Aso Villa Reads for 24/01/2020
Every day, we bring you the best stories that the Media is reporting about the Government of Nigeria
Ahead of the planned submission of reports on power sector reforms, the National Economic Council, NEC Thursday dropped hints to back the reversal of the 2014 power privatization by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. This is part of the recommendations being proposed by the Governor Nasir el- Rufai-led committee inaugurated last year by the National Economic Council, NEC as part of efforts to ensure stable power supplies. This is one of the recommendations we are putting forward, but we know that it has implications,”. El- Ruai disclosed that the Council has granted the committee the powers to engage Nigerians, adding that the Committee will carry out public hearings, call for memoranda from members of the public on the way to go before sending its recommendations. Right now we are listening to all the stakeholders; of course there is a lot of blame game. At the end of the day, we must have an honest conversation as Nigerians”. He also announced that NEC would soon forward a proposal that will see federal government free 20% of the over N10trillion accumulated pension funds for infrastructure development. The proposal, if approved, will see the money given as loans to the private sector for the development of three critical areas of roads, rail and power infrastructure. Business Day reports.
The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of NPA, Mr Adams Jatto disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos. According to him, in response to the recent increase in the waiting time of vessel scaling at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa, NPA met with shipping companies and terminal operators and arrived at the decisions to decongest the port. According to Punch, he pointed out that the decision was aimed at immediately resolving the congestion in the Lagos Pilotage District. “As from Jan. 27, vessels which have waited to berth at any terminal within the Lagos Pilotage District will be diverted to other terminals with capacity to berth vessels within the district. In the event that all terminals in Lagos cannot discharge any vessel within four days, such vessels will be diverted to the Eastern Ports (other pilotage districts) for immediate berthing. The Authority will liaise with other relevant government agencies on behalf of stakeholders to expedite the clearance of vessels and cargoes, where necessary. These actions have been taken to promote the Ease of Doing Business Policy of the Federal Government and curtail the negative economic impact that the long turnaround time of vessels has on stakeholders,” he said.
In response to the Novel Coronavirus originating from China, the federal government has placed the Port Health Services Unit of the Ministry of Health in Nigeria on alert and has heightened screening measures at the points of entry which include airports and ground transport stations. According to an advisory issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday, travellers from Wuhan in China to Nigeria may be asked questions upon arrival by the Port Health Services unit at points of entry about symptoms of illness and travel history, and are advised to report immediately to NCDC, if they feel ill after a trip to Wuhan. Also, in China, exit screening measures have been enhanced for travellers from Wuhan city at the Points of Entry (PoE) (airports and ground transport stations) since the 14th of January 2020. The NCDC advised Nigerians travelling to China to avoid contact with sick people, dead or alive animals and animal markets while urging Nigerians in the country to remain calm. The centre said it is currently coordinating a multi-sectoral technical group that is assessing and managing the risk of importation to Nigeria and is in close communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) who is closely monitoring the situation globally. Business Day reports.
As reported by Business Day, the Federal Government in partnership with the USAID on Wednesday launched the $8 million water for agriculture project to deepen farmers and herders access to water in the North East region of the country. The 3-year project aims to address the identified gaps and needs of the livestock herders and crop farmers in the region, as well as strengthen the resilience of farmers and herders. Stephen Haykin, USAID Mission Director, speaking in Abuja on Wednesday said that the project would within a short time boost the livelihood of both the crop and livestock farmers in the conflict states. “Water for agriculture will play a critical role in USAID strategy to develop new sustainable water sources in rural communities where the displaced population are returning,” Haykin said. “It will also contribute to our promotion of agriculture-led economic growth to improve resilience, nutrition and stronger governance of the water and sanitation sector”, he said.
