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N6.2trn Supplementary Budget For Minimum Wage, Infrastructure – Minister
The Federal Government says the proposed N6.2 trillion supplementary budgetary will be used to pay the minimum wage.
Mr Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, gave the assurance while addressing the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriation in Abuja.
He said that the funds would be spent on stimulating the economy through the implementation of various infrastructural projects.
These projects include road, rail, water, irrigation, and dam projects in the 2024 fiscal year with prudent utilisation of the funds.
He said that the N3 trillion would cater for the newly proposed national minimum wage, for which President Bola Tinubu said the bill would soon be sent to the National Assembly.
He said that the proposed budget was also aimed at providing counterpart funding for rail projects that had literally stopped for a while, including the longest among them.
These, according to him, are the Port Harcourt Main Bridge, which would traverse the rivers Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and other parts of the country.
The minister said the second project is Badagry-Tin Can Port, Lekki Port, while the third one is Lagos-IIbadan Standard Gauge, adding that the fourth one is Kano-Marada Standard Gauge.
He said that there would be funding for rolling stock that is required, adding that this would gulp the sum of N530 billion as requested for the five rail projects.
Bagudu said that the sum of N522 billion was also provided for water, irrigation, and dam projects, adding that the proposed N3.2 trillion renewed hope infrastructural fund was “intended to provide equity contributions.
Bagudu assured that the projects encapsulated in the amendment to the 2024 Appropriation Bill would not limit the revenue available for the implementation of the 2024 Appropriation Act.
Rep. Abubakar Bichi, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, had earlier urged the Minister to give details on the Appropriation Bill, including the N3.2 trillion capital expenditure increase.
This also includes the N3 trillion recurrent expenditure for the newly proposed national minimum wage transmitted by Mr. President for accelerated consideration.
Bichi observed that there was a need for Nigerians to be adequately informed of the details of the proposed N6.2 trillion budget.
This, he says, was in addition to the N28.7 trillion appropriation Act approved for the 2024 fiscal year.
The Committee urged the Federal Government to address the infrastructural deficit and also address issues of security.
Responding, Bagudu said that various efforts were being made to address issues concerning the security of lives across the country.
The Tide source reports that some of the projects proposed in the supplementary budget include: Lagos-Calabar, a 1,000-kilometer road project for which a sum of N150 billion is required
Sokoto-Badagry road projects, as well as the rail project, for which the Chinese government has provided 85 percent funding while the Federal Government is yet to provide the 15 percent counterpart finance.
According to Bagudu, the Lagos-Calabar, which is expected to start in three different sections, has commenced in Lagos, the Calabar end, and one additional section, Sokoto-Calabar.
He added that the Lagos-Calabar also covered the five Southeast States as well as Port Harcourt and Maiduguri rail lines.
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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