Economy
Ecological Fund: FG Approves 247, Completes 160 Projects
The Ecological Fund Office (EFO) says 160 out of 247 projects approved by the Federal Government from 2015 till date, have been completed and handed over to the benefiting communities
The Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr Habiba Lawal, disclosed this at the 2020 Annual Media Interactive Session on Tuesday in Abuja.
Lawal said that 45 other projects had also been completed but were waiting for commissioning, while 42 others were at various stages of completion.
“We will make sure that the remaining 42 projects will continue having steady progress. We will as well be committed to the discharge of our mandate within the limit of available resources.
“With the commitment of Mr President, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, and the hard working management and staff of EFO, we shall ensure that our mandate is delivered in the years ahead.
“Our challenge has been dwindling resources as a result of the crash in the price of crude due to COVID-19 pandemic and three agencies that draw money in different percentages from the ecological fund,’’ she said.
According to her, the National Emergency Management Agency, whose mandate was to manage all emergencies and natural disasters, including ecological disasters draws 20 per cent.
“The National Agency for Great Green Wall whose mandate was to address land degradation, desertification and drought problems in the 11 Northern states also draws five per cent.
“The North East Development Commission draws 10 per cent,” she said.
She said that in spite of these challenges being faced by EFO, the office would continue to work hard to address ecological issues in the country.
The permanent secretary said that the office would put in place reasonable implementation strategies for quick response and intervention to ecological challenges in the country.
She mentioned the strategies as quarterly request and approval as well as ensuring that every geo-political zone was captured in the approval by the President
The permanent secretary said that EFO had introduced a stakeholders` forum for sensitisation among benefiting communities.
Lawal added that provision of monitoring templates for project officers, upgrading of the Information Communication Technology office and the introduction of manuals to educate stakeholders were also part of the strategies.
She said that the office was currently in custody of a huge databank of project requests received from all the stakeholders that cut across the six geo-political zones.
She said that the office was an intervention fund set up to address the multifarious ecological challenges in the country.
Lawal said that “the office collates proposed projects for the Federal Government’s intervention and also coordinates the implementation of the projects.” (NAN)
Economy
Minister Says Upgrading MAN to Varsity will Unlock Maritime Opportunities
Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy says upgrading the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron to a university, will unlock opportunities in the maritime economy.
Oyetola made the expression at the 2024 MAN cadets graduation ceremony in Oron, Akwa Ibom on Saturday.
Represented by Mr Babatunde Bombata, the Director, Maritime Safety and Security, the minister said the Federal Government was working assiduously to unlock opportunities within the marine and blue economy.
He said that the ministry was already collaborating with the Ministry of Education and the Nigerian Universities Commission to ensure MAN’s seamless transition to a university.
“It is our hope that this upgrade will unlock new opportunities for advanced learning, cutting edge research and innovation within the marine and blue economy fields,” he said.
Oyetola urged the graduating cadets to be innovative, resourceful and forward looking in their future endeavours.
“The maritime and blue economy sectors are filled with opportunities, so your contributions to the sector will be instrumental in ensuring a brighter future.
“The government is committed to fostering excellence and innovation in these fields, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact you will make in your careers,” he said.
He further said that the Federal Government was working on developing a national policy on marine and blue economy.
“This policy will serve as a strategic framework to drive economic diversification, attract investments, create jobs and youth empowerment.
In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, said the state government would continue to collaborate with the academy to develop the maritime sector.
Represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Gen. Koko Essien, (Rtd), Eno urged the graduating cadets to utilise their training in developing the maritime sector.
“I am hopeful that you will utilise the training you have acquired here to further your career as seafarers and in the development of our blue economy,” he said.
Eno commended the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna and his management team for their commitment towards repositioning the academy for greater results.
Earlier, Okonna said that graduates of the institution had contributed immensely to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy.
“Today, we have an opportunity to celebrate a new set of well-trained personnel to the maritime and allied industries.
“We pride ourselves as the pioneer maritime training institution, this is because of the institution’s contributions to national development,” he said.
The acting rector urged the graduating cadets to made effective use of the knowledge gained during their training to make meaningful impact on the growth of the maritime sector.
Report says that awards were given to graduating cadets who distinguished themselves in character and learning. (NAN)
Economy
Investors Gain N183bn on NGX
The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) continued its bullish trend on Wednesday, gaining N183 billion.
Accordingly, the market capitalisation, which opened at N59.532 trillion, gained N184 billion or 0.31 per cent to close at N59.715 trillion.
The All-Share Index also added 0.31 per cent or 303 points, to settle at 98,509.
68, against 98,206. 97 recorded on Tuesday.Consequently, the Year-To-Date (YTD) return increased to 31.
74 per cent.Gains in Aradel Holdings, Zenith Bank, United Bank For Africa(UBA), Oando Plc, Nigerian Breweries among other advanced equities drove the market performance up.
Market breadth closed positive with 34 gainers and 17 losers.
On the gainers’ chart, Africa Prudential, Conoil and RT Briscoe led by 10 per cent each to close at N14.30, N352 and N2.42 per share, respectively.
Golden Guinea Breweries followed by 9.95 per cent to close at N7.18, while NEM Insurance rose by 9.74 per cent to close at N10.70 per share.
On the other hand, Julius Berger led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N155.25, Secure Electronic Technology Plc trailed by 9.52 per cent to close at 57k per share.
Multiverse lost 7.63 per cent to close at N5.45, Haldane McCall dropped 6.07 per cent to close at N4.95 and Honeywell Flour shed 5.62 per cent to close at N4.70 per share.
Analysis of the market activities showed trade turnover settled lower relative to the previous session, with the value of transactions down by 49.44 per cent.
A total of 320.10 million shares valued at N6.48 billion were exchanged in 7,943 deals, compared with 939.41 million shares valued at N12.81billion traded in 9,098 deals posted in the previous session.
Meanwhile, ETranzact led the activity chart in volume with 70.27 million shares, while Aradel led in value of deals worth N1.22 billion.(NAN)
Economy
Yuan Weakens to 7.1870 Against Dollar
The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the Yuan, weakened 22 pips to 7.1870 against the dollar on Monday.This is according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.In China’s spot foreign exchange market, the Yuan is allowed to rise or fall by two per cent from the central parity rate each trading day.
The central parity rate of the Yuan against the dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day. (Xinhua/NAN)