We Are Analyzing Sources Of Data Used By TI – Presidency

The Presidency last night said that it was currently analyzing the sources of data used by Transparency International in arriving at the Corruption Perceptions Index in Nigeria. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said that the report was not an accurate portrayal of the facts on the ground. The Presidency further claimed that some persons at Transparency International in Nigeria were against President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

FG Develops Mobile App That Will Assist In Securing NIN Slip

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has approved the development and release of an improved National Identity Number (NIN) slip and a mobile application that will help in securing NIN. Dr. Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant, Information Technology to the ministry, made this known in a statement late Thursday in Abuja. Adeluyi said this development was part of the Federal Government’s policy to improve the process of obtaining NIN and linking it to Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) and also aligning with the national digital economy policy for a digital Nigeria.

Customs Set To Implement Reduced Car Import Levy

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it is awaiting directive from the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to commence the implementation of the reduced import levy for vehicles. The Controller-General, Hameed Ali made this known while speaking at the 2021 International Customs Day on Tuesday, adding that the 2020 finance act set a downward review of levy paid on imported cars from 35 percent to 5 percent, while that of tractors and motor vehicles for transportation of goods was slashed to 10 percent. “The president has signed the bill now an act, we are now waiting for the minister of finance to formally send to us directing for implementation. If that is done today, by tomorrow, we will inform all our commands to fully begin to implement the act,” Ali said.

Breaking: Buhari Signs 2021 Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Thursday in Abuja signed the 2021 appropriation bill into law, the Presidency disclosed. This is after both chambers passed the N13.6 trillion (13,588,027,886,107) on December 21st, approving the proposed budget. The assenting of the budget will sustain the 1st January to 31st December 2021 fiscal cycle.The budget comprises total Capital Supplementation of N1,060,751,051,650 while, statutory transfer is at 496,528,471,273; recurrent expenditure is N5,641,970,060,680. Also, N3,324,380,000 trillion for debt servicing while N5,641,970,060,680 is for Recurrent Expenditure; and N4,125,149,354,222 for Capital Expenditure.

Just In: President Buhari Appoints Aghuhu As The New Auditor-General Of The Federation

President Muhammadu Buhari has today nominated Mr. Aghughu Arhotomhenla Adolphus for appointment as the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Accordingly, Buhari has transmitted the letter of the nomination for ratification by the national Assembly in-line with section 86(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Image of Godwin Emefiele, Governor of CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the take-off of the Federal Government’s N200bn social housing scheme. The housing scheme which is targeted at providing low-budget housing for 300,000 Nigerians is part of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP). This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande. He said 20 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had already shown interest in the housing scheme, adding that it would provide jobs for 1.8 million Nigerians.

Federal Government Approves Recruitment Of 30,000 Graduates

The Nigerian government has given the National Agricultural and Land Development (NALDA) a go-ahead to permanently instate 30,000 agricultural and other sciences graduates to handle soil tests and other responsibilities for the agency.

FAAN Introduces Cashless Policy To Reduce Leakages

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has promoted a cashless policy to optimize its revenue collection and reduce leakages. The Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, disclosed this when the House Committee on Aviation visited the agency’s facilities at the Lagos Airport. Listing some of the steps to push this drive, Yadudu informed that the agency had suspended the procurement of non-essential items, reduced staff related cost, and embarked on a debt recovery drive hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

FG: NERC Directed To Suspend Adjusted Electricity Tariff

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to immediately suspend the recently adjusted electricity tariff. This was disclosed on Thursday in a statement by the Minister of Power, Sale Mamman. On Tuesday, NERC increased electricity tariff to be paid by power consumers nationwide. The commission claimed the adjustment was due to inflation amongst other factors. Mamman said, “The public is aware that the Federal Government and Labour Centres have been engaged in positive discussions about the electricity sector through the joint ad-hoc Committee led by the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and Co-Chaired by the Minister of State for Power. Great progress has been made in these deliberations which are set to be finalized by the end of January, 2021.

Oil Price Hits $50PB For The First Time Since March

The crude oil price has shown strength on Thursday as the Brent Crude traded at $50 per barrel, recording a 2 percent gain and also, the highest it has been since March 2020 amid the remarkable development of the COVID-19 vaccine. At the end of the trading session in London, Brent traded at $50.34 PB, while U.S West Texas Intermediate traded at $46.96 PBD. The increase in crude oil price is attributed to the deal struck by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on December 3rd where the group agreed to lift production in January by 500,000 BPD. This was following a price war by Saudi Arabia and Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic in March.