Business
World Bank, FG move to end fuel subsidy
The Federal Government and the World Bank have discussed further reforms to eliminate fuel and electricity subsidies in the country.
The Nigerian government had in March 2020 removed petrol subsidy after reducing the pump price of the product to N125 per litre from N145 on the back of the sharp drop in crude oil prices. But it re-emerged this year following the significant rise in oil prices.
The Federal Government’s removal of petrol subsidy and the increase in electricity tariff were in line with reforms being sought by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
“The recent introduction and implementation of an automatic fuel price formula will ensure fuel subsidies, which we have eliminated, do not reemerge,” the Federal Government told the IMF in the letter of intent dated April 21, 2020 with respect to its request for emergency financial assistance of $3.4bn.
The Minister of State of Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said in July last year that the Federal Government had reached a conclusion that it could no longer bear the burden of petrol subsidy.
The IMF said in February this year that Nigeria had expressed strong commitment to avoid the return of fuel subsidy and to put an end to electricity tariff shortfalls by June this year.
In a report after the conclusion of its Article IV consultation with Nigeria, the Washington-based fund said the authorities highlighted important recent reforms undertaken despite a difficult macroeconomic environment.
It said, “They expressed strong commitment to prevent fuel subsidies from resurfacing and to fully eliminate electricity tariff shortfalls by mid-2021.
“They believe that lifeline tariffs and other relief measures are adequate to protect poorer households from increases in electricity prices and highlighted the benefits from higher and more predictable availability.”
The President, World Bank Group, Mr David Malpass, met with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, on April 8 and discussed Nigeria’s ongoing COVID-19 response, and the need for fast deployment of vaccines.
The president and the minister ‘also discussed further reforms to phase out energy subsidies, noting the importance of compensatory measures for the poor and vulnerable’, the World Bank said on its website.
The World Bank had said in October that the Nigerian government had ‘taken important steps to reform its subsidy regime’.
It noted that the Nigerian government had eliminated petrol subsidy and established a market-based pricing mechanism with no price ceilings.
“The gasoline (petrol) price is set monthly by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency from market-based costs. When international petroleum product prices start to recover, the PPPRA will allow price increases accordingly,” it said in its Africa’s Pulse report.
Business
SEC announces stricter measures to protect investors
SEC announces stricter measures to protect investors
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting investors in Nigeria’s capital market by cracking down on fraudulent activities.
According to the Director-General of SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, operators engaging in unscrupulous practices will face strict penalties as the Commission prioritizes safeguarding investor interests.
“So, clearly for us, it is getting people to understand that there is no hiding place anymore for anybody that has the intention to defraud Nigerians and to defraud anybody that is investing in this market,” Dr. Agama stated, emphasizing the Commission’s zero-tolerance policy.
READ ALSO:
- Why postgraduate students are ineligible for FG loan – NELFUND
- Bitcoin rises above $86,000 as crypto market gains momentum
- 2 Nigerians in US face heavy jail term over fraud
Dr. Agama highlighted that the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007 serves as the framework for securities regulation in Nigeria, ensuring that market operators adhere to high ethical standards.
He emphasized the importance of the “fit and proper person’s test,” which requires operators to meet specific regulatory criteria to maintain their licenses.
“This is because the very ethics of regulating or registering a securities market operator is in the principle of the fit and proper person’s test,” he explained.
“What you have been seeing most recently by the revocation of licenses, the suspension of operators and our follow-up to operators that are not registered with the SEC is only a tip of the iceberg as to what we intend to do this year.”
Dr. Agama assured stakeholders that the SEC will leverage its regulatory powers under Nigerian law to deter fraudulent activities, noting, “We believe strongly that a protected investor is a powerful investor.”
SEC announces stricter measures to protect investors
Business
Bitcoin rises above $86,000 as crypto market gains momentum
Bitcoin rises above $86,000 as crypto market gains momentum
Bitcoin and other leading cryptocurrencies extended their gains on Monday, buoyed by positive investor sentiment despite concerns over upcoming U.S. tariffs and key economic data releases later this week.
As of 7am WAT, Bitcoin rose 3.2% to $86,590, while Ethereum gained 2.3%, trading at $2,047.
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization increased by 2.94% in the past 24 hours, reaching $2.84 trillion.
Other notable performers included XRP, Cardano, and Dogecoin, which posted gains of 3%, 2%, and 3.8%, respectively. Chainlink, Avalanche, Hedera, and Stellar recorded growth ranging from 3% to 10%.
“Bitcoin is holding above $86,000, registering a 3% gain today. The key resistance level to watch is $86,700; a breakout could pave the way for $90,000,” said Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Giottus.
Bitcoin’s market capitalization surged to $1.727 trillion, with dominance rising to 60.73%. Its 24-hour trading volume soared by 93% to $18.2 billion, while stablecoin transactions accounted for 94.74% of total crypto trading, reaching $57.58 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.
READ ALSO:
- 2 Nigerians in US face heavy jail term over fraud
- Canada denies 13,000 Nigerians refugee status
- Lagos Govt to redesign Oshodi motor park for rail integration
Solana Outperforms Peers Amid Positive Market Sentiment
Solana (SOL) emerged as a standout performer, surging over 7% in the past 24 hours to trade above $139.
The rally was fueled by reports suggesting that President Trump’s April 2 tariffs may be more targeted than initially feared, easing market concerns.
Weekend rumors indicated that the tariffs might include country exemptions and non-cumulative charges on metals, contributing to improved sentiment across global markets.
The Federal Reserve’s projections for two rate cuts this year further supported risk assets, with the central bank describing potential tariff-induced inflation as “transitory.”
BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes expressed optimism about Bitcoin’s trajectory, stating, “The Fed’s policy orientation could help Bitcoin achieve $110k before it retests $76.5k.”
Solana’s momentum aligns with unprecedented acceptance rates. DeFiLlama reported that Solana’s total value locked (TVL) reached 54.87 million SOL, its highest level since June 2022. Ali Charts revealed that a record 11.09 million addresses now hold SOL, underscoring growing adoption.
Bitcoin rises above $86,000 as crypto market gains momentum
Railway
Lagos Govt to redesign Oshodi motor park for rail integration
Lagos Govt to redesign Oshodi motor park for rail integration
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to redesign the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI) to integrate the facility with the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems, advancing its Rail Mass Transit project.
This initiative aims to deliver seamless connectivity between the two key rail networks and enhance commuters’ experience in Lagos.
The disclosure was conveyed via a statement shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation on Saturday, highlighting the need to optimize the design and operations of the OTI to boost efficiency and align with global standards.
READ ALSO:
- Nurse punished in UK for addressing convicted transgender paedophile as ‘Mr’
- Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds
- Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko
To kickstart the process, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Seun Osiyemi, held a meeting with stakeholders to assess the current state of the interchange and outline strategies for its improvement.
“The Ministry of Transportation sought to address the ongoing developments and challenges affecting the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI) in preparedness for the integration of the Rail Mass transit system; Red Line rail project connecting the Blue Line.
“The Ministry recognized that a review of the OTI’s design and operations is essential for its optimization which led to the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi meeting with relevant Stakeholders to discuss the current state of the OTI and identify viable solutions that would enhance its operational efficiency in alignment with global standards and Standard Operating Procedures,” the statement read in part.
Lagos Govt to redesign Oshodi motor park for rail integration
-
metro2 days agoNatasha: Court blocks recall attempt, stops INEC
-
Sports2 days agoOdegbami speaks on Osimhen breaking his 44-year goals record
-
Entertainment2 days agoI didn’t snatch Asake’s mother from her husband -Musibau Alani
-
Entertainment1 day agoSome ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko
-
metro2 days agoOluwo accuses Ooni of plotting to dethrone him
-
metro1 day agoPresidency blasts Jonathan, Soyinka over comments on emergency rule in Rivers
-
metro2 days agoBoko Haram attacks military base in Adamawa
-
Politics1 day agoAtiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau