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NASS Renovation: Uncertainty Trails Buhari’s 2023 Budget Presentation

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2022

Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2022 budget presentation before the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday.

The Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has expressed uncertainty over the physical presence of President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Assembly complex for the presentation of the proposed N19.76 trillion 2023 budget to a joint session of both chambers next month due to ongoing renovation of the chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Lawan made this known during the inspection of room 022 being put in shape as the temporary chamber for the Senate on resumption, Tuesday, next week, after its six weeks annual leave which started in July.

Lawan, while addressing journalists, said the National Assembly was expecting the President to present the 2023 budget hopefully in the first week of October, but the renovation work going on was creating the challenge of where to host the number one citizen.

Lawan said, “The Green Chamber of the House of Representatives normally used for such important events is also being renovated, calling for urgent action from the leadership of both chambers on resumption, on how to address the challenge. Although, it might not take place here. That will be one of the issues we would tackle once we resume.”

He disclosed that one of the urgent legislative assignments that would be carried out by the Senate on resumption next week would be the confirmation of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“First on our table is the request for confirmation of the acting CJN. The President has sent the request but it came a day before the Senate went on its annual summer recess. Therefore, this is going to be one of the first things we need to do to ensure that the acting capacity does not go beyond the prescribed three months.

“The Senate would have confirmed his appointment before proceeding on recess in July but request to that effect was gotten from Mr President a day preceding the long recess.”

He said further that issues of national security which had improved and consideration of the 2023 – 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, would also be accorded legislative priority on resumption.

Lawan added, “Also, our economy is challenged and it is our focus to make sure that our economy works for all Nigerians regardless of their socio-economic status when the budget is passed. We are optimistic that we will be able to pass a budget that will provide for better lives for Nigerians.”

The Senate president further promised that the 2023 budget would help Nigerians live better lives while the security of Nigerians would not be left behind.

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News

JUST IN: NCC Suspends Issuance Of Virtual Operators Licence, Two Others

Published

31 mins ago

May 17, 2024

Editor

The Nigerian Communication Commission has announced a temporary suspension of new licence issuance to operators in three categories.

The categories are Mobile Virtual Network Operator Licence, Interconnect Exchange Licence and Value Added Service Aggregator Licence.

A virtual operator is a company that does not own a mobile spectrum licence but sells mobile services under its brand name using the network of a licensed mobile operator. Currently, there are at least 25 operators.

The Interconnect Exchange Licence is a network facility that enables the interconnection of more than two independent connecting entities to facilitate the transfer of electronic communications.

While VAS aggregators are non‐core network telecommunication services which are beyond standard voice calls.

These services include internet, directory service, paging service, voice mail and prepaid calling card service, call centre services, content services, and vehicle tracking.

The NCC said the suspension is in line with its powers under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to grant, renew licenses and promote fair competition.

The commission, in a public notice posted on its X handle on Friday, said the temporary suspension is to enable a thorough review of several key areas of market saturation, competition level and current market dynamics.

The notice titled, “Temporary Suspension Of The Issuance Of Communications Licences In Three Categories” was signed by the Director, Public Affairs Department, Nigerian Communications Commission, Reuben Muoka.

The notice read, “In line with its powers under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to grant and renew licenses, promote fair competition and develop the Communications Industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (The Commissions) hereby informs all stakeholders of a temporary suspension on issuance of new licenses in the following categories, Interconnect Exchange License, Mobile Virtual Network Operator License and Value Added Service Aggregator License.

“This temporary suspension is necessary to enable the commission to conduct a thorough review of several key areas within these categories, including the current level of competition, market saturation and current market dynamics.”

It, however, noted that the new directive doesn’t affect pending applications which would be considered based on merit.

“The public is invited to note that during the suspension period commencing on 17th of May, 2024, new applications for the aforementioned licenses will not be accepted. This is without prejudice to pending applications before the Commission which will be considered on its merits.

“Any enquiries of clarification in respect of this Suspension Notice should be forwarded to: licensing@ncc.gov.ng,” the statement read.

In recent times, the telecommunications sector has been faced with a myriad of issues raising concerns about sustainability and efficient service delivery amid ongoing economic challenges.

Record high inflation has reduced purchasing power and a currency devaluation has cut margins.

These challenges are exacerbated by the issue of multiple taxation and regulations and prohibitive right-of-way charges, inadequate electric power supply, and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.

News

Bauchi Commissioner Gifts 3 Students Cash For Prompt Resumption, Ability To Read

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Editor

The Bauchi state Commissioner for Education, Dr Jamila Dahiru, on Thursday, gave a cash gift of N5,000 each to three Senior Secondary II students of Government Science Secondary School, Misau for their determination to succeed in Education.

Two of the students, Adamu Adamu, Mustapha and Haruna impressed the commissioner for their presence in school in the first day of resumption while Abdullahi Musa marvelled her for his reading ability and comprehension.

According to the commissioner, the gesture was to appreciate their determination to learn as well and motivate other students to emulate them.

While paying a courtesy visit to the Emir of Misau, Alh. Ahmed Sulaiman, the commissioner disclosed that the Bauchi State government was working with stakeholders from the Misau Emirate to fine-tune modalities of temporarily accommodating the students of Federal Science Technical College, Misau at its Science Secondary School Misau.

She said the college made the request in a letter to the ministry stating that the facility given to them could no longer accommodate their students population, hence the resolve to convene the stakeholders meeting to fine-tune ways of sharing the facility for the betterment of the state.

She disclosed that government science secondary school Misau, one of the best in the state in terms of befitting facilities has the capacity to accommodate up to five thousand students, but currently houses about three hundred students.

She appreciated the Emir for his continued support to programmes and policies of the government with more emphasis on the education sector.

Speaking on behalf of the Emir and other stakeholders, a retired Director with the Ministry, Muhammad Musa, expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for the honour and promised to assemble critical stakeholders from the emirate so as to arrive at an acceptable decision for the benefit of all and sundry.

News

NDIC Obtains Order To Wind Down 96 Microfinance, Mortgage Banks

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Editor

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation has said that it has obtained Winding up Orders for 96 out of 183 microfinance and primary mortgage banks whose licenses were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria in May 2023.

The Managing Director, NDIC, Bello Hassa, revealed this at a sensitisation seminar for Judges of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday organised by the NDIC, to enlighten the judiciary on the intricacies of the banking industry.

Hassan said, “As at date, the Corporation had obtained Winding up Orders for 96 out of 183 Micro Finance and Primary Mortgage Banks whose licenses were revoked by the CBN in May 2023, in less than one Year of revocation.”

He added that the NDIC was committed to fulfilling its mandate of protecting depositors through bank supervision, failure resolution and liquidation so as to boost confidence in the financial system.

Speaking on the role that the judiciary plays in the fulfillment of the mandate, Hassan said, “We recognise the judiciary as one of our critical stakeholders. With this, when cases are brought before them, they can receive accelerated hearing and proclamation of Justice.”

Citing some of the achievements from previous editions of the seminar, Hassan said that instances where liquidation-related litigations experienced delays were reduced.