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Buhari Seeks $5.5bn Foreign Loans
President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the Senate’s approval to borrow the sum of five billion, five hundred million dollars from external financial sources, to fund capital projects in the 2017 budget and to finance local debts as well.
President Buhari in a letter read to the Senate by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki yesterday, said the external loan are expected to come in two parts .
First is $3.0 billion for re-financing of maturing domestic debt obligations of the Federal Government, and the second part of $2.5 billion for the financing of the Federal Government’s 2017 Appropriation Act and Capital Expenditure projects in the Act.
According to the letter, the request for the external loan of three billion was based on the resolution arrived at by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in its meeting held on August 9.
As stated in the letter, the $2.5billion would be borrowed from international capital market, through Eurobonds or a combination of Eurobond and diaspora bonds, while , the $3 billion would be sourced from Eurobond in the international market, and, or through loan syndication by banks.
According to the letter, the $2.5 billion external loan would be used to finance the deficit in the 2017 Appropriation Act and provide funding for the capital projects in the budget, which it listed to include Mambilla Hydropower Project, construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international Airport.
Other projects to be funded by this loan are: counterpart funding for rail projects and the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road, with a bridge across the Opobo Channel.
The three billion dollars , President Buhari said would be used for the re-financing of domestic debts would be used to reduce the debt service levels and lengthen the tenure profile of the debt stock, hence the federal government seeks to substitute maturing domestic debt with less expensive long term external debt.
Buhari in the letter also told the Senate that the loan request would not lead to increase in the public debt portfolio of the country,
According to him , the substitution of domestic debt with relatively cheaper and longer term external debt will lead to a significant decrease in debt service cost, adding that the proposed refinancing of domestic debt through external debt will also achieve more stability in the debt stock while also creating more borrowing space in the domestic market for the private sector.
”It is important to note that the proposed sourcing of three billion dollars loan from external sources to refinance maturing domestic debt will not lead to an increase in the public debt portfolio because the debt already exists, albeit in the form of high interest short term domestic debt”.He wrote.
However, terms and conditions of the borrowing as indicated in the letter can only be determined at the point of issuance of finalization based on prevailing market conditions in the International Capital Market.
President Buhari futher urged the Senate to give the request expeditious consideration and ,as he reminded them to note that the external loan terms is a market based transaction specifically determined by the timing and prevailing conditions of the capital market at the time .
Meanwhile, Senate yesterday approved a budget of N152.8 billion for the 2017 expenditure of the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS).
The approved budget indicates
a total of N31 billion representing 20.33 of the total budget mapped out for capital budget.
Following the report and recommendation of the Senate Finance committee, the Senate approved N75.8 billion as personnel cost which is 49.58 percent, N46 billion for overhead cost also of 30.09 percent.
The personnel cost however increased from N51.8 billion in 2016, to N75.8 billion in 2017 due “to the planned recruitment of 700 additional staff in 2017 and upward review of salary by 30% as approved by Salary, Wages and Income Commission,”
The FIRS has a projection of N4.9 trillion of revenue in its 2017 budget.
The Nigerian Senate also approved the sum of N270.5billion budget for the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) for the year 2017.
The NPA also has a revenue projection of N288.7billion in the year 2017
Also N161.9 billion was approved for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) with a projected revenue of N161.9 billion for 2017.
In his remarks at plenary, the President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki noted that it is necessary for revenue generating agencies to live up to their mandates as this would reduce the need for borrowing by the Federal Government.
Saraki said the Senate would ensure through its oversight functions that the agencies live up to expectations.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.