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2021: Amaechi seeks approval for N205bn transport capital projects

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has presented a capital budget of N205,161,882,492 for 2021 to a Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Land and Marine Transport.
According to him, land transport will have N204bn while marine transport has a total of N845m with an overhead cost of N358m.
He made the presentation of the proposed appropriation on Friday in Abuja.
The minister said, “The total capital appropriation of the ministry for 2020 is N70,365,081,808; land has N69,667,177,564; marine N697,904,244, out of which N36,018,702,122, representing 51.49 per cent, has been released to date with Land having N35,928,905,544.77 and Marine with N89,796,577.50 has been utilized as of November 2, 2020.”
A statement made available to journalists by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mrs Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni, said, “The sum of N245,494,182.42 was appropriated for overhead expenditure out of which N176,926,909.26 was released; the sum of N157,956,153.18 of the released amount was expended as at Oct 28, 2020.
“The ministry is proposing a total capital budget of N205,161,882,492 with Land transport estimates is N204,316,793,527, marine transport estimates N845,088,965 with the overhead of N358,799,999 in the 2021 budget which is before you for consideration.
“The aims and objectives of these proposals are to make significant progress on all ongoing projects and to complete and deliver modern railway services that would provide an efficient and cost-effective alternative transport system for economic growth and creation of job opportunities for the citizenry.”
Amaechi noted that the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria and Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) are fully funded from the national budget while National Inland Waterways Authority, Maritime Academy of Nigeria and Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) derive their funding from both the national budget as well as the Internally Generated Revenues (IGR).
The minister stated however that three of the agencies under the ministry, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) are fully self-funding and make reasonable remittances to the consolidated revenue fund.
He said that the major role of the ministry in the marine transport sector was to oversee the monitoring of the implementation of government policies for the subsector, largely carried out by the agencies.
News
Nigeria ranks 36th on most corrupt countries’ list (full list)

Nigeria ranks 36th on most corrupt countries’ list (full list)
Transparency International, a global coalition against corruption, has ranked Nigeria as the 36th most corrupt country in the world, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released on Tuesday.
Nigeria shares the 36th position with Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq and Cameroon, each scoring 26 points on the corruption index.
Denmark retained its position as the least corrupt country in the world with 90 points, followed by Finland with 88 points and Singapore with 84 points. The top 10 least corrupt nations were predominantly European, with no African country making the list.
However, Cape Verde emerged as the least corrupt country in Africa, ranking 35th globally with 62 points.
At the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan, Somalia and Venezuela were named the most corrupt countries in the world for the year under review.
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Commenting on the report, Francois Valeria, Chair of Transparency International, emphasised the widespread threat of corruption and its impact on global challenges such as climate change.
“The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that corruption is a dangerous problem in every part of the world, but change for the better is happening in many countries,” Valeria said.
“Research also reveals that corruption is a major threat to climate action. It hinders progress in reducing emissions and adapting to the unavoidable effects of global heating.”
The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
While 32 countries have significantly reduced corruption levels since 2012, Transparency International noted that 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened in the same period.
“The global average of 43 has also stood still for years, while over two-thirds of countries score below 50. Billions of people live in countries where corruption destroys lives and undermines human rights,” Valeria added.
News
Nigeria commiserates with Namibia on death of ex-President Nujoma

Nigeria commiserates with Namibia on death of ex-President Nujoma
The Federal Government has commiserated with the government and people of the Republic of Namibia on the passing of their first President, Dr. Sam Nujoma.
Nujoma, the founding president of Namibia died at the weekend at the age of 95 years.
The revolutionary leader, who served as Namibia’s first president for 15 years, died on Saturday night in the nation’s capital, Windhoek.
Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba said Nujoma died from an illness after being hospitalised in the capital, Windhoek.
A statement by Acting Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the departed leader as a visionary and a pan-Africanist.
The statement read, “The departed elder statesman was a visionary leader, a pan-Africanist and a relentless freedom fighter, who dedicated his life to the emancipation of Namibia from colonial rule.
“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality and self-determination not only shaped the destiny of Namibia but also inspired generations of Africans in the fight against oppression and injustice.
“As the pioneer President, Dr. Nujoma laid the foundation for a nation built on the principles of democracy, reconciliation, and development.
“His leadership set the country on a path of peace and progress, earning him the respect and admiration of the international community.
“Nigeria shares in the grief of our Namibian brothers and sisters at this moment of profound loss. We remember Dr. Nujoma as a true friend of Nigeria and a steadfast ally in pursuing African solidarity and cooperation.
“His legacy as a freedom fighter and statesman will forever remain a source of inspiration for the continent.
“Therefore, in this time of mourning, Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Namibia and reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship and partnership between our two nations. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
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Obasanjo: Leaders have to step on toes, I sacked my daughter for coming late

Obasanjo: Leaders have to step on toes, I sacked my daughter for coming late
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says all political of note have had to take difficult decisions including stepping on big toes.
He recalled how he had to sack his daughter from his farm on account of late coming to work.
According to Obasanjo, that action had a major effect on all his employees and they said, “if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”
The former President made the disclosure while hosting the new Chairman, Board of Management of Federal Medical Centre Idi-Aba in Abeokuta, Dr Dayo Israel, who was on courtesy visit to him the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He told his visitor to prepare for the challenges ahead and be ready to step on toes, if necessary, for a successful tenure of office.
He said, “No leader of note I ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.”
Dr Israel was in company of the FMC, Abeokuta Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and members of his management team.
The former President, according to a statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Dr Segun Orisajo said: “If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.
“Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, then at University of Ibadan, studying Veterinary Medicine was engaged on my farm to gain some practical experience during long vacation”.
“On day one, she resumed a quarter past seven in the morning as against the usual 7 o’clock. I warned her, reminding her that she has an obligation to be of good example to other workers. I told her I will not hesitate to wield the big stick should the same be repeated going forward.
“To my amazement, the following day, she was late to work again. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate.”
“Not surprisingly, this had an indescribable effect on all my employees, saying “if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”
Earlier, the FMCA Board Chairman, Dr Israel, described Obasanjo as an international colossus, full of wisdom and wits.
Israel said: “Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always so much fun. As we begin this journey of transformation at FMC Abeokuta, Baba’s wisdom and experience are invaluable.”
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