News
FG Releases N654bn For Capital Projects
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, yesterday, confirmed that a total sum of N654billion has so far been released for implementation of capital projects through various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as at October, 2019.
Ahmed disclosed this during the ministry’s 2019/2020 budget defence held at the instance of the House Committee on Finance chaired by Hon. Abiodun Faleke.
Faleke had expressed concerns over $470million debt burden from the failed Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) and other frivolous line items such as telephone charges in the annual budget estimates/Appropriation Act for the MDAs.
In the same vein, the lawmakers who frowned at the level of impunity being perpetrated by revenue-generating agencies on the payment of 25 per cent operating surplus to government coffer, called for review of the provisions which enable the MDAs to spend 75 per cent of the revenue generated despite approved budget for personnel, overhead and capital projects on yearly basis.
The committee also demanded full details of the bailouts given to states, private sector especially in the power sector as well as banks.
The lawmakers expressed displeasure over the unethical practice wherein commercial banks convert dollars sent by Nigerians in Diaspora to naira to boost their foreign domiciliary accounts, as well as the stringent conditions imposed on Nigeria by the Chinese government on loans obtained to fund some infrastructural projects funded in Nigeria.
Speaking further on the 2019 budget performance, the minister explained that the debt servicing is 100 per cent, overhead expenditure paid for six months while critical MDAs overhead, including NYSC and unity schools stand at 90 per cent.
Ahmed also disclosed that the states that took the Federal Government loan for bailout have started repaying the loan.
The minister disclosed that states have started paying back the loan since September.
The disclosure followed a question by Faleke on the status of the loans given to states to bail them out.
Ahmed in her response said, “The states, from September have started repaying the bailout, it’s a loan.”
Speaking further on companies bailed out, he noted that the “institutions are under Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), currently AMCON is stressed, the assets bought by AMCON are not repaying back.”
Responding to question on the failed Abuja CCTV project, the minister asked the committee to direct all concerns to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Musa Mohammed, on the over $400million loan taken for that project.
In his remarks, Faleke asked the ministry to remove all repetitive items in the budget.
“There is repetition of similar items, how are we sure they are buying the furniture annually? In National Assembly, we are not buying furniture annually. Most of the people we had here defending their budget said that is the template. You need to look into it,” Faleke said.
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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