Aso Villa Reads for 10/7/2019
Every day, we bring you the best stories that the Media is reporting about the Government of Nigeria
Daily Times reports that the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is strategically working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that the agriculture value chain in the country benefit adequately from the recently announced N500 billion agricultural fund earmarked for the sector. According to the Director-General of NACCIMA, Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, NACCIMA’s involvement was to make sure that those involved in agricultural produce for export are captured in the funds’ accessibility. “Recently, the CBN Governor unveiled a new roadmap for economic growth and development and I am happy to say that NACCIMA as the voice of Nigeria business has been invited to be part of the funds which have been announced as being earmarked for a few areas of exportable. “With N500billion set aside by CBN, we want to strategically work with the CBN to see that Agriculture value chain in the country, and our Chamber members especially those on the Agriculture sector tap into the new programme to boost the food basket of the country. “We have been pushing for our members to be more engaged with various initiatives and incentives that have been announced by the government. This is part of the things we are doing to expand the capacity of Agric value chain programmes and projects.” The NACCIMA boss said the body has embarked on sensitisation of its members to enable them to access various funding programs of the government that are available; stressing that the smallholder farmers and medium-scale farmers were targeted.
According to Peoples’ Daily, the new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari yesterday said he would run a more focused administration to make the four refineries currently undergoing turnaround maintenance functional by 2023. Speaking at the Valedictory Session for Dr. Maikanti Baru at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, Mallam Kyari said, he would consolidate on the progress so far made by his predecessor to achieve the target. The new GMD assured that with functional four refineries, Dangote refinery and other modular refineries coming on stream, Nigeria would be net exporter of petroleum resources by 2023. “We will follow the progress so far made to deliver the four refineries before 2023. We will encourage private refineries particularly Dangote refinery which can be a game changer for all of us. We will support Dangote refinery to make sure they come on stream. “By having our four refineries functional by 2023, and get Dangote refinery running with other initiatives like modular refineries coming up, this country will a net exporter of petroleum resources. “It is the intention of NNPC to support the industry to meet the 3million barrel per day production level, and at least grow our reserve to 40billion barrel. We will achieve this and it is possible,” he said. The NNPC boss announced that the new administration would work closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Media to remove discretion from the system, which he said was the pillar of corruption at the corporation. “There will be no corruption where there is no discretion. Corruption is about discretion. If you don’t have discretion, nobody will give you money. Therefore, what that means is that we are going to work with the EFCC to make sure we remove discretion from the system.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will submit the list of ministerial nominees for the consideration and approval of the red chamber this week. Lawan who stated this at plenary on Wednesday explained that the executive arm of government was working hard to ensure that the list was ready early enough before the senators proceed on their annual two-month recess. The President of the Senate was reacting to a point of order raised by Senator Bassey Akpan to the effect that the delay in the submission of the list could affect the holidays of the senators. Lawan, however, assured his colleagues and Nigerians that President Buhari would send the list to the Senate before the week runs out. He also expressed confidence that the nominees would be screened by the upper chamber before the annual vacation which would commence on July 26. This is according to Punch.
President Muhammadu Buhari has rewarded two senior military officers and a subaltern of the Nigerian Army for gallantry in the fight against insurgency in the North-east as he approved their accelerated promotions. A statement yesterday in Abuja by Army spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa, said the president endorsed the promotion of Chief of Training and Operations at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun to the rank of Lieutenant General. Also promoted is the General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Brigadier-General A. Biu, who was elevated to the rank of Major General. Lieutenant A. J. Danjibrin of 211 Demonstration Battalion Bauchi was also promoted to the rank of Captain. However, the promotion has sparked speculations that Adeosun might replace the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. But another statement by the Army last night stated clearly that Buratai remains the Chief of Staff. However, THISDAY checks showed that such accelerated promotion is not new in the army. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), also enjoyed similar promotion. This Day reported.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has topped the chart on Port and Flag State Control in the West and Central Africa Sub-Region, latest report by the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control for West and Central Africa Region has revealed. Otherwise known as Abuja MoU, the accord is the apex regional treaty on port control. According to This Day the report showed that NIMASA outstripped other maritime regulators in the region in the inspection of vessels calling at Nigeria’s ports, NIMASA in a statement said the achievement was as a result of its continued pursuit of its mission of staying ahead of the game in maritime administration. Speaking on the feat, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the achievement was part of the fruits of recent reforms initiated by the agency and deliberate investment in enforcement equipment. “In NIMASA, we are conscious of global best practices and determined to rid our waterways of all substandard vessels, with the ultimate aim of ensuring a safe and robust maritime domain. This will afford us the capacity to be a competitive player in the global maritime space, giving us an edge in the comity of maritime investment destinations,” Dakuku said. The Abuja MoU, led by the Secretary-General, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, stated in the report that Nigeria dominated in detailed inspection of vessels, with 13 exercises out of the total 14 carried out in the continent in 2018. The report commended the country’s enforcement drive. It showed a significant rise in recorded deficiencies across the continent, as 727 vessel deficiencies were recorded in 2018 as against 587 in 2017. This was attributed to increased enforcement exercises across the various regions, with Nigeria in the lead with 339 deficiencies.
According to Business and Maritime West Africa, President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the bill for an Act establishing the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA). This follows the passage of the bill by both chambers of the National Assembly for Presidential Accent. Disclosing the development to journalists in Lagos, the President of CIOTA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh commended the President for his speedy response to the bill. He said that the Presidential Accent shows how important the President Buhari led Federal Government takes the issue of transportation and that the institute will continue to do all it can to bring to the fore steps to address the areas of concern that would enhance transportation in Nigeria. According to Dr. Jamoh “ The Bill Establishing the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria has got the much awaited Presidential accent and this goes to show that this Government is willing to tackle the issue of transportation through studies and researches. As a chartered institute we would continue to do our best to bring to the front burner germane issues that would grow our transport sector especially how to enhance the country’s intermodal transport system” he said. Explaining the bill, the CIOTA President said that the Act that establishes the institute charges it with the responsibility of advancing the study, training and practice of transport management and administration in Nigeria and other related matters. He said this afford members of CIOTA an avenue to continuously contribute to matters regarding transportation in Nigeria. A duty which he promised the association under his watch would be dedicated to.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa reports that Niamey, Niger, July 7, 2019 (ECA) — United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J Mohammed, on Sunday pledged the UN’s full support to the African Union as nations begin to earnestly operationalise the landmark African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that is expected to unleash the continent’s all-inclusive economic potential. In remarks to the 12th extraordinary session of the African Union on the AfCFTA, Ms. Mohammed said the UN stands ready to work in partnership with African countries as they move to implement the historic and game-changing AfCFTA. “We are already working with 16 African governments to develop national strategies to maximise the opportunities created by this agreement, and we will increase this number from next year,” she told the summit. “We are committed to working with African institutions to mobilize the resources that will be required for full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. In the first instance, the African Regional Integration Trust Fund will support countries to mobilize resources to finance regional integration.” Ms. Mohammed said the UN will work with the African Union to coordinate and leverage complementary funding sources from the African Development Bank’s Africa50 Fund, to the African Union’s Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
