NEWS
FAAC Distributes March Revenue To States
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has allocated revenue to state governments for March 2024, with disbursements shared in April.
The total allocation reflects the economic activities and federal revenue distribution, ensuring each state receives funds necessary for governance and development.
Leading the recipients, Delta State received the highest allocation of N37.9 billion, closely followed by Rivers State with N33.3 billion and Lagos State with N29.3 billion.
These states continue to benefit significantly from their robust economic activities and contributions to the national economy.
In the oil-rich regions, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states were allocated N25.9 billion and N25.6 billion respectively, reflecting their substantial roles in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. The substantial allocations underscore the importance of these states in the nation’s revenue generation.
Other notable allocations include Anambra with N10.9 billion, Borno with N10.6 billion, and Edo also with N10.6 billion. Oyo State received N11.5 billion, highlighting its economic relevance in the south-western region.
Kano State, a major commercial hub in the north, was allocated N14.5 billion, signifying its significant population and economic activities. Kaduna and Jigawa received N7.9 billion and N10.2 billion respectively, while Katsina was allocated N10.4 billion, reflecting their strategic importance in the northern region.
In the south-east, Abia received N9.2 billion, while Imo and Enugu were allocated N9.4 billion and N8.8 billion respectively. Ebonyi received N7.6 billion, which aligns with the revenue distribution trend within the region.
States such as Ekiti and Osun in the south-west received N7.2 billion and N7.3 billion respectively. Ogun, despite being a significant economic player, was allocated N6.7 billion, similar to Cross River State in the south-south region.
Gombe and Kwara were both allocated N7.3 billion, while Kogi and Plateau received N7.7 billion and N7.6 billion respectively, highlighting the balanced distribution across states with varying economic capabilities.
The FAAC allocation aims to ensure equitable distribution of national revenue, enabling states to meet their developmental goals and address local needs. This distribution underscores the federal commitment to supporting states in their socio-economic responsibilities.
Full Breakdown of Allocations:
Abia: N9.2 billion
Adamawa: N8.6 billion
Akwa Ibom: N25.9 billion
Anambra: N10.9 billion
Bauchi: N8.3 billion
Bayelsa: N25.6 billion
Benue: N10.4 billion
Borno: N10.6 billion
Cross River: N6.7 billion
Delta: N37.9 billion
Ebonyi: N7.6 billion
Edo: N10.6 billion
Ekiti: N7.2 billion
Enugu: N8.8 billion
Gombe: N7.3 billion
Imo: N9.4 billion
Jigawa: N10.2 billion
Kaduna: N7.9 billion
Kano: N14.5 billion
Katsina: N10.4 billion
Kebbi: N9.1 billion
Kogi: N7.7 billion
Kwara: N7.7 billion
Lagos: N29.3 billion
Nasarawa: N7.8 billion
Niger: N9.1 billion
Ogun: N6.7 billion
Ondo: N10.5 billion
Osun: N7.3 billion
Oyo: N11.5 billion
Plateau: N7.6 billion
Rivers: N33.3 billion
Sokoto: N8.8 billion
Taraba: N7.9 billion
Yobe: N7.9 billion
Zamfara: N8.1 billion
This equitable distribution is crucial for addressing local development needs and fostering balanced growth across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
NEWS
N1.7trn Loan: Atiku Blames NASS For Worsening Nigeria’s Debt Burden
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal government’s plan to secure an additional N1.7 trillion loan through Eurobonds to cover a shortfall in the 2024 budget, describing the borrowing as unsustainable and harmful to Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement shared on Thursday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of burdening Nigerians with debt while failing to provide clear answers about the country’s fiscal challenges.
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He also faulted the National Assembly for enabling what he called a “voracious appetite” for loans.
The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed alarm over a recent World Bank report ranking Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), calling the development troubling.
“The recent report released by the World Bank, showing Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), is very concerning,” Atiku stated.
He raised further concerns about the government’s decision to benchmark the proposed loan at an exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate being over N1,600.
“What makes this particular loan proposal even more concerning is that it is benchmarked at the exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, whereas the current exchange rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria stands at over N1,600 to 1 USD,” he said.
Atiku questioned the need for additional borrowing, given the government’s earlier claims of record-high revenue collection.
“In July this year, Tinubu boasted that the FIRS and Customs under his watch had collected all-time high revenues to finance the budget. Why are they still borrowing?” he said
He accused the government of a lack of transparency, describing the borrowing spree as detrimental to Nigerians already struggling under economic hardship.
“There is something that they are not telling Nigerians, even as they are being crushed by a combination of their failed trial-and-error policies and loan rackets.”
Atiku also referenced a report by BudgIT, a budget monitoring group, which criticized the 2024 budget for its inefficiencies.
He alleged that corruption, rather than infrastructure or development needs, was driving the government’s borrowing decisions.
“These loans are powered by corruption and not for infrastructure and development needs. This voracious appetite for humongous loans is deeply concerning,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s financial history, Atiku lamented the return to significant foreign indebtedness just years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration cleared the country’s debt.
“It is agonizing to see that just a few years after the Obasanjo administration took us out of foreign indebtedness, we are today back at the top spot in the same conundrum,” he stated.
He called for a more cautious approach to borrowing, urging the government to prioritize fiscal responsibility and transparency to avoid worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges.
International News
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.
In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”
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The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.
The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.
NEWS
Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with recovering government vehicles reportedly in private hands.
The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given a two-week mandate to retrieve the vehicles and ensure their return to the state government.
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Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of accountability in the management of public resources.
He urged the committee to carry out its assignment thoroughly and within the bounds of the law.
In his response, Okungbowa expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting the team with the assignment, vowing to deliver results within the stipulated timeframe.
“A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in custody of the vehicles have refused to return them,” Okungbowa said.
“The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.”
The committee, which includes representatives from Edo’s three senatorial districts, is set to investigate and recover the vehicles based on credible intelligence already at their disposal.
“We already have vital information regarding some persons still holding government vehicles,” Okungbowa stated. “We will do the job according to the law, and both the government and the people will be satisfied with the outcome.”
He also called on members of the public to assist the committee by providing information about any government vehicles that may still be in private possession.
“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government,” Okungbowa said.
The committee’s vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, will work alongside other members to ensure the success of the initiative. The public can reach the committee at 08110165121.