By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has allocated a revenue target of N1.13 trillion to the Tincan Island Port Command for 2024.

The Area Controller, Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, said this at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.

“The target allocated to Tincan Island Port command out of the national target is 27 per cent.

“Last year 2023, our revenue target was N801.5 billion out of which we were able to collect N716.53 billion which represents 89 per cent of our target.

“However, in 2024, due to our hard work, following our beautiful performance in 2023, the Controller General of Customs (CGC) and its management, allocated a revenue target of N1.13 trillion .

“This translates to monthly target of N94.23 billion, which translates N21.7 billion every week and that means on daily basis officers and men of the command with the support of stakeholders are supposedly to collect N4.23 billion every day,” he said.

Nnadi said the target was surmountable with the command’s committed officers and men.

He said the command’s weekly target in 2023 was N66 billion but from June to December, they averaged N76 billion, which meant that the 2024 target was doable.

Nnadi, however, encouraged and urged stakeholders not to be scared of the 2024 target.

On how to achieve this, the comptroller said the command had strategised with senior officers who would cascade the decision taken to their officers and men.

“This year 2024 in the command has been declared as the year of stakeholders. We believe that they are going to reciprocate kind gesture for us by declaring the appropriate duty, correct declaration and be compliant.

“Others is that the service had directed that every command must engage with what the CGC call environmental scan by studying the environment and optimising opportunities inherent .

“They are going to attach themselves to policy landscape the ministry of finance will offer, engagement stakeholders and to that effect, engage the national trade facilitation committee to conduct a time release study in Tincan in the month of February,” Nnadi said.

He said they were mandated to optimise their operational preparedness by embracing technological advancements in customs modernisation.

“Similarly, the CGC has directed that technical capacity of every officer will be enhanced, and he will improve the welfare of customs officers.

“If that is the case, we have been given the motivation to ensure that the revenue target will be collected,” the comptroller said.

Nnadi who described Nigeria as an import generation economy noted that the service would match revenue and collection side by side with trade facilitation.

He added that they would map out strategies to ensure quick clearance of goods at the ports to avoid demureage.

“In 2023, the command was able to handle 623694.7 metric tonnes of export.

“This is very significant in the sense that it is 85 per cent increase in tonnage of what we did in 2022,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr Sule Abdulaziz, says the West African Power Pool (WAPP) “North Core Project ” will accelerate electricity sufficiency in the sub region.

Abdulaziz, who is also the Executive Board Chairman of WAPP, said this on Friday at the 7th meeting of the Joint Supervision Committee of the pool in Abuja.

He was represented by Aminu Tahir, the General Manager, Project Coordination, TCN.

According to him, the North Core Project stands at the forefront of a multifaceted effort to break the shackles of energy poverty and elevate the living standards of our communities.

“Beyond being a paradigm shift in how we approach to power generation and distribution, it is a lifeline for those living in areas with limited or no electricity access.

“This visionary initiative prioritises underserved regions, aiming to bridge the gap in electricity access.

“It is about bringing power to schools, clinics, and businesses that have long operated in the shadow of energy scarcity,’’ TCN boss said.

He described the North Core Project as a beacon of hope for the communities involved, capable of unlocking their full potential, and promising not only a reliable power supply but also a catalyst for socioeconomic progress.

He commended efforts by Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo to jointly address their electricity deficit through the Core Project.

According to him, the project is conceived as a vital solution to address the substantial electricity supply-demand imbalance within the ECOWAS region.

He said that the project was a testament to the collaborative spirit of the five West African countries involved.

“These visionary governments and energy authorities joined forces to design this regional interconnection initiative.

“It encompasses the construction of 880 km of 330 kV and 33 km of 225 kV high voltage transmission lines.

“Beyond the transmission lines, the project sets out to construct or extend five substations and deploy cutting-edge technologies like SCADA systems and fiber optics cables along the lines.

“This project is not merely about transmitting electricity; it is about creating a dynamic, interconnected network that will redefine our energy landscape,” he said.

He said that the primary objective of the North Core Project went beyond infrastructure.

“It aims to catalyse efficient energy trade, encourage commercial exchange agreements, and bring electricity access to communities along the transmission line.

“Envisioned as a transformative force, this project is the lifeline that will interconnect the destinies of our respective countries.

“The importance of this initiative transcends borders, echoing the spirit of unity within the ECOWAS region,” he said.

In his remarks, WAPP Secretary-General, Mr Siengui Apollinaire KI, said that since its official launch in 2019, the project’s deployment had continued with momentum in the countries involved.

According to him, the residents of our respective countries have followed with enthusiasm and great hope the progress of this project, and our commitment to achieving its goals remains unwavering.

“During the recent period, the North Core Project has recorded significant progress. Foundation, assembly, and lifting works for the lines have commenced, while fencing and leveling of substation sites are in progress.

“This on-the-ground realisation of all the previous work has undoubtedly boosted the energy of our team.

“The team is more than ready to meet the challenge of constructing the 913 km of lines and the five substations of the project in accordance with the best practices and within the stipulated timeframe ” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that within the framework of WAPP, the governments of Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Togo have collaborated to develop a regional interconnection project known as the 330 kv WAPP North Core Project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has announced the appointment of Mr Babatunde Okuneye, as its Registrar/Chief Executive.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Nkechi Onyenso, Chairman of Publicity and Advocacy Committee, ICSAN, on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okuneye served as the private secretary to the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Mr Olufemi Pedro, from 2003 to 2007.

According to Onyenso, Okuneye brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments to his new role.

She said he obtained his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration from Lagos State Polytechnic, along with a Postgraduate Diploma and MBA in Marketing from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

Onyenso added that his professional journey includes significant roles at Equity Indemnity Insurance Company Ltd., First Chartered Insurance Company Ltd., First Atlantic Bank Plc and Virgin Nigeria Airways, among others.

“Okuneye served as Deputy Registrar, Operation at ICSAN, from 2017 to 2018 before his current appointment.

“He holds affiliations with prestigious professional bodies, including being an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

“He is also a Certified Recruitment Analyst by Carlton Advanced Management Institute/Middle Earth HR, and a Certified Compensation and Benefits Manager by Carlton Advanced Management Institute/Middle Earth HR.

“Additionally, he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development and the Nigerian Institute of Management.

“His commitment to continuous learning is evident through his participation in various training programmes, covering topics such as Repositioning Directors for Values-Based Leadership, Contemporary HRM Practice: Issues and Challenges, and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Auditor’s training,” she said.

NAN also reports that ICSAN is a leading professional body dedicated to enhancing the status and practice of corporate governance and public administration in Nigeria.

It is the sole authorised body in Nigeria to conduct examinations leading to the qualification of chartered secretaries and administrators. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC),on Wednesday inaugurated a two-week capacity development training support organised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Abuja.

The Chairman of FRC, Victor Muruako, said that the training would enable the commission to do more to support the management of the economy under President Bola Tinubu.

Muruako who commended the IMF for its support to the commission over the years, also commended Tinubu for his bold fiscal reforms and practical war against corruption.

“Transparency and accountability have been prioritised in fiscal affairs in recent times.

“The president’s action against officials in his cabinet accused of financial impropriety is an indication that the war against corruption is real,” he said.

He said that the FRC mandate was enormous and sensitive to the survival of the country.

“The survival of Nigeria depends on the ability to run a fiscally sound and healthy country.

“This depends on a set of rules which are meant to be executed by people in public office.

“This programme is coming up at a critical moment when the government is enabling critical fiscal reforms,” she said.

Responding, the leader of the IMF team, Kubai Khasiani, said that the training would be in the area of Public Financial Management.

Khasiani,who is the Regional Advisor, Public Financial Management of the IMF said that the fund had a Capacity Development Centre with an office in Ghana.

“We provide support to six countries in the West Africa region, which includes Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

By Olayinka Olawale

The Federal Government has commenced training of Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer facilitators in Lagos State for the enrolment of 283,003 beneficiaries.

Speaking at the one-day training for the facilitators on Tuesday in Lagos, Dr Michael Ajuluchuku, the National Programme Manager, National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Abuja, said the initiative would bring financial relief to vulnerable citizens in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will provide 15 million Nigerian households with cash transfer of N25,000 for three months.

Ajuluchuku said the step-down training was designed to equip the facilitators on enrollment of the 283,003 beneficiaries in the state.

He charged the facilitators for speedy enrolment process of beneficiaries in order  to complete the cycle as planned.

He was represented by Hajia Zanaib Usman, an official of the National Cash Transfer Office, Abuja.

He said the programme is non-partisan and non-political adding that the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme is for only Nigerians.

According to him, the project focus will be on rural and urban, poor and vulnerable households in the country.

“The design of the scale of NASSP-SU intervention has two components, Shock Responsive Social Protection (Urban), and Shock Responsive Social Protection, (Rural) that is aimed at providing N25,000 for three months to beneficiaries amounting to N75,000,” he said.

Speaking on the selection process, he said the National Social Safety Net Project had two programme implementing units – the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office, responsible for the population of data of the poor and vulnerable across the country.

“Basically, their mandate is to generate data of the poor and the vulnerable.

“The second programme implementation unit is the National Cash Transfer Office, which is mainly responsible for delivering the intervention.

“To us at NCTO, we mine these two data of the poor and vulnerable from the National Safety Net Coordinating Office.

“The criteria are that the beneficiaries must be poor and vulnerable and must fall between the poverty line as established by the Federal Government so that is how these data is gotten for intervention.

“This programme, the design is such that it is non-partisan and non-political. It is for Nigerians and Nigerians as a whole.

“As you are aware, poverty does not know political party, poverty hits whoever that comes its way,” he said.

Ajuluchuku noted that President Bola Tinubu decided to sustain the project which started with the former administration because of the impact the programme had made in the lives of Nigerians.

He said that Tinubu’s administration had increased the number from two million to 15 million beneficiaries.

“This is basically because the country is hit with a lot of challenges, economical, inflation, fuel subsidy removal and so on.

“The government is not just sitting back without addressing the challenges,” he said.

Also speaking , Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Commissioner, Lagos State Wealth Creation, lauded the Federal Government’s commitment through the NCTO under the Ministry Of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Ajigbotafe said the programme had put smiles on the faces of benefitting households across the 36 states of the federation including the  Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He also appreciated Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his relentless support and care for the downtrodden in the state.

He said the great humanitarian strides and efforts were evidenced in the various humanitarian programmes to cater for the poor, the vulnerable and the indigent citizens in the state.

“It is truly a greater rising season for our state.

“President Bola Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) in November 2023 to mitigate amongst others, the economic shocks arising from government policies.

“With this, the Federal Government established a time-limited economic shock Response – Cash Transfers of N25,000 for 283,003 poor and vulnerable households in Lagos State to cushion the effect of the on-going economic reforms as mandated.

“A total of 283,003 poor and vulnerable households have been mined for enrolment into conditional cash transfer in the state.

“This includes 209,385 mined Poor and Vulnerable Households and 73,618 from the National Social Register and Rapid Response exercise.

“This will aid the capacity building of the nominated 186 cash transfer facilitators to be equipped for this task,” he said.

The commissioner urged the cash transfer facilitators to be a beacon of hope to the beneficiaries and good ambassadors of the state.

“To the facilitators, do not forget that you are by extension, a beacon of hope to the beneficiaries since the information you garner from them and input into the server will be used to facilitate the payment of N25,000 to them.

“You are the grassroots mobilisers, the foot soldiers and the ambassadors of the state of excellence, please do not drop the ball.

“By extension, all the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs of the state are now on board. This is a welcome development in the state as it means more lives will be impacted in this programme.

“I thanked the National Programme Manager from the National Cash Transfer Office for increasing the quota of the state on this programme from an initial 6,810 beneficiaries to 1 1,386 and now to 283,003,” he said.

Also, Dr Abiodun Onayele, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, said the National Cash Transfer Office had commenced the immediate roll-out of cash transfers to beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Cash Transfer Programme.

Onayele said the programme would provide 15 million poor and vulnerable Nigerian households with N25,000 monthly for three months.

He said that priority would be given to female adult households.

“As part of the institutional arrangement, the cash transfer facilitators who are drawn from local governments and local council development areas of the wards where the targeted beneficiaries were validated must be enrolled into the Cash Transfer programme.

“The facilitators must attend an enrollment training on utilisation of digital gadgets to capture and validate the beneficiaries,” Onayele said.

Mrs Lola Orimogunje, the Programme Manager, Conditional Cash Transfer, Lagos State, urged beneficiaries to provide their National Identification Numbers (NIN) during the enrollment process to meet the eligibility criteria for opening bank accounts in fulfilment of the recent Central Bank of Nigeria directives.

Orimogunje said that all beneficiaries would be paid through their bank accounts.

She noted that those with existing bank accounts would be paid through their accounts while new accounts would be opened by the programme for those without bank accounts.

According to her, this strategy will help to ensure all beneficiaries are financially included through the programme.

“Each beneficiary will receive N25,000 per circle, for three payment circles, culminating in total financial support of N75,000 only.

“This financial assistance is to make a significant impact on the lives of the beneficiaries, contributing to their well-being and resilience due to the hardship caused by the current economic reforms in the country.

“We urge the public to visit their communities to enquire if their community is part of the current disclosure.

“They should check their names on the disclosure list which is often displayed on a location agreed by the community members for unhindered access and convenience of the members for validation and enrolment,” she said.

Mr Muhammed Adams, Enrolment Officer, National Cash Transfer Office, Abuja, explained the processes of enrolment for the Cash Transfer to the facilitators.

Adams urged the facilitators to participate fully in the training in order to conduct smooth enrolment process.
(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Sarafina Christopher/Patricia Amogu

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has called for an upward review of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) proposed budget allocation to Edo South Senatorial zone.

Onaiwu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had in its report indicated that 27 states of the federation, including Edo, have failed to attract any foreign investment in the third quarter of the year.

“This only indicates that there was a slow rate of sustainable development in many of the states listed.

“It is not out of order to request a review from our minister for a spread of the grants and allocations to the three senatorial zones in the state, especially the oil-producing zones.

“Edo South Senatorial zone happens to be in the oil-producing area of the state, therefore, generating income for the state.

“So, all we are asking for is for there to be fairness,” he said.

Onaiwu also advised elected and appointed public office holders to use their positions to develop not just their zones but other zones as well.

NAN reports that Onaiwu is the initiator of the North East Economic Summit.

The 1st summit was organised in Bauchi aimed at addressing political and socio-economic issues on the front-burner of public discourse.

Information and reports from the summit were used as advisory documents made available to both the federal and state governments in their war against insurgency. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim