News
2016 Budget: FG Earmarks N500bn For Social Welfare
The Federal Government has earmarked N500billion of the projected N6.04trillion 2016 budget for social welfare packages for the vulnerable in the society which the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had earlier promised.
This was even as the entire 2016 budget profile of N6.04trillion is based on deficit of N2.22trillion on account of N3.82trillion projected as total revenues expected by federal government in the year 2016.
As contained in a Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper ( FSP) , forwarded to the National Assembly Tuesday by President Buhari the federal government is to collaborate with state governments in the implementation of the N500billion worth social welfare packages to the low income group of the society. .
The MTEF document read in part, “ The federal government will collaborate with state government to institute well structured social welfare intervention programmes such as , school feeding programme initiatives, conditional cash transfer to the most vulnerable, and post NYSC GRANTS.
Buhari explained that these interventions will start as pilot scheme and work towards securing the support of donor agencies and development partners in other minimize potential risks.
He also noted that a phased social welfare programme will be created to cater for larger population of the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians upon the evidence of children’s enrollment in school and evidence of immunization.
On the planned rationalization of MDAs, the president stated that government would adopt a three- pronged approach in the management of public financial resources by improving on revenue generation , collection, and quality spending in a manner that would enhance transparency , accountability and results in service delivery.
He said that Government will, in the near to medium -term, continue to prone the size of the federal government and its NDAs to more efficient level without compromising efficiency and effectiveness.
His words ”Over the medium term however, government will revisit the need to rationalize the agencies of government and strategically implement relevant provisions”.
On the TSA, Mr President said that the implementation of Treasury Single Account ( TSA), would be fully complemented with full implementation of the Integrated PayRoll and Personnel Information System ( IPPIS) in all MDAs which would result in additional savings.
The proposed budget, according to the President which aims at curtailing the federal government expenditure profile, will cut down on the mounting number of claims for increases in salaries and allowances including pensions and other
According to the MTEF document , N150billion is earmarked for fuel subsidy , N115 billion for the National Assembly as against N120 billion earlier projected, N29 billion for amnesty programme in the Niger Delta and N45billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Other prominent projections in the MTEF are N77.11 billion for Universal Basic Education ( ÜBE), N1.20billion for Public Complaints Commission ( PCC) and human rights , etc.
The budget represents a 30% increament in the capital expenditure for 2016 as against the 2015 budget.
Agriculture, Education, Health, Road maintenance , security, water supply and Defence got priority votes in the proposal with additional focus on human and infrastructure development.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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