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  • FTZs’ Joint Committee on NCS Operational Remodeling submits Report

    FTZs’ Joint Committee on NCS Operational Remodeling submits Report

    Flowerbudnews

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Joint Committee on the Nigeria Customs Service Free Trade Zones Operational Remodeling has submitted a six-point recommendation Report to the tripartite of the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority and the Managing Director/CEO of Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority respectively for implementation.

    The committee was constituted on July 28 when Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, MD/CEO NEPZA, his counterpart, Sen. Tijjani Kaura MFR MD/CEO OGFZA and Mr Toyin Elegbede, Exeutive-Secretary of the Nigeria Economic Zones Association (NEZA) visited the Acting CGC, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to demand the streamlining of customs’ operations within the free zones.

    This was disclosed in a statement by Martins Odeh PhD, Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, a copy of which was made available to Flowerbudnews in Abuja.

    Presenting the Report last Friday in Abuja, Mr Toyin Elegbede, Chairman of the committee expressed delight on the confidence reposed on the members of the committee to undertake the onerous assignment.

    Elegbede stated that the prompt implementation of the committee’s report would help reposition the scheme for greater impact on the economy.

    “While I thank you, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, the Managing Directors/CEOs of NEPZA and OGFZA, on behalf of other members of the committee for the confidence reposed on us to carry out this assignment, please permit me to present the Report of the committee for your consideration,’’ Elegbede said.


    The recommendations included stoppage of irregular invitation of Free Zone Enterprises to the customs headquarters on procedural matters that should be handled by the Area Controllers, including approval for local purchase, rents and hires.

    The committee also prescribed the immediate integration of all Free Zone Enterprises into the IM5 (5900) customs operations portal and to redesign it to resolve the VAT implication for sales to the custom territory.

    The recommendation further requested the immediate formulation of SOPs and Procedure Codes for both Intra and Inter Zone Sales, Imports of vehicles, capital goods, spare parts, equipment, furniture and fixtures destined for consumption within the free zone.

    Furthermore, the committee requested the service to allow the exports of finished and processed goods containing 100 per cent local raw materials with minimum stipulated VAT either mentioned in the Import Prohibition list of customs or in the 44 restricted list of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    In addition, the committee recommended the immediate creation of Procedure Codes that would kickstart the implementation of the Federal Ministry of Finance Circular No. F182079 dated 22nd December, 2022 and letter Ref. No. HMFBNP/NCS/LPG/10/2022 dated 4th October, 2022, respectively on some specific incentives.


    The report listed the incentives to include 75 per cent Duty Rebate for approved products in Oil and Gas Free Zones and the exemption of domestic production and sale of LPG from Custom Duty and VAT.

    The rest incentives are to comply with regulatory procedures provided in OGFZA and NEPZA Regulations with respect to inspection of free zones containers without the knowledge of the Authorities, delay in inspection of cargo, stoppage of cargo in transit and raising query on importation of same as well as posting of customs officers to the free zones without the knowledge of the two Authoritie

    Finally, the committee recommended expeditious harmonization of all the areas of conflict contained in the legal frameworks of NCS, NEPZA and OGFZA respectively.
    The customs boss promised to immediately adopt those recommendations that fell within the operational policy of the service for implementation.

    “We must do what is necessary to boost the economy. I was worried to hear that some of our actions had inhibited the free flow of revenues from the scheme.

    “We were meant to have a coordinated collaboration and cooperation to ensure the country obtains significant benefit from the free zone scheme. All hands must now be on deck to make that happen.

    “In demonstrating our commitment to streamline our policy and operations for effective management of the free zones, I wish to suggest that this committee is converted to become the Implementation Committee that will midwife the implementation of these recommendations. I wish to thank all of you for a job well done,’’ the Acting CGC said.

    Adesugba and Kaura applauded the genuine commitment of the new customs boss toward addressing all the listed conflict areas, noting that the two regulatory bodies and the entire free trade zones’ stakeholders through NEZA would scale-up collaboration with the service to make the scheme more attractive. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Kogi Govt lauds NGOs’ efforts in building useful youths

    Kogi Govt lauds NGOs’ efforts in building useful youths

    Flowerbudnews

    By Thompson Yamput

    Lokoja:  The Kogi Government has commended the initiative and efforts of Mercy Corps International , a Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) in building useful youths in the state.

    The State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Alhaji Idris Musa, gave the commendation on Thursday when the Youth Peace Network established by USAID-Funded Community Initiative to Promote Peace (CIPP) Programme implemented by Mercy Corps paid him an advocacy visit in his office in Lokoja.

    “Gov Yahaya Bello is aware of the tremendous job the corps is doing for the state in building peaceful and useful youths through this initiative.

    “We are very happy to hear about the giant strides of the corps’ youth network in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state toward stimulating growth and development.

    “This is why this government is emphasizsng on the need for all youths to embrace this network and work together to ensure a peaceful and prosperous society for all, ” he said.

    Musa appealed to the members of the network to show leadership by example and also accommodate other youths into the network while working in unison as regards the organizational goals set by Mercy Corps.

    The commissioner also tasked the youth network to do more in the areas of drug abuse on youths, internet fraud, cultism, which he said have become very critical challenges facing our society today.

    He advised the network to visit schools on enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns because a lot of young persons have been locked away in recent times either because of drug-related offences or criminal offences like robbery, cultism etc.

    According to him, young persons are expected to be the drivers of the change we desire in our communities because the youths can propel development as no society can develop without the input of productive youths in developmental strides.

    Musa further advised that as the Nov. 11 Governorship election draws closer, youths must not allow themselves to be used as tools for destabilisation and destruction.

    Earlier, Mrs Ene Omoha, Mercy Corps’ Network Coordinating Team leader, the Youth Engagement Officer of CIPP, said that the Youth Peace Network is a group of young person’s working under the CIPP program in various communities to ensure peaceful coexistence and peace building in the various communities they are resident in.

    Omoha explained that the networks were from four Local Government Areas of Lokoja, Dekina, Igalamela and Yagba West creating tremendous impact in the areas.

    She passionately appealed to the commissioner and the entire members of his team to embrace the Youth Peace Networks and ensure that they were keyed into the ministry’s future projects.

    “We in Mercy Corps believes that investing in young persons will help transform the society for good and this is the reason for the establishment of the Youth Peace Network.

    “This is because with sustainable peace, comes development and with development comes positive change in any given society.

    “We indeed thank the youths and sports ministry for operating an open door policy for young persons.

    “We do hope that this new relationship entered into by the Youth Peace Network will be the turning point for a more robust and positive change in the state as the youths will take the center stage on the drive for a peaceful society,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the various youth peace network expressed themselves before presenting their recommendations including Terms of Reference (TOR) and appeals of the advocacy visit to the government through the commissioner.

    The network also presented a Peace Shirt, Cap, and CIPP Folders and Factsheets to the Honorable Commissioner as a mark of appreciation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • Inmates inter-hostel football tournament: C-G stresses sports as veritable tool for reformation

    Inmates inter-hostel football tournament: C-G stresses sports as veritable tool for reformation

    Flowerbudnews

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu:  The Controller-General (C-G) of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa, has stressed on sporting and recreational activities as a veritable tool for reformation among inmates nationwide.

     

    Nababa, represented by the Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiakor, said this on Thursday at the finals of the 2023 Inmates Inter-Hostels Football Tournament of Enugu Custodial Centre within Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Enugu State Command.

    In the final match, C-Ward Hostel Team defeated IDR Hostel Team by 2 – 0 after a 90 minute action of the two most enterprising teams of the tournament.

     

    Earlier on Wednesday in the third place match, LKP Hostel Team defeated Convict Hostel Team 3 – 1 in a tension soak match, which reawakened the liveliness of the custodial centre.

    The controller-general said that under his watch, “the NCoS is poised to providing enabling environment for reformation and rehabilitation to thrive for every inmate”.

     

    “You will agree with me that reforming an individual is a complex process, which requires all necessary tools to achieve positive results.

    “This sporting event is part of the complementary efforts of the in-charge of Enugu Custodial Centre to positively impact offenders’ mental wellness and physical fitness while in incarceration.

     

    “I, therefore encourage the inmates of Enugu Custodial Centre to take reformation and rehabilitation progammes seriously and participate actively as it is for your own good and wellness,” he said.

     

    Nababa also appreciated the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, service chiefs and their representatives and all invited guests for honouring the event. He wished the participating teams in the finals the best.

    Speaking, Mr Sunday Oyakhire, the Deputy Controller of Correction in-charge of Enugu Custodial Centre, said that sports also jettison negative thoughts and depression among inmates that might have adverse security implication on the centre.

    Oyakhire said that sports remained a good non-kinetic means of control of the inmates as well as providing means of gainful employment to them (the passionate and skillful ones among them) after serving their terms.

     

    “We have good football, table and lawn tennis as well as snooker players here and we are looking for sponsors to make competitions in the centre a frequent one to increase their competitive ability and refine their skills and sportsmanship better.

    “For the final match today, we invited coaches and managers of football clubs in the state and beyond to come and watch as well as pick our very skilled football players for their club-sides,” he said.

    The event featured cash award, medals and trophies presentation to the winning team, the runners up and the winner of the third place match among other side attractions. (Flowerbudnews)

  • UCH doctors protest assault on colleague

    UCH doctors protest assault on colleague

    Health care services at the University College Hospital, Ibadan on Thursday were again disrupted when doctors under the aegis of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), at the hospital, staged a peaceful protest to register their displeasure over the assault on a female doctor.

    The protesters, who moved through different outpatient clinics and service points at the hospital, had placards with different inscriptions like: “Doctors are not punching bags, stop beating those who take care of you,” “Let UCH doctors breathe,” “We save lives; do not take our lives,” and “Do not kill us at our place of work.”

     

    They were also chanting messages like “don’t attack, nurses, doctors or other health workers, we are only working to save lives” and “we say no to assault or violence on any health worker in UCH.”

     

    They said a female doctor was assaulted at the department of radiology of the hospital on August 29, 2023 while she was at her duty post performing her clinical duties.

     

    She was said to have been severally slapped on the face by a patient’s relative in reaction to the problem of electricity power failure in the hospital, making it impossible to do the CT scan he required for his patient.

     

    President of ARD, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr Abiodun Ogundipe, speaking on the doctors’ protest, said it is a despicable act for health workers in the course of saving lives to be assaulted by patient’s relatives, particularly with the emigration of health workers and few health workers in government hospitals to attend to patients.

     

    Ogundipe, while saying no assault of doctors and other healthcare workers in the hospital, said the protest was to create attention to the public that any assault or violence against health workers at the hospital will no longer be tolerated.

     

    “We are emphasizing and saying No to any assault on our colleagues and other healthcare workers in UCH, Ibadan. More than 5 doctors were attacked within two years within the hospital premises and we don’t want to condone this again.

    It is not until they kill us before we will speak. That is why we have raised our voices against this action.”

    The entire public needs to know that the association and hospital have a zero tolerance for assault and violence against medical doctors and other healthcare workers.”

     

    “Anyone who engages is such nefarious acts would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

     

    The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, CMD, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, in a reaction, said the assailant has been immediately handed over to the police force for prosecution because the hospital views it as inhumane, unwarranted, and unacceptable.

     

    Professor Otegbayo said members of the public are to exercise some level of decorum while accessing medical care in the hospital and patients and their relatives not satisfied with services received at any service point should channel their complaints and grievances through the SERVICOM officers for appropriate investigation and redress

     

    He, however, said that the hospital had written a letter of compassion to apologize to the affected doctor, and the assailant on bail with 3 sureties and N100,000 from Yemetu police station in Ibadan is to be charged to the court to face the wrath of the law.

  • Banks sack 110 top executives, others over N82bn fraud

    Banks sack 110 top executives, others over N82bn fraud

    At least 110 top bank executives and junior staff members have been sacked for fraud-related cases in the past two years, findings by The PUNCH have shown.

     

    These were contained in the ‘Reports of Fraud and Forgeries in Nigerian Banks’’ released by the Financial Institutions Training Centre between the second quarter of 2021 and Q2 2023.

     

    FITC’s institutional members are members of the Nigerian Banker’s Committee, which comprises the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, and all licensed banks in Nigeria.

     

    A breakdown showed that while only four bank officials were sacked in Q2 2021, the figure rose by 175 per cent to 11 in Q2 2023

    The highest number of sacked top bank executives and junior staff members was recorded in Q3 2022. Twenty officials were fired.

     

    The PUNCH observed that between Q2 2021 and Q2 2022, 52 bank staff members were sacked for fraud-related issues.

     

    However, between Q3 2022 and Q2 2023, 58 bank staff members were sacked for the same reason

    Also, within the period under review, the sacked staff members were involved in a total of 967 fraud cases.

     

    The highest number of cases was recorded in Q4 2021, with 410 cases involving bank staff, while the lowest was recorded in Q3 2021, with 32 cases.

     

    The PUNCH further observed that between Q2 2021 and Q2 2022, bank staff were involved in 657 cases, while between Q3 2022 and Q2 2023, they were involved in 310 cases.

     

    Also, about N18.01bn was lost due to fraud committed by bank staff and outsiders within the reviewed period out of a total of N81.69bn involved in fraud cases.

     

    The PUNCH learnt that the highest amount lost was N5.79bn in Q2 2023, while the lowest amount lost was N472.28m in Q1 2023.

     

    For the total amount involved, the highest amount was N34.78bn in Q3 2021, while the lowest amount was N1.18bn in Q2 2022.

     

    The PUNCH further observed that mobile fraud, computer/web fraud, and P0S-related fraud were the most prevalent types of fraud, and this trend persisted in Q2 2023.

    In June 2022, the PUNCH reported the continued trial of three former workers with the First Bank of Nigeria facing attempted fraud charges before a Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja.

     

    The defendants, Ozioma Ugorji, 35; Ugwu Emeka, 32; and Obike Chukwuka, 38, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission for allegedly attempting to steal N20bn from the bank.

     

    The PUNCH learnt that the defendants conspired to tap into the bank’s server to grant access to a syndicate.

    They were, however, apprehended by the EFCC on March 6, 2021, following an intelligence report.

     

    In June this year, four men were arraigned at the Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding their employer, Think Finance Microfinance Bank of N150m in the FESTAC Town area of Lagos State.

     

    The defendants include the company’s Head of Risk Management, Ojimi Ayodeji, the Loan Officer, Isaac Eddy, Joseph Setonji and Juwon Irinyemi, and were arraigned before Magistrate Patrick Nwaka on three counts of theft.

     

    The PUNCH had reported recently that four Nigerian deposit money banks lost a total of N1.77bn to fraudulent activities involving the banks’ employees and consumers in 2021.

    This was contained in the 2021 financial statements of the banks, which included Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, First Monument City Bank, and Wema Bank.

     

    The PUNCH also reported that Access Bank, GTB and Fidelity Bank recorded 26,877 fraud cases in the first six months of this year, according to analyses of their financial reports for the first half of 2022.

     

    This was a 56.45 per cent decrease from the 61,715 fraud cases that were recorded by the banks between June and December, 2021.

     

    The President of the Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Dr Uju Ogunbunka, recently urged banks to educate their staff and create protective measures that would discourage fraud.

     

    Commenting, ICT expert and Senior Partner of e86 Limited, Olugbenga Odeyemi, recently said several fraud cases needed insiders from banks.

     

    He stated, “Some of the hacking and fraud cases that we’ve seen, happened not because of the lack of security on the banks’ electronic platforms, but because of poverty, greed, and sometimes the lack of education on the part of the customers.

     

    “Other than asking banks to invest more in the security of their platforms, it’s equally important that banks spend more resources on educating their customers.

    That said, several fraud cases couldn’t have happened without the help of insiders in some of the banks. I think Nigerian banks should spend more money on the welfare of their staff while making appropriate changes to their internal processes, starting from their hiring processes.”

     

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, recently urged the CBN to introduce sanctions and eliminate policies that promote corruption.

     

    He said, “I think what they can do is to activate sanctions on anyone found wanting. Aside from the tracking, there must be evidence. And once there is evidence, they should close in on anyone they find. Cyber fraud is the biggest threat in the banking industry.’’

     

    The FITC advised banks to strengthen their security protocols and utilise advanced fraud detection systems.

     

    It said, “Considering the rise in the total amount involved in fraud cases and the amount lost, Nigerian banks should strengthen their security protocols and systems to prevent unauthorised access to customer accounts and sensitive information. This may involve incorporating measures such as multi-factor authentication, implementing strong encryption techniques, and ensuring regular security updates are in place.”

  • Reps committee never demanded bribe from us –Fed Rectors

    Reps committee never demanded bribe from us –Fed Rectors

    Rectors of Federal Polytechnics across the country on Thursday refuted allegations that they were asked to give bribes by members of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating alleged job racketeering and mismanagement of the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS) by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).Chairman of the Committee of Federal Polytechnics’ Rectors, Engr Yahaya Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the polytechnic rectors who were present at the resumed hearing of the investigative hearing said they had at no time interfaced with any member of the panel and also denied being given any account number to pay bribes as alleged.

    Gagdi also threatened that the committee would take legal action against the online medium over the publication which he said was to “blackmail and discredit” the committee

     

    Recall that an online platform had on Tuesday in an investigation, reported how some members of the panel had asked vice chancellors of universities and heads of tertiary institutions to pay certain amount of money as bribes into a bank account inorder to give them a soft landing.

     

    Members of the committee were also reported to have been engaging in extortion of money from heads of federal ministries, departments and agencies, including those of tertiary institutions across the country.

     

    Mohammed, who is also the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, said this when chairman of the adhoc committee, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi asked him to speak on the allegations of bribery and extortion levied against members of the committee as reported.

     

    The rector said, “This is our first time of interfacing with the committee. All of us came into Abuja yesterday. Chairman, we are not in receipt of any account number or account name by any member of this committee. I will say under oath that we have not received any account number from any member of this committee.”

     

    Gagdi said he has written to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the account number allegedly released to heads of tertiary institutions for the payments of bribes as reported.

     

    He said, “I have already written to the ICPC to investigate that account number that was published, the owner of that account and whether there is any transaction by vice chancellors, rectors of polytechnics and leaders of tertiary institutions in the country.”

  • FG to shut down Murtala Muhammed Airport, suspends contracts, concessions

    FG to shut down Murtala Muhammed Airport, suspends contracts, concessions

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed all international airlines to vacate the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, from October 1, 2023.

    This became necessary, according to him, to give room for total maintenance work at the airport.

    The minister disclosed this during a tour at the international airport in Lagos, where he was accompanied by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed.

     

    The minister, while speaking at the sideline of the airport tour, directed the airlines and companies operating in the airport to move to the new terminal – MMIA Terminal 2.

     

    Keyamo also suspended all contracts, projects, concessions in the sector until further notice.

     

    He said: “All airlines should vacate the MMIA before October 1 and relocate to MMIA Terminal 2.”

  • Niger junta withdraws French ambassador’s immunity, orders his expulsion

    Niger junta withdraws French ambassador’s immunity, orders his expulsion

    Niger’s new military rulers have withdrawn the French ambassador’s diplomatic immunity and ordered police to expel him, according to a letter seen Thursday by AFP.

     

    The envoy “no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities attached to his status as member of the diplomatic personnel in the French embassy,” according to their letter, dated Tuesday, to the foreign ministry in Paris.

    (His) diplomatic cards and visas and those of the members of his family have been cancelled. The police have been instructed to proceed to his expulsion,” it said.

    The move follows a coup in the troubled Sahel state on July 26 that toppled a close French ally, President Mohamed Bazoum.

     

    Relations with France spiralled downwards after Paris stood by Bazoum and refused to recognise Niger’s new rulers.

     

    On Friday, the authorities gave French envoy Sylvain Itte 48 hours to leave the country.

     

    France refused the demand, saying that the government had no legal right to make such an order.

     

    On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron singled out Itte for praise after he remained at his post.

     

    French military spokesman Colonel Pierre Gaudilliere on Thursday warned that “the French military forces are ready to respond to any upturn in tension that could harm French diplomatic and military premises in Niger”.

     

    “Measures have been take to protect these premises,” he said.

  • Towards enhanced budgeting and project execution in NDDC

    Towards enhanced budgeting and project execution in NDDC

    Flowerbudnews

    An Analysis by Isaiah Eka, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) stakeholders’ conference on implementable budget for the commission in 2024 has come and gone but its essence lingers.

    The NDDC was created to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region the source of Nigeria’s crude oil and by extension, the engine of the nation’s economy.

    The failure of the commission to deliver on its mandates will have enormous impact on the nation’s economic and social life.

    This because it was designed to compensate for the infrastructure deficit in the area, one of the reasons advanced for restiveness that disrupts oil production in the region.

    The effective budgeting and implementation of the commission’s budget is therefore critical, hence the need for stakeholders to brainstorm on the commission’s 2024 budget.

    The two-day conference with the theme, “Partners for sustainable development forum -NDDC 2024 Budget conference’’, was attended by stakeholders and representatives of governments of the nine Niger Delta states.

    International oil companies, traditional rulers, youth groups and civil society organisations, among others also graced the conference.

    According to the NDDC’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the stakeholders’ engagement aims to achieve effective budgeting system in line with the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope’’ Agenda.

    The NDDC, has, over the years, been challenged by inadequate funding for its projects and poor budgeting which adversely affected projects execution in the region.

    Addressing stakeholders, Ogbuku said partnership with them was required to facilitate regional sustainable development of the Niger Delta.

    Ogbuku said: “This conference is very vital. For one, it helps to revive the platform of the partners for sustainable development forum, which was created as part of the regional masterplan implementation guideline.

    “It also helps to bring all service providers and project implementers to the same table to fashion a common pathway based on shared vision for the development of the region.

    “For another, it affords all of us the incentive and opportunity to pool our resources together, initiate projects and programmes within the obligatory goal of building a better region and empowering our people.

    “By so doing, we would, arising from the conference, galvanise our energies for a common purpose, eliminate duplications and institutional suspicions in the development process.’’

    He said the conference was also expected to offer solutions to reduce the incidence of working at cross purposes and reduce wastage of resources allocated for regional development initiatives.

    “And to succeed, we must remain committed to doing things differently from the past. We must move from the era where we express a determination to making difference. There is no better time than now.

    “We are improving and strengthening our internal processes and institutional protocols. We are taking definitive and definite steps towards following due process in all our operations.

    “We must be more mindful in the allocation of funds to projects and programmes and remove all areas of waste,’’ he said.

    The budget of reconstruction conference’s philosophy is that the full budgetary cycle of the commission is strictly followed.

    It mandates full commitment of its Executive Management to do what is right for the first time since 2018.

    The NDDC’S Executive Director, Finance and Administration, retired Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, said the participatory budgeting involved all stakeholders – internal and external- in its budgeting process.

    “The entire budgeting process of the Commission is being restructured in order to achieve a realistic and implementable Budget.

    “The approved budget cycle will be adhered to as much as possible so that the NDDC 2024 Budget will get to the National Assembly via the Presidency by Sept. 30, 2023,’’ he said.

    Airhiavbere said the commission had set out strategic goals and objectives for 2024 centered on the drive to implementation of legacy projects and programmes.

    He said this could be done through the Private-Public-Partnership (PPP), setting aside 20 per cent of each state’s revenue for payment of legacy debts and 10 per cent for counterpart funding.

    “This NDDC Budget is a product of participatory budgeting process, which was done by the State Project Committees in conjunction with their respective stakeholders.

    “The stakeholders will also be key into the quarterly performance implementation process of the Commission.

    “As critical stakeholders, we are to review, harmonise and adopt the budget for onward transmission.

    “It is our expectation that by the end of this exercise, duplications of projects will be completely eradicated while having Regional projects ownership,’’ he said.

    Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore, urged the commission to evolve budgets to meet the development needs of the states and communities in the region.

    Belgore said that NDDC budgets over the years had challenges, including belated submission and delayed approvals, adding that those challenges led to low as well as poor implementation, which the conference hoped to address.

    He said: “The commission is procedurally to submit the budget proposal to the ministry, which would in turn submit to the Presidency, after scrutiny and review.

    “Upon submission, the Presidency then transmits it to the National Assembly. The way forward is to embrace robust and innovative pathways anchored on transparency and stakeholders’ participation towards right-budgeting.

    He also said that they were expected to maximize available resources to address the most critical needs of the people of Niger Delta.

    The conference was inspired by the desire to entrench collaboration, cooperation, partnership and synergy in the development of the Niger Delta Region by all key stakeholders and management.

    They also resolved in their communique that the NDDC’s budget should have a spread to cover the several ethnic nationalities and communities in region.

    “It is the wish of the management and stakeholders that the Commission should operate a lean budget that will allow and enable her to commence and complete projects within a certain and realistic budget cycle in of abandoned projects littered all over the region.’’

    At the end of the conference participants said the strategic importance of the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) forum in the budgetary process aimed at eliminating duplications and institutional suspicions in the development process.

    In a communiqué the conference for a reduction of the incidence of working at cross purposes and wastage of scarce resources allocated for regional development initiatives by all stakeholders.

    It also resolved that the PSD forum be held quarterly for the various stages of budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

    It commended the NDDC’s executive management for resuscitating the PSD forum, which was last held in 2016.

    It stressed the need for the Commission to strike a balance between meeting the political demands and serving the people of the region by executing a people-centric-projects.

    “For the 2025 Budget, less of new projects should be captured in order to ensure the quick completion of all ongoing projects under the 2024 budget.

    “The timeline for payment of contractors should not exceed 45 days, allowing for 15 days buffer after which penalties will accrue for non-payment of contractors.

    “That a town hall meeting and engagement of the several ethnic nationalities of the region be convoked prior to budget sessions. This is to ensure that the budget receives inputs from the people directly,’’ communiqué stated.

    It also emphasised the need to remove all completed projects from the budget to allow for more new projects to be introduced into the budget.

    The conference called for provisions for flood control measures in the 2024 Budget under regional provision and provision of IDP camps in the LGAs of the region for flood impact reduction.

    It stated that to ensure equity among all the LGAs regarding the 2024 budget, the commission should identify deserving ongoing projects with significant completion status.

    It stated that where the funds committed to such projects are insufficient, funds may be drawn from the legacy debt to augment for completion.

    Stakeholders and governments of the Niger Delta region, are no doubt, supportive and committed to partnering the NDDC to ensure implementable budget in 2024 to enhance sustainable development of the region. (NANFeatures) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews