Category: General News

 

The Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area in Enugu State, Mr Greg Anyaegbudike, says the council’s over N11 billion budget is meant to move council area from ‘transit junction town’ to investment destination.

 

Anyaegbudike explained to newsmen on Thursday in Enugu that the 2025 proposed budget christened: “Budget of Exponential Economic Growth” is a blueprint that would drive Oji River’s prosperity and development.

He said that the ambitious budget of over N11 billion would also drive the council to be a destination for local and international businesses, tourism, leisure and estate development for decent living accommodation.

It would be recalled that Anyaegbudike on Dec. 30, 2024 presented an ambitious 2025 Budget proposal of over N11 billion; which allocated N8.86 billion for Capital Projects and N1.93 billion for Recurrent Expenditure to the council area’s legislatures.

 

The council boss noted that the budget of over N11 billion reflects his administration’s unwavering commitment to meet the needs of the people as spelt out in the administration’s manifesto which aligns with the state government’s programmes.

 

“The budget, including our commitment to work hard, is reflecting our vision to ensure Oji River Local Government’s strategic contribution to the state’s target to move the GDP of Enugu State from $4.4 Billion to $30 Billion in eight years.

“The proposed budget is a blueprint that will drive a sustainable economic development leading to Oji River’s prosperity and development; and by extension the prosperity of the entire Enugu State,” he said.

 

Anyaegbudike noted that his administration would continue with the implementation of people-oriented and impactful programmes in its campaign manifesto.

 

“We are already exploring ways to increase the productivity of the people, renew Oji River Urban area and wage a concerted war against poverty,” he said.

 

The chairman said that the council would be focused its 2025 capital projects expenditures on health; agriculture; education; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), urban renewal and development; and infrastructure.

 

He said, “In 2025, we are going to construct 10 kilometres of roads per ward.

 

“We shall contribute to Enugu State Government plan to construct 10 kilometres of roads in each of the 20 political wards of Oji River Local Government Area.

“Construction of these rural roads will provide access to remote areas, enabling our people to access basic services and participate in economic activities as well as opening up the council area for business, investment and tourism among others.”

Courtesy: Premium Times

–  The allocation is contained in the N288 billion supplementary budget President Bola Tinubu transmitted to the National Assembly in September, which was passed within five days by the lawmakers.

By Bakare Majeed

The presiding officers of the National Assembly—Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Ben Kalu – were allocated N10 billion for rent and furniture in the 2024 supplementary budget of the FCT, PREMIUM TIMES investigation reveals.

The budget item, titled “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly”, has the classification code 23010309 in the N288 billion supplementary budget President Bola Tinubu transmitted to the National Assembly in September, which was passed within five days by the lawmakers.

Under Nigeria’s bicameral legislative system, there are four presiding officers of the National Assembly: the Senate President, the Speaker, the Deputy Senate President, and the Deputy Speaker.

These four are the latest Nigerian government officials to receive lavish accommodation allowances or new housing projects from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whose “generosity” in the last 15 months includes a N21 billion residential mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The Abuja minister also allocated N25 billion for the construction of houses for 40 judges.

With the planned “rent and furniture” budget, Mr Wike appears to have extended his generosity across the three arms of government—executive, judiciary, and legislature.

The allocations come amidst the current economic hardships in Nigeria, which experts believe is due to the government’s policies of deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector and the devaluation of the naira. Within the last three weeks, dozens of Nigerians have died in stampedes while trying to collect food items.

The current administration has continued what many describe as “lavish spending” while preaching austerity measures for most Nigerians. Some of these expenditures include a $100 million presidential jet, the botched presidential yacht, luxurious sport utility vehicles for members of the National Assembly, and others.

Mr Wike has in the past been accused of using some of this generous spending on institutions as a subtle means of compromising them, but he has denied the allegations.

Administration of the FCT and ownership of public buildings

According to Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution, the president is the governor of the FCT, while the National Assembly serves as its legislative arm. Also, Section 302 of the Constitution gives the president the power to appoint someone as the Minister of the FCT to act on his behalf.

Mr Wike, a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was appointed by President Tinubu in what observers believe is a reward for the role the former Rivers State governor played during the presidential election in 2023.

The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) owns several public buildings in the FCT, including the National Assembly Complex and other structures, through the Department of Public Buildings.

Some of the buildings the department lists on its website include the Supreme Court Complex, the Presidential Complex, the Federal Ministry Building, the Assembly Complex, and others.

In 2022, the FCT spent over N42 billion to renovate part of the National Assembly Complex despite public outrage by Nigerians over the expenditure.

In the past, members of the National Assembly, including the four presiding officers, had their accommodations at the legislative quarters located in the Apo area of Abuja. However, the buildings were sold under the monetisation policy that started under Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. Initially, all the buildings were sold except those for the presiding officers.

In the 6th Assembly, under the Umar Yar’Adua administration, the buildings were sold to the four presiding officers: Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, and Deputy Speaker Bayero Nafada.

In 2011, the government opted to build new houses for the presiding officers on the outskirts of the city in Katampe Extension, behind the Lungi Barracks. However, the lawmakers reportedly rejected the offer. Later, the Goodluck Jonathan administration started another project just for the four presiding officers. The project is located within the Three-Arms Zone, very close to the main gate of the National Assembly. For years, construction on the buildings has stalled despite several deadlines.

Despite this, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the government has resorted to renting houses for all the presiding officers of the National Assembly since 2011. According to sources, Senate President Godswill Akpabio lives in a rented apartment in Maitama, a highbrow area of Abuja, while the Speaker lives in the Guzape District.

The 2024 supplementary budget

Mr Wike, in a letter dated 11 September, and addressed to President Tinubu, requested additional spending of N288 billion as a supplementary budget for the FCT.

He listed some of the projects the funds are meant for. Under the capital component, the supplementary budget contains a total of 32 projects.

“The purpose of this letter is to seek the approval of Your Excellency for the second Supplementary Budget presentation to the National Assembly, a Supplementary Budget to the 2024 Statutory Appropriation Act of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in the sum of N288,000,000,000.00, necessitated with a view to accommodate additional inflows from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Miscellaneous Revenues in the sums of N8,000,000,000.00 and N280,000,000,000.00 respectively,” Mr Wike said in the letter.

The request by the minister was approved by the president, who subsequently transmitted the supplementary budget to the National Assembly for approval. This request was approved by the lawmakers and passed.

Of the 32 projects, 22 were existing ones that received additional funding, while 10 new projects were introduced into the FCT budget. For instance, the N25 billion earmarked for the construction of houses for judges got an additional N5 billion, increasing the budgetary allocation to N30 billion.

In addition to the legislature, the FCT also allocated N20 billion for the renovation of the State Security Service (SSS) headquarters in Abuja.

Unanswered questions

The N10 billion budgetary provision for the presiding officers is vague and raises a number of questions: What kind of rent? What kind of furniture? Why is the FCT paying the rent of these officers when the National Assembly has its own budget? Why is the FCT spending N10 billion on rents and furnishing when there are existing housing projects for these same officials?

The National Assembly has its own budget, and to guarantee the independence of the institution, it receives its funds under the statutory transfer instrument. That is, its budget is given in a lump sum and not broken down.

In the past couple of years, the National Assembly’s budget has continued to grow despite fiscal constraints.

In the current fiscal cycle, the National Assembly has a budget of N344 billion, the highest ever. Ordinarily, one would have expected the federal legislature to use these funds to address all its needs, including the rent for its presiding officers. Why is the National Assembly not paying the rent for its presiding officers despite this record allocation?

Also, there is an abandoned housing project for these same officers that has remained uncompleted for close to a decade.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the buildings, located within the Three-Arms Zone, are intended for the Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Deputy Senate President. However, these four buildings, which have been roofed and plastered, still remain incomplete over a decade after construction began. Why is the FCT not spending the N10 billion to complete these buildings instead of allocating funds for rent and furniture?

To get answers to these questions, this newspaper submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the office of the Minister of the FCT to seek clarification on the planned expenditure, addressing some of the questions raised. However, the ministry ignored the request.

This appears to be a recurring pattern under Mr Wike’s administration, where the budgets of the FCT are not made public, and requests for information are routinely ignored. PREMIUM TIMES has submitted several FOI requests to the ministry in the past, all of which were disregarded.

Similarly, the spokespersons of the Senate and the House of Representatives did not respond to requests for comments.

Senate spokesperson Yemi Aderamodu neither answered calls placed to his phone nor responded to a text message sent via WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House, initially answered a call placed to his phone and requested that the questions be sent to him via text. However, after the message was sent, he did not answer subsequent calls.

Putting the expenditure in context

To understand the significance of this N10 billion allocated for the four individuals, it is essential to compare it with other similar expenditures.

For instance, in the proposed 2025 budget, the federal government allocated N11.5 billion for the construction of 20,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Agenda Housing Scheme. While this project could potentially serve 20,000 households, these four individuals are allocated N10 billion for rent.

Additionally, in the proposed 2025 budget, the federal government’s national housing programme (nationwide) has an allocation of N5.3 billion. This amount is approximately 50 per cent of the N10 billion set aside for the rent and furniture of four individuals.

Just before embarking on the end-of-the-year holiday, lawmakers in the lower chamber pooled half of their salaries into a fund to support the government in addressing economic hardship. The total contribution amounted to N704 million, which the House stated would be presented to President Tinubu for distribution to vulnerable members of society. However, this N704 million is just 7.4 per cent of the N10 billion allocated for the rent of Mr Tajudeen and his three colleagues.

This allocation to the four presiding officers underscores what many describe as insensitivity and a lack of transparency in the use of public funds.

This story was produced with support from Civic Media Lab

By Flowerbud News

Nigeria is at the verge of greater development in 2025 with the visionary leadership of the current administration, says an economic expert.

Dr Alim Abubakre, Founder of TEXEM, UK and senior lecturer at Sheffield Business School, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Abubakre said that the measures taken by President Bola Tinubu have showed prospects of improving the economy and moving the nation towards a new economic renaissance.
He added that the potentials of the country needed visionary leadership at all levels to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

He suggested a number of steps that must be taken to sustain the tempo of the agenda for the benefit of citizens.

‘’Nigeria has the critical ingredients of a remarkable success story: vast natural resources, an energetic and youthful population, a dynamic entrepreneurial scene, and strategic influence in Africa.

‘’Translating these advantages into real-world prosperity, however, hinges on systematic efforts to quell insecurity, modernise infrastructure, and eradicate corruption.

‘’When trust in institutions grows, communities become safer, and talents are harnessed in service of progress, the nation stands on the cusp of a profound transformation,’’ he said.

Abubakre said that the localisation of global best practices would assist in no small measure to attract foreign direct investment, improved infrastructure and security.

He said that practices abound in other countries that had faced similar economic trends Nigeria is currently facing.

‘’By adopting the lessons of Rwanda, Colombia, India, Indonesia, and other nations—while calibrating them to Nigerian realities—leaders can build genuine momentum for change.

‘’Diversifying beyond oil secures economic stability. Fostering youth entrepreneurship creates pathways out of poverty and channels youthful zeal into productive endeavours.

‘’Modernising infrastructure enables businesses to operate seamlessly, while robust transparency measures rebuild faith in governance. Strengthening human capital fuels, a leap into a globally competitive knowledge economy.

‘’At the same time, addressing deep-seated grievances through community-led development and inclusive policies strikes at the heart of insecurity, replacing despair with opportunity.’’

Abubakre added that under visionary leadership that is firmly rooted in empathy, accountability and effective as well as efficient implementation of policies, Nigeria can break free of its historical constraints.

‘’As Nigeria continues along this journey, it has the potential to radiate positive influence throughout Africa and beyond, providing a blueprint for how strategic leadership can convert manifold struggles into a legacy of shared prosperity.’’

NAN

 

 

By Biola Lawal
OSOGBO (FLOWERBUDNEWS): Governor Ademola Adeleke has assured the people of Osun State that his administration would implement extensive soft infrastructure to ameliorate the effects of the current national hardships on them.

Governor Adeleke, who gave the assurance in his new year message to the people of the state, said that his government would ensure that physical projects, especially, the good roads being built throughput the state, were complemented ”by strong bodies, strong citizens, and residents”.

He promised a renewed focus on soft infrastructure in the 2025 fiscal year after a relentless two years of infrastructural upgrade of the state, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed disclosed in a statement on Wednesday in Oshogbo.

The Governor, who recalled the many advances of his administration across the sectors, noted that the new year would witness new and continuation of old social programmes designed to cushion the effect of the hard time on the people of the state.

”This new year will witness extensive implementation of soft infrastructure. The goal is to ensure that good roads are complemented by strong bodies, strong citizens, and residents”, the Governor assured the people.

While assuring completion of all ongoing projects and new ones listed in the 2025 budget, Governor Adeleke emphasised that his only motivation would continue to be the well-being of the good people of Osun state, promising “to remain as before; a responsive, listening, and compassionate governor”

The Governor, who further extended an olive branch to members of the opposition parties, affirmed that he had kept faith with his pledge for transparency and accountability in state governance, noting that “in the last one year, we got and processed several requests for information based on the Freedom of Information Act. We ensured access to information as a transparent and accountable government.

“In the last year and since I assumed office, our projects have been financed mainly from state resources. This includes internally generated revenue and allocations from the federation account. Just as I have not been accessing security votes, I had not borrowed a single kobo to run the state government.

“As a responsible state in Nigeria, we are part and parcel of programmes and activities of the National Economic Council and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. We inherited many national programmes from the previous APC governments. We continue to sustain those programmes when and if they benefit our people.

“As democracy is a government for the people of the people and by the people, I call on those seeking specific data on government programnes to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act. Specifically, I enjoy the opposition to join the state government as we turn the fortune of our state for the better. We are all stakeholders”, the Governor noted.

The state governor spoke further about the governance records of the past two years: “We faithfully implemented our infrastructure agenda. We rehabilitated over 150 kilometers of roads, upgraded over 100 schools, refurbished 200 health centers, and provided over 332 local water facilities.

“We executed over 300 local community projects. We are changing the face of Osun to reduce the infrastructure deficit. Osun is now a giant construction site.

“Our service delivery in the last 12 months is quite inclusive. As we support the physically challenged, we are developing the creative industry to empower the young ones. We not only purchased a new set of tractors after over a decade, but we launched the agropreneur project for young people. Our bursary programme is also ongoing.

“We are financially empowering artisans and local businesses. Our cooperative loan scheme is servicing the entire 332 political wards in Osun. When you add our local content policy, Osun money is revolving within Osun as we engage local personnel and local suppliers.

“We have expanded our care and support for the senior citizens. We continue to pay the pension and gratuities of our seniors. All legitimate pension debts are equally attended to. Additionally, the free medical lifeline for our seniors is being well funded. We use instruments of state to ensure that retired workers enjoy their retirements.

“For Osun workers, the last one year witnessed further advances in our pro-workers’ policies and programmes. Just last night, a state worker called me on the new minimum wage. While expressing joy on the payment alert he just received, he broke down in tears of joy. I am elated that Osun workers appreciate our efforts to make life easy for them.

“In the last 12 months, we have expanded access to higher education. Osun State University continues to be one of the best in Nigeria. The University of Ilesa is growing. I have also directed that the proposed Ijesha Technical Institute be established within the university.

“The last one year also witnessed new efforts to enhance the investment climate in Osun. We are perfecting the implementation of the state tax harmonization project. We launched the 45-day window for the processing of Certificate of Occupancy. We hosted an Industrial Investment Summit attended from far and near. And we are pushing ahead with the state’s digital economy agenda.

“My people, in 2024, we won several medals and awards. Osun state won the global school competition debate in Malaysia. Osun again came first on access to Primary Health care in the South West.
The leadership newspapers just awarded me Governor of the year 2024. Our successes are collective testimony to good governance in our dear state.

“As we enter 2025, I accept that there are issues and challenges to address. As we have been doing in the past, I look forward to working with Osun people for sustainable solutions”, the Governor noted in the state address. (Flowerbudnews)