₦airaland Forum

10 Things We Learnt From The National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) Event

---

1. On the 13th of June, the N-Power portal will be re-opened for registrations.

2. This year, 300,000 unemployed graduates will come on stream for the N-Power programme. All volunteers will get a computing device which will be used in executing their primary roles and help them take advantage of additional learning opportunities.

3. Millions of primary school pupils will be added as beneficiaries to the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP).

4. 12,000 direct jobs have been created in the food supply chain through the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP)

5. By the end of April 2018, 1.2million people would have benefitted from the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

6. Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) has seen impressive participation by women, recording 56% of the allocated loans so far.

7. In the next few months, loan disbursements of GEEP is expected to increase to 150,000 beneficiaries.

8. 400,000 beneficiaries across more states will come on board the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme in the next few months.

9. The N-Power programme has enhanced record keeping and reduced waiting times at Primary Health Care centers across Nigeria.

10. The Social Housing Fund is a new aspect of the SIP that will enable any Nigerian who earns at least 30,000 monthly to become a home owner.

State House Press Release:
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has condemned Manchester terrorist attack; expressed condolences to the Government and People of United Kingdom.

Here's What The Branding Guru Mr Leke Alder Says To Start-Ups (New Businesses)

---

ACADEMY

Entrepreneurship:
Entrepreneurs around the world deserve commendation. They take risks where others fear to tread, they think out of the box, they are not afraid to try new ventures, and they are usually champions of innovation. In a developing country such as Nigeria, the risk is even greater as entrepreneurs assume all the risks and rewards of launching a new business. The high degree of initiative required to manage any enterprise goes to show that entrepreneurship is no mean feat.

Many times, entrepreneurs find themselves struggling in a competitive market. From a business point of view, it’s a case of dog-eat-dog, and the entrepreneur is faced with two major challenges – the need for continuous innovation and the need to maintain enough stability in a rapidly changing environment.

There is a steep learning curve between starting a business and keeping that business alive.

In Nigeria, small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) make up 96% of businesses, according to a survey conducted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). A study carried out by the Federal Office of Statistics places this figure at 97%. However, they contribute to only approximately 48% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

How Is Branding Relevant to An Entrepreneur?

Simply put, as an entrepreneur, your brand is your promise to your customer. It tells customers what to expect from your products and services, and it differentiates your offering from your competitors’.

Your brand strategy is how, where, when and to whom you plan on communicating and delivering your brand messages.

Where you advertise is also part of your brand strategy, as are your communication distribution channels. What you communicate visually and verbally is important too.

An effective brand strategy gives you a major edge in competitive markets. Consistent, strategic branding leads to strong brand equity. Brand equity is the added perceived value bestowed on your products or services that allows you to charge more for your brand than what identical, unbranded products command.

How Should Entrepreneurs Brand Their Businesses?

Defining your brand is like a journey of business self-discovery. It can be difficult, time-consuming and uncomfortable. It requires, at the very least, that you answer the following questions:

1. What is your company's mission?
2. What are the benefits and features of your products or services?
3. What do your customers and prospects already think of your company?
4. What qualities do you want them to associate with your company?
5. Do your research. Learn the needs, habits and desires of your current and prospective customers. And don't rely on what you think they think. Find out.
In branding a business, it is also important that entrepreneurs find a “voice” that reflects their business. This “voice” should be applied to all written communication and be incorporated into the visual imagery of all materials relating to the business.

The “voice” should be reflected in the attitude and disposition of all who represent the business. For example, an enterprise with a performing customer service team can be said to be projecting a reliable and efficient “voice”.

There should be a clearly defined vision and mission which drives the operations of the enterprise. To cite a Nigerian example, Guaranty Trust Bank, a leading financial institution, identified a number of problems in Nigeria’s banking sector, and set up shop with the aim of restoring the ethos of service in the banking industry. Today, the bank has positioned itself as Nigeria’s favourite bank for millennials. Guaranty Trust Bank emphasises customer service, visual brand standards and technology.

What Can Be Gathered from All This?
From the thoughts highlighted above, there are a few pointers that budding entrepreneurs should pay attention to:
a) Identify the needs of the market as well as the general perception of the product you are selling.
b) Define your target audience and niche.
c) Have a carefully laid-out mission and vision that guide the business.
d) Develop a “voice” that reflects the direction and spirit of the enterprise.
e) Draw up an efficient strategy that communicates that voice consistently across multiple platforms.

In conclusion, every business needs a brand identity to achieve all-round success in a market that is never short of competition. Every enterprise must have that distinguishing feature that sets it apart from others who provide similar services. From logos to taglines to standards of service, creating a brand identity is necessary to avoid getting lost in the crowd of businesses and service providers.

Leke Alder is credited with introducing branding as a discipline to Nigeria. He is the Principal of Alder Consulting and has consulted on branding and brand policy both locally and internationally.

Read How Araoluwa Popoola Turned a Necessity Into Pure Cash In This Innovative and Inspiring Business Story.

---

My Business Story by Araoluwa Popoola
Araoluwa Popoola's venture into fashion designing was triggered by common sense. As a university undergraduate at Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Araoluwa used to design his own wear or redesign what he purchased because he very often could not find ready-to-wear clothes that fit.

His trouser length measures 44.6inches, while his sleeve cuts the tape at 26 inches, nearly three inches above the normal.

“I always had issues getting my size because of my long legs and longs arms, so I needed to always design my outfits and give to a tailor or buy big outfits and amend them to my size. After a while, I thought, instead of just making those clothes for myself alone, I can actually make them for people.”

For the 32-year-old graduate of Microbiology, necessity appears to have coincided with passion.

Araoluwa kept making more and more friends among tailors and took his first job after graduation with a fashion outlet in Abuja.

WHAT NEXT?

Between 2008 and 2011, he did several paid jobs, while maintaining his fashion design business by the side. In 2012, however, he decided to concentrate on being a fashion-design entrepreneur.

Armed with N150,000, two sewing machines and an incredibly unconventional business model, he moved back to Ibadan where he grew up and started Aramanda International Couture Limited.

“I wasn't satisfied with the idea of a 9-to-5 job. So I asked myself if I was going to keep doing fashion on the side or just take it up full time. Although I was making money from both ends, I decided it would make more sense if I could just give up the paid job and concentrate on the fashion business” Araoluwa said.

Sourcing highly skilled staff who understood, and were willing to conform to Araoluwa's ambitious vision was an initial challenge. He had to comb the length and breadth of Nigeria and even went as far as Ivory Coast to source staff.

BREAKTHROUGH
MOMENT:

“After 5 years of working with over 150 tailors, I now have the perfect team. This is because everybody calls themselves tailor but the cut, the stitch and the delivery, makes the difference,” he said.

SETBACK:

Power supply, funding and sourcing materials (which he gets most of the time through merchants from Turkey and Vietnam at ridiculous prices) to meet high-end clients' demands, were also initial challenges. Araoluwa had to seek creative ways to address. It seems to be paying off now because Aramanda boasts an average of 200 clients a month. The clients include celebrities such as Ali Baba, Selebobo and Mozez Praiz.

CURRENT STATUS:

It is not often that a five-year-old fashion outlet would claim to be one of the best in the business. But Araoluwa believes that his design now has a definite signature recognised and respected by his clients: “I can say we have mastered the art. We make sure the thread lines are never seen. When we make an outfit, it is so perfect that even your identical twin brother or sister cannot wear it. What is for you is for you; it is totally bespoke.”

As part of his business model, Araoluwa refers to himself as the “team lead” of his 15-staff Aramanda Couture because he doesn't subscribe to the idea of “one-man business ” . His approach is that of mentoring and teamwork, so that the absence of a member does not affect general output. This is a necessary approach, considering how often the team lead travels to source materials and meet clients.

“We are the convenient tailors, so I travel a lot. I have been able to meet with clients that cannot leave their shops or offices or even their States. I have been able to cater to all those clients. For instance, I can fly to Abuja and back for just one outfit for my client” he stated.

Although Aramanda Couture is based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Araoluwa frequents celebrity hangouts and events in Lagos and elsewhere as part of his marketing strategy. The reason is simple: despite a turnover of over N5million in 2016, he has his eyes on further growth and growth in the high-end fashion industry means hobnobbing with celebrities.

"I have worked with over“150 tailors; that is because, basically everybody calls themselves tailor, but the cut, the stitch and the delivery make the differences."

In few minutes, the MidTerm Press Briefing by Nigeria President spokespersons: Femi Adesina, Garba Shehu and Laolu Akande. #AskVillaNG

Aso Villa News

---

Weekly Economic Management Team (EMT) Meeting held, chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama led a delegation to Morocco, signed new two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs).

Health Minister, Isaac Adewole Attended African Ministerial Dialogue on Digital Health Leadership.

Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola met with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Representative to Ecowas.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) commenced its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Meeting.

Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) Ebola Preparedness Working Group met with Port Health Services.

The Inter-Ministerial Working Technical Group on Niger Delta carried out inspection exercise to ensure shoreline protection in Odi Community.

INFORMATION: Presidential Spokespersons will host a Press Briefing tomorrow, May 23, 2017, at the State House in Abuja.

INFORMATION: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will, on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, meet with Public/Civil Servants; to discuss Federal Government

Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business, Budget, and Made in Nigeria.

INFORMATION: Latest edition of the weekly You Win Connect Supplementary is out.

NIGERIA CONDEMNS MUTINY IN COTE D’IVOIRE, URGES RESTRAINT & CALLS FOR DIALOGUE
The Federal Government of Nigeria wishes to condemn in strong terms the recent developments in Cote d’Ivoire in which a small fraction of the country’s Armed Forces mutinied against the Government. Nigeria expresses strong and unflinching support for the Government of President Alhassan Ouattara and welcomes ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis.
In this context, the Federal Government urges the parties to the crisis to exercise maximum restraint, remain calm and continue with dialogue and negotiations with the Government of President Ouattara.

Nigeria also urges the mutineers to return to their barracks and to refrain from any action capable of undermining the peace, security and democracy in the country. The Federal Government further urges the people of Cote d’Ivoire to remain steadfast in their support for the Government and to refrain from giving support to the mutineers in the overall interest of peace, tranquillity, good order and prosperity of the country.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President
Office of the Vice President
May 17, 2017

The 'Incremental Power' Journey

---

March 1, 2017: Power Sector Payment Assurance Program (PSPAP) approved by Federal Executive Council. Under the PSPAP, the Federal Government is committing up to N702 billion to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Company to guarantee the payment of its obligations for electricity delivered to homes, businesses, industries and government establishments.

This N702 billion payment guarantee support to NBET, effective from January 2017, will enable NBET to pay its obligations to GenCos who can in turn pay their gas suppliers, equipment suppliers, banks and other partners. Under the PSPAP, NBET will also work with the DisCos, Government and NERC, the regulator, to improve the DisCos’ payment performance from the current 24.9% level, with 100% payment as the target.

March 22, 2017: Following the unveiling of the PSPAP, a Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), on March 22. The PSRP (which encompasses the PSPAP), covers a wide range of targets, including but not limited to
eliminating the payment deficits accumulated by the DisCos, and funding future deficits (which is where the PAP comes in);
ensuring improved DisCo performance;
establishing data-driven processes for decision making across the sector;
ensuring payment of debts by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs);
improving regulation and governance in the sector;
increasing electricity access through off-grid renewable solutions; and
implementing an end-user tariff trajectory that ensures cost-reflective tariffs are achieved over the next five years.

April 11, 2017: Katampe 60MVA substation in Abuja restored to operation

April 22, 2017: Federal Government of Nigeria delegation met with the World Bank Group in Washington DC to discuss World Bank support for the Power Sector Recovery Program. The World Bank pledged its support for the PSRP. Press Release here (pdf)

May 2, 2017: New Management Board inaugurated for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The New Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer is Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi (concurrently Senior Special Assistant to the President on Power, Office of the Vice President), while Dr. Sanusi Mohammed Ohiare is Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, and Engr. Muhammed Wasaram is Executive Director, Technical Services.

May 7, 2017: 40MVA mobile substation commissioned by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Damboa, Borno State.

Other ongoing TCN projects include the installation of a new circuit breaker in Egbin Power Station (scheduled for commissioning on May 19, 2017) and the Makeri to Pankshin 132kV line in Plateau and Okpella line in Edo State (both expected to be switched on in August 2017).

May 8, 2017: Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) announces completion of Electricity connection projects being undertaken in Magboro, Ogun State. The projects are currently undergoing testing by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution company (IEDC), NDPHC also announced that progress is ongoing with other communities across the country, including Egbema, Okija, Oronta, Ihiala and Nnewi in the South-East.

Aso Villa Newsletter: The 'Based on Logistics' Edition (Contd.)

---

Updates: Ease of Doing Business
On February 21, 2017, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, approved a National Action Plan to be implemented across its three priority areas -- Entry and Exit of goods; Entry and Exit of people and Government Transparency and Procurement -- over the next 60 days to deliver tangible changes for SMEs in Nigeria.

The National Action Plan is an inter-ministerial, inter-governmental plan being implemented by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Lagos and Kano state governments, the National Assembly and other stakeholders, with support from the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES).

The 60 days ended on April 21, 2017, with 70 percent of the Targets achieved, including the following:
Intending Business Owners can now search for Company names on the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

Intending Business Owners can now upload their registration documents directly to the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

Eliminated the need for SMEs to hire lawyers to prepare registration documents

Introduced a single form for Company Incorporation to save time and reduce cost

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) e-payment solution has been integrated with the CAC portal to facilitate e-stamping.

Interested parties can conduct online searches of secured interests on movable assets on the National Collateral Registry

New Arrival and Departure forms for use at our International airports. The new forms are shorter, and have also consolidated a number of previously separate forms into single documents.

Simplified our Visa on Arrival (VoA) Process. Submission of VoA applications and receipt of approval letter can now be done electronically via a dedicated NIS email address: oa@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has now been mandated to schedule and coordinate joint physical examination of cargo to ensure there's only one point of contact between importers and official

Imports into Nigeria now required to be placed in pallets to facilitate quicker physical examination.

Central Bank, Customs and banks now required to process Net Export Proceeds forms within 72 hours; and Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies (PIAs) now required to issue Certificate of Clean Inspection (CCI) within 3 days

Approval obtained to reduce number of documents required for imports from 14 to 8, and number of documents needed for exports from 10 to 7

Minimum container placement notice time needed by Terminal Operators for examination reduced from 24 hours to 12 hours.

Minister of Interior has approved and launched a new Immigration Policy for Nigeria

National Assembly
On May 8, 2017, Senate President Bukola Saraki inaugurated a Committee to amend the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and the Investment and Securities Act (ISA), to support the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

On May 9, the Senate passed two bills critical to the success of our Ease of Doing Business Reform Agenda: The Credit Services Bureau Bill (to provide legal backing to the operation of Credit Bureaus in Nigeria), and the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Bill (which will help entrepreneurs and businesses unlock credit by being able to use movable assets as collateral).

Niger Delta: A New Vision
Acting President Osinbajo is leading the engagement, on behalf of President Buhari and the Federal Government. The Vice President has been visiting oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta, listening to them and outlining the Federal Government's commitment to the peace, security and development of the region -- encapsulated in the Buhari administration's 'New Vision for the Niger Delta'.

The New Vision brings together a robust set of promises, solutions, targets and initiatives aimed at ensuring that the people of the Niger Delta benefit maximally from the region's oil wealth. The New Vision offers a detailed response to the 16-point Demand Agenda submitted to President Buhari by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) in November 2016.

To coordinate and oversee implementation of all the goals and objectives of the New Vision, The Presidency has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Niger Delta, which is Chaired by the Vice President. A Technical sub-group of this Committee, hosted by the Ministry of the Niger Delta, is charged with the day-to-day implementation of the New Vision.

Tangible results of the New Vision so far include:
Approval of a 2017 commencement date for the stalled Nigerian Maritime University in Delta State
Approval by President Buhari of an additional 35 billion naira for the 2016 budget of the Presidential Amnesty Programme
Approval for the establishment of Modular Refineries across the nine States of the Niger Delta
Resumption of construction work on abandoned projects across the Niger Delta, including the all-important East-West Road.

The 'Incremental Power' Journey
March 1, 2017: Power Sector Payment Assurance Program (PSPAP) approved by Federal Executive Council. Under the PSPAP, the Federal Government is committing up to N702 billion to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Company to guarantee the payment of its obligations for electricity delivered to homes, businesses, industries and government establishments.

This N702 billion payment guarantee support to NBET, effective from January 2017, will enable NBET to pay its obligations to GenCos who can in turn pay their gas suppliers, equipment suppliers, banks and other partners. Under the PSPAP, NBET will also work with the DisCos, Government and NERC, the regulator, to improve the DisCos’ payment performance from the current 24.9% level, with 100% payment as the target.

March 22, 2017: Following the unveiling of the PSPAP, a Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), on March 22. The PSRP (which encompasses the PSPAP), covers a wide range of targets, including but not limited to
eliminating the payment deficits accumulated by the DisCos, and funding future deficits (which is where the PAP comes in);
ensuring improved DisCo performance;
establishing data-driven processes for decision making across the sector;
ensuring payment of debts by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs);
improving regulation and governance in the sector;
increasing electricity access through off-grid renewable solutions; and
implementing an end-user tariff trajectory that ensures cost-reflective tariffs are achieved over the next five years.

April 11, 2017: Katampe 60MVA substation in Abuja restored to operation

April 22, 2017: Federal Government of Nigeria delegation met with the World Bank Group in Washington DC to discuss World Bank support for the Power Sector Recovery Program. The World Bank pledged its support for the PSRP. Press Release here (pdf)

May 2, 2017: New Management Board inaugurated for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The New Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer is Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi (concurrently Senior Special Assistant to the President on Power, Office of the Vice President), while Dr. Sanusi Mohammed Ohiare is Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, and Engr. Muhammed Wasaram is Executive Director, Technical Services.

May 7, 2017: 40MVA mobile substation commissioned by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Damboa, Borno State.

Other ongoing TCN projects include the installation of a new circuit breaker in Egbin Power Station (scheduled for commissioning on May 19, 2017) and the Makeri to Pankshin 132kV line in Plateau and Okpella line in Edo State (both expected to be switched on in August 2017).

May 8, 2017: Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) announces completion of Electricity connection projects being undertaken in Magboro, Ogun State. The projects are currently undergoing testing by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution company (IEDC), NDPHC also announced that progress is ongoing with other communities across the country, including Egbema, Okija, Oronta, Ihiala and Nnewi in the South-East.

Life in the Northeast
When President Buhari took office, the Northeast, especially Borno State, the epicenter of Boko Haram's Terrorism was in bad shape.
The Airport in Maiduguri had been closed since December 2013, public schools since sometime in 2014. El-Kanemi Warriors, Borno's football club, had since relocated, playing its home games away from the State since 2013, because of the insecurity. The terrorist group had displaced millions of persons, and exercised some form of territorial authority over as many as fourteen of the State's twenty-seven Local Government Areas. In many communities, farming had not taken place for at least one or two seasons.

Today, the situation is different. Since October 2015, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 800,000 Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram have returned to their homes. See other milestones, as follows:
*El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club returned to their home base in Maiduguri on Sunday April 10 2016, 2 years after relocating to Kakanda
Stadium, Katsina State.
*Two Emirs of Askira and Uba in Borno returned home on Tuesday May 24 2016, 2 years after fleeing from Boko Haram terrorists.
*Displaced locals in Gongolon farm settlement returned to their farms in April 2017, 3 years after they were forced to flee Boko Haram terrorists.
*Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno Chapter declares 2017 Easter celebrations as the best since 2009.
*Public Secondary Schools reopened in Borno on Monday, September 26 2016, after 2 years of closure.
*First set of 21 Chibok girls regained their freedom on Thursday, October 13, 2016.
*Nigerian military captured the Boko Haram Head Quarters in Sambisa Forest on Friday December 23, 2016.
*Two strategic roads reopened on December 26, 2016 after being closed for 3 years (Maiduguri-Gubio & Maiduguri Mungono roads).
*Second set of 82 Chibok girls regained their freedom on Sunday May 7, 2017.
*Arik Air resumed flights to Maiduguri on May 9, 2017, 3 years after suspending the flights.

Nigeria Goes To Venice
History is being made at the moment, as Nigeria participates in the Venice Biennale -- one of the world's most important and prestigious contemporary arts events -- for the first time ever. Curated by Adenrele Sonariwo and Emmanuel Iduma, and commissioned by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, Nigeria's Pavilion, themed: 'How About NOW?' features three artists: Victor Ehikhamenor, Qudus Onikeku and Peju Alatise.

Things To Note
Nigeria's April Inflation Data is due out on Tuesday May 16, 2017 (Source: NBS)

Local rice production in Nigeria has almost tripled, since 2015. Imports have also reduced dramatically -- Nigeria imported over 580,000 metric tonnes in 2015; in 2016 that figure dropped to 58,000 tons. (Source: Office of the Vice President)

The Federal Government-led response to the meningitis outbreak is yielding fruit—the outbreak continues to decline in the most affected States. Reactive vaccination campaigns led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency have been successfully conducted in Zamfara and Sokoto, the two worst-hit States. (Source: Nigeria Center for Disease Control)

Central Bank has added US$7 billion to Nigeria's External Reserves since the end of October 2016, reversing the depletion the reserves suffered through much of 2016. (Source: Central Bank)
Nigeria's current account moved from a deficit of $15.3 billion in 2015 to a small surplus in 2016. (Source: Moody's Investors Service)

The Federal Government has so far spent about 1.2 trillion Naira on capital projects in the 2016 budget (Source: Finance Ministry)
One of the priorities of the Buhari Administration is to raise Nigeria's Tax-to-GDP ratio, which, at about 6 percent, is one of the lowest in the world. To do this we are widening the tax net:
The Federal Inland Revenue Service has now added about 800,000 companies to its database,
The Ministry of Finance is getting ready to launch a Tax Amnesty that will allow beneficiaries to voluntarily disclose earnings on which they have failed to pay Tax, and make those payments over an agreed period without the risk of prosecution. Details soon.

AFC Live kicks off today in Abuja. Described as "Africa’s Premier Infrastructure Summit", it will bring together leading names and players from Government and the Private Sector to discuss Africa's infrastructure investment potential and opportunities. The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), organizer and host of the Summit, is 42.5 percent owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which played a pivotal role in its establishment in 2007.

Aso Villa Newsletter: The 'Based on Logistics' Edition

---

Opening Note:
Logistics: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/logistics
the handling of the details of an operation

Logistics: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/logistics
UK ​ /ləˈdʒɪs.tɪks/ US ​ /ləˈdʒɪs.tɪks/
the careful organization of a complicated activity so that it happens in a successful and effective way

Buffeted by perilously low oil prices for most of 2016, coupled with major acts of sabotage on critical oil infrastructure, the Federal Government struggled to meet its basic obligations, as well as fulfill promises on Infrastructure and Social Investment. As President Buhari described it in his 2017 Budget presentation speech, "We continue to face the most challenging economic situation in the history of our Nation. Nearly every home and nearly every business in Nigeria is affected one way or the other."

The economic situation managed to obscure a lot of the work that was accomplished in 2016, in laying the foundation for a radical departure from the bad habits of the past, and for the long-overdue shift towards economic growth that is diversified and sustainable, as opposed to one mostly/wholly dependent on the price of crude oil.

The good news is that 2017 has kicked off on a much better note, and the early fruits of the efforts of 2016 are now being seen. The President's mantra is that Nigeria must strive to 'Grow what we eat; produce what we use; and refine the petroleum products that we consume.' To put it another way: the goal is to Optimize Local Content and Empower Local Businesses.

A lot of the work accomplished so far has been driven by this overarching vision. The Anchor Borrowers Programme is supporting hundreds of thousands of farmers across Nigeria with collateral-free single-digit-interest loans; Presidential Fertiliser Initiative is making fertilizer available to farmers nationwide at 5,500 naira per bag; the Enabling Business Reform Agenda is removing obstacles to establishing and running business enterprises; the MSME Clinic is providing a platform for Government Agencies to directly assist small businesses to thrive; the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is creating jobs and economic opportunity for local farmers and cooks; the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme is providing funding to artisans, traders, youths; YouWiN!Connect is supporting small businesses with business education and mentoring.

We could go on and on. All of these schemes kicked off at the end of 2016 or early 2017 -- they should have taken off well before then but our revenue challenges affected. The good news is that they are now all running, and gaining momentum, and you will hear more of the success stories and positive impact in the weeks and months ahead.

The bottomline is that we are pursuing new ways of doing things. Taking steps that had proven difficult to take in the past (like widening the coverage of the Treasury Single Account, instituting a Whistleblowing Policy, reforming the Federal Budgeting process, ending subsidy regimes for petroleum products and for fertilizer, and ending the payment of Joint Venture Cash Calls) and setting out new models and standards for Government operations (like completing the runway reconstruction and reopening the Abuja Airport a day ahead of schedule).

All of these are 'Based on Logistics' -- the carefully organisation of a variety of complicated activities so that they happen efficiently and effectively. In simple English, juggling multiple balls successfully. The reform work that is happening across the Government certainly feels like keeping many balls in the air. Even more importantly, the commitment to succeeding is clear and ongoing.

There is light at the end of the Tunnel. In the words of President Buhari, even though these continue to be tough times for Nigeria, "Yet I remain convinced that this is also a time of great opportunity. We have reached a stage when the creativity, talents and resilience of the Nigerian people is being rewarded."

Chibok Girls
Everything about the freedom of, first 21 (October 2016), and then 82 Chibok (May 2017) Chibok Girls so far has been about 'logistics'.
A lengthy series of negotiations involving a number of stakeholders: Nigerian security agencies, the Government of Switzerland, local and international NGOs. Maintaining and establishing contact with the Girls' captors; A constant shifting of goal-posts by Boko Haram, derailing the negotiations more than once (See our Timeline Video above); Making the arrangements for the actual release of the girls, and their transportation to safety, etc

Following the Girls' release, the logistical work continues: putting together a Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme for a total of the Girls, combining medical and psycho-social care, remedial and vocational education, and a schedule of quarterly visits back home to Chibok.
Find updates at /ChibokGirlsUpdate

2017 Budget Passed
Getting a budget passed and running is the ultimate logistical effort, especially when you're making a radical departure from the ways of the past, like we've done with the 2017 Budget. It is the first budget in Nigeria's history prepared using a custom-developed software application for uploading and collating, instead of the traditional, error-prone, easy-to-abuse paper method. To support this the Budget Office established a special HelpDesk to help guide Ministries, Departments and Agencies through the e-submission process.
We also continued with the Zero-Based Budgeting system we adopted and trialled for the first time with the 2016 budget.

On Thursday May 11, 2017 five months after it was presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, the 2017 Budget was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives:
The passed budget is 7.44 trillion Naira, an increase of about 140 billion naira over the 7.298 trillion Naira proposed by the Executive
The infrastructure component is 2.24 trillion Naira, which is 30 percent of the total budget. (1.2 trillion Naira was spent on infrastructure in the 2016 budget -- a record sum -- of the roughly 1.8 trillion Naira budgeted)
The passed 2017 budget is based on the following assumptions: an oil price benchmark of US$44.50 per barrel (Executive proposed US$42.50), average crude oil production of 2.2 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of N305/dollar
The 2017 budget prioritizes Railway Projects, Social Housing, Special Economic Zones, Social Investment, River Basin Development, Presidential Amnesty Programme, and development in the Niger Delta and North East.
The Budget document will be sent to the Presidency by the National Assembly for review. If the Presidency is happy with it, it will be signed into law, and implementation will commence immediately.

YouWiN!Connect
YouWiN! Connect is a Federal Ministry of Finance media enterprise education programme designed to assist entrepreneurs start, plan and grow their businesses. It is being syndicated across national newspapers and online media on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Radio and Television editions will be launched soon.

The initial YouWiN! programme took off in October 2011 as a business plan competition aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation among the Nigerian youth. Since inception, it has midwifed 3,900 enterprises.
A formal review of the programme undertaken by the Ministry of Finance found that, whilst successful, at the initial stage of enterprise development, the YouWiN! programme needed enhancement to ensure sustainability. Specifically, the findings suggested that funding should be combined with an increased focus on enterprise education to better prepare entrepreneurs in areas such as accessing bank finance, book keeping, accounting, marketing and tax filing.

This has influenced the redesign as YouWiN!Connect, which takes YouWiN! to the next level. The overall aim of YouWiN!Connect is to develop the next generation of successful Nigerian-owned enterprises across the nation, fully equipped to compete on the global stage.
YouWiN!Connect has also set up an advisory board comprising experts in different areas of business and entrepreneurship, who will answer questions from members of the public weekly.

2017: The Year of Rail
This is what you need to know:
All the many moving parts of this operation are now in place: the Chinese Loan to pay for it, the FG's 'counterpart' share of the funding, the approval of project consultants to oversee the construction. And the formal ceremony to flag-off construction has already taken place.

The China Exim Bank has approved the Federal Government's request for a loan of $1.231 billion from its China Africa Fund to construct the Lagos-Ibadan standard-gauge railway. Recall that the Ministry of Finance had in January 2017 set aside the Government's counterpart funding for the project; and the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo flagged off construction in March.
The Lagos-Ibadan Line is Segment Two of the standard-gauge line that will connect Lagos and Kano. Segment One is the Abuja-Kaduna line, commenced by President Obasanjo in 2006, carried on by the Jonathan administration, and finally completed and commissioned by President Buhari in June 2016.

The 160km Line will run from Iddo in Lagos to Ibadan in Oyo State, passing through Abeokuta in Ogun State. It will also have an extension to the Apapa Ports Complex.
It will run at speeds of up to 150km per hour. The standard-gauge rail is wider and more stable than the narrow-gauge, allowing for higher speeds and greater load-bearing capacity.
The project is being handled by the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). Estimated completion date is December 2018.
The next set of standard-gauge rail projects that will be done after this Lagos-Ibadan line will be Kano-Kaduna (Segment 3 of the Lagos-Kano Line) and Lagos-Calabar (the Coastal Railway). The Government is awaiting approval for the loans for these projects, from the China Exim Bank.
Abuja's Light Rail system will also go into operation (test-run) in 2017. The first line to be launched will connect the city center with the Airport, with a link to the Abuja-Kaduna Railway Line. The test-run will start in November, ahead of full commencement of operations in Q1 2018.

In March 2017 a consortium led by General Electric, and comprising Transnet of South Africa, APM Terminals of the Netherlands and Sinohydro Consortium of China submitted the sole bid for the concession of the Lagos-Kano Railway narrow-gauge Line. (Transaction Advisers were approved for the project in 2016). And last week the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the commencement of negotiations with GE to conclude the concessioning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Released Chibok Girls

---

1. How many girls have been freed so far?

---

One hundred and six (106) of the abducted Chibok school girls have so far found freedom. 21 were freed by Boko Haram in October 2016, and 82 in May 2017. Three girls escaped individually, in May 2016, November 2016 and January 2017 respectively. In addition to the girls there are 4 babies, also in the care of the Government. All 4 babies belong to mothers within the batch of 21 girls.

2. What do we know about the 82 girls most recently freed?

---

The 82 girls were safely released by Boko Haram to the Department of State Services (DSS) on Saturday May 6, 2017, in Borno State — after a lengthy series of negotiations involving local and international stakeholders. The International Committee of the Red Cross acted as neutral intermediaries for the handover of the girls from Boko Haram to the Nigerian Government. The 82 girls were flown to Abuja on Sunday May 7, 2017. They met with President Buhari that day.

3. Were the girls swapped for Boko Haram fighters?

---

Yes. The Federal Government disclosed this as soon as the girls were released. Please note that President Buhari has repeatedly stated his readiness to swap fighters for the girls, if necessary. We have no regrets or apologies for the swap.

4. Where are the 82 girls currently?

---

The 82 girls are being held in a secure medical facility in Abuja, with access to a team of medical doctors, psychologists, social workers and trauma experts. They are undergoing medical checks and tests, and receiving appropriate courses of treatment where necessary.
Their physical and psychological wellbeing is and continues to be the utmost priority of the Federal Government.

5. Have the girls’ families been contacted?

---

Yes, the parents and families of all the girls have been contacted, and arrangements are already being made to reunite them with the girls. We expect that this reunion will happen in the week commencing 15th May, 2017

6. What’s the next step regarding the released girls?

---

They will be given appropriate and comprehensive medical and psychological care and support. The Federal Government will underwrite all of the care they will receive, as well as their educational ambitions. The ultimate goal is to reunite them with their families, reintegrate them into the society, and support them to achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals and ambitions.

7. What about the rest of the Chibok girls still being held by Boko Haram?

---

Negotiations are continuing for their release. The sensitive nature of the situation means that there are limits to the kind of information that can be released to the public regarding these negotiations.

8. What’s happening with the 21 girls freed in October 2016

---

The previously freed girls (21 freed in October 2016, and the additional 3 that gained their freedom in May 2016, November 2016 and January 2017 respectively) are in a secure location in Abuja, undergoing a 9-month Reintegration and Rehabilitation Programme comprising the following:
· Psychological Counselling and Care
· Remedial Education
· Vocational Training (skills like Catering and Tailoring)
· Sports and Recreation (Football and Handball)

9. Is it true that the Federal Government is holding the previously released 21 girls against their wishes?

---

This is absolutely false. The girls and their parents have made it clear to the Federal Government that they wish to remain under the care of the Federal Government in Abuja at this time. The girls are all in high spirits, and are enthusiastic about taking advantage of this opportunity for education and self-development. At no point have they or will they be compelled to remain in the care of the government against their will.
At the end of the reintegration programme, the girls will take up Federal Government scholarships for the completion of their secondary education.
The newly-released 82 girls will enjoy the same opportunities accorded the 24 previously rescued girls.

10. Is it true that the families of the 21 girls are being prevented from having access to them?

---

This is absolutely false. The girls’ families are regularly in Abuja to see them. Chibok girls are high-profile targets, and the Government is taking the utmost care to ensure their security and safety.
The girls have also been scheduled for quarterly visits back home to Chibok, subject to security clearance by the authorities. They visited for Christmas, and were due to return at Easter, but the security conditions back home did not permit the April trip. Instead their families travelled to Abuja to see them.
Also note that the persons complaining about being denied access to the 21 girls are not their biological parents or guardians. We are very careful who we grant access to, to see the girls. We will only grant access to their biological parents and/or direct guardians, and not community members, both for security and for psychological reasons. We do not want people to keep asking them questions that will make them relive the horrible experiences they had while in captivity.
Other Useful Information

DOCUMENTARY
You can find an update on the 21 girls (including interviews with some of them) here: /COMINGHOMEDOCUMENTARY

GRATITUDE
The Federal Government would like to thank all Nigerians for their support and for never losing confidence in the ability and assurances of Mr. President to secure the safe release of our Chibok Girls. This is the most glaring manifestation to date of the unwavering commitment of Mr. President to secure the safe release of the girls and reunite them with their families. It is also a result of the round-the-clock efforts by the Administration to bring closure to the issue of the kidnap of the girls.

Highlights of Honourable Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun’s Post-Spring Meetings Interview in Washington DC USA

---

1. At the end of the World Bank Spring Meetings two weeks ago, I spoke to the press about Nigeria’s outing and the outlook for the economy.

2. Our delegation- Myself, Ministers of Budget and National Planning, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Director General of Debt Management Office and others had a successful outing at the meetings.

3. We held very productive meetings with the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), African Development Bank (AfDB) Group and International Finance Corporation (IFC) on Nigeria’s Power Sector Recovery Plan.

4. Power is a critical success factor for Nigeria’s economy. If there is one thing that will drive growth, it is steady power supply.

5. This is why we have a comprehensive Power Sector Recovery & Implementation Plan; bringing together all key actors and stakeholders.

6. On Taxes, our focus is widening the net, through data collection. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has now registered more than 800,000 additional companies.

7. We are glad about the ongoing beneficial ownership reforms. Last year, President Muhammadu Buhari signed an important agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) along those lines.

8. The UK Government is now going to give us a list of every Nigerian who owns property in the UK, and we can match them with our own Tax Database.

9. On Social Investment, we have ongoing programmes in Cash Transfer, School Feeding, Rebuilding the Northeast, and in Affordable Housing.

10. We are seeing increasing interest in Nigeria from investors. They are looking at power, aviation, rail and manufacturing. We are excited about this.

11. On Whistleblowing, what we have now is a Federal Executive Council (FEC)-approved Policy. We have forwarded the draft whistleblower law to the National Assembly, and it is awaiting passage.

12. While we wait for the National Assembly to pass the Whistleblower law, our intention is that the FEC-approved Policy will serve as a Stop-gap.

13. On Recovered Loot, all the recovered stolen money goes into a Central Recovery Account under the supervision of the Accountant-General.

14. On Capital Projects, we have now spent about 1.2trillion Naira of the 2016 budget on capital projects. We hope to do more in the 2017 Budget.

15. I liken our Infrastructure and Social Investment spending to laying a foundation. At this stage things seem quiet, and then suddenly you start seeing impact.

16. We are now moving into a phase where we will see the tangible impact of our work so far, in terms of job creation, prosperity and growth.

Highlights of the Press Conference by Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Jummai Alhassan, on the Chibok Girls Held at The Ministry of Women Affairs (11th May, 2017)

---

1.Before the arrival of the 82 Chibok girls, we had been taking care of 24 previously-released girls, and four babies.

2. The girls are currently in 9-month Rehabilitation & Reintegration programmes under the Committee on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of the Chibok Girls which is headed by Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and comprises of the Ministers of Health, Education ,Women Affaris & Social Development as well as a representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Representative of DSS and a representative of the Vice President.

3. The first 21 girls came back in bad shape, and spent almost 2 months in medical care. They were handed over to me on December 22nd, 2016.

4. The parents of the initially released set of 21 Chibok girls were reunited with the girls within one week of their return in October 2016.

5. Upon their return, all the 21 Chibok girls said they wanted to go back to school, but that they did not want to go to school in Chibok.

6. The 21 Chibok girls travelled to Chibok for Christmas in December 2016, as soon as they emerged from medical care. They spent two weeks with their families in Chibok.

7. The set of 21 Chibok girls and the three girls who escaped are currently in Abuja undergoing 9-month Rehabilitation & Reintegration programmes, including Refresher Classes in five subjects-Biology, English, Mathematics, Civic Education and Geography- Sports & Vocational Skills Training (which requires them to receive mandatory training in ICT and one other vocational skill of their choice).

8. The set of 21 Chibok girls and the three girls who escaped were scheduled to travel to Chibok for Easter, but the security situation was not conducive. So, their parents were invited to Abuja to see them instead.

9. The set of 82 Chibok girls are currently undergoing medical screening (some need surgeries) in Abuja after which they will join the other 24 girls in the Rehabilitation & Reintegration programmes although on a different level. The medical screening should be completed in 2–3 weeks.

10. Photos of the 82 Chibok girls have been sent to families in Chibok for identification. Families are currently meeting to identify their daughters.

11. The people complaining that they are not allowed to see the set of 21 Chibok girls are not their biological parents or guardians.

12. Reports that we are preventing parents from seeing their children who are among the set of 21 Chibok girls are absolutely not true. The girls speak to their parents/families every weekend and the parents visit from time to time.

13. We are very careful who we grant access to the Chibok girls. We will only grant access to their parents, not community members, as we do not want people to keep asking them questions that will make them relive the horrible experiences they had while in captivity.

14. It was the choice of the Chibok girls and their parents — when they returned — to stay under the care of the Federal Government in Abuja.

15. The parents of the Chibok girls are free to visit them at any time. We will never prevent them from seeing their daughters.

16. One of the Chibok girls from the set of 21 has asked for permission to visit her family. We have allowed her to go. She will be back in two weeks.

17. We ask the Chibok girls — ‘who do you want to visit you from home?’ We invite whoever they tell us they want to see from time to time.

18. Persons doubting that the recently released set of 82 Chibok girls are really Chibok Girls — we are happy to pay for you to travel to Chibok to confirm from families.

19. We are negotiating seriously to have the rest of the Chibok girls released. We will not relent until they are all back.

20. We have no apologies or regrets whatsoever for exchanging Boko Haram detainees for our daughters. We will do it again if needed.

21. When the parents of the recently released set of 82 Chibok girls arrive from Chibok in a matter of days, doubting Thomases will see that they are truly Chibok Girls.

22. When they returned, the Chibok girls said they were scared to return to Chibok. So, we designed 9-month Reintegration Programmes for them.

23. When the parents of the first set of 21 Chibok girls arrived Abuja in October 2016, the first thing we asked them and the girls was to tell us exactly what they wanted. Both the parents and the girls told us they wanted the girls to return to school and also to be cared for by Federal Government in Abuja. This is why we had to design programmes for them.

CHIBOK GIRLS: A TIMELINE

---

14th April, 2014: 276 girls are abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by the terrorist group Boko Haram.
Fifty-seven (57) of them are able to escape shortly after the kidnap, while being transported by the terrorists, leaving 219 girls missing.

12th June, 2015: President Buhari, newly-sworn-in as President of Nigeria, meets with some of the parents of the abducted Chibok girls.
Also present at the meeting are the Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, and the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo.

17th July, 2015: The Department of State Services (DSS) opens negotiations with the group holding the Chibok girls. In return for the release of some of these girls, the group makes certain demands, including the release of some of their fighters in government custody.
Security agencies inform President Buhari of these demands. The President assents, believing in the primacy of the safe return of the girls.

Last week of July 2015 and 1st week of August 2015: DSS notifies sister security agencies of negotiations, and presidential approval. Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force send specialists to commence detailed arrangements for the swap: work out logistics details, such as the number of persons (girls and detainees) to be swapped; the vehicles and aircraft required, necessary safeguards, and location of the swap.

1st August, 2015: Commencement of proceedings for the swap, following final approval by President Buhari.

4th August, 2015: Team of swap facilitators is transported to Maiduguri, Borno State. The Team is able to prove its sincerity to the girls’ captors. All things are in place for the already mutually-agreed swap; expectations are high. At the last minute, the captors issue a new set of demands, never previously discussed or negotiated prior to the movement to Maiduguri. This development stalls what would have been the first release process of the Chibok girls.

13th November, 2015: Fresh negotiation process initiated with the girls’ captors. It becomes clear that factionalisation within Boko Haram is posing a challenge to the negotiation efforts. Also some of the Boko Haram commanders instrumental to the initial negotiations have since died, in combat or as a result of rifts within the group. By the end of November 2015, it becomes clear that the factionalisation of Boko Haram is deep enough to derail the negotiation process.

December 2015: A third negotiation process commences. Failed to achieve results because of the unrealistic demands by Boko Haram.
The Nigerian Government continues to explore negotiation opportunities.

January 2016: President Buhari meets with the parents of the abducted Chibok girls, in Abuja.

April 2016: In his message to the parents of the girls on the 2nd anniversary of the abduction, President Buhari assured that “the Federal Government and security agencies will continue to explore all possible options for the safe return of the girls.”

May 2016: Amina Ali Nkeki escapes from Boko Haram. She is the first of the abducted girls to find freedom, in more than two years.

October 2016: 21 of the abducted girls are released by Boko Haram, following another round of negotiations by the Nigerian government, with the support of local and international partners.

November 5, 2016: Another Chibok girl, Maryam Ali Maiyanga, finds freedom

December 2016: The rescued girls visit Chibok to celebrate Christmas with their families.

December 23, 2016: The Nigerian Army captures Camp Zairo, Boko Haram’s spiritual and operational Headquarters in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State

January 5, 2017: Another Chibok girl, Rakiya Abubakar — Number 24 — is rescued.

January 2017: The rescued girls are handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs by the Department of State Security, to commence remedial education and vocational training in Abuja.

April 11, 2017: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in a Media Chat discloses that the Federal Government is in advanced negotiations with Boko Haram for the release of another batch of Chibok girls.

April 2017: President Buhari, in his message to commemorate the third anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok Girls, reiterates his total commitment to the safe return of the girls. He said:
“Like I have repeatedly said, the Federal Government is willing to bend over backwards to secure the release of the remaining Chibok girls.
We have reached out to their captors, through local and international intermediaries, and we are ever ready to do everything within our means to ensure the safe release of ALL the girls.”

May 2017: A new batch of Chibok girls, numbering 82, is released following successful negotiations between the Nigerian Government and the girls’ captors.

September 2017: The first batch of Chibok girls will take up Federal Government Scholarships for their Secondary School education.

President Muhammadu Buhari is pleased to announce that negotiations to release more of the #ChibokGirls have yielded results.

Today, 82 more #ChibokGirls were released.

After lengthy negotiations,our security agencies have taken back these girls, in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities.

The released #ChibokGirls are due to arrive in Abuja tomorrow Sunday May 7, and will be received by the President.

President Muhammadu Buhari expresses his deep gratitude to all who played a part in ensuring the success of this operation, as follows: Security agencies, the military, the Government of Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and local and international NGOs.

The President has repeatedly expressed his total commitment towards ensuring the safe return of the #ChibokGirls, and all other Boko Haram captives.

The President has received detailed briefings from the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) at every stage of the negotiations/operation.

Signed.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President -- Media and Publicity
May 6, 2017

10 Things We Learned From Vice President Osinbajo’s Speech at The Platform event organised by Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos on May 1, 2017

---

1. From the point of view of the recession, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Inflation is slowing; government revenues are being boosted through fiscal discipline and tax reforms; fiscal, monetary, FX and trade policies are being aligned.

2. Through the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Program the Federal Government has been able to provide financing for the production of about 5 million tons of rice so far. The goal is for Nigeria to produce all its rice locally by the end of 2018.

3. By improving fertilizer supply, and fertilizer application methods, farmers have seen crop yields double from 2 tons per hectare to 4.5 to 5 tons per hectare (up to 9 tons per hectare in some states).

4. Fertilizer is now N5,500 per bag, roughly half its usual price, thanks to the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative — which has also so far created 50,000 direct jobs and 120,000 indirect jobs.

5. The Federal Government has registered 60% of civil servants on the Integrated Personal Payroll Information System (IPPIS), and removed 58,350 ghost-workers from the payroll, resulting in savings of N92.47bn between January 2016 and April 2017.

6. Through the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers programme, the Federal Government is providing financing for hundreds of thousands of farmers. On the back of this, local rice production has almost tripled. In 2016, Nigeria imported only a tenth of the volume of rice it imported in 2015

7. One of the key ambitions of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration is to ensure that Nigerians grow what we eat and make what we use.

8. The Federal Government has set aside N50bn for improving existing Special Economic Zones and establishing new ones, to support industrialization.

9. Through the reform work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is implementing reforms that have made the process of business registration easier and faster.

10. To improve power supply, the Federal Government has approved N701bn as payment guarantee to Generation Companies and Gas Producers.

The following are the amounts State Governments received in 1st Tranche of reimbursement of over-deductions on Paris Club Loans(Dec 2016):

ABIA: N10,631,324,520.96

ADAMAWA: N4,894,891,184.12

AKWA IBOM: N14,500,000,000

ANAMBRA: N11,386,281,466.35

BAUCHI: N12,792,664,403.93

BAYELSA: N14,500,000,000

BENUE: N12,749,689,453.61

BORNO: N13,654,138,849.49

CROSS RIVER: N11,300,139,741.28

DELTA: N14,500,000,000

EBONYI: N8,385,035,086.76

EDO: N11,329,495,462.04

EKITI: N8,877,476,163.58

ENUGU: N9,972,928,301.97

GOMBE: N8,319,552,518.63

IMO: N13,021,497,640.32

JIGAWA: N13,220,260,074.57

KADUNA: N14,362,416,363.24

KATSINA: N14,500,000,000

KEBBI: N11,118,149,054.10

KOGI: N11,211,573,328.19

KWARA (2 payments) a. N5,415,167,236.97
b. N3,773,082,953.54

LAGOS: N14,500,000,000

NASARAWA: N8,464,951,458.28

NIGER: N13,412,075,268.20

OGUN: N10,675,236,931.70

ONDO: N6,513,392,932.28

OSUN: N11,744,237,793.56

OYO: N7,206,041,943.30

PLATEAU: N10,497,987,043.06

RIVERS: N14,500,000,000

SOKOTO: N11,980,499,096.97

TARABA: N4,202,983,799.33

YOBE: N10,068,371,796.86

ZAMFARA: N10,122,837,205.76

Total Paid in 1st Tranche of Paris Club Refunds to the 35 States (December 2016): N388,304,379,072.96

NOTE: This payment to Ondo State represents 50% of the refund due in Tranche 1—on account of the leadership transition.

CONDEMNS WANTON KILLINGS IN THE COUNTRY, CONDOLES WITH BENUE COMMUNITY
President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with the government and people of Benue State on the recent attack on a market in Zaki Biam by unknown gunmen which resulted in the loss of lives.
The President condemns the wicked attack and directs security agencies to begin immediate investigation with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
President Buhari, while sympathising with those who lost loved ones, also prays that Almighty God will comfort the grieving families and grant the souls of the victims eternal rest.
The President also condemns the wanton killings in other parts of the country and challenges security and law enforcement agencies to rise to the occasion and end this blight on the image of the country.
"We must condemn inhuman and unnecessary shedding of human blood all over the country. We seem to have lost value for human life, which is sacred. Man is the glory of God's creation and nobody has the right to unjustly and unlawfully take another person's life in a reckless manner," President Buhari said.
He enjoins all citizens to learn to live together in peace and brotherhood and not allow little misunderstandings to degenerate into heartless acts capable of straining the bonds of nationhood.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 21, 2017.

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION PRESS RELEASE

19 March 2017

FG Will Protect, Reward Whistle-blowers - Minister

The Federal Government will protect and reward whistle-blowers who provide information that leads to the recovery of stolen funds or assets, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reiterated.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister said the Federal Government will protect the identity of all whistle-blowers, whether in the public or the private sector, and also ensure that the information they provide is kept secret.

''For those who may have suffered any backlash as a result of the information they provide, their cases will be reviewed and appropriate mitigating actions taken,'' he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the assurance followed the presentations made to the Presidential Assets Recovery Committee by concerned citizens and groups about the safety of whistle-blowers.

''Whistle-blowers have nothing to fear, because the committee has put in place the necessary measures to safeguard those who give useful information. As a matter of fact, whistle-blowers have everything to gain and nothing to lose,'' he said.

The Minister said any whistle-blower whose information leads to the recovery of up to 1 billion Naira will receive 5% of the amount; that the reward for any amount between 1 and 5 billion Naira will be 5% for the first 1 billion Naira and 4% of the remaining 4 billion Naira, and that any amount over 5 billion Naira will attract 2.5% reward.

''For example, if a whistle-blower provides information leading to the recovery of 10 billion Naira, he or she will receive 5% of the first 1 billion Naira, 4% of the next 4 billion Naira and 2.5% of the remaining 5 billion Naira.

''What we have done by making this information public is to reassure potential whistle-blowers that the plan to reward is real. We are not just saying we will pay all whistle-blowers, but we are letting them know in advance what they are entitled to, once the information they provide leads to the recovery of looted funds,'' he said.

Segun Adeyemi
SA to Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Lagos
19 March 2017

For more on the Whistleblowing Programme: https://medium.com/…/we-have-a-whistleblowing-programme-10d…

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

FG APPROVES ADDITIONAL N4500 MONTHLY ELECTRONIC TABLET GRANT EACH FOR 200,000 N-POWER BENEFICIARIES

*ABOUT 150,000 OF THEM NOW VERIFIED & RECEIVING N30,000 MONTHLY STIPENDS

AT the last count 149, 669 Nigerian graduates of the 200,000 engaged by the Federal Government under the N-Power Volunteer Corps are now collecting their monthly stipends of N30,000 monthly having been physically verified and deployed across the 36 states and FCT.

According to Mr. Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President, Office of the Vice President made this disclosure while giving an update today on the Social Investment Programmes of the Buhari administration .
Besides, Akande added that the Federal Government has also approved an additional N4500/monthly to all the 200,000 N-Power beneficiaries to purchase an electronic Tablet which would be loaded with different applications that would further enhance the skills of the beneficiaries and afford them additional training opportunities during the two-year duration of the job program.

This tablet grant is in conjunction with the Bank of Industry (BoI) who has extended an asset finance of 20 months to each of the 200,000 N-Power beneficiaries.

While each of the beneficiaries after being verified would select their choice of tablet amongst nine different BOI pre-approved vendors, the price ranges from N3,000 to N6,700 monthly deductions for the next 20months.

Therefore in some cases the N4500 tablet grant would cover the full monthly deduction cost while in other cases the graduate authorizes BOI to deduct the additional differential cost from their monthly stipends depending on the tablet chosen.

The Vice President’s Spokesman also noted that 6 of the 9 BOI pre-approved vendors are indigenous local brands in pursuit of the Buhari administration's push for Local Content.

He said almost 100,000 graduate N-Power beneficiaries have completed their orders for the devices as at press time, adding that the Bank of Industry is in charge of effecting the orders made. The plan is to conduct the order of the devices in two batches of 100,000 each, one after the other.

It was further disclosed that all the 149,669 N-Power beneficiaries now collecting their stipends have been physically verified and deployed, while their given bank account information have also been matched with the Bank Verification Number.

The SSA said that, in December, about 112,475 of the N-Power graduate beneficiaries received the N30,000 monthly stipends, and the number came close to 150,000, both in January and February meaning about that number are now receiving their up-to-date stipends from the N-Power Volunteer Corps.

Akande also noted that now beneficiaries across the 36 States of the Federation, and the FCT have been verified, totaling the 150,000 figure. He said the balance 50,000 of the 200,000 beneficiaries engaged by the FG are those who so far could not be paid for various reasons.

This includes those who were disqualified during verification on the basis of age-over 35, and inadequate academic qualification. The N-Power is for university, polytechnics and College of Education graduates only. There were also some of the selected 200,000 who were ‘no shows’ meaning they simply did not report for verification at all.

Others who could not be paid were those whose personal information details were faulty, including those whose marital status have changed. There are also those who used different names and differing personal information. And lastly there are also those whose banking information simply do not match with their BVN banking records.

In the case of those whose marital status have changed, Akande explained that their information is now being updated through the various States and FCT Focal Persons and then they would be represented for payment. He also disclosed that those who have sought redeployment to other states are among the 50,000 and in such cases, they will be considered alongside those to be replaced from the N-Power waiting list where necessary.

The process for the replacement of those who did not show up and those disqualified would also resume shortly to bring the number back to 200,000 for the first batch of the 500,000 promised by the Buhari administration.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President
Office of the Vice President
March 14, 2017

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

I’LL REDEDICATE MYSELF TO THE SERVICE OF THE NATION – PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja expressed gratitude to Nigerians for all the prayers and show of goodwill, pledging to rededicate himself to the service of the nation.

Addressing the country from the State House, shortly after arriving from London, President Buhari said he was fully committed to serving the nation and protecting the right of all Nigerians.

‘‘I am deeply grateful to all Nigerians, Muslims and Christians alike who have prayed and have continued to pray for my good health.

‘‘This is a testimony that in spite of the hardship being experienced, Nigerians support the government in its effort to tackle our country’s challenges,’’ the President said.

He said his health had improved significantly, following the medical attention he received during his vacation in London.

‘‘The best way for me to repay you is to rededicate myself to serving you, protecting your interest and keeping your trust. I thank you very much.

‘‘I am feeling much better now. There may, however, be need for further follow up within some weeks,’’ he stated.

In his remark, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said it was satisfying for Nigerians and the Federal Executive Council to receive the President back in the country ‘‘hail and hearty’’.

"It is a day of joy not only for us but for the whole country, Africa and the world. Your arrival has vindicated our position that you will return safely,’’ he said.

The Vice President thanked the President for respecting the constitution and entrusting power to him before travelling, noting that it was a tough job ‘‘going around in borrowed robes’’.

The Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, also made remarks to welcome the President.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media& Publicity)
March 10, 2017

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT BUHARI EXPECTED BACK FRIDAY

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to return to the country tomorrow, Friday March 10, 2017.

The President left the country on January 19, 2017 for a vacation, during which he had routine medical check-ups. The holiday was extended based on doctors' recommendation for further tests and rest.

President Buhari expresses appreciation to teeming Nigerians from across the country, and beyond, who had prayed fervently for him, and also sent their good wishes.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
March 9, 2017.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

THIS RAILWAY PROJECT IS CLOSE TO PRESIDENT BUHARI’S HEART, SAYS AG. PRESIDENT OSINBAJO

Being remarks by His Excellency, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at the Ground-breaking ceremony of Segment II of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project, in Ebute-Meta, Lagos on March 7, 2017


PROTOCOLS:

I am extremely pleased and honored to be here this morning for the ground breaking ceremony of the Lagos-Ibadan section of the Lagos -Kano standard gauge railway project.

This is an epochal moment in our national life in many ways.

First, it signals the determination of our President & Commander-in- Chief, President Muhammadu buhari to modernize the national rail system in keeping with his promise to the Nigerian people. If there is a project close to the heart of the president, it is the rail project which he promised the nation upon assumption of office. The President himself made a visit to China, and reopened the negotiations on the Chinese support for this project.

Second, this ceremony also marks the commencement of our plan to move speedily to improve links between Lagos which is the national economic nerve center and major port to other state capitals and towns across the country.

Thirdly, our ground breaking today reflects the plans of the Federal Government to build a globally competitive economy with first grade infrastructure. The critical role of infrastructure, and for this purpose railways, in this strategy is underscored by our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, as well as the 2016 and 2017 budgets. We have made provisions for matching funds in the 2016 budget to complement the concessionary loans taken from the Peoples Republic of China, and our appreciation goes to the Chinese Government and the Chinese Exim Bank, who are, and have always proved to be reliable partners to Nigeria.

And some may be aware that we have the entire Lagos-Kano standard gauge track as well as the Lagos-Calabar railway track in the 2017 budget, negotiations on the Kaduna-Kano portion of the track is now completed and this phase is next in line.

We have already provided our portion for funding Lagos-Calabar rail as well and we expect that negotiations on the foreign component of the funding will be finalized in the next three months and that the Lagos-Calabar project as well will come on stream.

An active and vibrant railway system confers many benefits on the society and our ultimate goal is to restore a railway-using culture for both commercial and personal transportation. We are confident that the national rail project will create up to half a million jobs and facilitate the movement of over 3.2 million tonnes of cargo per annum.

It will also reduce the burden on national highways, thus reducing the deterioration of the road network and increasing the lifespan of our roads. Indeed by helping to reduce freight cost, the railway network will support efforts to diversify the economy and enhance our export potential.

Just as several of our cities are being known as railway towns in the past, we expect a boost to economic activities along the railway lines that will eventually cut across the entire country. To achieve this objectives, the Federal Ministry of Transportation has completed visibility studies for up to 13 routes which has been identified for connecting state capitals and major commercials centers to the rail network. We should begin to see significant activities in this regard very shortly.

It is important however to have viable self-sustaining and self-improving railway service. It should be one that is not reliant on government funding which may not be available at all times. It should be one that could be upgraded and improved over time and not left to decay due to management issues or lack of attention. This is why the Federal Government supports the replacement of the 1955 Railway Act with a legal framework that opens railway projects in the country for greater private sector participation. In this way, we expect to ensure the resources and management to run efficient modern and reliable train services.

Let me conclude by acknowledging the vigorous and energetic efforts of the Honorable Minister, and his team in the Ministry of Transportation to get us to this point. The Honorable Minister of Finance also deserves to be commended for the efficient and competent handling of financial negotiations.

But I think it bears repeating: that Rotimi Ameachi’s bulldozing approach to ensure that we are here today on this first day of construction so quickly!

I am confident that we will see the same zeal and result in project executions so that the construction of the railway lines will be completed on schedule. Just for emphasis, as a reminder to our excellent partners and manufacturers CCECC, we are looking forward to a fast and efficient train service between Lagos and Ibadan within the projected time frame, which is on or before December 2018.

In a moment, I will be inviting you to join me in this historic ground breaking of the Lagos-Ibadan portion of the Lagos-Kano rail project.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Released by
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President
Office of the Vice President
March 7, 2017

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

IT’S TIME TO REVIEW INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON TERRORISTS & INSURGENTS, SAYS ACTING PRESIDENT OSINBAJO


IT IS time for the international community to take another look at the international legal instruments and conventions that govern warfare and conflicts in the light of the very unconventional and brutal operations of terrorists and insurgents around the world today.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, expressed this view today during a meeting he hosted with members of the United Nations Security Council who are on a visit to the country.

‘We must, on a global scale look again at how to deal with these new challenges. We need to look at the governing conventions, what type of legal categories, recognition of law we should give them (to the perpetrators of terror and insurgents). We need to re-examine how to deal with these individuals according to law,” Osinbajo, himself a law professor noted.

While assuring that the Nigerian government, will progressively review the rules of engagement, by the military and across the nation’s security system, and take into considerations human rights issues, Prof. Osinbajo added that the Buhari Social Investment Programmes including the Conditional Cash Transfer, the GEEP Micro Credit scheme and the N-Power job programme will cater to the developmental needs of the Northeastern parts of the country affected by the insurgency.

The Acting President disclosed that “we are already disbursing the cash transfers in some IDP camps and host communities,” adding that the Buhari administration is also implementing a microcredit scheme, trying to use the Social Investment Programmes to resuscitate the local economies, including through the Anchor Borrowers’ plan for farmers.

He urged the international community to support the FG in the area of humanitarian response, describing the challenge as “massive.” He disclosed that the government is also in the process of passing a Northeast Development Commission bill, that will deal with some of the long term developmental issues.

The United Nations Security Council members were led by the United Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Mathew Rycroft, who lead all the five permanent members and the ten non-permanent members of the Council to the presidential villa.

Speaking earlier at the meeting, Ambassador Rycroft praised the Nigerian government for its handling of the humanitarian challenge in the Northeast, and called for a long term developmental outlook in the region, addressing issues of good governance, human rights, women’s participation, economic revival, education and jobs.

Some members of the Federal Executive Council and top officials of the FG also attended the meeting including the Minister of Defence; Major-General Mansur Dan-Ali, Rtd, the Foreign Affairs Minister; Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Budget and Planning Minister; Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Water Resources Minister; Engr. Suleiman Adamu, Minister of State for Environment; Alhaji Ibrahim Jubrin, the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno, Rtd, and the Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President
Office of the Vice President
March 6, 2017

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER, WORKS AND HOUSING
Office of the Special Adviser on Communications
Headquarter, Mabushi P.M.B. 111, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

PRESS RELEASE


POWER SECTOR LIQUIDITY: FG COMMITS N702 BILLION TO NBET TO MEET PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS
· Says it is part of its Economic Growth and Recovery Plan to take the nation out of recession
· It is in recognition of the critical role that energy and access to electricity play in economic growth and poverty reduction – FG
· Subsequent interventions to strengthen financial transparency and discipline, attain and sustain generation, transmission and distribution above 4,000 MWh/h, among others

As a first step towards solving the debilitating liquidity problem in the Power Sector, the Federal Government is committing up to N702 Billion to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) to enable it meet its payment obligations to Generation Companies (GenCos) on a more regular basis to ensure delivery of electricity across the country.

The commitment under the “Payment Guarantee Support to NBET”, scheme takes retrospective effect from January, 2017 and would enable the government-owned NBET to pay its obligations to the GenCos and through them to their gas and equipment suppliers, banks and other partners.

According to a Communiqué issued Friday by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the Federal Government intervention, which represents a critical element of its Economic Growth and Recovery Plan, is part of the far-reaching steps taken by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, to reset the electricity industry in view of “the critical role that energy and access to electricity play in economic growth and poverty reduction”.

It is also to provide payment assurance to electricity generation companies, improve financial liquidity in the power and banking sectors and ensure the provision of electricity to households and businesses to boost economic growth, job and wealth creation, the Communiqué said.

Recalling that the Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was recently inaugurated to provide government with “the requisite legal and regulatory framework to implement its credible recovery programme,” the Communiqué said the steps, “conceived within a sequence of sector reforms”, represented Government’s commitment to enforcing decisions taken as a nation to move from a wholly Government-owned to private sector led electricity industry.

“These steps, conceived within a sequence of sector reforms, confirm Government’s commitment to enforcing decisions taken as a nation to move from a vertically integrated Government owned statutory monopoly that did not serve our power needs, to a private sector led industry-with Government as guarantor, regulator and policy maker–that achieves the objective of developing a better and sustainable power sector as quickly as possible”, the Communiqué said.

Assuring that Government, in collaboration with NERC, would continue to work with the DisCos to improve their payment performance from the current 24.9 per cent level, with the 100 per cent target, the Communiqué said subsequent complementary interventions would seek to strengthen financial transparency and discipline to ensure that all industry revenues were fairly distributed to all market participants and their suppliers according to contractual commitments.

Subsequent interventions, the Communiqué also said, would seek to achieve and exceed the contracted and committed ATC&C loss targets and sustain aggregate collection efficiency above 60 per cent as well as secure adequate capitalization and liquidity to ensure that all market participants, particularly those upstream of the DisCos, were paid according to contracts and were adequately funded to sustain and expand their operations.

Other objectives subsequent Government interventions would seek to achieve include attaining and sustaining generation, transmission and distribution above 4,000 MWh/h delivered to customers, from lowest cost base load GenCos by deploying and/or facilitating new generation using all available energy sources.

Government will also seek to recover lost gas supply, add new gas supply, and complete transmission projects curtailing generation particularly in the eastern part of the national grid, the Communiqué said adding that through wider consultation, government would implement a simplified tariff methodology that would accurately reflect market realities, exchange rate realities, and the cost of producing and delivering electricity.

Acknowledging, however, that the plans alone would not solve all the problems of the Power Sector, the Communiqué said they were, however, conceived “within a package of measures” to ensure that the electricity system continued on a steady trajectory of growth, better service delivery and a climate where investors who played by the rules set by NERC and deliver results that benefit the consuming public were compensated appropriately.

It recalled that NERC licensed eleven distribution companies (DisCos) to distribute and sell electricity with the Private Sector owning 60 per cent while Government retained 40 per cent shares of the companies adding that Government also established NBET, 100 owned by it, to buy electricity in bulk from electricity generating companies (GenCos) licensed to produce electricity.

“The intention was that while the DisCos take the time necessary to improve and expand their networks of substations and lines, enumerate and meter their customers, buy additional power directly from GenCos and provide better customer services, the existing and new GenCos could confidently make investments to expand generation with assurance that the bulk buyer would pay them for the electricity they deliver”, it further explained adding that Government retained ownership, for the time being, of the transmission system used to transmit the electricity from the GenCos to the DisCos.

It said, however that the DisCos have not improved customer services at the pace Government and the country would expect and also were not paying fully for the electricity they received from the GenCos through NBET adding, however, that some of the reasons for the failure were not the fault of the DisCos alone.

According to the Communiqué, “Regulatory and tariff inconsistencies of the past administration, unexpected changes in the foreign exchange market, and lower than expected generation due largely to pipeline vandalization for example, have challenged the DisCos’ ability to perform. But much of the failure relates to their inadequate financial and technical capacity and some sharp practices of the DisCos in their administration of collections from customers”.

Explaining the reason for government intervention, the Communiqué said as a result of the aforementioned inadequacies, NBET’s monthly collection from the DisCos was not enough to pay NBET's contractual obligation to the GenCos resulting to huge government debts adding that in recent months the payment by the DisCos to NBET was as low as 17.0 per cent of NBET's invoice.

“In January 2017, it was 24.9 per cent. The GenCos in turn do not pay their gas suppliers, equipment suppliers, banks and other partners what they are contractually bound to pay. The DisCos also do not pay TCN what is contractually due to it for transmitting the energy the DisCos sell to consumers”, it said adding that these had resulted in payment shortfalls with the accumulated debts increasingly threatening the electricity supply system and undermining the growth of the economy and the electricity sector.

The Communiqué read in part, “In recognition of the critical role that energy and access to electricity plays in economic growth and poverty reduction, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) as part of its Economic Growth and Recovery Plan, at its Federal Executive Council meeting of 1st March 2017 has taken far-reaching steps to reset the electricity industry”.

“These steps, conceived within a sequence of sector reforms, confirm Government’s commitment to enforcing decisions taken as a nation to move from a vertically integrated Government owned statutory monopoly that did not serve our power needs, to a private sector led industry –with Government as guarantor, regulator and policy maker–that achieves the objective of developing a better and sustainable power sector as quickly as possible”.

HAKEEM BELLO
SPECIAL ADVISER,
COMMUNICATIONS
TO THE HON. MINISTER
5TH MARCH, 2017

King Mohammed VI of Morocco telephoned President Buhari yesterday. Thanked him for Nigeria's support in returning Morocco to the African Union (AU). King Mohammed VI also notified President Buhari of Morocco's request to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). President Buhari and King Mohammed VI also discussed the Morocco-Nigeria Atlantic crude oil pipeline project.

King Mohammed VI visited Nigeria in December 2016. The King and President Buhari oversaw the signing of several strategic agreements between Nigeria and Morocco. The Agreements signed by Nigeria and Morocco in December 2016 covered Fertilizer production, Marine Fisheries Coop, Energy, Bilateral Air Services etc. The Fertilizer Agreement with Morocco has already resulted in flag-off of a Presidential Fertilizer Initiative that will produce 1m MT in 2017.

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER, WORKS AND HOUSING
Office of the Special Adviser on Communications
Headquarter, Mabushi P.M.B. 111, Garki - Abuja, Nigeria

PRESS RELEASE

FG HAS KEPT ITS PROMISE TO RESTART NATION’S ECONOMY THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT – FASHOLA
· Says in every state of the Federation there is now one project or the other going on
· A clear government policy on the way to ensure steady supply of gas to power plants being evolved
· Housing programme at proof of concept stage with contractors already working in 30 states
· Advocates support for the government in order to achieve the desired change

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, at the weekend in Lagos reviewed the performance of his Ministry in the last one year asserting that the promise at inception to restart the economy through infrastructure development was being met in all the sectors under his charge.

Fashola, who spoke in Lagos at the Nigerian Economic Outlook – 2017 Conference organised by BusinessDay Newspapers with the theme, “The Emergence of Green Shoots?”, said in every state of the Federation today there was one project or the other going on and engendering the distribution of wealth as lost jobs were being regained while new ones were being created.

Beginning from the Works Sector, Fashola, who recalled that in his inaugural press briefing he promised to restart the reconstruction of major roads to reconnect states, pointed at the ongoing reconstruction/rehabilitation works on Federal roads and bridges across the country as evidence of the fulfilment of the promise.

“Today, you see roads from Sokoto to Ilela-Tamburawa, to Benin-Okene, Ilorin-Jebba, Kano to Maiduguri crossing five states, Calabar to Akwa-Ibom crossing two states, Lagos-Ibadan crossing three states, Enugu-Port Harcourt crossing five states, Enugu to Onitsha crossing two states, and in every state of this Federation there is now some road work going on”, the Minister said.

Also recalling that he promised that through that initiative lost jobs would be recovered, the Minister, who said the plan was to create more jobs, said, however, that by the time the economy was restarted the first thing that resulted was to recover lost jobs adding that in all the construction sites today, the story by the workers was “our employer has recalled us”.

“We promised that through this process we would legitimately redistribute the wealth of the nation and we are doing that as well; because now, drivers are back to work and they get paid for work done. People are vending, people are quarrying, trucking cement. So once that contractor is paid in my Ministry, the wealth distribution process starts until it gets to the Mama-put in the site of the construction yard”, he said.

Recalling also his promise that through the programme, journey time experience would be improved by first of all shortening journey time and then improving travel experience, Fashola declared, “Make no mistake; the work is not finished; but if you have driven on those roads you have a relatively better story to now tell”.

The Minister, who said he was also “monitoring and collecting data in a more scientific approach rather than these personal testimonies”, said the exercise would help him “know where we are gaining on our promises and where we need to bolster up”.

He was also going round, he said, “to go and see what is happening” and periodically at the Federal Executive Council, projects that have been approved for procurement were announced adding that recently FEC approved 11 roads while last Wednesday, one bridge between Nigeria and Cameroun joining the Enugu-Abakaliki Highway, was approved.

Also, according to the Minister, the Kaduna Eastern Bypass was approved to reduce the pressure on the Kaduna Metropolis and improve journey time for people going on to Zaria. He declared, “And this will not stop as long as the budget is passed”.

Fashola said all the projects were made possible “because President Buhari as the captain and the Vice President and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning understand the need to increase the infrastructure spend”, adding that although N7Trillion looked like a lot of money, it was small considering the enormity of the problem at hand.

“But it is enormous when compared to where we were coming from”, he said adding that he got a budget of over N200Billion in 2016 for Works, for roads, compared to N18 Billion in 2015. “That is the context; from N18Billion to N260 Billion, that is the context”, he said.

Fashola also said his promise to achieve constant power supply in the country through Incremental Power in the short term to Steady Power in the medium term and Uninterrupted Power in the long term was also yielding results, pointing out that soon after that promise the nation attained 5,000Megawatts for the first time but lost a substantial part of it a few months later through gas pipeline vandalism.

The Minister, who regretted that such sabotage should happen because some Nigerians were angry, however, said the National Grid climbed back to about 4,217MW early last week but lost about 800MW again by Thursday last week due to another pipeline burst at Rumuji in Rivers State adding that efforts were being made to put it back.

According to the Minister, while all these were going on, the transmission line was being expanded and could now carry a minimum of 6,500MW and a maximum of 7,000MW of electricity adding that the talk about the transmission line being able to carry only 5,000MW was false.

Blaming the current challenges in electricity supply to the fact that the nation depends largely on gas to the neglect of other sources of energy that are also available in the country, Fashola said his Ministry has also developed an Energy Mix anchored on renewable energy sources such as Solar and Wind energy adding that the plan of government was to achieve 30 per cent of renewable energy by 2030.

He said the government has since signed a power Purchase Agreement with 14 Solar Energy providers to supply 1125MW to the grid adding that there was also a conceptualisation of a massive close to 2,000MW, subject to design in Jigawa State which, according to him, would be modelled after the Moroccan experience in Marrakesh. A piece of land has already been allocated while a team has started work on the project, he said.

In addition, he said, the Ministry has commissioned a 1.2MW solar plant to power the Lower Usman Dam Project in Abuja while work is going on also in several other projects across the nation such as the 10MW Wind Farm in Katsina, the 700MW Zungeru Power Plant which may be delivered in late 2018 or early 2019 as well as the Azura Power Plant where work has resumed after years of court cases.

Noting that all these projects were meant to achieve Incremental Power which he promised in the short term, Fashola, who said government was also working assiduously to solve other challenges such as liquidity, distribution and metering, added that Government would soon announce a clear policy that would secure payment to Generation Companies to enable them pay their suppliers and restore confidence in the sector.

In Housing, the Minister recalled that he promised a National Housing Implementation Programme so that the nation would achieve its National Housing Policy which, since 2012, promised to deliver affordable housing adding that his Ministry has evolved a programme that would address acceptability of what was given to the end users.

Pointing out that past Housing programmes were carried out without sufficient consideration to cultural and climatic diversities in the country, Fashola added that this had created acceptability gap. “But the Ministry has now conceived designs which are going to initial proof of concept stage where contractors are already working at 30 states of the country at the moment”, he said.

“Later in the year we will come back to share the results of what we have seen”, the Minister said adding, “It is only when we have national acceptability that we can then roll out the commodity large scale and that is where the Private Sector becomes our partner in delivery; we will become the off taker through the Federal Mortgage Bank, issuing mortgage to people and giving an effective purchasing capacity through mortgage”.

Advocating total support for the present administration as the only way for the nation to achieve the Change objective which they voted for, Fashola, who likened the government to a football team argued that since Nigerians chose the team themselves because of their desire to change what they did not like, they were morally bound to support that team and urge it on to achieve the desired change.

Speaking on the topic “Infrastructure Spending as a Strategic Tool for Economic Recovery and Growth”, the Minister, who rhetorically posed the questions as to why Nigerians elected the present government and what they expected from the government, declared, “Don’t give up on your team. That is why you voted this government, we all wanted a Change”.

Fashola, who recalled that the component of Change, as campaigned by the administration, was embedded in three promises; Security, Corruption and the Economy, pointed out that although issues of insecurity were global, the one that bothered the nation most was terrorism.

“That was the front burner issue; has this government contained terrorism; you answer that inside you honestly”, he said, adding that although the scourge of corruption was self-inflicted the present administration has demonstrated, more than any other government the resolve to fight the menace.

“Now, in the face of the prosecutions, the arrests and some of the evidences that are beginning to come out, is this government walking its talk?”, he asked adding “You just ask yourselves honestly; because this kind of arrests was not made before this government”.

“Nigeria had a lot of money, oil was selling at $100/barrel, billions of petro-dollars; where did the money go? I tell people, Burj Khalifa, the Dubai showpiece to the world, cost $1.5billion to build. We made more than that kind of money; Google it. What did we do with our own dollars? So that was what you wanted to change as well”, he said.
Fashola noted that in the process of fighting corruption, some people had also taken the mantle to fight government making unsubstantiated allegations against evidences being presented in court by those determined not to let the fight succeed and would bring down anybody’s reputation in order to achieve their purpose.

While assuring that Government would implement the 2017 budget as well as the recovery plan, Fashola recalled, “The economy that you wanted to change was investing 15 per cent in Capital Expenditure and was recording all sorts of growth”.

“But you kept saying it was a jobless growth, you said it. It was in every newspaper headline; “Growth Not Inclusive”. That was what you wanted to change”, the Minister said adding that the present administration has changed all that by increasing capital expenditure to twice the 2015 amount for the same purpose.

According to him, “Now, you have heard from the Budget Minister, working with his President and the Vice President increasing, slowly but surely, with dwindling resources, the Capital investment that is going into infrastructure; that presentation has been made’’.

“At the time when we had $100 per barrel we were budgeting 15 per cent, we were budgeting N4 Trillion and our number was growing. Now, at the time that we have less money, we are budgeting almost double of N4 Trillion and spending more on the Capex. That is the hard road that we have to walk but it will be a road worthwhile if we persevere”, Fashola said.

Still on the economy, the Minister, who argued that it was important to know where the nation veered into recession in order to successfully chart a course out of it, recalled that during the period of under-budgeting, roads were not built while contractors were not paid for three to four years.

As a result, he said, the construction companies started downsizing both human and resources and equipment and in the process many artisans, drivers, welders and other construction workers lost their jobs and means of livelihood and so money ceased to flow down as even indirect employees like food vendors and suppliers also lost their jobs.

Fashola, who noted that economy started contracting four years ago, pointed out that immediately the free money from oil tapered out, the result was recession adding that it was important to understand how recession came in order to know how to get out of it. “And I speak only to the facts and not as personal opinion; these are the facts, and I think this audience can engage with the facts and the truth”, he said.

Also noting that if the understanding of how the nation got into trouble was collectively understood there would be united purpose on how to get out of it and the critical role everyone had to play, the Minister pointed out that global economic slowdown also played a part in the economic recession adding that both China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and other big economies experienced it in one form or the other.

The Minister said one of the steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to restart the economy was to cut down on public spending by reducing the number of Ministries adding that as a Minister in charge of Power, Works and Housing, he, along with a Minister of State were now managing the three-in-one Ministry hitherto supervised by five people.

According to him, “President Buhari compressed 42 Ministries to 24 and he told all of us then that if he had his way he would have stayed at 24 but the Constitution says there must be one Minister from each of the 36 states. So it is important that we just begin to locate our contexts as we deal with these issues”.

On the role of the Private Sector operators in the economic recovery plan of government, Fashola urged them to invest in the Government Bonds when they would be issued adding, “We need the money; I think that is where you are more prolific”.
The Minister also emphasized the need to play by the rules, expressing dismay that the roads constitute the major area where people break the rules building their businesses within the Right-of-Way on the highways. He cautioned those concerned to relocate voluntarily or risk being forced out.

“We need those businesses but they must be built outside and not within the Right-of-Way. It just denies other people the opportunity to use the assets built with their money. Those of us who are involved in haulage business for example must set up proper stabling yards for our trucks”, he said adding that it was a Private Sector issue.
Still on rules, Fashola frowned at the practice by Petrol tanker drivers who, according to him, exceed the approved capacity by 100 per cent loading 60,000 litres instead of 33,000litres of fuel adding, “This is flouting of the rules”.

Noting that the ECOWAS Commission has notified Nigeria as the only country in the sub-region that is still not enforcing the Absolute Compliance, Fashola declared, “So be sure that we are going to restore weighbridges. We are going to build warehouses next to them; we are going to offload that excess cargo. You are going to pay penalties for them because that is what happens all over the world, those are the rules”.

“So what I need us to do is just to play by the rules. It won’t be Christian and Muslim, it won’t be North and South, it won’t be geopolitical zones; just rules and we will be a happier people if we play by the rules”, the Minister said.

The Minister also said the Private sector could bring more efficiency into the over 60 per cent of the power assets within their management because that was why the privatization took place in the first place adding, “We wanted to see your efficiency and power of implementation and that would be helpful in terms of what could be done to support us to deliver”.

He also urged the larger members of the Private Sector who don’t own power assets to pay their electricity bills “if they are fair because I know that there are disputed bills” adding that they should use existing dispute resolution mechanisms-the Consumer Centres-instead of going to court.

Reiterating that the economic situation could be overcome if only Nigerians could deploy their resilience to use he declared, “It is only resilient people that can make determination come true in the face of daunting realities”, adding, “Now I couldn’t think of more resilient people than Nigerians. It is a strength that we have not projected proudly”.

The well-attended BusinessDay Economic Summit 2017 also featured the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who made a presentation on “Key Pillars of the 2017 Federal Budget, and his Industry, Trade and Investment counterpart, Dr Okey Enyinna Enelemah, who also gave a presentation on “The Impact of an Improved Investment Climate In Attracting the Needed Private Capital for Sustained Growth”.

HAKEEM BELLO
SPECIAL ADVISER,
COMMUNICATIONS
TO THE HON. MINISTER
27TH FEBRUARY, 2017