A drama played out between the officials of the Oyo State Government and men of the Nigeria Customs Service , Oyo / Osun Area Command , Ibadan , as the Customs rejected the 1 , 800 bags of rice donated to the state by the Federal Government.
The officials of the Oyo State Government, led by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development , Jacob Ojemuyiwa, were denied entry at the main gate of the NIS zonal headquarters in Ibadan .
Recall that Dr Debo Akande, a Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde, on Friday alleged that the rice was not good for human consumption.
The delegation was told to return the bags to the state government .
While addressing journalists , the commissioner said , “ The state had written a letter to the Nigeria Customs Service indicating that the bags of the weevil – infested rice would be returned . ”
The commissioner said the team would report back to the State Executive Council for necessary steps.
An official of NIS, who under condition of anonymity, said the delegate was turned back because the command had not received any directive to receive the rejected bags of rice.
FOLLOWING the suspension of the conduct of the Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, for its 2020 school candidates, the West African Examination Council, WAEC, in Nigeria has announced the provision of online portals to update candidates, other Nigerians on the rescheduling of examination.
Recall that WASSCE earlier scheduled for April 6 was suspended due to the global pandemic, Coronavirus.
In a statement signed by Demianus Ojijeogu, the Head of Public Affairs, WAEC, Nigeria, the body called on candidates and other Nigerians to avail themselves of the rich resources available on the portals to be abreast with happenings at the council.
Part of the release reads: “As we eagerly await the end of COVID-19 and the resumption of normal activities in the country, the West African Examinations Council in Nigeria wishes to urge candidates to take advantage of the rich resources provided by it on the following portals to keep themselves updated, pending the commencement of the examination.
The Chief Examiners’ Reports
“This will give you reasons why candidates who sat for previous WAEC examinations performed below expectations. It will help you to avoid the errors that made candidates record below-average performance. Log on to: http://www.waeconline.org.ng/e-learning and check the Chief Examiners Reports from 2008 to 2018.
“This portal gives a comprehensive analysis of candidates’ performance in all subjects, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, what they failed to do and what they should have done to perform better. The link again is: http://www.waeconline.org.ng/e-learning
Candidates’ Interactive Portal
“This is an interactive information sharing platform that allows the Council to effectively engage candidates before, during and after examinations. Candidates are advised to log on to the portal: http://www.waeckonnect.com with the login details sent to their email addresses during the registration process, and avail themselves of this veritable tool for their examination success.
“It is necessary to admonish candidates not to play around during this waiting period, but to study hard for the postponed examination. A new timetable will be announced once normalcy is restored.”
The Lagos State Governor , Babajide Sanwo- Olu , has directed the reopening of markets on selected days in the state .
He spoke during a televised press conference .
The Governor’ s Chief Press Secretary , Gboyega Akosile , in a series of tweets , said the governor also ordered that schools should remain closed .
He tweeted, “ Eateries and restaurants to open between 9 am – 3 pm and are to do only takeout . No eat in . Also , 9 am – 3 pm only ! Take note ! Must wear gloves and masks. Markets to open from 9 am to 3 pm on selected days . ”
He also instructed that entertainment centres within private estates be closed for two weeks starting from May 4 .
“ All entertainment centres including gyms, spa , recreational facilities inside private estates are to remain closed for two weeks post lockdown in Lagos . This would be reviewed after two weeks , ” he added .
Sanwo- Olu also said tricycle operators must only take two passengers in areas where they are allowed to operate .
“ Commercial motorcycle operation ( Okada) is also suspended across the state during the period of lockdown while tricycles ( Keke Napep ) is limited to two passengers only .
“ All commuters to wear masks and gloves. Handwashing equipment and thermometers must be provided. Buses to load 60 per cent capacity . No standing . ”
He also said only 20 people are allowed to attend a funeral .
“ Funerals are permitted . Only 20 people permitted and that includes the officiating ministers and Imams. No party to follow it, ” the governor added .
Kaduna State achieved the highest number of results (nine) and got the highest share with N3. 960 billion, while Katsina and Benue got the lowest amount of N540 million each as Federal Government disbursed the sum of N43,416,000,000.00 ($120.6 million) to 24 states.
The fund is through a performance-based grant under the World Bank-Assisted States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme-for-Results.
SFTAS is wholly-financed with a loan of $750 million from the International Development Association (IDA), a member of the World Bank Group.
On the Eligibility Criteria (EC), the minister said that States had to meet in order to be eligible to receive any grants included: the online publication of the approved annual budget and audited financial statement for the previous year.
The 24 states were said to have achieved: improved financial reporting and budget reliability; increased openness and citizens’ engagement in the budget process; improved cash management and reduced revenue leakages through the implementation of State Treasury Single Account (TSA); strengthened Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collection; biometric registration and Bank Verification Number (BVN) used to reduce payroll fraud.
The 24 beneficiary states who were: Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe states.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has resumed provision of foreign exchange to all commercial banks for onward sales to parents wishing to pay school fees and Small and Medium Enterprises.
The CBN Director, Corporate Communications , Mr Isaac Okorafor made this known in a statement in Abuja .
Okorafor explained that the development was due to the gradual easing of the COVID- 19 lockdown in the country and across the globe.
He said this step would also help owners of SMEs to make essential imports needed to revamp economic activities across the country.
“ In particular , the CBN is resuming the provision of over 100 million dollars per week for both categories .
“ The bank has also made complete arrangements to resume foreign exchange sales to the Bureau de Change segment of the market for business travels , personal travels and other designated retail uses, as soon as international flights resume .
“ With these actions , the CBN wishes to reiterate that it is adequately meeting the needs of all legitimate users , and our continued capacity to do so should not be in doubt .
“ There is therefore no need for panic by any end- user that could necessitate recourse to illegitimate sources and spike in foreign exchange rates .
“ In view of this , the bank has ramped up its surveillance of the foreign exchange markets for speculators , smugglers and other illegal users and will take decisive actions against anyone or institutions involved in such nefarious activities” he explained .
The Federal Government says banks will open for commercial operations in Abuja , Lagos and Ogun States beginning Monday , May 4 .
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Dr Sani Aliyu , disclosed in an ongoing update in Abuja monitored newsmen .
Aliyu said banks would be allowed to open between 8 am and 2 pm in the three places .
He said , “In terms of the banks , this continues to be a recurring issue for all of us . We have been in touch with the CBN governor.
“ Moving on from Monday , banks will open and they will operate normal services from 8 am to 2 pm . That is six hours but there will be the usual restrictions would expect , for instance , self – distancing and the use of temperature monitors, hand hygiene , and making sure the capacities of banking halls are restricted so that people do not come together . ”
Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof Akin Abayomi , says the coronavirus infection affects the kidney and the blood .
He made this known during a programme on Arise News .
The commissioner warned that obese , diabetic, and hypertensive persons should be “ very careful ” as their condition pose a likely risk of being infected with the lethal virus .
“ There are new discoveries about the COVID- 19 virus . For instance , it is not a straightforward respiratory problem . We have found out that it impacts the blood , the kidneys .
“ The common denominator are diabetes , hypertension , and underlying immunological problems . Obesity is also a possible risk factor . We watch such people closely . If you fall into any of these categories , you have to be very careful , ” he said .
TO cushion the effect of hardship following the lockdown of the state, the federal government has directed delivery of 100 trucks of palliatives comprising mainly foodstuff to Kano.
This is in addition to the ten trucks of grains delivered to the state two weeks ago for onward distribution to the needy.
The government, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, dispatched the 100 trucks of the palliative to the Kano State Government for distribution to the needy, vulnerable and people of concern in the state.
A statement , by Salisu Danbatta, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, delivered 100 trucks of in addition to the “ten trailer-loads of parboiled rice to the state government about two weeks ago.”
Mrs Farouq, the statement explained, “directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to deliver 100 trucks of grains to five locations in Kano State for distribution to poor and vulnerable households on the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The grains in 100 trailers now on their way to Kano, comprise millet, sorghum and maize, which were released from silos holding the country’s strategic food reserve located across the country,” it said.
The statement read further: “It could be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to release 70,000 metric tons of food for distribution to less-privileged Nigerians to cushion the effect of the lockdown aimed at checking the spread of the killer-disease triggered by COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“The Minister emphasised that one of the humanitarian interventions provided by the Federal Government is the delivery of food items as palliatives to the poor and vulnerable in all states affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to ease the lockdown situation.
Sadiya Farouq assured the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Engineer Mustapha Maihaja that: “The Ministry will continue to work closely with all the agencies under its purview, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in discharging its mandates, including providing effective coordination of humanitarian interventions both nationally and internationally for the benefit of the citizens of this country, especially during this Covid-19 Pandemic.
“She highlighted the need for the Agency to work closely with the Ministry and its sister agencies in all the states in monitoring the effective distribution of the palliatives to ensure that the food items reach the intended beneficiaries, especially in states under lockdown.
“In his remark, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr Mustapha Maihaja assured the Minster that the Agency will work closely with State Governments to ensure the effective monitoring and accountability in distributing the palliatives, and thanked the Minister for the visit and her support to NEMA in discharging its duties for the benefit of Nigerians.”
The Federal Government will now borrow N1.59 trillion from the domestic market to fund the Budget 2020, instead of the N794.99 billion earlier contained in the budget.
This follows the conversion of the N850 billion earlier approved for external borrowing in the budget to domestic borrowing.
The Debt Management Office (DMO) explained, that the decision was taken in view of effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the international capital.
The DMO disclosed this in a statement, saying, “The 2020 Appropriation Act approves the N1.594 trillion as New Borrowing to finance the deficit in the budget.
“This was made up of N794.99 billion domestic borrowing and N850 billion external borrowing.
“With a COVID-19 pandemic and attendant effects on the world economy and the international capital market, the Federal Government re-appraised its borrowing plan and decided it will be more expedient to raise the N850 billion earlier approved as external borrowing from domestic sources.
“This conversion from external to domestic is to ensure that the implementation of the 2020 Appropriation Acton is not jeopardised by lack of funds.
“Thus the N850 billion is not new or incremental borrowing. Rather it is an amendment of the source of borrowing from external to domestic.”
“With this change, the total new domestic borrowing under the 2020 Appropriation becomes N1,594 trillion which is the same as the total new borrowing in the 2020 Appropriation Act.
“For compliance with the law, his Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, forwarded the request to the Senate and House of Representatives to convert the source for raising the N850 billion from external to domestic.
“The Senate approved the request on Tuesday, April 28 2020, while the approval of the House of Representatives is expected.
“Upon approval of the request by the House of Representatives, the Debt Management Office will issue FGN Securities in the domestic market to the N850 billion, thereby providing high-quality investment opportunities for the investing public.”
The Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved Nigeria’s request for $3.4 billion in emergency financial assistance under the fund’s Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to support the federal government’s efforts in addressing the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 economic shock and the drastic fall in oil prices.
This would bring a sigh of relief to fiscal and monetary authorities as the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, awaits another $3.5 billion in support loans from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
RFI, which is given to member countries without the strings and conditionalities attached to an IMF formal programme, is being disbursed immediately “in a matter of days, and will boost the foreign currency reserves of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and give monetary authorities the required firepower as it moves towards convergence and stability of the exchange rate in a time of supply and demand shocks,” analysts said.
The Washington-based institution disclosed this in a statement by its Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa.
IMF Executive Board approved Nigeria’s request for emergency financial assistance of Special Drawing Right (SDR) 2,454.5 million (US$ 3.4 billion, 100 per cent of quota) under RFI to meet the urgent balance of payment needs stemming from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest approval by IMF is the largest allocation to member countries, so far, to assist in the fight against the pandemic.
The multilateral institution pointed out that the COVID-19 outbreak had magnified existing vulnerabilities, leading to a historic contraction in Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and to large external and fiscal financing needs.
Furusawa explained: “The COVID-19 outbreak—magnified by the sharp fall in international oil prices and reduced global demand for oil products—is severely impacting economic activity in Nigeria.
“These shocks have created large external and financing needs for 2020. Additional declines in oil prices and more protracted containment measures would seriously affect the real and financial sectors and strain the country’s financing.
“The authorities’ immediate actions to respond to the crisis are welcome. The short-term focus on fiscal accommodation would allow for higher health spending and help alleviate the impact of the crisis on households and businesses. Steps taken toward a more unified and flexible exchange rates are also important and unification of the exchange rate should be expedited.”
He advised the federal government that once the COVID-19 crisis passes, the focus should remain on medium-term macroeconomic stability, with revenue-based fiscal consolidation essential to keep the country’s debt sustainable and create fiscal space for priority spending.
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