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COP29: FG Announces Cost-Cutting Measures To Save N10bn
The Federal Government has announced the implementation of cost-cutting measures aimed at saving at least ?10bn as Nigeria prepares to participate in the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, in November.
The annual global event will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11th to 22nd November 2024.
Nigeria’s Special Envoy on Climate Change and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the new directives while briefing State House Correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Ngelale said the measures include scrapping payments for a showcase pavilion that cost Nigeria about $500,000 at the 2023 Climate Change Summit, COP28, in Dubai.
Instead, the delegation’s office will house all necessary engagements for the 11-day summit.
He explained, “With all of the savings through the provision and implementation of the climate accountability and transparency portal, as well as our active reduction of expenditure items identified in the COP28 spending profile, we have positioned ourselves to save this country over ?10bn during this 11-day event in November.”
The Presidential Envoy stated that the new directives became necessary after an audit of COP28 spending revealed “wasteful” elements, such as the purchase of a showcase pavilion and other ancillary items.
“We found through our audit that during COP28 in Dubai, there were significant expenditures on platforms that proved, in our view, to be wasteful. So ahead of COP29, we have resolved and concluded that there will be no showcase pavilion as part of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s cost reduction efforts.
“We recognise that what can be achieved with a showcase pavilion can be accomplished more economically by effectively utilising the on-site delegation office within the conference complex, and this we will do. We have found that by taking this option, the nearly $500,000 showcase pavilion purchased for last year’s COP28 will no longer be an expenditure item for COP29.
“In addition, the delegates’ office that we will be using to conduct bilateral meetings and other meetings, which would otherwise have been conducted in the showcase pavilion, will be held in the Delegates’ Office at less than 10 per cent of the cost of the showcase pavilion,” he explained.
He affirmed that anyone not engaged in activities directly linked to attracting business opportunities into the country “will not be part of the Federal Government’s delegation this time around.”
The Presidential aide also announced the creation of an accountability portal where Nigerians can access conference information, including details of government-sponsored officials at COP28 and spending on the conference.
“The National Council on Climate Change, in collaboration with my office, has established the Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal, which will, among other things, ensure that all members of the delegation across ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as the legislative branch of government, are captured on a transparent portal.
“This will mean that Nigerians will have full and real-time access to the numbers of those attending and those whom the government is sponsoring to COP29. This will also ensure that anyone attending this conference has an economic imperative to be there,” Ngelale said.
Last December, Nigerians criticised the Tinubu administration for sponsoring at least 1,114 delegates to the United Nations’ annual climate summit, COP28, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Although the FG said it sponsored only 422 delegates, reports indicated it spent ?2.78bn on airfares and estacodes.
The new directive comes just days after President Tinubu barred all officials with no direct function at the United Nations General Assembly from attending the event held in New York, USA, in September.
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.