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Fuel Subsidy Removal: FG Moots N5000 Transport Grant

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Buhari sets up PIA implementation commitee, appoints Sylva as chairman

 

By Edozie Obasi-Eze

The Federal Government is contemplating a monthly transportation grant of N5,000 for up to 40 million poor Nigerians to alleviate the impact of removing fuel subsidy from mid-2022.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, made the disclosure on Tuesday, during the launch of the World Bank Nigeria Development Update (NDU).

She said the available resources after the removal of the subsidy would determine the number of beneficiaries, though planning estimates have been pegged between 30 and 40 million citizens.

At the moment, the Nigerian government spends trillions of naira yearly on payment of subsidy on petroleum products, with several unsuccessful attempts at removing the subsidy and enthroning market-determined prices.

The Federal Government is contemplating that the huge amount would be used to fund critical projects, a view backed by and often canvassed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Ahmad said, “The subsidies regime in the (oil) sector remains unsustainable and economically disingenuous.

“Ahead of the target date of mid-2022 for the complete elimination of fuel subsidies, we are working with our partners on measures to cushion potential negative impact of the removal of the subsidies on the most vulnerable at the bottom 40 per cent of the population.

“One of such measures would be to institute a monthly transport subsidy in the form of cash transfer of N5,000 to between 30 – 40 million deserving Nigerians.”

“We are very optimistic that the recent developments in the oil sector, such as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, hopefully, the full reactivation of the four public refineries in the country, and the completion and coming on stream of the three private refineries under construction in 2022, would significantly boost contribution from the sector to our economic growth efforts.”

Ahmed highlighted that although the move is set for June 2022, the federal government hopes activate the plan before June, which she said was in keeping with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

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No Place For Sharia Court In Ogun State, Says Gov Abiodun

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The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has issued a stern warning against any attempt to establish a Sharia Court in the state without legal authorization.

This comes in response to the circulation of a digital notice announcing the launch of such a court.

In a statement personally signed on Tuesday, Governor Abiodun emphasized that Sharia Courts cannot be legally established by individuals or groups outside the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

READ MORE: Monarch Crisis: Ogun Court Strips Macgregor Of Olu of Orile Ilawo Title

He reaffirmed that the state government only recognizes courts constituted through the legal framework of the Constitution and state laws.

“No Sharia Court is authorized to operate within Ogun State,” Abiodun stated. “The courts legally empowered to adjudicate disputes in the state are Magistrates’ Courts, High Court, Customary Courts, Customary Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.”

He further clarified that Sharia law does not form part of the legal framework in Ogun State and warned against the operation of unauthorized courts or assemblies.

According to the Governor, the state government respects the rights of individuals to practice their religion and apply their faith in personal matters.

However, this freedom does not extend to the creation of institutions or courts without proper legal backing.

Governor Abiodun directed all individuals involved in the creation or operation of the illegal Sharia Court to immediately cease all activities and disband the entity.

He also urged the public to disregard any summons, documents, or communications from the unauthorized court and to report such incidents to the authorities.

“The Ogun State Government will uphold the rule of law, ensure respect for the legal and judicial framework within the state, and prevent any breakdown of law and order,” the statement concluded.

 

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NEWS

JUST IN: Tinubu Returns To Abuja After Energy Summit In Tanzania

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I’m Working Tirelessly To Solve Nigeria’s Problems, Says Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after attending the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The presidential aircraft, 001, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 7:40 pm on Tuesday, according to the State House media office.

The President was received by top government officials, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

READ ALSO: ‘I Can Only Be Removed At A National Convention – PDP’s Samuel Anyanwu Declares

The summit, organized by the Tanzanian government in partnership with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, centered on advancing “Mission 300,” an initiative designed to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.

During the event, African leaders, private sector representatives, development partners, and civil society organizations discussed strategies to overcome the continent’s energy challenges.

Discussions focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and accelerating energy access in underserved regions, with an emphasis on mobilizing private sector investment.

On the opening day, ministers from participating nations presented their national energy strategies, known as compacts, which outlined their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.

The summit culminated in the endorsement of the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration by Heads of State, including President Tinubu, which charts a unified path for achieving the goals of Mission 300.

In his address, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa’s energy sector and emphasized the country’s commitment to universal energy access.

He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and detailed its strategy for integrated energy delivery across the continent.

“Nigeria remains committed to achieving universal access to energy and will continue to champion solutions that integrate renewable energy and enhance efficiency across Africa,” Tinubu said.

The President was accompanied by key members of his administration, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; and Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen.

 

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Fire Breaks Out On Air Busan Plane In South Korea, One Injured

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An Air Busan passenger plane caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of 176 people on board, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The incident occurred at around 10:30 p.m. local time (1330 GMT) as the aircraft, which was bound for Hong Kong, ignited near its tail section.

A total of 169 passengers and seven flight attendants were evacuated using inflatable slides, Yonhap reported.

SEE ALSO: South Korean Court To Decide Fate Of Detained President Yoon Suk Yeol

One person sustained injuries during the evacuation, but no further details about the injury or the fire’s cause were immediately available.

South Korea’s Busan fire authorities were not reachable for comment, according to AFP.

This incident comes just weeks after South Korea’s worst aviation disaster in decades.

Recall that on December 29, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash-landed and exploded after striking a concrete barrier at Muan International Airport.

The crash killed 179 of the 181 passengers and crew on board.

According to Flightradar24, Air Busan’s fleet is composed entirely of Airbus aircraft.

The cause of Tuesday’s fire is under investigation.

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