruitments into the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Commission is also insisting that its list of successful candidates and that of the Police should be subjected to a forensic audit using the result of the JAMB computer-based test.”
Ani stressed that in the Supreme Court Judgment delivered on July 11, 2023, which gave the power to recruit to the commission there was no role given to the police.
This claim was contrary to what the IGP.
Egbetokun noted that while the Supreme Court gave the PSC the power to recruit, it, however, did not order the exclusion of the force from the process.
Ani said, “In this judgment, there was no role assigned to any person or persons outside the Commission in the conduct of recruitment, and as such, any claim to that effect is serious contempt of Court.
“The Commission, however, had, in its wisdom, invited relevant stakeholders into a Board for the recruitment exercise to ensure inclusiveness and transparency. This magnanimity has since been misconstrued. It is relevant to state that the judgment and even the Constitution did not give the Police any role in the recruitment of any cadre of Officers into the Police Force.”
Ani noted that while the police attributed their inability to perform to poor recruitment practices, he added that the previous recruitment carried out by the police was now hindering their ability to discharge their duties effectively.
He said, “It is unfortunate that the Police has attributed its obvious failure to protect lives and properties and safeguard our nation from banditry and terrorism to bad recruitment. This claim is self-indicting and provocative. Since 2019 when the Police forcefully snatched the exercise from the Commission, they have gone ahead against the provisions of the law to Superintendent over the 2020 and 2021 exercises. It is the fraudulent Recruits they brought into the system during these exercises that are currently haunting the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Commission is aware that this current brazen show of power by the Police with attendant spurious allegations is to perpetuate their stranglehold on the recruitment of Constables, even against the judgment of the Supreme Court. “
Ani called on President Bola Tinubu to caution Egbetokun to respect the constitutional mandate of the commission.
He said, “The Commission wishes to appeal to Mr. President to protect it and rein in the Nigeria Police Force to respect the Constitutional Mandate of the Commission to recruit. The Nigeria Police Force is created to enforce the law and not to circumvent it in whatever guise.
“It is the considered opinion of the Commission that the successful candidates should be allowed to proceed on training without delay.”
[Punch]
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has flagged off the construction of Gusau International Airport, saying it will stimulate economic activities in Zamfara State.
Tunde Moshood, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Keyamo, in a statement, said the project will also improve connectivity within Nigeria and beyond.
Quoting Keyamo, the statement said: “The construction of Gusau International Airport is a testament to our commitment to developing the aviation sector and promoting regional growth. This airport will not only improve transportation links but also create job opportunities and stimulate economic activities in Zamfara State and its environs.”
Governor Dauda Lawal, on his part, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its support and highlighted the project’s potential to transform Zamfara State.
Lawal, who noted that the airport was a vital component of his development agenda, further said: “It will facilitate trade, attract investment, and contribute significantly to the socio-economic advancement of our state. We are determined to see this project through to completion, and we appreciate the Minister’s dedication to this cause.”
[Vanguard]
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says it is disheartening to hear those in charge juxtapose Nigeria’s challenges with those of other nations.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu said Nigeria is not the only nation in the world grappling with poverty.
The president spoke in Lagos when he received a delegation from the national assembly who came to felicitate with him on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.
“Yes, there is poverty; there is suffering in the land. We are not the only people facing such, but we must face our challenges,” Tinubu said.
Reacting in a post on his official X page on Friday, Obi said the problems facing Nigeria are well known to all citizens.
Obi called on the federal government to provide concrete solutions to the country’s numerous challenges, rather than simply acknowledging that other countries face similar problems.
The former Anambra governor said a true leader provides direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis.
He expressed disappointment that those in charge are instead making statements that downplay the severity of the situation.
“The problems facing Nigeria are well-known to all Nigerians,” Obi wrote.
“We are the poverty capital of the world, among the most insecure people on earth, among the hungriest, have poor education quality and the highest number of out-of-school children, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, the highest income gap between the poor and the rich, high corruption perception index, infrastructure and healthcare challenges, and more.
“It is disheartening to hear those in charge, who were hired to address our problems, make statements like ‘we are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger’.
“Instead of merely acknowledging that other countries face similar challenges, we need to hear a thorough plan of action to tackle our unique struggles.
“We require concrete solutions and a clear vision to address these issues, not comparisons that downplay our circumstances.
“I urge those in leadership positions to offer tangible solutions, not mere reminders that others face similar challenges.
“We need a comprehensive approach to tackle our specific challenges, not generalizations that dismiss our experiences. A true leader provides direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis.”
Obi called on leaders to provide a roadmap for overcoming obstacles and to work towards a better future for all Nigerians.
“This is the hallmark of visionary leadership and a trait of nations that are making progress and advancing their development. They don’t simply state the obvious but offer a roadmap for overcoming obstacles,” he added.
“Just like a pilot who doesn’t just announce turbulence, they assure passengers that they will do everything possible to ensure a safe journey.
“Only then can we begin to trust that our country is in capable hands, working towards a brighter future for all Nigerians.”
[TheCable]
The Police Service Commission, PSC, on Friday, said the Recruitment of 10,000 eligible constables into the force, followed due process, as all candidates have been fully certified fit for the job
Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations in a statement on Friday, said the PSC had watched with keen interest the developments since it concluded and released the list of successful candidates for recruitment as Constables into the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the statement, ”the Commission is disturbed at the flagrant abuse of ethics, the Constitution and valid judgment of the apex court of the land which gave it power to recruit eligible candidates into the force.
“It is important to state that due process was meticulously followed throughout the exercise and the Commission wishes to assert its prerogative to exercise full control over recruitments into the Nigeria Police Force.
“It is unfortunate that the Police has attributed its obvious failure to protect lives and properties, and safeguard our nation from banditry and terrorism to bad recruitment, ” It said.
A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Kenneth Okonkwo has accused the Julius Abure-led executive of being workers of iniquity.
Okonkwo described the Abure-led LP executive as “a secret society led by a group of clowns.”
The former LP presidential spokesman vowed to dump the party if it continues on a “trajectory where they cannot even hold an acceptable national convention.”
In an interview aired by a news platform, Symfoni on Thursday, Okonkwo said: “My own Labour Party is not impressing me. Assuming they continue on this trajectory where they cannot even hold an acceptable national convention, then you’d tell me I’d be there?
“Those people are clowns. It is the greatest joke I have ever seen in a political party and then you want to position yourself as a party of integrity. You cannot give what you don’t have.
“Aburi and his cohorts, their tenure is over. Let Aburi and his cohorts get behind me. They are workers of iniquity. I don’t rate them. That executive is in charge of the secret society. They should be apprehended.”
LP have been involved in a leadership crisis since 2023 when Lamidi Apapa, deputy national chairman of the party declared himself the acting national chairman.
The crisis got worse in 2024 when a national convention of the party in Anambra saw Abure re-elected as chairman.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, allocated farmlands to 25 members of the state House of Assembly as parts of efforts aimed at ensuring food security and in support of the agricultural resurgence initiative of the federal government.
Prince Abiodun who presented letters of allocation to the lawmakers to commemorate the first anniversary of the 10th legislature at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the gesture was to make them contribute towards making the state the food basket of the country.
He said: “I recall that I had promised to allocate agricultural land to all the Ogun State legislators as part of our food security and agricultural resurgence initiative, which is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Today, in fulfilment of the promise and in commemoration of your one year in office. I am glad to present to you the letters of allocation for the speaker and the 25 members of the House of Assembly, and I hope that you would take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that you begin to grow what you eat and eat what you grow. This will be your way of ensuring the fulfilment of our desire to make Ogun state the bread basket of the nation.”
Abiodun, who lauded the Assembly members for their commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the welfare of the citizens, observed that their dedication to legislative excellence has been instrumental in driving the progress and development of the state
The lawmakers, the governor emphasized, has in the last one year, passed numerous bills and resolutions aimed at improving the lives of the people, noting that their tireless efforts, unwavering integrity, and collaborative spirit with the executive has made the state one of the best in the country.
“For each of us, whether in the Executive or Legislative branch, history has presented a rare opportunity to lead and serve the people who have placed their hopes and aspirations on our ability to deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy. In doing so, we must understand and decide which side of the divide we want to be and how we wish to be remembered,” he added.
Governor Abiodun assured the lawmakers that his administration is committed to working closely with them to advance key initiatives that would further drive the state’s development just as he pledged to prioritize investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and technology, to make the state remains competitive and prosperous.
“Together, we have a great task ahead. The expectation of our people is vast. We must strive to create an inclusive society where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive,” the noted.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide described the last one year as turbulent and filled with tension but maintained that the desire to give the people a purposeful representation saw them through the turbulence period.
He lauded the governor for embarking on the complete renovation and restoration of the assembly complex, adding that 24 new toilets have been added while water supply has been restored in offices of the legislators in the complex.
Rt. Hon. Elemide while assuring the governor of the Assembly’s cooperation in making laws that would fast track the socio-economic development of the state, noted that members would be guided by the fact that they were in the Assembly to represent the interest of their constituents.
Asari Dokubo, a former Niger Delta militant group, has warned that no individual will be allowed to pocket Rivers State.
Dokubo said only one person can be governor of Rivers State at a time.
He spoke amid the crisis in Rivers State caused by the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen.
Dokubo charged the former Chairmen to accept the end of their three-year tenure in good faith and avoid causing a problem.
Addressing his followers in Port Harcourt, Dokubo said: “Local government tenure has expired today, June 17, 2024. They should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election in accordance with the constitution, they should do so.
“But there is no tenure elongation in the constitution. Their position is tenure-bound and that tenure has expired. Let them not cause unnecessary problems for the people of the state. And I want to advise young people: look, don’t allow yourselves to be used.
“Only one man can be governor of Rivers State at a time. We would not have two governors at a time. The people of Rivers State are bigger than Muhajid Asari Dokubo.
“Rivers State is bigger than any individual. No individual can take Rivers State people for a ride and pocket us. It is not possible.
“The people are showing people’s power. The people have gone on their own to take over local government secretariats because it is about the people, and nobody can say that we voted for three years’ tenure for a chairman and the chairman should exceed one second of that tenure.”
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has appointed a former local government area chairman (name withheld), who was declared wanted by the police and 110 others as special advisers.
The ex-council boss was declared wanted by the police in connection with the murder of a former member of the state House of Assembly.
The governor appointed him, along with 110 others, as special advisers on Wednesday.
Stunned by thousands of storks flying over the sky in Gia Viễn dike, Ninh Bình - Nếm TV
The deceased was abducted in Takum and killed on December 30, 2017. Since then, the former council chairman has been on the run.
The Taraba State police commissioner, Mr David Iloyanmon, told journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, on April 25, 2024, that the police had been on the trail of the fleeing ex-council boss since the state chief judge ordered his arrest.
He said, “We are looking for him. We recently gathered that he has left the state, and we have been trying to arrest him for possible prosecution; wherever he is, we must get him arrested; it’s just a matter of time.”
Surprisingly, while announcing the new aides, the governor named the wanted man as one of the appointees.
In a press release issued by the secretary to the state government, Barr. Gibon Kataps, he announced the “approval of appointments as special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, community special assistants, boards, commissions and agencies of Taraba State government part 1.”
He said, “His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, has approved the appointment of the following to occupy the above offices, departments and agencies in the first instance.”
The appointment of the fleeing suspect has generated anger among the family members of the deceased, who expressed shock at the decision of the governor.
A family member who spoke to LEADERSHIP Friday on condition of anonymity for security reasons urged the governor to reverse the appointment and allow the suspect to face trial in a court of law.
Donald Trump said he wants to grant green cards to foreign graduates from US colleges, in an apparent softening of his typically hard-line view on immigration, a key election issue.
The Republican candidate made the remarks in a podcast published Thursday, days after President Joe Biden announced a citizenship pathway for immigrants married to US nationals, counterbalancing his recent crackdown on illegal border crossings.
“What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country,” Trump told the All-In podcast.
A green card is the commonly used name for a permanent resident card in the United States and a step toward citizenship.
Trump said this should include “anybody who graduates from a college,” including those who complete two-year programs, known as junior colleges, and doctoral graduates.
Asked initially on the podcast if he would promise to help import the “best and the brightest around the world to America,” Trump replied: “I do promise.”
He added: “I know of stories where people graduated from a top college, or from a college, and they desperately want to stay here… and they can’t.
“They go back to India, they go back to China. They do the same basic company in those places and they become multi billionaires employing thousands and thousands of people,” Trump said.
He also said that US companies need “smart people,” adding “they can’t even make a deal with a company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country.”
“That is going to end on day one,” Trump added.
During Trump’s 2017-2021 presidency, he ordered construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border and implemented a travel ban on people from mostly Muslim countries.
His comments came after Democrat opponent Biden on Tuesday relaxed visa rules for around half a million spouses of US nationals, making it easier for them to obtain citizenship.
The president also simplified the process for migrants who came to the United States illegally as children — known as “Dreamers” — to get work visas if they’ve graduated college and have a “high-skilled job offer.”
Biden — often accused of being soft on immigration by Republicans — earlier in June signed an executive order barring migrants who enter the United States illegally from claiming asylum when numbers surge past 2,500 in a day.
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The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the expulsion of former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu as a sign of panic by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that Shaibu was expelled from the party, alongside the PDP South-South Vice Chairman, Dan Orbih, after declaring support for the APC ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
Reacting to the development, the APC stated that Shaibu was welcome to return to the party.
The party maintained that it would embrace Shaibu and others when they decide to join.
Speaking via a statement on Thursday, the opposition said, “The hurried suspension of Philip Shaibu, the immediate past deputy governor of Edo State, and Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama by the Governor Godwin Obaseki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party is a sign that the remnants of the PDP are in panic mode as the election draws nearer.
“The All Progressives Congress in Edo State is aware that both politicians are community builders that have contributed to the development of the state both in and out of government, and the party is proud of them, especially with the contributions they have made for the enthronement of good governance that Senator Monday Okpebholo will bring to bear as from November 12, this year.
“Our party, the APC will not hesitate to embrace Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama whenever both gentlemen decide to bid the sinking ship of PDP goodbye.”
The Federal Government has begun the proposed audit of the N2.7tn fuel subsidy claim by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, The PUNCH has learnt.
An audit firm, KPMG had conducted an initial audit reducing the claims from N6tn to N2.7tn.
However, in the new audit, the government said it had approved the engagement of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation to verify the claims made by the corporation regarding the amount the government owes the oil firm.
This process was confirmed by the Director, Home Finance, Ali Mohammed, during the April 2024 Federal Account Allocation Committee meeting.
The government said an update on the issue would be provided during the May FAAC meeting.
The PUNCH had reported last month that the audit would span from 2015 to 2021, aiming to verify the authenticity of NNPC/Federation Account claims on the N2.7tn while it considered hiring an external audit firm.
On May 30, 2023, a few hours after the “subsidy is gone” declaration by President Bola Tinubu, the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, told State House correspondents that the federal government still owes the firm the sum of N2.8tn spent on petrol subsidy.
While saying the NNPCL footed petrol subsidy bills from its cash flow, Kyari said the government had so far been unable to pay back the N2.8tn.
He said “Since the provision of the N6tn in 2022, and N3.7tn in 2023, we have not have not received any payment whatsoever from the Federation.
“That means they (the Federal Government) are unable to pay and we’ve continued to support this subsidy from the cash flow of the NNPC. We are waiting for them to settle up to N2.8tn of NNPC’s cash flow from the subsidy regime and we can’t continue to build this.”
However, a copy of the minutes of the FAAC meeting obtained by our correspondent, however, revealed that the government had begun the audit of the N2.6tn subsidy claim.
The minute read in part, “On the forensic audit covering the period 2015 to 2021 to authenticate NNPC/Federation claims in respect of N2.7tn withheld by NNPC Limited: The Director, Home Finance informed members that the process of the forensic audit of NNPC Limited as reported at the last meeting was in progress. He assured that an update would be provided on the matter at the next meeting.”
Members of the committee also bemoaned the refusal of the NNPCL to comply with the revised exchange rate of N693.50/$1 in converting federation revenue.
According to them, NNPCL has declined to adhere to the revision of the May 2023 Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rate from N436.38/$1 to N621.86/$1, and subsequently to N693.50/$1, as instructed by the CBN.
On the refusal by NNPC Ltd to comply with the revised exchange rate of N693.50/$1 in converting Federation revenue, the Vice Chairman, Post-Mortem Sub-committee, warned that “If NNPC Ltd continues to disregard the use of the agreed rate without presenting any authority to that effect, FAAC will be left with no option but to take appropriate action to recover the Federation funds.”
The minute further read, “At the last meeting of FAAC, it was reported that there was a review of the May 2023 CBN Exchange rate from N436.38/$1 to N621.86/$1 and a further review to N693.50/$1 in line with the directive of CBN. NNPCL was directed to comply with the revised exchange rate of N693.50/$1 and re-compute all the Royalties, Taxes and other revenue items for May 2023 and revert.”
The official informed the meeting that at the April 2024 meeting of the sub-committee, NNPCL complained that the proposed review would result in a refund of N16,829,747,742.96 to the Federation Account by the company.
He concluded that the sub-committee expected that the Federation Account be refunded the amount of the exchange rate but NNPCL used it to defray the subsidy claim. He recommended that FAAC should decide on the matter.
He recalled that the sub-committee had reported the implication of the “weighted average rate” on PMS computation and discovered that the exchange rate differential for the period of June to December 2023 was N937,961,442,969.83, contrary to the NNPCL claim of N1,675,920,811,819.
He stated that the Sub-committee recognised only the exchange rate that was backed by law and that NNPCL was mandated to provide authorisation for the use of weighted average exchange rate on PMS Dollar payments. He disclosed that NNPCL in response, requested the Sub-committee to write the company officially to enable the release of the NEC approval on the issue.
He suggested that NNPC Ltd should be called to order and hoped that the matter could be resolved amicably with the company.
The Federal Government said yesterday it was working on establishing an electricity offences tribunal to combat power theft in the country.
Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, the Managing Director, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, Aliyu Tahir, who disclosed this, said: “We are working on the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an in-built appeal system for faster dispensation of electricity-related offences. It is to vest NEMSA in-house counsel with powers to prosecute electricity offences.”
Providing further explanation about the tribunal, Tahir said the initiative would adequately check electricity theft when implemented, adding that the National Assembly had been informed.
“We are looking at the establishment of this electricity tribunal to be able to enforce our mandates more. When you look at the enforcement, with respect to sanctioning of violators in the Act, it is a very long process.
“So to fast-track the prosecution of offenders, the establishment of this tribunal solely for the power sector will go a long way in ensuring that we fast-track the process, carry out enforcements and sanction violators,” he said.
The NEMSA boss said based on the powers conferred on the agency in the Electricity Act, NEMSA had been working hard to establish a tribunal that would speedily try electricity-related offences.
He noted that with the tribunal, issues of electricity theft would be addressed speedily and violators prosecuted as quickly as possible.
While noting that the agency was interfacing with the National Assembly on this, Tahir said further: “The establishment of this tribunal has been brought to the knowledge of the legislature and we’ve made submissions to them. Our hope is that they will amend the Electricity Act to include a provision for this.”
He also said his agency was perfecting the process for the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an inbuilt appeal system to speedily tackle power-related offences.
He said a total of 2,655,488 meters in the power sector had been tested and calibrated, as most of the equipment had been deployed for use by consumers across the country.
Tahir stated that in line with the mandate of the agency, NEMSA has tested and calibrated over 2.6 million meters.
He said NEMSA, which is an agency of the federal government established in 2015, was still testing and calibrating more meters to ensure their functionality, durability and safety when in use
“A total of 21,681 electricity installation projects have been inspected and tested, out of which 13,154 have been certified. Also, a total of 16,624 electricity networks have been monitored by NEMSA.
“About 4,921 factories, hazardous installations and public places have been inspected, tested and certified fit, while 2,655,488 electricity meters have been tested and calibrated, as 487 incidences were investigated by the agency,” the NEMSA boss added.
Tahir, who said the figures were based on data compiled by NEMSA as of the first quarter of 2024, added that the Electricity Act 2023 had strengthened the enforcement powers and responsibilities of the agency.
The Federal Government has requested an 18-month extension on the closing date of the World Bank’s $800m palliative loan to boost its social safety net programmes.
The request is coming in the wake of the country’s battle against rising inflation and economic challenges.
According to a restructuring paper document on the project from the World Bank, the government requested an extension of the closing date of the project from June 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
The report said about three million poor and vulnerable households have benefitted from the $800m palliative loan.
The apex bank had disbursed the loan to cushion the effect of recent government’s policies, such as fuel subsidy removal.
Of these beneficiaries, 700 thousand households were from rural areas and about 2.5 million households from urban areas.
The extension seeks to realign project timelines and enhance the efficacy of the National Social Safety Net Programme-Scale Up, adding that 1,652 urban wards had been covered through the targeting system developed under the project.
The document read: “Since its start, about 30 million beneficiaries have been covered by social safety net programs, and about three million poor and vulnerable households have received shock responsive cash transfers as of May 2024.
”Of these beneficiaries, 700 thousand households were from rural areas and about 2.5 million households were from urban areas. 1,652 urban wards have been covered through the targeting system developed under the project.”
It added that a planned digital payment delivery mechanism had been put in place, using straight-through processing to deliver transfers directly to beneficiaries’ accounts or wallets while the national social register is being integrated with the National Identification Number, NIN, to further strengthen the targeting system.
The NASSP-SU project, initiated to provide shock-responsive safety net support to Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable, was approved on December 16, 2021, and became effective on January 30, 2023.
With this loan, the Federal Government plans to run a monthly cash transfer programme for poor and vulnerable Nigerians, who have been hit hard by recent policies, such as the fuel subsidy removal.
But it was abruptly stopped following a probe of alleged malfeasance in the management of the scheme by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
As part of restructuring to restart the cash transfer, the government has sought approval to change the chairmanship of the project’s national steering committee from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Minister of Finance.
It also stressed that the extension request stems from Nigeria’s ongoing battle with high inflation, which peaked at 33.2 per cent in early 2024, exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate depreciation.
The document partly read, “This paper seeks approval from the Country Director for a Level II restructuring of the National Social Safety Net Program Scale-Up project, an $800m investment project financing.
”The restructuring will extend the project closing date by 18 months from June 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025. The benefit size and duration of the cash transfers under component 1 will also be changed.
“Despite earlier delays, the project remains central to the government’s ambitious plan to provide temporary cash transfer support to the population affected adversely by high inflation, particularly in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal and other macroeconomic reforms the government is undertaking.
”No financial or audit reports are pending, and there are no changes in the audit requirements. There have been some delays in procuring key service providers, and contract management practices are being improved by building the capacity of the PIU’s procurement team.”