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Mutfwang Proposes N295.4bn Budget for 2024

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang has laid the 2024 proposed budget estimate of N295,434,568,464.00 billion before the State House of Assembly with a call on the lawmakers to give the budget kind consideration and speedy passage into law.
The 2024 budget had the Finance and Economics sector receiving the lion share with the sum of N26.
1billion naira representing 18. 98% of the estimated capital, followed by Land, Housing and Urban Development with over N20.6 billion naira representing 14.96% of the estimated budget respectively.Mutfwang made the appeal while presenting the 2024 appropriation bill before the State House of Assembly on Tuesday in Jos, the state capital.
He noted that the total budget size shows an increase of N145,483,233,873.00, over the 2023 approved budget.
“Finance and Economy, the sum of Twenty-Six Billion, One Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-Nine Naira only (N26,169,235,279.00), representing 18.98% of the total capital estimate has been allocated to this sub-sector to facilitate the implementation of government projects and programmes in the state, as well as to manage the resources effectively.
“Land, Housing and Urban Development, in this sub-sector, government projected the sum of Twenty Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Eight Naira only (N20,627,993,898.00), to handle the issues of land compensation, streets naming and housing projects in Plateau state; the amount represents 14.96% of the total capital estimate.”Mutfwang stated.
The proposed budget estimate of N295,434,568,464.00 has a recurrent component of N157,563,316,462.00 representing 53.33% of the total budget size while the capital estimate of N137,871,251,992.00, only representing 46.66% of the total budget estimate.
The Administrative Sector has been allocated the sum of Twenty-Two Billion, One Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-Five Naira
(N22,187,889,445.00), to finance both the ongoing and new projects in the 2024 fiscal year as well as to facilitate smooth running of government programmes in the state, this amount represents 16.06% of the capital estimate.
The Education sub-sector received the sum of N10.4 billion representing 7.61% to revamp all education related projects and programmes in 2024 fiscal year from Primary, Secondary to Tertiary Institutions in the State.
Meanwhile the sum of N10.1 billion has been earmarked for the Agric sub-sector to boost agricultural activities in the state, it is projected to intervene in the area of farming, acquisition of farm inputs, procurement of equipment and
counterpart funding. This represents 7.38% of the capital estimate.
The Works and Transport sectors received N14. 3 billion representing 10.42% of the total capital estimate to be utilized for the construction of roads in the state and to revamp the transport sub-sector in the 2024 fiscal year.
Governor Mutfwang noted that the 2024 Budget tagged “The Budget of New Beginnings” is aimed at laying a solid foundation for the Peace and Prosperity of Plateau State. “The vision and mission of the present administration is to intervene in the area of security, Agriculture, human capital development, public health, industrialization and aggressive revenue generation.” He reiterated.
He noted that the 2024 proposed budget was prepared in line with the guidelines of the State Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) as well as the Local Governance Principle where stakeholder’s consultative forum in the three senatorial zones of the state were conducted to get their inputs.
“It is also important to inform this house that the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) is still key in the implementation of our budget to ensure that accountability and transparency is observed in governance.
“Having considered the plight and aspirations of the citizens, Mr. Speaker, I wish to state here that the implementation of the budget will be people-oriented, thereby impacting positively on the lives of the citizenry.”
Mutfwang restated that the Agenda of the Time is Now philosophy will be anchored on “Good Governance, Peace, Security and Justice, Revamping Agricultural Transformation, Education and Human Capital Development, Public Health, Environment and Mineral Development, Infrastructure and Industrialization and Taxation/Resource Mobilization.”
The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Moses Sule has assured the Governor that the State Assembly is going to give speedy consideration to the budget in the interest of citizens of Plateau State. And called on all Ministries, Department and Agencies to get ready for their defense.
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FG Disburses N5.12bn Pension Arrears to 90,689 DBS Pensioners

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has released funds for the disbursement of N5.12 billion in pension arrears to 90,689 Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners under the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate.This was contained in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications of PTAD, Olugbenga Ajayi.
He said that the directorate had finalised the disbursement of the money. The Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and Prisons Pension Department (CIPPD) pensioners are 8,626, received N276,032, for one-month arrears; the Police, Pension Department (PPD) pensioners are 9,681, received N619,584, for two months as arrears. The Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD) pensioners are 12,773, received N408,736, for one-month arrears, and the Parastatals Pension Department (PAPD) pensioners are 59,609, received N3,814,He said that the payment reaffirms the administration’s commitment to ensuring that pensioners receive their due entitlements in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola TinubuAccording to the statement, the approvals align with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.“This move shows President Tinubu’s strong commitment to senior citizens’ welfare and marks a new era in DBS pension management,” said PTAD, Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya.Among the key measures is the immediate implementation of an extra budgetary allocation to enforce new pension rates for DBS pensioners.The President also endorsed the adoption of a proposed pension harmonisation policy, which will be incorporated into the 2026 pension budget. Additionally, health insurance coverage for all DBS pensioners has been approved, ensuring access to essential healthcare services.The proposed reforms include a new pension rate of N32,000 and incremental increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for pensioners from defunct and privatised agencies. Other components of the reform package include harmonisation of pension rates across all DBS pensioners and their enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).In June, PTAD announced the successful disbursement of N8.6 billion in pension arrears to 148,625 eligible DBS pensioners across various sectors. The payments reflect the implementation of the N32,000 pension increment approved by President Tinubu in 2024.PTAD had previously settled arrears related to the first pension increment of 20% to 28%, which came into effect in January 2024.COVER
NAF Offensive Decimates 592 Terrorists, Destroys 372 Assets in Eight Months

By David Torough, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed no fewer than 592 terrorists and destroyed 372 enemy assets in Borno within the last eight months, surpassing the total operational gains recorded in 2024.A statement by NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame yesterday said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said this during a courtesy visit to Gov.
Babagana Zulum of Borno. Abubakar said the offensive had destroyed 206 technical vehicles and 166 logistics hubs in deep hostile territory, with coordinated day-and-night strikes from Gonori to Rann, Dikwa to Damboa, Azir to Mallam Fatori.He said the offensive had been boosted by the deployment of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft capable of precision and night missions, Mi-171 helicopters for medical evacuation and logistics, and enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms for round-the-clock target tracking.He added that a new Mi-35 gunship was expected to further intensify close-air support for ground troops in the theatre.“Backed by an upgraded fleet and precision night-strike capabilities, NAF aircraft executed 798 combat sorties, clocking over 1,500 operational flight hours in the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.“This year, our air war is faster, sharper, and more surgical.“We are taking out high-value targets, crippling their logistics, and hunting down every cell that threatens the peace of the North-East,” he said.The CAS also praised the “Borno Model” of combining community-driven non-kinetic measures with decisive military action, saying it had proven effective in the counter-insurgency campaign.He also inspected facilities at the NAF Base, met with aircrew and ground personnel, and received operational briefings.He reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to precision air power, intelligence-led operations, and inter-agency collaboration to protect Nigerians.In his response, Gov. Zulum praised the NAF for its sustained air support in degrading terrorist capabilities and protecting communities.According to him, the NAF has been a steadfast partner in their fight against insurgency.“Your operations have saved countless lives and allowed our communities to begin rebuilding.“The people of Borno recognise your sacrifices and stand firmly behind you,” he said.COVER
Over 8,000 Mentally ill Inmates in Custody Nationwide, Says NCoS

By Divine Ndukwe, Abuja
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that at least 8,246 inmates across the country’s custodial centres are living with mental health conditions.Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Dr.
Glory Essien, revealed the figures yesterday in Abuja during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture and Other Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS. Essien described incarceration as a deeply stressful experience, noting that the loss of freedom can trigger or worsen mental health conditions. She explained that inmate-leaders are trained to identify and report cases of psychological distress for early intervention, but available resources remain insufficient.“If you’re in a facility housing 500 to 1,000 inmates, with just one doctor or psychologist, monitoring everyone individually is impossible,” she said, citing logistical and funding challenges that hamper adequate care.Similarly, the NCoS Assistant Controller General in charge of Pharmaceutical Services, Mohammed Bashir, acknowledged that drug shortages and limited staffing remain major obstacles despite government funding.He revealed that a psychological services unit has been established, partnering with psychiatric associations to visit major facilities, though resources still fall short of demand.Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, called for urgent private sector support, stressing the need to deploy more psychiatric professionals to underserved states. “Please come to Macedonia and help us,” she appealed to the Nigerian Medical Association and pharmaceutical companies.Meanwhile, in Kwara State, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed alarm over rising mental health issues among doctors, linking the trend to burnout, workplace violence, and poor working conditions.Kwara NMA Chairman, Prof. Olushola Abdulrahman Afolabi, said a significant proportion of doctors experience depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders, often without seeking help due to stigma.Former NMA chairman, Prof. Issa Baba Awoye, warned that current figures could be worse than past studies, especially in resource-poor settings.The NMA is advocating for mandatory mental health evaluations for doctors, alongside increased awareness and stigma reduction campaigns. “Our healthcare system can only be as strong as the mental and physical well-being of those who sustain it,” Afolabi stated.Both the NCoS and NMA agree that mental health care must be prioritized, not just for inmates, but for those tasked with caring for the nation.