FG: Fuel Subsidy to Go in Second Half of 2022 – Newstrends
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FG: Fuel Subsidy to Go in Second Half of 2022

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2 years ago

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Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation (BoF), Mr. Ben Akabueze

The federal government has explained that the current subsidy regime on petroleum motor spirit (PMS), which is covered under the ‘Cost Recovery’ mechanism of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would end in the first half of 2022.

The Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation (BoF), Mr. Ben Akabueze, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday during an interactive session with journalists, civil society organisations and other stakeholders on the 2022 budget proposals.

Akabueze explained that fuel subsidy exerts enormous strain on government finances and does not benefit the poor for which they are targeted, adding that the elite enjoy 80 per cent of subsidy.

The DG Budget stated that the revised 2022-24 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) was premised on a hybrid of January-June which is anchored on the current fiscal regime with provision for cost recovery by the state oil company, as well as July-December based on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) fiscal regime.

According to him, by the second half of 2022, the NNPC would transit fully and operate as a full commercial entity funding its operations and maximising its gross revenues.

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Akabueze, who spoke extensively on the proposed N16.39 trillion budget, noted that 34.8 per cent of projected revenues is to come from oil-related sources while 65.2 per cent is to be earned from non-oil sources.

He pointed out that the combined expenditure of the federal, state and local governments was less than 15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, the biggest challenge stems from low revenue, lamenting that about 40 million of the 70 million Nigerians who should be in the tax pool were not paying taxes.

He said, “It is absolutely critical that we fix our revenue challenge because oftentimes people just say cut expenditure. The truth is cutting expenditure is not currently a viable option for two main reasons. Number one, our public expenditure to GDP ratio is about the lowest even on the continent of Africa.

“As a country, our public expenditure to GDP ratio is under 15 per cent. Even on the continent of Africa, that ratio, the average is over 30 per cent. The global average is over 30 per cent. I am talking of the whole of government – federal, state and local governments. The reality is that in aggregate, governments in Nigeria are not spending too much, they are actually spending too little.

“So, the solution is not to cut government spending. The solution is to make government spending more efficient and actually increase the scope for the government to be able to spend more because our public expenditure to GDP is so low. That is why the delivery of public goods and services is weak.”

Akabueze argued that there is correlation between low public expenditure to GDP ratio and low revenue to GDP ratio.

He further stated that the government’s revenue to GDP was also among the lowest in Africa.

Akabueze observed that many stakeholders had advocated a cut in personnel cost which currently stands at about N4.1 trillion to address revenue challenges, arguing that doing so was not an option.

This, he noted, is because public sector wages are already low compared to the private sector.

On the implementation of the Stephen Oronsaye Report which recommended the scrapping of some government agencies to save cost, Akabueze said the government was still considering the option, adding that another committee had been set up to look into it.

On the alleged duplication of some projects in the FGN 2022 budget proposal, he stated that a review of the claims in some quarters indicated that most, if not all the projects are not duplications.

He added: “For instance, two projects with the same narration and located in the same geo-political zone are not necessarily the same. They may be in different states, local government areas or communities.

“However, errors (including duplications, if any) in the budget, which must be within a reasonable margin of error, are corrected during the enactment process,” he said.

Also dispelling allegations of opacity in the composition of Statutory Transfers, and that they are stated as lump sum provisions without details especially the budget of the National Assembly, Akabueze said it was important to note that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy.

“The budget details presented to the National Assembly are those of the executive arm of the federal government. We can only encourage other arms of government to publish their budget details for public scrutiny. We believe the public deserves to have these details, and will support your advocacy in this regard.

“Indeed, the Budget Office of the Federation has implemented several reforms to deepen citizens’ participation, transparency and access to budget information.”

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African automakers, minister, NADDC DG for June 27 Nigeria industry summit

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April 24, 2024

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African automakers, minister, NADDC DG for June 27 Nigeria industry summit

A delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) from South Africa is expected in Nigeria on June 27 this year to attend the maiden edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU).

The team will be joined by the Nigeria Association of Automotive Manufacturers (NAMA) team and other leading stakeholders to brainstorm on the sector’s development in the country and by extension Africa.

The organisers of the event, Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), disclosed this in a statement, adding that it would be organised in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

Scheduled to hold at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, June 27th, 2024, the summit is envisioned as an annual flagship event of the country’s automotive industry to rally all stakeholders together to explore the great potential in the automotive sector for national development.

It said the maiden edition of the event would be declared open by the Minister of Industries, Trade and investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, under the theme ‘Reviving Nigeria’s Economy through the Automotive Sector’ .

It would have the NADDC Director General, Mr. Joseph Osannipin, as the chief host, it stated.

Commenting on the importance of the summit for the development of the country’s automotive sector, Chairman, organizing committee of NAISU, Femi Owoeye, said, “Initiating this summit is vital, especially at this moment in history, when Nigeria is struggling to map its way out of the prevailing global economic despair.

“Being one of the drivers of the global economy, the automobile industry, if given the necessary impetus in Nigeria, is capable of transforming the country to an automotive manufacturing hub in Africa.

“To this end, Nigeria Auto Industry Summit shall annually produce significant information that would help the government to make it happen.”

On his part, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma, said, “Significantly, the summit shall bridge the information and communication gap between the nation’s auto industry stakeholders and relevant government agencies.

“Moreover, annually, the summit shall give a single and united voice for the auto industry leaders to set developmental agenda aimed at kick-starting and driving relevant government policies towards a sustainable development of the automotive industry in Nigeria and ultimately position the country as a frontline beneficiary of the African Free Trade Agreement Area.”

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CBN releases more dollars as naira weakens to 1,300/$

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9 hours ago

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April 24, 2024

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CBN releases more dollars as naira weakens to 1,300/$

The naira depreciated further against the United States dollar at the official market on Tuesday, closing at 1,300/$.

This came as the Central Bank of Nigeria stepped up efforts to stem the tide, selling more dollars to Bureau De Change operators.

The apex bank disclosed the dollar sale in a new circular referenced TEM/FEM/PUB/001/013 and uploaded to its website on Tuesday.

It was signed by the CBN Director, Trade and Exchange Department Dr Hassan Mahmud.

The apex bank said it was set to sell $10,000 to BDCs at N1,021 per dollar and directed the operators to sell at a spread not more than 1.5 per cent above the CBN rate.

Amid the development, the naira maintained a depreciation trend against the United States dollar on Tuesday, falling to N1,300 per dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market.

The new rate is N66 per cent weaker than N1,234 per dollar recorded on Monday.

A summary of the forex transaction showed that the intra-day high depreciated by N22, closing at N1,317 per dollar from N1,295 per dollar. The intra-day low however gained to N1,000 from N1,051/$.

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While the total daily turnover increased slightly to $133.65m from $110.17m on Monday.

At the parallel market, currency traders sold the dollar between the rate of N1,300 and N1,320 on Tuesday from N1,260 recorded on Monday.

Earlier this month, the apex bank sold $10,000 to BDCs at a rate of N1101/$ and directed the BDCs to sell to eligible customers at a rate not exceeding 1.5 per cent above the purchase price.

This initiative represents the second such occurrence this month and the fourth instance this year, underlining the CBN’s proactive strategy in managing currency volatility and ensuring the availability of essential foreign exchange.

The PUNCH reported on Monday that the Naira depreciated against the United States dollar reaching an exchange rate of N1,234 at the official foreign exchange market. This represents a decline of N65 or approximately 5.26 per cent from the previous rate of N1,169.99/$1 recorded on Friday. The fluctuation in exchange rates can have significant implications for trade and economic stability.

The statement read, “We write to inform you of the sale of $10,000 by the CBN to BDCs at the rate of 1,021/$. The BDCs are in turn to sell to eligible end users at a spread not more than 1.5 per cent of the purchase price.”

This recent move follows the CBN’s resolve to continue to defend the naira as stated by the bank earlier.

The CBN directed all eligible BDCs to commence payment of naira deposit into the designated CBN accounts from April 22, 2024.

It also asked the operators to submit proof of payment and other documents at the appropriate CBN branches for disbursement.

CBN releases more dollars as naira weakens to 1,300/$

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CBN sells dollar to BDCs at N1,021/$1

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23 hours ago

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April 23, 2024

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CBN sells dollar to BDCs at N1,021/$1

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a $10,000 sale to each licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operator nationwide.

The apex bank has made its second intervention this month.

The CBN detailed the action in a circular issued to the President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators (ABCON).

BDCs can purchase dollars at a rate of N1,021 per dollar.

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They are, therefore, authorized to sell this forex to eligible end users at a maximum spread of 1.5 percent above the purchase price, translating to a maximum selling price of N1,036.15 per dollar.

On the 8th of April 2024, the CBN sold $10,000 FX to each of the 1,588 participating BDCs at a fixed rate of N1101 per US dollar at a spread capped at 1.5 percent above the purchase price from the CBN (approximately N1,116.15 per dollar). This limited the potential profit BDCs could make on each transaction

The latest circular has instructed all eligible BDCs to commence immediate payment of the Naira equivalent for their allocated $10,000 into designated CBN Naira Deposit Accounts.

CBN sells dollar to BDCs at N1,021/$1

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