Okowa signs Delta 2021 budget into law – Newstrends
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Okowa signs Delta 2021 budget into law

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Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has assented to the state’s 2021 Appropriation Bill.

He said the state government would strive to recover from the economic challenges engendered by COVID-19 pandemic.

Okowa, who signed the bill Monday in Asaba, commended the state’s House of Assembly for speedy passage of the appropriation bill.

He said that signing the budget with a month to the end of 2020 would avail the state government the opportunity to plan further towards the implementation of the 2021 budget from January, 2021.

He said, “You have just witnessed my signing into law the 2021 Appropriation Bill, and as I said on October 27, during the presentation of the bill, we are in very difficult times this year, no doubt both in this country and globally.

“And, with the second wave of the pandemic, it will create a further challenge for the recovery of the economy of our nation.

“However, we are optimistic that in the 2021 fiscal year, things will gradually improve and we will be able to get back to the levels of infrastructural development and the human capital development for our people.

“This is very necessary because there is a lot of pain; there is a lot of unemployment and our people are generally getting restive nationally and I pray that God will help us and this nation to rediscover ourselves and to commit every work of our people and our state and nation for the common good of all our citizens.

“The budget is termed ‘budget of economic recovery’ because we are very much aware of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, both on our health systems and the economy of the country, which is still largely dependent on the oil economy,’’ he said.

The governor said a lot was being done to grow the agricultural sector but stated that the programme would take time for it to begin to manifest meaningfully.

According to him, as long as the people are still dependent mainly on the oil economy with the global pandemic going, they will definitely have a lot of shortfall, both in the prices and the volume of oil being sold in the international market.

Okowa said, “This obviously impacted negatively on our budget in 2020 that we had to reduce our budget downward twice in the year.

“However, I want to use this medium to appreciate our various contractors who had continued to stay in their various sites to work even when it is becoming increasingly difficult to make payments on contractual agreements already made.

“We will continue to be very responsible as a state and we will continue to work with them to deliver on our projects.”

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Carloha announces Chery SUV gift for NAPE Charity Golf Tournament winner 

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Carloha announces Chery SUV gift for NAPE Charity Golf Tournament winner 

 

Ultimate winner of the forthcoming NAPE Charity Golf Tournament holding in Abuja will drive home Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, a superlative sport utility vehicle.

Carloha Nigeria, one of the major sponsors of the event, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos.

The golf tournament is scheduled to take place at the prestigious IBB Golf & Country Club, Abuja, on October 26, 2024.

Carloha, franchise holder and assembler of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, said its sponsorship of the tournament was part of its commitment to fostering sports development in the country.

Part of the statement read, “Chery is offering its flagship SUV, the Tiggo 8 Pro as the ultimate prize for any player who achieves a hole-in-one during the tournament.

“This event promises to be an unforgettable experience for golf enthusiasts and those passionate about positively impacting our community.”

It specifically noted that the highlight of the tournament would be the incredible hole-in-one winning feat attracting a prize of Chery Tiggo 8 Pro generously provided by Carloha without insurance premium coverage for the tournament.

This prize is said to underscore Chery’s support for sporting initiatives in Nigeria and reflect the brand’s passion for nurturing talent and promoting community engagement through sports.

Director of Sales for Carloha Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Omokhapue, said, “We are glad to be one of the major partners in the NAPE Charity Golf Tournament, and offering an amazing prize for the hole-in-one with Tiggo 8 Pro represents Chery’s dedication to supporting sports in Nigeria, as well as enhancing the excitement and competitiveness of the tournament, making it an event to remember.

“More importantly, this gesture is one of the many ways Carloha is contributing to the underprivileged in our society by associating with the NAPE Charity Golf Tournament.”

By participating in this prestigious event, Golfers have the chance to showcase their skills and also contribute to a worthy cause.

Proceeds from the tournament would go towards supporting local charities, creating a lasting impact on the lives of those in need, the statement added.

The Tiggo 8 Pro, according to the firm, is renowned for its luxury, cutting-edge technology, stylish design, dynamic performance, and it perfectly embodies Chery’s dedication to excellence for on and off-road experience.

The Tiggo 8 Pro features an elegant, high-tech electronic gearshift system that provides effortless and precise control, enhancing safety performance and ease of operation, adeptly tailored for the diverse terrains of Nigeria.

It urged golfers and sports enthusiasts to get ready to swing for success at the NAPE Charity Golf Tournament.

“We look forward to seeing you at the IBB Golf Country Club as we come together to make a difference, promote sports development in Nigeria, and celebrate the Chery brand,” it stated.

As part of its commitment to make vehicle ownership easy and affordable for all, Carloha Nigeria offers a remarkable 6-year warranty/200,000 kilometers, 6-year free service on all Chery vehicles, a flexible auto financing solution with the best price for all vehicles, and 24/7 services and parts support nationwide.

This ensures that owners can enjoy their Tiggo 8 Pro with confidence, knowing they have reliable support and service from Chery for years to come.

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NNPC to establish 40 new CNG stations nationwide

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NNPC to establish 40 new CNG stations nationwide

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has acquired equipment to establish 40 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across the country, as part of efforts to expand CNG infrastructure.

This comes as the Federal Government aims to set up 100 CNG stations within six months.

Oluwagbemi Michael, Director of the Presidential CNG Initiative, revealed the plans during an event in Ogun State.

He noted that 12 CNG stations were set up in the past year, six in Abuja and six in Lagos, with further expansion underway.

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This move follows concerns over the limited availability of CNG stations, which has slowed the adoption of CNG as an alternative to petrol.

Michael highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, including a recent N122bn funding for private companies involved in CNG distribution.

He also mentioned the government’s plan to distribute one million CNG conversion kits to commercial drivers, which is expected to increase demand and attract more investors to the sector.

Additionally, existing petrol stations are being upgraded to include CNG refuelling points, with 40 such upgrades planned by the NNPC.

NNPC to establish 40 new CNG stations nationwide

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MTN threatens to shut down services without tariff hike

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MTN threatens to shut down services without tariff hike

MTN Nigeria has warned of a potential shutdown if tariffs are not increased to address the rising operational costs that are threatening the profitability of the telecommunications sector.

During a tour of MTN’s facilities in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, said the telecom sector has been facing significant financial losses and urgent measures are needed to reverse the trend.

Toriola pointed out that MTN, which currently has around 78 million subscribers, is operating on reserves accumulated over the past two decades, a situation he described as unsustainable.

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The company’s operating costs, especially diesel prices needed to power its base transceiver stations, have surged, adding pressure to its financial performance, he added.

The CEO stressed the importance of returning the telecom industry to profitability, warning that without a tariff hike, MTN might be forced to shut down operations.

“There should be no delusion; if the tariff doesn’t go up, we will shut down,” he said.

He noted that MTN, once one of the largest corporate taxpayers in Nigeria, has seen a decline in its tax contributions due to the financial challenges the sector is facing.

MTN threatens to shut down services without tariff hike

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