By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), mandating it to strengthen the economy.

He also inaugurated the Economic Stabilisation Programme to ensure food security, improved power supply, enhanced social welfare and healthcare, increased energy production, and overall economic transformation.

Speaking during the inaugural of the 31-member Council at the Council Chambers in Abuja, Tinubu, who chairs the Council, underscored the need for innovative solutions to the country’s economic challenges.

He noted the importance of public-private partnerships in driving economic reforms.

“We have the challenge of energy security in Nigeria. We need to work together to improve our oil and gas sector, and we must also increase electricity generation and distribution throughout the country.

“We are determined to do that with your cooperation, collaboration, and recommendations.

“As a nation, it is so shameful that we are still generating 4.5GW of electricity.

“We must increase our oil production to 2 million barrels per day within the next few months and we are determined to remove all entry barriers to investments in the energy sector while enhancing competitiveness.’

He announced measures, which would run concurrently with the National Construction and Household Support Programme, to stabilise the economy, enhance job creation, and foster economic security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the measures under the Economic Stabilisation Programme include Energy Security, which includes power, oil and gas, aims to increase on-grid electricity to be delivered to homes and businesses from about 4.5 gigawatts to 6 gigawatts in six months.

It also aims at increasing oil production to two million barrels per day within the next 12 months; and remove barriers to entry for investments into the sector to enhance competitiveness.

The programme includes Agriculture and Food Security, which aims at increase staple crops grown by small-holder farmers from 127 million metric tonnes in 2023 to 135 million metric tonnes this year.

It will bolster production by partnering larger-scale commercial farmers and support qualified farmers with satellite imagery for land use planning, crop rotation, and monitoring of agricultural expansion.

Another aspect of the plan is Health and Social Welfare under which the Federal Government hopes to make essential medicines available at lower cost for 80-90 million Nigerians.

It will also expand healthcare insurance coverage for one million vulnerable people via a Vulnerable Group Fund in collaboration with state governments.

It will redeploy 20,000 healthcare workers to provide services to 10-12 million patients in areas where they are most urgently needed and power up 4,800 primary healthcare centres (PHCs), second tier, and third tier hospitals using renewable energy sources.

Under the Economic Stabilisation Programme, Tinubu said some fiscal measures had been introduced to improve access to finance for the housing sector, MSMEs, and the manufacturing sector are.

The measures include support for new and existing youth-owned enterprises across all 36 states of the Federation, creating 7,400 MSMEs within the next 6-12 months.

There is also MSME support, a N650 billion facility that will provide lower-cost short-term facilities to youth-owned businesses, manufacturers and MSMEs across various industries; food processing, pharmaceutical, agriculture, and wholesale and retail trade.

“This financing will be based on their current and future receivables, company rating, and market demand for products.

“A Manufacturing Stabilisation Fund will rejuvenate up to two hundred and fifty companies and deliver lower cost (9.0 per cent -11.0 per cent) long-term facilities to large, medium-scale, and light manufacturers that produce finished goods for domestic and export markets.

“Sub-national Matching Fund: A Grow Nigeria Development Fund consisting of a single-digit interest rate loan portfolio with the Bank of Industry and a matching fund agreement with sub-national governments to grow MSMEs,” said the President.

He stated that the Bank of Industry’s Rural Development Programme would be expanded to support rural economies by developing 300 new MSMEs for each state, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, resulting in 11,100 new rural-based MSMEs across the Federation.

“Mortgage Finance Acceleration Facility: A facility that delivers affordable housing for all segments impacted by the cost-of-living challenge.

“This will support the construction of an additional 25,000 housing units.

“These fiscal measures will improve access to finance for MSMEs and, in the process, create 4.7 million direct and indirect jobs over a six to 12-month period,” said Tinubu.

Emphasising the significance of the task ahead, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Council, stated that President Tinubu was committed to proffering solutions to the nation’s economic challenges and not apportioning blame.

“I want to emphasise that when there is a will, there is always a way, and the President does not believe in apportioning blame. He believes in preparing solutions,” Shettima said.

Mr Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, made a presentation on the highlights of the Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan earlier submitted to the President.

The plan details economic issues to be resolved in 2024 by sub-committees in the key sectors of agriculture and food security, energy (oil, gas, power), health and social welfare, and business support.

Other members of the council include the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, twelve ministers, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Members from the Organised Private sector include: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr Tony Elumelu, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, Ms Amina Maina, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Dr Funke Opeke, Dr Doyin Salami among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

By Leonard Okachie, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

At the foot of the destroyed bridge is a monument which reads: “We remember you who died at this bridge that we may live. Rest In Peace (24th Dec. 1969).”

The bridge is on the Achingalli-Udo-Na-Obizi-Umunwanwa-Ubakala road. It connects parts of Imo and Abia. It took a hit during the Nigeria civil war and for 55 years has been in ruins.

While the construction of second Niger Bridge has huge headlines over the decades, the hardship suffered by the commuters on the Achingalli-Udo-Na-Obizi-Umunwanwa-Ubakala road has gone unreported.

Therefore, no government has taken any practical step to restore the road and reconstruct the damaged bridge.

The closest the people of the area have used 21-kilometre road was in June 2020, when the Federal Executive Council of then President Muhammadu Buhari awarded contract of N11.540 billion for its reconstruction.

The contract included construction of 120 metres bridge close to the destroyed facility across the Imo River in Imo. Since, then nothing concrete has been done.

However, since the inception of the President BolaTinubu’s administration, so much work has been done at the site and the people of the area are excited at the prospects of using the road again.

They also look forward to the contribution that the road would make in their socio-economic lives.

Eze Azubuine Obizie, the traditional ruler of Obizi in Ezinihite Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo, expressed happiness over the level of work done so far.

“We are pleased that the job is going on; we owe much gratitude to the then Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who saw the need to give the road and the bridge back.

“We are only praying and urging the government to continue so that the dividend of that project will be realised,” he said.

Eze Obizie also expressed gratitude to Mr Amanze Uchegbulam, an indigene of Obizi for his efforts towards rehabilitating the road.

Obizie observed that he and his counterpart from the neighbouring Umunwanwa in Abia, had in 2017 wrote a letter to Fashola on the need to rebuild the road.

Also, Eze Stephen Ihuoma, the traditional ruler of Umunwanwa, in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia, thanked Tinubu for carrying on with the project that was initiated by Buhari-led administration.

He said a site visit by Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, was an indication of the president’s desire to complete the project.

According to Ihuoma when completed the road will make travel from Umuahia to Owerri easier.

However, the traditional ruler expressed concern over the slow pace of work at the Umunwanwa axis, and urged the government to put more effort.

He said: “The tarred section in Umunwanwa is not up to half kilometre and my people are suffering it because from the spot where they stopped work to the bridge head is bad.

“Without the intervention of the communities about three years ago that road would have been a different thing all together.

“My people are united in ensuring that the project is completed but I am appealing to the Federal Government to let my people feel the tarred portion of the road”, he told NAN.

Meanwhile, Mr Dennis Orji the consultant for the project and a former Director, Federal Ministry of Works, said erosion at Umunwanwa posed a major challenge to the project.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Works was considering an augmentation to be able to tackle the challenge.

As for the completion period, he said that it was difficult to determine when the project would be completed considering various potential challenges, including weather.

The consultant said that Imo and Abia belong to the rainforest and as a result not much would be achieved starting from May because of heavy rain.

He affirmed that the bridge construction was still going saying “we at the piling stage and once the bridge is done we will focus on the road.”

“But there is a remarkable progress and the Federal Government is trying because the road is being funded through Skukuk.

“Of course, governance is a continuum and luckily they are of All Progressives Congress party.

“I think if there must be progress there must be continuity, otherwise there will be so many abandoned projects.”

Ongoing construction of a new bridge at Imo River
Also, Eze Stephen Ihuoma, the Traditional Ruler of Umunwanwa, in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia, thanked Tinubu for carrying on with the project that was initiated by Buhari-led administration.
He said that the visit to the project site by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, was a clear indication of the president’s interest to see that the road was completed.
According to Eze Ihuoma, the road when completed will make travel from Umuahia to Owerri very simple and will ease trade between Imo and Abia.
However, the traditional ruler expressed concern over the slow pace of work at the Umunwanwa axis, and urged the government to put more effort.
He said: “The tarred section in Umunwanwa is not up to half kilometre and my people are suffering it heavily because from the spot they stopped work to the bridge head the road is bad.
“Without the intervention of the communities about three years ago that road would have been a different thing all together.
“My people are united in ensuring that the project is completed but I’m appealing to the Federal Government to let my people feel the tarred portion of the road.”
Meanwhile, the Consultant, Mr Dennis Orji, a former Director at the Federal Ministry of Works, admitted that the serious erosion problem at Umunwanwa was one of the challenges to the project.
He said that the Federal Ministry of Works was considering an augmentation to be able to tackle the challenge.
As for the completion period, he said that it was difficult to determine when contracts and projects would be completed in Nigeria considering the problems of funding and weather.
The consultant said that Imo and Abia belong to the rainforest and as a result not much would be achieved starting from this month(May).
He affirmed that the bridge construction was still going saying “we at the piling stage and once the bridge is done we will focus on the road.”
Orji continued; “But there is a remarkable progress and the Federal Government is trying because the road is being funded through Skukuk.
“Of course, governance is a continum and luckily they are of All Progressives Congress party.
“I think if there must be progress there must be continuity, otherwise there will be so many abandoned projects.”

Completed section of the road at Achingali
Rep. Emeka Chinedu, Member representing Ahiazu /Mbaise Ezinihite Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, expressed happiness for the progress on the road.
He also thanked Tinubu for his efforts in sustaining the road as well as Fashola for his critical role in the award of the contract.

Chinedu recalled that the road was approved by 9th Assembly but was not funded in the budget.

He said that he and Chief Sam Onuigbo, former member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives also met Fashola to facilitate the project.

The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on the Federal Character Territory, equally commended the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, for his commitment in ensuring that the road was completed.

“If you go on inspection there you will see the level of progress recorded.

“That road is so significant to Imo and Abia because it is a link road between the two neighbouring states.

“If it is completed there is going to be heavy trade relationship between the two states and that will bring a lot of economic benefits to the people,” he said.

Corroborating him, the ex-lawmaker, Onuigbo, said the completion of the bridge and the road would go a long way in enhancing the economic fortunes of the people.

Onuigbo, who represents South-East on the Board of the North-East Development Commission, said that it was important road that Tinubu administration was executing the project as part of his Renewed Hope agenda.

He said the government should be commended for taking up the project even when Tinubu did not get win South-East states in the 2023 general elections.

“Another reason for the commendation is that the bridge being reconstructed was one of the bridges destroyed during the 1967-1970 civil war.

“Therefore, continuing with this project without abandoning it is a sign that President Tinubu is focused on the overall development of Nigeria.

“I must also commend the minister, Umahi for visiting the site and working tirelessly to see that the project see the light of the day.”

Interestingly, Mr Amanze Uchegbulam, former First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation also heaped praises on Tinubu and Fashola.

He said that he would eternally remain grateful to Fashola, whom he described as his friend and teammate at Eagle Club Surulere, for granting his request.

“I really thank the Federal Government because our people have suffered for over 50 years from 1969-2019, when nobody cared for us.

“My people are so happy for this project and they wanted to give me an award but I refused to take it.

“I told them that I would not take any award until the road was completed and we drive on it,” said Uchegbulam, a former Vice President of Confederation of Africa Football Appeal Committee.

A commercial motorcyclist, Mr Izuchulwu Ukuwa, who plies the road is excited that the project would completed soon and urged the government to step up its effort.

Ukuwa, the Youth Leader of Umuoke in Umunwanwa, said that the road was very significant because it links some states including Imo, Abia, Enugu.

“Our people are known for agriculture, especially cassava farming. If this road is completed it will help us in transporting our farm produce to the market.

“I’m very happy that the government has remembered us and I pray that it try its best to complete the project,” he said.

A commercial bus driver, Mr Valentine Chukwu, a native of Umuawada Onicha Mbaise, commended the government for committing to the project, especially the bridge.

“When I was younger, it was plank that was used to cover up that bridge.

We were always scared whenever my father carried me and my siblings through it on his motorcycle to take us in our primary school.

“So the fact that the government is now constructing the bridge gives me joy. When the road is completed it will help our people in their daily businesses,” Chukwu said. (NANFeatures) (www.nannews.ng)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has commended President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s infrastructure, agricultural sector and enhanced security since his assumption of office.

The National President of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, made the commendation in a congratulatory letter to Tinubu, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)on Friday in Abuja.

” Congratulations to Mr President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Tinubu on your one year in office.

” On behalf of the over six million pastoral communities in Nigeria, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, the National Executive, Management and staff of MACBAN, I wish to congratulate you on your successful one year anniversary in office.

” Your one year in office, though tumultuous but stands you as a man of courage, conviction and vision with Renewed Hope to make Nigeria great.

” Your commitment to developing Nigeria’s infrastructure, agricultural development and enhanced security is a testimony that you are not only up to the task but to deliver dividends of democracy to the larger Nigerians populace.”

Othman-Ngelzarma noted that the Renewed Hope agenda on agriculture which intends to make Nigeria self-sufficient in its food security entails massive investment in both agronomy and livestock production.

” In view of this, MACBAN looks forward to your promise of creating a Ministry for Livestock to handle the N15 trillion Industry and its value chain.

” The industry stands to provide millions of quality jobs to Nigerian youth wallowing in unemployment and abject poverty which is a threat to National Cohesion and the security in the country.

” To achieve this objective, there is the need for immediate establishment and inauguration of the livestock implementation committee which you promised during the report presentation.”

Othman-Ngelzarma also appealed to Tinubu to allow for the stand-alone existence of the National Commission for Nomadic Education for the continued well-being of Nigerian nomads.

” We appreciate the efforts of security agencies in the country in combating crime but we express concern with the way and manner in which innocent pastoralists are being profiled and extorted.

” Yours Excellency, the hope you exude should be made a reality to strengthen the faith of ordinary Nigerians on your renewed hope agenda.

” We will continue to support you in your quest to strengthen institutional frameworks to make Nigeria and Nigerians the pride of Africa in innovation and productivity.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani