Govs Reject N162m Monthly Repayment Plan For FG Loan …As Buhari Seeks Senate’s Confirmation For New NDDC Board …Names Tsoho, CJ, Federal High Court, Kanyip, NICN President, Appoints Three RECs

The 36 state governors, yesterday, rejected the proposed plan by the Federal Government to extend the repayment period of its budget support loan to state governments from 22 years to 30 years.
Based on the extension, state governments’ monthly repayment would reduce from N252million monthly to N162million monthly.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
She was with Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano, Ogun State Governor, Engineer Dapo Abiodun, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.
According to her, the Federal Government has made the first and second months’ N252million monthly deductions in September and October, based on the 22 years repayment plan.
Following the outcry of the state governors, another repayment schedule plan extending the year to 30 years and a monthly repayment of N162million was presented to NEC, yesterday.
But she said that the state governors were still not satisfied with the repayment extension to 30 years.
She said, “The budget support facility was initially for 22 years repayment period. And when we made the first deduction in September, the states had complained that the amount deducted, which was N252million, was too harsh.
“So, since then, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who is the lender, has revised the condition to make the repayment period longer. And so the new repayment period is 30years. And this means that the states will be paying monthly N162million. But again today, the states still were not satisfied with the condition.
“So, we are expecting that the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, CBN and the states will engage again with the view of having the CBN further revise the condition to reduce the monthly repayment burden”, she stated
Meanwhile, the 36 governors, yesterday, met with state commissioners of finance and heads of authorities in Abuja to discuss how to jerk up tax collection in states.
The meeting came a day after the governors signed a memorandum of understanding with the Joint Tax Board.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ekiti Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who spoke at the opening of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) peer learning meeting said, the platform was to share reform experiences and consolidate actions.
“As commissioners of finance and heads of tax authorities, you are responsible for both tax policy and administration in your states.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a letter to the Senate, requesting the screening and subsequent confirmation of a former deputy governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu, as chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board.
In a letter read on at yesterday’s plenary by the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Buhari has also requested the confirmation of 15 other members of the board.
Other members of the board are – Bernard Okumagba (Delta), who will serve as managing director and Otobong Ndem (Akwa Ibom), who was appointed the executive director, Projects.
Also listed are – Maxwell Okoh (Bayelsa), Jones Erue (Delta), Victor Ekhatar (Edo), Joy Nunieh (Rivers), Nwogu Nwogu (Abia), Theodore Allison (Bayelsa), Victor Antai (Akwa Ibom), Maurice Effiwatt (Cross River), Olugbenga Elema (Ondo), Uchegbu Kyrian (Imo) and Aisha Muhammed (Kano), who is representing North-West on the board, while Ardo Zubairu (Adamawa) represents North-East on the NDDC board.
Lawan later referred the names to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Peter Nwaoboshi, to conduct the screening and report back to the Senate in one week.
Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, forwarded the name of Justice John Tsoho to the Senate for confirmation as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC).
The President also forwarded the name of Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip as the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).
The Senate also received three nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The nominees include Umar Mukhtar Gajiram (Borno), Dr. Alalibo Sinikiem Johnson (Bayelsa) and Raheem Muideen Olalekan (Osun).
In his letter nominating the three state Resident Electoral Commissioners, Buhari said, “Pursuant to Paragraph 14(3) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) I hereby write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following three nominees as Resident Electoral Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): Umar Mukhtar Gajiram (Borno), commissioner; Dr. Alalibo Sinikiem Johnson (Bayelsa), commissioner; and Raheem Muideen Olalekan (Osun), commissioner.”
On the appointment of the Judge of the Federal High Court, Buhari said: “Pursuant to Section 250(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Honourable Justice J.T. Tsoho as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
“While I trust that the Senate will consider this request in the usual expeditious manner, Please, accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
On the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Buhari said, “Pursuant to Section 250(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Honourable Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip as the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
“While trusting that the Senate will consider this request in the usual expeditious manner, Please accept, Distinguished Senate President the assurances of my highest consideration”, the president wrote.