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New currency: Senate urges CBN to extend withdrawal date

Currency
By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, Dec. 28, 2022(NAN) The Senate has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to urgently extend the withdrawal date of old currency notes from Jan. 31, 2023 to June 31.

The upper chamber’s resolution was sequel to a point of order raised by Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) during Wednesday’s plenary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that CBN had on Oct. 26, announced plans to redesign the 200, 500, and 1,000 naira notes.

Sequel to the announcement by the apex bank, President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the redesigned naira notes.

Raising Orders 41 and 51 of Senate Standing Rule, Ndume said that the call for extension of the date should be considered as a matter of urgent national importance in order to forestall imminent hardship on Nigerians.

Ndume said: “This senate notes that many Nigerian banks on Thursday, Dec. 15, opened their vaults to customers and depositors to exchange their old currency notes for the newly redesigned currency notes which has a stipulated deadline of Jan. 31.

“Some Nigerians are already envisaging long queues in the banking hall across the country as a result of people trying to get access to the new naira notes.

“The old notes are expected to be in circulation along the new ones until Jan. 31 when the old ones are expected to be phased out.

“It is expected that many Nigerian businesses will start to rid the old notes as soon as banks start paying redesigned notes to customers.”

The lawmaker also said that access to the new notes would be compounded by recent circular by the CBN which limited the amount of cash withdrawal by corporate entities to withdraw within certain period of time.

He said: “The withdrawal of old notes from circulation if not extended beyond Jan. 31, many Nigerians will be thrown into hardship and to avoid the repeat of 1984 experience withdrawal of old notes.”

Contributing, Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi) said that it was true that in rural areas, people were not even aware that there was going to be currency change.

“So this motion is very apt and timely. If we insist on the date given by CBN, it will cause a lot of hardship for our rural dwellers.

“Majority of our people live in rural areas where there are no banks and PoS. It is appropriate we extend the time as suggested in the motion,” Aliero said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

NNL/BEKl/MNA

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Maureen Atuonwu

Senate passes N21.8 trn 2023 budget

Bill
By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, Dec. 28, 2022 (NAN) The Senate on Wednesday, passed the N21.8 trillion 2023 budget.
This followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Appropriation at plenary.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Jibrin Barau said that the commitee did a thorough job by examining inputs from its sub-committees before reaching the final figure.
“We hereby recommend that the Senate do consider and approve a Bill for an Act to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CFR) of the Federation the total sum of N21.8 trillion.
“Of which N967 billion is for Statutory Transfers, N6.5 billion only is for debt service.
“N8.3 trillion is for recurrent (Non-Debt) expenditure.
“While N5.9 trillion for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending December 2023,” he said.
He said that the budget was raised from the N20.5 trillion submitted by the Executive by N1.3 trillion.
Barau said that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Oct. 7, laid before a joint sitting of the National Assembly the 2023 Appropriation Bill christened”Budget of Fiscal Consolidation and Transition”.
He said that the President had proposed an oil price benchmark of 70 dollars, which was raised to 75 dollars by the National Assembly.
“The Executive proposed an exchange rate of N435.57 to a dollar while the national assembly approved same,” he said.
In his remarks, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, said that the passage of the budget was in line with the National Assembly’s pledge to reverse to the January- December budget cycle.
“This our fourth budget and last before the expiration of our tenure and we have kept that promise,” he said.
Lawan also urged the executive to strive hard to implement the 2022 supplementary budget.
“We have also passed the supplementary dudget for 2022. We expect total implementation. No selective implementation,” Lawan said.
Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned plenary until Jan. 17, 2023.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
NNL/ABI
Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa
08032918464

Senate passes 2022 supplementary budget of N819.5bn

By Naomi Sharang

Budget
Abuja, Dec. 28, 2022 (NAN) The Senate has passed the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N819.5 billion.

The consideration and approval of the budget followed the presentation of the report of the the Senate Joint Committee on the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Bill is titled: “A Bill for an Act to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) the total sum of N819, 536,937,813 for the year ending March 31, 2023.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the joint committee, Sen. Jibrin Barau, recalled that the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N819, 536,937,813, all of which were Capital Expenditure, was read the first time on Dec. 21.

“The Senate subsequently read the bill the second time and referred it to the Appropriation Committee in conjunction with Committees on Agriculture and Rural Development; Works and Housing; and Water Resources for further legislative action,” said Barau.

He said that the bill sought to, among other things, make available additional funds to cushion the effects of the 2022 flood on road infrastructure, agriculture, water infrastructure and completion of some ongoing critical projects that had achieved about 85 per cent completion.

Barau said that the supplementary bill would be financed through additional domestic borrowings, which would raise the 2022 budget to N8.17 trillion only, and Deficit/GDP to 4.43 per cent.

He said that the committee observed that the effects of the 2022 flood across the country and its attendant consequences on roads, bridges, farmlands and the water sector necessitated the supplementary bill request.

Barau said: “Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the Supplementary Appropriation Bill requests are: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Federal Ministry of water Resources”.

The chairman said that the committee recommended that the ministry of agriculture and rural development should get N69, 247,175, 770.

According to him, ministry of works and housing is to get N704,789,762, 043, while Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will get N30,000,000,000.

“Federal Ministry of Water Resources is to get N15, 500, 000, 000”.

Contributing, Sen. Smart Adeyemi (APC-Kogi) said that the budget would be of benefit to all the nook and cranny of the country.

“The projects will help in guaranteeing security and ensuring the socio-economic development of rural areas.”

However, Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) said: “My worry is that this is the reality of what we are doing today.

“It is today that this Senate has considered to extend the budget by 90 days.

“This budget, even if approved, how realistic is it going to be. By the time we process this and the due process that is required in budget implementation for contract execution cannot be circumvented.

“If that is the case, assuming we pass it today, we have 90 days to implement.

“If it is agreed that some of these monies have to be spent within 90 days. It is not possible. Let us not deceive ourselves.

“We should amend the 2023 budget to take care of this projects so that they will have 12 months of implementation.”

The budget was thereafter approved and passed after going through the Committee of Supply. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

NNL/EBI/MST

Edited by Benson Iziama/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Christmas: PRP felicitates with Nigerians, preaches peaceful coexistence

By Naomi Sharang

PRP
Abuja, Dec. 25, 2022 (NAN) The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has congratulated the Christian community in Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration.

The party’s Acting Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Mr Muhammed Ishaq, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that Christmas mark the birthday of Jesus Christ and is an immensely joyous occasion celebrated with great ardour the world over.

“It is a memorable moment for exchanging the light of love, peace, tolerance and happiness.

“PRP uses this medium to call on all Nigerians to continue co-existing peacefully and in harmony. It is only on the foundation of peace and unity that Nigerians can experience genuine and collective happiness.

“We pray that may this year’s Christmas bring true liberation to our nation.

“May true peace reign in our nation. May our country be freed from all forms of ills that bedevil our dear nation.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
NNL/HMH/MST

Edited by Habibu Harisu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Attacks on INEC facilities, great threat to 2023 poll- Group

Facilities
By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, Dec. 24, 2022 (NAN) The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) says attacks on facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) poses great threat to the 2023 general election.
Mr MacDonald Ekemezie, the Programmes and Communications Manager, CTA, said this when he briefed newsmen in Abuja.
Ekemezie said that the security agencies must up their game to tackle continuous attacks on INEC facilities.
“With less than three months to the general election, security agencies must up their game by way of intelligence gathering if the poll must hold unhindered.
“The 2023 election will hold across the country on Feb. 25, 2023 for the Presidential and National Assembly, the Governorship and States House of Assembly Election will hold on March 2023.
“INEC should be conscious that the world is watching us.We condemn in strong terms the ugly and alarming trend of burning INEC offices and materials in recent times.
“This dangerous and criminal act if unchecked could pose a grave danger to the 2023 general election,” he said.
Ekemezie described the attacks as acts of arsons, unpatriotic and wondered why some people have constituted themselves into enemies of Nigeria’s democracy, peace and common sense.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NNL/ ABI
Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa
08032918464

Bill

By Naomi Sharang

Abuja, Dec. 23, 2022 (NAN) The absence of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami among other factors,  stalled a public hearing on a Bill to repeal the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The Director-General of the NITDA, Kashifu Abdullah was also absent at the hearing.

The Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta and other stakeholders also failed to appear at  the public hearing.

The hearing was convened by the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on ICT and Cyber Security held on Friday in Abuja.

Chairman of the joint committee, Sen. Yakubu Oseni said the bill sought to provide for the administration, implementation and regulation of information technology systems and practices as well as digital economy in Nigeria and for related matters.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that only Oseni and Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia (APC-Jigawa) were present while four House of Representatives members, Rep. Isiaka Ibrahim, Rep. Samsudeen Bello, Rep. Zaiyad Ibrahim, and Rep Idem Unyime were in attendance.

The invited stakeholders were Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal and state governments, Civil Society Organisations, and the entire business community among others

Stakeholders and members of the general public who were invited by the joint committee attended the event except the heads of critical MDAs in the communication sector.

The stakeholders had described the bill as important to the Nigerian economy but also controversial on the basis that it arrogated the powers of existing government agencies to NITDA as an agency.

They argued that the bill sought to make NITDA a mega regulator of regulators in the country,  going by the provisions in the bill.

The President of the senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, who was represented by the Deputy Whip of the senate, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, inaugurated the opening of the event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
NNL/CHOM
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

APC remains only option for Nigerians- Gov Bagudu

Nigerians
By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, Dec. 23, 2022 (NAN) Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi says the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the only option for Nigerians.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Friday by Badugu’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yahaya Sarki.

The governor made the remark at the inauguration of the zonal campaign rally in Yauri, Kebbi south.

He said that his conviction was premised on the fair manner the party’s candidates emerged sequel to transparent and open processes.

Badugu, who is also APC Governors’ Forum Chairman, said this is particularly based on the manner APC’s presidential candidate and his running mate, as well as the state governorship candidate and his running mate emerged .

He said that APC and its leaders were always just and open-minded unlike some of the egocentric and unpatriotic former members who left the party and imposed themselves as candidates and intimidated their perceived weaker party members.

Bagudu said that the APC-led Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari and the Kebbi State Government had performed creditably well in the last seven years.

He said that this was evident in the array of infrastructural development dotting the entire landscape of the zone and the state in general.

The governor appealed to the people of the state to vote for APC candidates at all levels to ensure continuity.

Bagudu assured the people of the state that the APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr Nasir Idris and his running mate, Sen. Umar Abubakar in the state would build upon the legacy of the ruling APC if elected.

He acknowledged the sustained support of the people of the state to the federal government and his administration,urging them not to relent in doing so.

Earlier, Alhaji Yusuf Yauri, Chairman of APC, Yauri Local Government expressed delight with the mammoth crowd of APC members and supporters that attended the Zonal Kebbi South campaign rally in Yauri local Government.

He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the state governor for the massive infrastructural development in the entire Yauri Emirate particularly the road construction and electricity supply which has eluded the Emirate for many years.

The State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana told the mammoth crowd that APC in Kebbi remained one united strong family.

Kana assured APC members that good tidings would come their way soon that would put smile on their faces.

He said the incumbent administration of gov. Bagudu has recorded significant development in all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.(NAN))www.nannews.ng)

NNL/EBI/SH

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Sadiya Hamza

Why we shifted passage of 2023 budget to Wednesday: Lawan

Bill
By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, Dec. 22, 2022 (NAN) President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan says the Senate decided to shifted the passage of the 2023 budget to Dec.28, due to some challenges.
Lawan said this at the commencement of plenary on Thursday against the backdrop of an earlier announcement that the Bill would be passed before the chamber adjourned for Christmas recess on Thursday.
“Today was scheduled for us to receive and consider the report of our committee on Appropriation for the 2023 Appropriation Bill.
“However, due to some challenges, we are not able to receive the report of the committee.
“And the main reason is that the Appropriation Bill came to the National Assembly with some problems.
“And when our Committees on Appropriation in the Senate and the House of Representatives started to reconcile the figures of what we have done and what was presented, the problems became very obvious and they were not easy to deal with, and therefore our committees had to start a process of cleaning up the Bill first,” Lawan said.
He added: “That process, of course, also engaged the executive arm because the problems came from t
“It was concluded only on Wednesday and our committee secretariats are not able to finish processing the budget for us to take today nor tomorrow, nor Saturday nor Sunday because this are periods that are for festivities, Christmas period; Monday, Tuesday are public holidays.
“Consequently, we can only receive the report and consider it on Wednesday, Dec. 28. That is the earliest, that’s next week.
“So far, this ninth National Assembly has done so much to pass the previous appropriation Bills since 2019, before the end of the year to date and I’m sure that this would remain one of the cherished legacies of the ninth National Assembly.”
“So by the Grace of God, on the 28th of this month, the senate and indeed the House of Representatives will all come back to receive and consider the budget report from our committees.

“We had arranged on Wednesday, that the finance committee will present a report of the Finance Bill Hearing today.
“That of course would not be possible. This is the reason: We also received two communications- Supplementary Budget 2022 and of course, Ways and Means.
“So our committees on Appropriation, Finance, Water Resources, Agriculture and Works and Housing will be processing the Bills for today.
“In that respect, the senate will adjourn immediately so that our committees start the action they are supposed to take and therefore those reports will also be available to us on the 28th when we will be here.”

“I want to thank all of you my Distinguished colleagues for your support, cooperation, commitment, dedication on all these things that we have been doing as a legislature.

“Let me advise the Executive. The Bills that have come to us, the Ways and Means, the Supplementary Appropriation, whoever is invited to come and explain, give information or any details for the National Assembly to understand must do so, because its not our work alone.

“We want to do our work thoroughly, we want to understand whatever we are going to deal with and to base our decisions on information, and time is of essence.

“Just like we are going to sacrifice part of our festive period to be back here, nobody should tell us that they are in their places because it is Christmas. They should be available with every necessary information.”(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NNL/ABI
Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa
08032918464

Atala OML 46: Senate faults NUPRC over revocation of licence

Licence
By Naomi Sharang

Abuja, Dec. 22, 2022 (NAN) The Senate, on Thursday, faulted the revocation of the licence of Atala Marginal oil field (OML 46) in February 2020 by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The upper chamber consequently ordered the commission to re-allocate the oil field to the original owners as earlier directed by the Presidency.

Senate’s resolutions were sequel to the recommendations, during plenary, by its committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Sen. Ayo Akinyelure.

He said that the committee had on the mandate given by the Senate investigated petitions forwarded to it by Sir Daniel Chukwudozie.

“Chukwudozie had written the petition on behalf of Hardy Oil Nigeria Limited, Bayelsa Oil Company Limited (BOCL) and Century Exploration and Production Limited ( CEPL).

“The petition was against NUPRC for alleged illegal and fraudulent revocation of Atala Marginal Field (OML 46) licence and its re-award to Halkin Exploration and Production Limited.

“Award of the Oil field to Halkins as stated in the petition, is in breach of due process and Presidential Directive.

Akinyelure said: “the revocation was based on misleading information supplied by Halkin Exploration and Production Limited.

“And since NUPRC was unable to produce written evidence that President Muhammadu Buhari actually reversed his initial directive on consideration of owners/operators of Atala Marginal Field for re-award as claimed by NUPRC.

“The committee strongly recommends that the oil field be returned to its original owners/operators.

“This recommendation is in line with Presidential directive which was applied in returning the Nine marginal fields to their original owners/operators”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Halkin Exploration and Production Limited as clearly stated in the petition and listed in the records of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), became an incorporated company on Sept. 9, 2019. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
NNL/VAO

Edited by Vincent Obi

Foundation, Legislative institute task political parties on peaceful conduct of 2023 general election

Election
By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, Dec. 21, 2022 (NAN)The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on Wednesday, urged political parties to ensure the peaceful conduct of the fast approaching 2023 general election.

Country Director, WFD-Nigeria, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola made the call at the launch of “Political Party Watch Project” held in Abuja.

Olorunmola who called on political parties to be more open and inclusive in their practices also urged them contribute towards the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election.

He said that the project was launched to promote inclusion in the political party systems of Nigerian polity.

The country director also called on citizens to participate actively during the election.

He added that the participation of citizens in the ongoing electoral process was fundamental to advancing the democratic process in the country.

“West Minister Foundation for Democracy and NILDS calls on all voters to turn out enmasse and make their votes count, while placing national interest above personal interest.”

Olorunmola further said that the initiative was funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), under the Inclusive and Accountable Politics project.

“We will work closely with key stakeholders, including the INEC’s Electoral Institute and the Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), as well as the 18 registered political parties.”

He said that the Political Party Watch Project would monitor, analyse, and evaluate the conduct of the 18 political parties before, during and after the presidential elections.

This, he said was to measure the extent to which tenets of inclusive practices were upheld.

“The project will also increase public knowledge towards inclusive citizen’s participation and engagement with political parties in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NNL/SH

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza