Business
‘Nigeria Needs To Address Constraints Of Exportable Commodities’
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, has said that to build a competitive global economy, the nation needs to address constraints of other exportable commodities.
He said this during the public consultation on the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper, (FSP) with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the media and organised private sector in Abuja, Thursday.
According to him, the key thrusts of the framework are consistent with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,(ERGP) which is aimed at moving the nation away from dependence on a single commodity to run on multiple engines.
He affirmed that the nation was on track to achieving full recovery and growth, adding that, it needs to look inwards to boost non oil revenues and observe fiscal prudence at all levels.
“It is important that we build a globally competitive economy because this dependence on crude oil for our foreign exchange is not sustainable and so we have to get other commodities to export.
“In order to export them, they have to be competitive.
“Therefore, we have to address all the constraints that are not making our goods competitive so that we can grow what we eat, produce what we consume and have enough for export.”
Udoma said the key assumptions and macro-framework of the 2018 budget were predicated on oil production of 2.3 million barrels per day (mbpd), oil price of 45 dollars per barrel and an exchange rate of N305 to one dollar.
He also said the inflation rate was pegged at 12.42 per cent and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate was 4.8 per cent.
It was projected in the MTEF that oil production would be 2.4 mbpd in 2019, 2.5 mbpd in 2020, while exchange rate was retained at N305 to one dollar for 2019 and 2020.
Inflation was projected to stay at 13.39 per cent in 2019 and 9.90 per cent in 2020.
Udoma said the medium term fiscal policies were directed at achieving macro-economic stability, accelerating growth, intensifying economic diversification and promoting inclusiveness.
“We are focusing on stabilising the macro-economic environment, align monetary, trade and fiscal policies, accelerate non-oil revenue generation, drastically cut costs and privatise selected public enterprises and assets.”
He also said the Federal Government would enhance oil revenues and accelerate non-oil revenues through policies by transitioning from the traditional Joint Venture (JV) cash call budget to the self funding mechanism.
Other objectives are improved tax and customs administration, tightening of tax exemptions (including duty waivers), possible review of Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and excise duty, commencing with luxury items.
He recalled that the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo recently signed an Executive Order giving amnesty for voluntary compliance with tax, adding that he believes that Nigerians would come forward to pay their taxes.
Udoma also said the Federal Government aims to address recurrent and capital spending imbalance with continuous allocation of at least 30 per cent of its budgeted expenditure on capital projects.
“It will also maintain deficit and debts within sustainable limits,” he said.
Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms Patience Oniha, said the nation had to fund its budget through borrowing, adding that, it was not defaulting in its debt responsibilities, rather it was capable of paying what it owed.
She, however, said the nation was not borrowing outside the limits set for it by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) as it was still within it, which means that the debt it had incurred was sustainable.
She also said if the nation could increase its revenue significantly to enable implementation of the budget then it could achieve the growth it was looking at.
Some of the CSOs applauded Federal Government’s efforts in involving them and other Nigerians in the preparation of the document, adding that it would enhance transparency and accountability in the process.
The MTEF/FSP is a three-year planning tool that defines government’s economic, social and development objectives and priorities.
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the country’s satellite operator, has called for immediate promolgation of policy action that will enable the country to harness the potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NIGCOMSAT, also warned that Nigeria risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2trillion share of the global AI economy by 2030.
Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend following her participation in the Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2trillion of this if the right policies and innovations are in place”, Idehen said, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The NIGCOMSAT MD underscored the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, highlighting its applicability in Benue State, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.”
According to her, machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly”, she added.
Idehen also noted that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority.
“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance”, she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
Corlins Walter
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Chief David Omereji, has said the council has so far spent over N1 billion for the electrification of communities in the area.
Omereji said this while addressing staff of the council at the council headquarters recently.
He said the move was part of his administration’s resolve to ensure peace and development of the LGA.
According to him, the Council spent about N29 million on monthly basis for the maintenance of the Emohua Local Vigilante group known as OSPAC, with each member being paid a stipend of N100, 000 monthly.
He diaclosed that 11 out of the 14 wards are currently enjoying electricity, while efforts are on to light-up the remaining ones.
“I also want to use this opportunity to inform the political class for purposes of records and for the understanding of the people that the Council under my watch have done more than enough”, he said .
The Emolga boss explained that all that have been achieved were through the personal effort of the Council, without support from anybody as rumoured in some quarters.
Omereji further reaveled that a number of other projects, including roads, fencing of schools, hospitals, courts premises, and reconstruction of some abandoned buildings at the Council Headquarters are being undertaken by his administration.
He enjoined the people of the area to support his administration’s drive to bring purposeful development to the LGA.
The Emohua Council boss, who reiterated his hatred for noise making, stated that his works would speak for him, and solicited the support of staff of the council and the entire people of the area.
He noted the fact that some people may not be happy with his achievements, saying that he would remain focused, while advising critics of his government to do so constructively with facts and figures.
King Onunwor
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised some ethical questions over a Financial and Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) between Sahara Energy and West African Gas Limited (WAGL), an affiliate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
MOSOP said the agreement was not done in good faith, not in the interest of the Nigerian people, and did not follow due process.
Foremost Ogoni born activist and MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, who made this known in Abuja, weekend, described the Sahara-WAGL deal as fraudulent, deceptive and an insult on the intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
Nsuke called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel that FTSA between Sahara Energy and WAGL, noting that the agreement is fraught with irregularities and deceptive.
“What Sahara and the NNPC did in the FTSA between Sahara and WAGL is shameful and depicts high level corruption in public service of our country.
“WAGL is an affiliate of Sahara and the NNPC. How then can Sahara go into an agreement with its own affiliate? It’s as good as going into an agreement with itself. This is deceptive and fraudulent”, Nsuke said.
He continued that “Sahara Energy is certainly not a company the Ogoni people want on their soil and we are calling on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to terminate any deal between the NNPC and Sahara Energy over OML 11, and to allow for an inclusive arrangement that considers a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in the distribution of revenues from natural resource extraction on Ogoni soil.
“The last Ogoni Congress has been unequivocal on the Ogoni demand for justice and has given a clear path to resolve the three decade old conflict between all critical parties.
“It will be good to explore this path to peace and development for Ogoni and for our country”.
Nsuke accused Sahara Energy and the NNPC of frustrating the progress made by MOSOP to achieve a permanent solution to the Ogoni problem.
He urged a presidential intervention with deep consideration for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in order to permanently address the problem.
He noted that Sahara Energy should give up on the Ogoni area to allow for an engagement in the interest of the country and the people.
Recall that MOSOP and Sagara Energy have recently been engaged in a row in what MOSOP describes as an unholy relationship between Sahara Energy and the NNPC over OML 11.
MOSOP expressly rejected Sahara Energy and called for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in natural resource extraction in Ogoni.
It noted that Ogoni people, led by MOSOP, paid the sacrifice to take the oil from Shell, hence “the position of MOSOP must be taken into consideration in decisions relating to resumption of oil production in Ogoni”.