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Nigeria, A Non-Oil Country – Minister …FG Expands Tax Revenue Base
Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said Nigerians view the country as a non- oil producing nation, and declared that efforts are on to explore other sources of revenue. The minister said in a radio programme, Political platform, on Ray Power FM yesterday, said oil accounts for only 14 percent of the country’s natural resources.
She also said that the Federal Government hinted that Nigeria has the capacity to generate over N10 billion in revenue from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 2018 if half of Nigerians using kerosene for their domestic needs switch over to gas.
The Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Sulieman, who made this known yesterday in Abuja at the inauguration of the inter-ministerial committee on Kerosene to gas initiative in Nigeria: The Indonesian Model, said “If 50% of the current kerosene users in Nigeria switch over to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Nigeria will generate about US$10.38b by 2018.”
Addressing newsmen moments after laying the 2015 budget proposals before the House of Representatives yesterday, the minister said the country was working to also broaden the tax base, even as revenue leakages were being blocked.
She explained that the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) budget for next year is about N102 billion, adding that “SURE-P was facilitating an excellent job of making sure that critical infrastructure is finished and the country’s social safety net is kept to protect the vulnerable.
She explained that the 2015 budget was based on a few key indicators on $65 per barrel benchmark, adding “we are going to stick to it for now despite the declining prices because we feel the average price next year [should be] around $65-70. The production level is 2.27 million barrels per day. We have revised the growth rate based on the new parameters of the country, down from 6.35 to 5.5 per cent next year. But that is still one of the fastest growth rates we are experiencing in the world today.”
The situation in the manufacturing sector which assumed ascendancy in the last six-weeks, has been traced, amongst other factors, to the continuous fall in oil prices in the international market, and the slide in the foreign exchange rate of the naira, when compared against the dollar and other hard currencies.
Fear is being expressed by stakeholders in the Organised Private Sector (OPS), some of whom said it is a matter of time before the unfolding development snowballs into a major economic crisis, if no urgent steps are taken to stem the tide.
Besides the falling oil prices on which the nation relies for over 85 per cent of its federally collectable revenue, the devaluation of the naira and the non-inclusion of raw material inputs in sourcing foreign exchange from the bi-weekly Royal Dutch Auction System (RDAS), according to a source in one key player in the OPS, have grave implications for those in manufacturing, who depend on essential inputs from overseas.
The official said what is playing out now is reminiscent of the events of 1986 when the naira was devalued by the then military government, which resulted in the steep rise in prices and caused collateral damage to manufacturers of consumer products, the effects of which the nation has not recovered from.
He said what is happening currently will lead to the lowering of the purchasing power of the local currency, increase in cost of inputs, pointing out that the resultant effect would be that goods emanating from Nigeria will command higher prices, as against imported ones. This, he added, “will sound a death knell to the indigenous manufacturers, or whatever is left of that sector .”
While acknowledging the fact that the unfolding scenario was unanticipated, the official, nevertheless called for a shock therapy, saying the response to the challenge, especially by manufacturers and other segments of the OPS, might result in production cuts and price adjustments, with its attendant consequences. He said one of the most painful unintended outcomes of the measures manufacturers might adopt to keep afloat, would be to lay off some of their workers.
“This will be at variance with government’s often trumpeted agenda, which is that of creating jobs,” he said.
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
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