Business
‘Nigeria Needs To Address Constraints Of Exportable Commodities’
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, has said that to build a competitive global economy, the nation needs to address constraints of other exportable commodities.
He said this during the public consultation on the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper, (FSP) with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the media and organised private sector in Abuja, Thursday.
According to him, the key thrusts of the framework are consistent with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,(ERGP) which is aimed at moving the nation away from dependence on a single commodity to run on multiple engines.
He affirmed that the nation was on track to achieving full recovery and growth, adding that, it needs to look inwards to boost non oil revenues and observe fiscal prudence at all levels.
“It is important that we build a globally competitive economy because this dependence on crude oil for our foreign exchange is not sustainable and so we have to get other commodities to export.
“In order to export them, they have to be competitive.
“Therefore, we have to address all the constraints that are not making our goods competitive so that we can grow what we eat, produce what we consume and have enough for export.”
Udoma said the key assumptions and macro-framework of the 2018 budget were predicated on oil production of 2.3 million barrels per day (mbpd), oil price of 45 dollars per barrel and an exchange rate of N305 to one dollar.
He also said the inflation rate was pegged at 12.42 per cent and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate was 4.8 per cent.
It was projected in the MTEF that oil production would be 2.4 mbpd in 2019, 2.5 mbpd in 2020, while exchange rate was retained at N305 to one dollar for 2019 and 2020.
Inflation was projected to stay at 13.39 per cent in 2019 and 9.90 per cent in 2020.
Udoma said the medium term fiscal policies were directed at achieving macro-economic stability, accelerating growth, intensifying economic diversification and promoting inclusiveness.
“We are focusing on stabilising the macro-economic environment, align monetary, trade and fiscal policies, accelerate non-oil revenue generation, drastically cut costs and privatise selected public enterprises and assets.”
He also said the Federal Government would enhance oil revenues and accelerate non-oil revenues through policies by transitioning from the traditional Joint Venture (JV) cash call budget to the self funding mechanism.
Other objectives are improved tax and customs administration, tightening of tax exemptions (including duty waivers), possible review of Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and excise duty, commencing with luxury items.
He recalled that the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo recently signed an Executive Order giving amnesty for voluntary compliance with tax, adding that he believes that Nigerians would come forward to pay their taxes.
Udoma also said the Federal Government aims to address recurrent and capital spending imbalance with continuous allocation of at least 30 per cent of its budgeted expenditure on capital projects.
“It will also maintain deficit and debts within sustainable limits,” he said.
Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms Patience Oniha, said the nation had to fund its budget through borrowing, adding that, it was not defaulting in its debt responsibilities, rather it was capable of paying what it owed.
She, however, said the nation was not borrowing outside the limits set for it by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) as it was still within it, which means that the debt it had incurred was sustainable.
She also said if the nation could increase its revenue significantly to enable implementation of the budget then it could achieve the growth it was looking at.
Some of the CSOs applauded Federal Government’s efforts in involving them and other Nigerians in the preparation of the document, adding that it would enhance transparency and accountability in the process.
The MTEF/FSP is a three-year planning tool that defines government’s economic, social and development objectives and priorities.
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola-Ogbe, has reeled out initiatives evolved by the Board in its contribution towards capacity building for youths across the country.
The NCDMB Scribe revealed this recently at the 2024 Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Youth Forum held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Tagged “empowering the future: unlocking the opportunities in the Niger Delta oil and gas sector”, the event featured three thematic lecture series delivered by the founder and leader of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC), Mr. Zik Gbemre, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths Development, Mr. Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, and the Chief Executive Officer, PE Energy ltd., Mr Daere Akabo.
Ogbe, who was represented by the Manager, Capacity Building of the Board, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, noted that the NCDMB has recently partnered the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) to commence the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (NC-HCD) in the oil and gas sector for the training of 331 young graduates.
“As you already know, the NCDMB was established by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010.
“Our mandate is to develop human capabilities and material capacities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and to monitor and enforce compliance with the provisions of the act”, the NCDMB Scribe said.
“The theme for this year’s youth event is ‘Empowering the future: Unlocking the opportunities in the Niger Delta Oil and Gas Sector’. This theme speaks to our determination and ongoing efforts to introduce youths from the Niger Delta to opportunities that abound in the oil and gas industry.
“Few weeks ago, we partnered the NLNG to kick start the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (NC-HCD) basic training programme for a total of 331 young graduates. The training covers ICT, Engineering, Welding and Fabrication, Non-destructive Testing (NDT), Lifting and working at Height, Quality Management Systems, Marine and offshore services and Facility Management and Maintenance.
“We also organised training for youths with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), WalterSmith Petroleum, and other organizations. And as part of the NCDMB’s initiatives in the Niger Delta, we’ve developed two oil and gas parks at Emeyal one in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Odukpani in Cross River State”, he added.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State, has won the maiden ‘’Anti-Corruption” debate organised for select Secondary Schools across the six geopolitical zones of the nation by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) at the Content Tower, headquarters of the Board, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Tide reports that at the debate umpires said following the evaluation from the presentations by the two finalists, Federal Government College, Kazaure, Jigawa State, scored a total of 74.4 points as first runner-up while the Federal Government College, Delta State garnered 76.4 points to emerge winners.
Other schools that participated in the various stages of the debate leading to the finals were Federal Government College, Odi, Bayelsa State; Federal Government College, Okigwe, Imo State; Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos State; Federal Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State; and Federal Government College, Rubochi, Abuja.
The Tide further reports that the theme for the 2024 International Day of Anti-Corruption was, “Effective Whistleblower Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption”, while topic for the debate was, “Impact of integrity on the expansion of public trust and confidence in governance.
Earlier in his keynote address, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, restated the Board’s stance against corruption, noting that fighting corruption is a must for the Board.
He reaffirmed his commitment to ideas and programmes geared towards putting an end to corruption within the system, and lauded the Federal Ministry of Education for approving the participation of students in the event.
While commending the ICPC for their support and continuous oversight over the activities of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACTU) of NCDMB, Ogbe also thanked the anti-graft unit of the Board for putting the event together, noting that they were doing well in their efforts at combating corruption.
“To be clear on what today is about, we’re marking and celebrating International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), with focus on raising the consciousness of our youths on the ills of corruption and how it stunts the socio-economic development of any Nation.
“This is to send a strong message for extra vigilance by all of us in combating the menace of Corruption from all fronts”, the NCDMB boss said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Federal Government has earmarked N700billion from the federation account to implement the distribution of free electricity meters under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
This was disclosdd by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communications and Media, Bolaji Tunji.
Tunji, who, in a chat with The Tide’s source noted that the PMI was on course with a target to deliver two million meters yearly, also revealed that the amount reserved for the project had reached N700 billion and procurement had started.
“The Presidential Metering Initiative is still on course. Two million meters every year, delivery of the first batch will start by the first quarter of next year. About N700billion provision has been made, and the money is ready”, he said.
He further revealed that the government would fulfil its promise to deliver 1.3million electricity meters out of the 3.2 million meters under the World Bank Distribution Sector Reform Programme initiative this month, saying that “The DISREP programme will commence this month”.
An analysis of the Federal Account Allocation Committee meeting minutes obtained by our correspondent between April and August showed that the government had saved N420billion from a monthly deduction of N100billion.
The amount deducted from the monthly federation revenue before allocation to the three tiers of government was aimed at bridging the metering gap in the country, which currently stands at 50 per cent.
Recall that N120 billion was deducted from April revenue as the first tranche for the PMI, bringing the amount deducted from the federation account for the initiative as of August to N420billion.
In May, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the government would provide an initial N75billion as seed capital while the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority pledged to inject N250 billion annually for the initiative.
The Minister also disclosed that the initiative would leverage debt financing from diverse financial institutions to bolster the PMI’s resources.
The Managing Director of Abuja Distribution Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Victor Ojelabi, recently said the PMI would unlock about N1trillion in revenue currently tied up in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry due to a large number of unmetered customers.
Under the initiative, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission announced the approval of N21billion for the 11 electricity Distribution Companies to provide meters for end-use customers at zero cost.
The Distribution Sector Recovery Programme is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the challenges and inefficiencies within Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector.
Recently, the NERC acknowledged that the country’s metering gap remains substantial despite installing 3.03million meters since privatising the power sector in 2013.
It said 6.15 million out of 13.33 million registered customers had been metered, bringing the metering rate to 46.14 per cent in 2024.
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