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Governors received N30bn to cushion hardship – Akpabio

Published

2 months ago

February 21, 2024

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

Governors received N30bn to cushion hardship – Akpabio

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stated that an “unverified report” revealed that state governors received N30 billion apiece from the Federation Account to alleviate inflation and high food prices in their respective states.

Last September, the federal government announced that N2 billion had been released to governors from the N5 billion loan it gave to each state to cushion the impact of the cessation of fuel subsidies.

During the plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio stated that information available to him suggests that, in addition to the initial tranche of monies, the governors received an additional N30 billion through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

“I must say that an unverified report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months has received additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service outside their normal allocations from the Federation Account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation,” Akpabio said.

Akpabio advised the governors to use the funds judiciously to reduce the high cost of food items and other challenges facing the country.

“We believed that every state government should utilise the funds received towards ensuring that food is available in the country.

“So, the state governments have a lot to do. They are closer to the people, and I do not want to mention local government because most of the local governments are controlled by the state governors.

“My belief is that if the state government does what is needed, then the local government will be involved in sharing to make sure that these things get to the people. But we must not overlook the fact that Nigerians are not going to be interested in stories.

“Nigerians want to see action. Nigerians want to eat, and we will provide food for them; there is no excuse. Despite what we met on the ground,” Akpabio added.

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However, Akpabio alleged that many of the protests were organised by an organisation opposed to the federal administration.

Akpabio claimed that the demonstrators and their supporters refused to appreciate the Senate and the federal government’s efforts to combat inflation in the country.

“The situation is revolving daily. You can see a lot of protests here and there, but those people are not aware. Most of those sponsored protests are not aware of the kind of efforts being made by this Senate to tackle the situation together with the joint management team of the Federation Government of Nigeria.

“There is no father who will want to see his child sleep in the night without food with the stomach grumbling, so we must provide. That is why I said we must not limit our discussion to We will not import food; wherever we can find food to put on the table of Nigerians, we shall do so,” Akpabio said.

Akpabio added that the worsening economic situation was driven by COVID-19, insecurity, and the N30 trillion Ways and Means Advance acquired by the Muhammadu Buhari administration from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“It is an uncommon situation that has been execrated by many factors, from COVID-19 to insecurity to inflation to even the ways and means of N30 trillion that put so much pressure on the Central Bank of Nigeria and left a very big gap in the financial situation such that if this government inherited this situation, it tried to feel the gap. It means that people will not eat, salaries will not be paid, and nothing will be done until the gap is filled. We have taken it, and we must move on,” Akpabio said.

In his speech, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin stated that the high cost of living and deteriorating economic situation are not unique to Nigeria.

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Mr. Jibrin stated that other developed countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America, are also experiencing difficult economic times.

“What is happening presently in Nigeria is not something that is happening in isolation. It is not only Nigeria that is facing this economic challenge. It is something that has an international dimension.

“The world economy is not in its best shape as we speak. As we speak, the United Kingdom’s economy is in recession. They are in recession as we speak. The price of goods and commodities in the whole world has risen everywhere—in the U.S., name it. So, it is not peculiar to Nigeria.

“The Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East crisis have created a situation where prices of goods and commodities all over the world have gone up. So what is left for us here is to look at our own problems and try to summon these problems, and that is exactly what we are doing. We should stop thinking that it is only Nigeria,” he added.

The Deputy Senate President stated that the federal government is doing all possible to address the economy’s deterioration.

“Yes, we are facing challenges occasioned by what is happening internationally. We have to look at the problems and how we deal with them, and this is exactly what we are doing.

“Of course, our security situation is not what we want it to be. We understand that the CinC (Commander-in-Chief) is doing his best in collaboration with service chiefs and other security agencies. They are doing their best.

“The government is doing its best, and the president is doing his best. What we need to do is have everybody come together, a full collaboration of everyone,” he said.

Governors received N30bn to cushion hardship – Akpabio

Related Topics:Akpabio Featured governors hardship

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Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Omoyele Sowore

Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

Omoyele Sowore, a prominent Nigerian activist, has called for the prosecution of the American International School (AIS) in Abuja for alleged money laundering involving former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello and his former Chief of Staff, Ali Bello.

In a post on X, Sowore alleged that Bello and his aide laundered close to $1 million under the guise of paying “future school fees” for their children at AIS.

He argued that similar to the American justice system, the AIS should face charges instead of simply refunding the money.

He further urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that the school discloses all such payments made by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). Sowore believes that investigating such payments could reveal widespread financial misconduct and calls for AIS to be converted into a public school if found guilty.

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His words: “The American International School @AISAbuja , where fugitive former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello @OfficialGYBKogi and his former Chief of Staff, Ali Bello, laundered close to $ 1 million in the name of paying “future school fees” of their wards should be charged and prosecuted for money laundering instead of being allowed to refund the money.

“This is the way the American justice system treats such cases on US soil, the @officialEFCC must also ensure the school discloses all such school fees paid by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

“I am sure there are a lot of discoveries that would be uncovered such that the school could be converted to a public school instead of its criminal connivance with financial criminals fleecing the Nigerian public across board, these must necessary apply to these ultra-expensive private schools in Nigeria.”

Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

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Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo

Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

The Coalition of Northern Patriots (CNP) has hailed the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, for prioritising the safety and well-being of air travellers.

The group stated this in a statement signed by its president Kudu Mohammed in reaction to the suspension of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Dana Airlines.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Wednesday, announced the airline’s suspension after its aircraft (MD82 with registration marks 5SN-BKI) skidded off the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos runway.

In reaction, Mohammed said Keyamo is restoring dignity and confidence to the sector with innovative reforms in line with global best practices, always promoting national security interest as a patriot.

Mohammed said in the aviation business that there is no margin for error. Hence, all protocols must be strictly adhered to, and that is what Keyamo has done.

“The suspension of the operations of Dana Airlines is a welcome development,” the statement said. “As we all know, this is the second time within two years that Dana Air’s AOC has been suspended over safety violations.

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“In 2022, the airline’s operation was halted after the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the airline by the regulatory authority came out negative.

“This time around, though, thankfully, we have an Aviation Minister whose priority is the safety and well-being of travellers unafraid to make painful decisions for the good of the nation.

“We have a man who never compromises and strongly holds on to his principles. Mr Keyamo has already introduced some innovative reforms in line with global best practices. He has carried out a thorough cleansing of the polluted sector he inherited.

“We, therefore, pass a vote of confidence on his leadership. Of course, we are aware that he is not the most-loved minister due to his transparent and resolute approach.

“However, we want to let Mr Keyamo know that the masses are with him.”

The group, therefore, urged him to remain a fearless advocate of the masses and never to allow himself to be silenced by detractors.

Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

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Fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Ondo, Osun, others

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Ondo, Osun, others

There is no succour yet for motorists and other petrol end users despite the Thursday statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that it had resolved the logistic problems that sparked the supply crisis.

Reports from across the country yesterday showed that many filling stations had no fuel to sell.

Some sold over and above the threshold of N650 per litre while motorists and other buyers besieged the few ones that sold within the range of N600 per litre.

While many petrol stations in Lagos sold fuel at the normal price and queues were not noticeable, it was a different story in the industrial town of Ota, Ogun State where some filling stations hiked their pump price to N799 per litre.

In Abuja, over 80% of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) retail outlets shut down their operations yesterday, creating an opportunity for a massive black market around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Although the price remained unchanged at N617 per litre at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations while major marketers sold it for between N680 and N690 per litre, some independent marketers vended the product for as high as N750 per litre.

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Black marketers sold one litre for as much as N1,200 to desperate motorists.

Some drivers who ran out of fuel in hot spot were ready to pay N1,300 per litre just to exit the danger zone.

Meanwhile, there was a sign of hope that the situation would improve at weekend as The Nation could see more retail outlets getting opened to customers at 5:45pm.

Many civil servants who had a tough time returning home from work on Thursday did not bother to turn up at their workplace yesterday.

Epileptic fuel supply in Ondo

The epileptic supply of fuel was no better in Ondo State yesterday with many filling stations also shut down.

The price ranged between N600 and N670 in the few filling stations that opened for business.

Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Ore depot, Shina Amoo, said NNPCL was not selling to IPMAN members.

Amoo said IPMAN members had to resort to buying from third parties at high prices.

He said fuel marketers are shutting down operations in the state due to low or non-profit margin.

Long queues in Enugu

The crisis was characterised by long queues at filling stations in Enugu while the price hovered between N600 and N725 per litre.

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It was N660 in some Total, Enyo, Masters Energy, Rainoil and Northwest filling stations and N660 per liter in NNPC filling stations.

Osun residents, motorists groan as petrol stations hoard fuel

Residents and motorists in Osun State accuse petrol dealers in the state of hoarding and profiteering.

The Nation observed long queues at major marketers petrol stations with price ranging between N625 and N640 per litre.

Independent marketers sold theirs for between N700 and N750.

Human rights activist Comrade Waheed Saka asked the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the State government to check the situation.

A motorist, Saheed Salako, claimed that many of the petrol stations had fuel but refused to sell.

Crisis worsens in Plateau as a litre goes for N800

Many car owners in Jos, the Plateau State capital have been forced by the hike in fuel price to park their vehicles at home.

A litre sold for between N760 and N800 at some filling stations yesterday.

The NNPCL had attributed the tightness in the supply of PMS currently being experienced in some areas across the country to logistics issues but said the issues “have been resolved.”

It urged Nigerians to “avoid panic buying as there is sufficient product in the country.”