Aso Villa Reads for Thursday, Mar. 11th, 2021
Every day, we bring you the best stories that the Media is reporting about the Government of Nigeria
The 37th virtual Federal Executive Council presided over by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday approved additional N500m as variation for the completion of an 18.7km Bulu-Oriagbene road in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, made the announcement. He explained that the construction is a project of the Niger Delta ministry, which had already attained 97 per cent completion.[Punch]
The Federal Government on Wednesday approved 526 million dollars for power projects in Abia, Imo and Benue. The Federal Executive Council at its weekly meeting also approved N190.5 million for the purchase of a microscope by the University of Ibadan. Minister of Power, Sale Mamman and Minister of State for Education, Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, made these known to newsmen at the end of Wednesday’s meeting of the Council. Mamman said that 506 million dollars was approved for the extension of transmission lines in Umuahia, Abia and Mbano in Imo. He said additional local content of N34million was approved for the transmission line projects.[Vanguard]
The federal government is working toward the establishment of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Institute (TCAMI) to boost traditional medicine in Nigeria. Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi, disclosed this during the training of traditional medicine practitioners in Abuja, noting that the traditional medicine practitioners play very important roles in the healthcare delivery system of the country.[Leadership]
Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation in conjunction with International Partners for Aviation Development, Innovation and Sustainability (iPADIS) is organizing a two-day high level ministerial meeting with the theme: Enhancing Air Transport Connectivity and Growth in West Africa and scheduled for between Wednesday, 17th and Thursday, 18th March, 2021 on Enhancing Air Transport Connectivity and Growth in West Africa. The virtual/online ministerial meeting is for member states policy makers, air transport experts, aviation professionals and other stakeholders in the sub-region.[Tribune]
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, has revealed that the agency has contributed N151 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Account (CRA) in four years. Bala-Usman, who stated this, said NPA contributed N42 billion in 2017, N33 billion in 2018, N31 billion in 2019 and N45 billion in 2020.
The Tin Can Island and Port, she said, had the highest number of called vessels — 1,197 vessels — while Apapa port recorded 986 vessels within that period. [Tribune]
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, yesterday said over 50 projects were awaiting inauguration in the region. Akpabio said FEC approved N500 million as a variation for the completion of a road project in Delta State under his ministry’s supervision and which is at a 97 per cent completion stage.“The Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs presented two memos at the FEC and both were approved.[The Nation]
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria is providing tax relief and other support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), many of which are women-owned, Through the implementation of Finance Acts 2019 and 2020. Speaking during an event to mark the 2021 International Women’s Day Commemoration tagged ‘National Policy Dialogue,’ Mrs. Ahmed said the Federal Government is also working to ensure that public financial management processes are more gender-sensitive.[Daily Times]
The Nigerian Export-Import Bank’s (NEXIM) determination in unlocking opportunities in the mining sector has led to Dutse Granite Company Limited, Nigeria’s indigenous operator in the solid minerals sector, commencing operations. The company, which is based in Sharade Industrial Area, Kano, produces granite tiles and slabs for import substitution and export. Speaking during a working visit to the factory, Abba Bello managing director/chief executive of NEXIM Bank disclosed that NEXIM’s objective was to ensure that projects like this were brought to cash flow, and in the process facilitate the creation of jobs and foreign exchange earnings for the country.[Business Day]
Investment opportunities presented by the Covid-19 pandemic in the global equities market helped the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to more than double its profit for the 2020 financial year, according to preliminary numbers which auditors are working on. NSIA Chief Executive Officer, Uche Orji calls the 2020 financials which are expected to be released in coming weeks “quite impressive” and will show how the Authority sustained its positive performance trajectory despite the global health crisis.[Business Day]
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