The PRP calls on the CBN and the Nigerian Government to rescind the policy and focus on implementing measures that address the citizens’ concerns, including economic growth, job creation, and equitable distribution of resources. The party emphasizes its solidarity with the citizens and its commitment to fighting for a fairer and more prosperous future for all.
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Reject minister’s N15b residence proposal for Vice President, SERAP urges Akpabio
Reject minister’s N15b residence proposal for Vice President, SERAP urges Akpabio
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called upon Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to refuse the proposed N15 billion budgeted for constructing a new residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, stated in the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) supplementary budget.
The organisation said that the planned expenditure contradicts the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s global commitments against corruption and in support of human rights. According to SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the Senate bears the responsibility to ensure the spending aligns with constitutional mandates and that all public officials are bound by the rule of law.
SERAP’s recent letter to the Senate President highlighted the Senate’s crucial role in managing the country’s mounting debt crisis. The organization urged the Senate to refrain from approving any wasteful or unnecessary expenses aimed at indulging public officials’ personal comforts or lifestyles.
The group underscored the Senate’s vital oversight responsibility to address Nigeria’s debt situation, especially when the 2024 budget designates 30% (N8.25 trillion) for debt service costs, with a planned borrowing of N7.8 trillion. The country’s public debt had reached 87.4 trillion naira by June, with 38% owed to external lenders, including multilateral and commercial creditors.
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Should the Senate fail to curb unjustified expenditures and oversee government borrowing, SERAP expressed its readiness to pursue legal actions to ensure the National Assembly, including the Senate, fulfils its constitutional obligations for public interest.
The organisation further urged the Senate President to refer the alleged corruption in the previously approved N7 billion for a vice president’s residence construction to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The construction was reportedly abandoned, while the whereabouts of the N7 billion remain undisclosed.
According to SERAP, the proposed N15 billion spending on a new residence for the vice president, apart from the N2.5 billion allocated for the residence renovation in the federal government’s supplementary budget, is unreasonable. The House of Representatives has reportedly approved the N15 billion plan, along with another N3 billion for the vice president’s residence in Lagos State. Additionally, Nysom Wike, the Minister of FCT, aims to spend N2.8 billion on FCTA publicity.
SERAP emphasised the Senate’s role in preventing the use of the national budget for fulfilling personal comforts of public officials, urging the Senate President to adhere to the Nigerian Constitution and promote honest and lawful expenditure of public funds.
The organisation is vigilant about the Senate’s actions regarding the supplementary budget and intends to ensure compliance with constitutional obligations and prudent public spending.
Reject minister’s N15b residence proposal for Vice President, SERAP urges Akpabio
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Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips
Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after his trips to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.
According to the NTA, Tinubu returned on Wednesday.
On April 22, Tinubu left Abuja, the country’s capital, for the Kingdom of The Netherlands on an official visit.
Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said the president was visiting The Netherlands at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
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After the engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu proceeded to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia to attend a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting between April 28 and 29.
Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to the president, on Tuesday announced that the President and his aides will return on Wednesday in a post on his X handle.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” Onanuga wrote.
Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips
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National clean cooking policy gets FEC approval
National clean cooking policy gets FEC approval
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the National Clean Cooking Policy to ensure access to clean cooking energy solutions for all Nigerian households and institutions by 2030.
During the policy’s launch, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting policy domestication by implementing key recommendations, as stated by the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking (NACC).
“We will conduct extensive awareness campaigns to highlight the benefits of cleaner cooking solutions. Additionally, we’ll offer technical and business training to enhance the capabilities of local producers and distributors. Fiscal and monetary incentives will also be provided to encourage local manufacturing of clean cooking fuels and technologies,” he elaborated.
Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, emphasized the ministry’s plan to organize regional and state launches to raise awareness about the policy.
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“Effective implementation of the policy relies on states and local governments aligning with its goals,” he emphasized, pledging adequate budgetary allocations from the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, highlighted the significance of implementing the clean cooking policy in achieving national climate change objectives.
“Development partners have allocated substantial financial resources to support the national clean cooking goal,” he noted.
Ewah Eleri, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking, praised FEC’s approval of the national policy and called for collaboration among government levels, the private sector, civil society organizations, and international development agencies to combat cooking energy poverty and mitigate climate change impacts.
Eleri thanked all partners, particularly the Clean Cooking Alliance and the Heinrich Boell Foundation, for their contributions to policy development.
National clean cooking policy gets FEC approval
News
CBN cybersecurity levy will worsen Nigerians’ situation – PRP
CBN cybersecurity levy will worsen Nigerians’ situation – PRP
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has condemned the cybersecurity levy imposed on electronic transfers by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), describing it as ill-timed and insensitive, especially considering the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians due to the Federal Government’s unpopular policies.
The PRP, in a statement signed by its acting national publicity secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, and made available to WITHIN NIGERIA, called on the CBN to withdraw the policy and implement measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
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The statement questions the timing of the levy and criticizes the government for collecting money from Nigerians to fund the Office of the National Security Adviser without ensuring transparency or accountability in the utilization of the funds.
The PRP condemns the CBN’s directive and warns that it will further worsen the financial difficulties faced by Nigerian citizens, particularly impacting vulnerable groups such as hardworking individuals, families, and small business owners.
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