Aso Villa Reads for Friday, Feb. 26th, 2021
Every day, we bring you the best stories that the Media is reporting about the Government of Nigeria
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the Federal Government would prepare a supplementary budget to be sent to the National Assembly to cater for COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination. Ahmed gave an indication that the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines will arrive the country next week when she said, “We have a provision in the 2021 budget for immunisation. We are already releasing money to the health authorities to start operation in the first batch of vaccines that is going to arrive the country in one week.” [Punch]
Following a €400,000 funding support from the Netherlands, the federal government has commenced talks with the Nasarawa State government for the kick-off of the pilot implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).The plan, which includes the establishment of grazing reserves across the country is seen as panacea to the current farmer-herder conflicts in the country. The implementation will also help the country maximise opportunities in the country. He added that the pilot would serve as a proof of concept for the livestock sub-sector transformation process.[Thisday]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has restated the belief of the federal government in the capacity of small and medium scale enterprises to stimulate economic activities and provide jobs. According to the Vice President, “The federal government believes wholeheartedly that SMEs are the bedrock of the economy and we are constantly aiming to support innovations that can help SMEs grow and in turn groom the economy and provide job opportunities.
Also, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo reiterated the need to create a favorable business environment for SMEs in Nigeria. [Thisday]
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isah Ali Pantami, has declared that Nigeria is ready for the deployment of the Fifth Generation Network (5G), as long as the major challenges have been resolved. “We have reached this stage whether we will deploy 5G, but we are on track conducting research, investigations, engaging stakeholders and if all issues are addressed, the executive will support the deployment of 5G in the country,” he said. [Guardian]
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has announced plans to increase the size of the national grid by leveraging the country’s 203.16tcf gas potential in order to resolve lingering power sector issues nationwide. The NNPC noted that the AKK project is well on course, stressing that over 30 kilometers of welding have been achieved. Mele Kyari, GMD NNPC,represented by the Chief Operating Officer, NNPC, Yusuf Usman, said that plans were ongoing to unlock the 203.16 tcf of proven gas the nation has onshore and offshore. [Guardian]
The Federal Government says it is committed to buying made in Nigeria products including locally made vehicles to boost the nation’s manufacturing sector and provide more job opportunities to Nigerians. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, disclosed. Ahmed said the federal government would also engage State Governments and other relevant stakeholders to encourage them to patronize Made in Nigeria products.[Vanguard]
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the country has achieved huge levels of progress in spite of challenges slowing down efforts at taking Nigerians out of poverty. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the president appreciated the 19 northern governors for their contributions to national growth and development. He said, “My administration is providing critical infrastructure such as road, rail, airport, amongst others, including power supply and other factors that are critical to economic prosperity of our country, as well as opening up opportunities for citizens to pursue their legitimate aspirations.” [Vanguard]
In preparation for the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in the country, the Federal Government has created a self e-registration link that would enable Nigerians to personally register themselves, obtain their pre-vaccination numbers and schedule their preferred date and time for vaccination. the e-registration link will be provided in the coming days. Public Relations Unit of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Mohammad Ohitoto said the Agency has also rolled out a nationwide training programme for health care workers that will be involved in the COVID-19 vaccination at the national and state levels. [Vanguard]
The Federal Government has revealed its plans to adopt technology in introducing high yielding varieties for cassava in order to add value to the commodity. The Director Federal Department of Agriculture, Mrs Karima Babaginda, said the country has the potential of having good varieties that could give more than 40mt/ha. She disclosed this during the workshop on capacity building of farmers to address the yield gap in cassava for North East, held at Bauchi Agricultural Development Programme, Bauchi State. [Tribune]
The Federal Government has taken over the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, has said. Ladan who made the disclosure to newsmen on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi said the airport had not been sold to any private individual, contrary to rumour. Ladan explained that the federal government had taken over 10 of such airports after their completion by state governments. [Dailytimes]
The Federal Government has described as a welcome development the rising price of crude oil in the global market, saying, “this is a good omen for Nigeria”. The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, made this known on Thursday in Abuja when she addressed State House correspondents on the state of the nation’s economy under the Buhari-led administration. According to her, gaining more revenue from the sale of crude will yield more revenue for the government as well as reduce the country’s rate of borrowing. [Daily Times]
The federal government and some private firms have planned to build Ashama 200 megawatts (MW) solar power farm, which may be the largest in West Africa. The Minister of Power, Mamman Sale who spoke in Lagos, said when it is completed, “it will serve as the biggest utility solar project not only in the country but the West African region.” He said it would be located on about 304 hectares of land in Ashama village, Aniocha South of Delta State as part of the government’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative. [Daily Trust]
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