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Naira Depreciates by 0.1% Against Dollar

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The Naira on Friday slightly further depreciated at the official market trading at N1,652.

25 against the dollar.

Data from the official trading platform of the FMDQ Exchange revealed that the Naira lost N2.05.

This represents a 0.12 per cent loss compared to the previous trading date, Thursday, when it exchanged at N1,650.

20 to a dollar.

However, the total daily turnover increased to 296.

63 million dollars on Friday up from 214.73 million dollars recorded on Thursday.

At the Investor’s and Exporter’s (I&E) window, the Naira traded between N1,699.00 and N1,620.00 against the dollar. (NAN)

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Benue Govt spends N5billion on solar-powered streetlight project in State capital

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Benue State Government on Sunday, said it has so far spent N5billion on the ongoing installation of solar-powered streetlights in selected areas of the state capital, Makurdi.

The state Commissioner for energy, science, technology and innovation Mr.
Nick Eworo who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Makurdi, emphasized that the solar streetlight project is not just about beautification but also a vital component in boosting security and socioeconomic activities.
He added that the provision of solar-powered streetlights is in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia administration , which prioritizes the safety and well-being of Benue populace and aligns with the government’s broader vision to utilize renewable energy solutions for sustainable development and security in the state.
Eworo explained that the solar lights have illuminated key areas, particularly in locations where security concerns have been raised due to total darkness, stressing that it has greatly help improving safety for residents, deter criminal activities, and create a more secure environment for both day and night activities”Before now, anyone coming to Makurdi would think is in a topical forest area and that is how the whole of the city was looking dark. It was a sore to my eyes probably because I was coming from Abuja. So, when I have the opportunity to be in Alia’s transition committee, my first point that I raised in the committee was to light up Makurdi. And I tagged it right from there “light up Makurdi metropolis”.After that, I was made commissioner and posted to the ministry of energy, science, technology and innovation. “The feedback has been wonderful. Lots of people are showing so excitements. I can say without contradiction that people appreciate these lights even more than the roads that were done in some places. People would say if Alia has not done anything, these streets lights alone are enough.”Some would say they used to snatched phones at night but for now, that has stopped. If you drive towards around Wadata market in the night, you will see women selling at about 2 O’clock in the night, selling different kinds of goods.”The cost of the project cannot be ascertained now because the initial cost of the project was supposed to be N5 billion as at the time we were doing that, a dollar is N750. But the wise thing we did was that we engaged the contractor from the beginning that, this is what we are going to afford, don’t cost us another bill tomorrow. We have to be realistic, the dollar rate is now N1500. So, in the first phase over N5 billion has be spent”, Eworo state.He intimated that the federal government has no stake in the ongoing Light up Makurdi project as being speculated, stressing that it is completely a State government project that was so dear to governor’s heart. “The light up Makurdi metropolis project was in the heart of the governor and we embarked on the project as one of the major project of this administration. The light up Makurdi project and the 16 roads project within Makurdi town were the first projects that governor first signed to do.Failure is an orphan but success has so many parents. FG has not contributed to the lights project in Makurdi metropolis. FG has not add either one stand or one bulb to what is going on in Makurdi. FG has absolutely nothing to do with the project. It is purely State government project”.The commissioner stated that an Implementation Committee has also been constituted to ensure the smooth take-off of the proposed Governor Hyacinth Alia Skills Acquisition Centre in Makurdi, the State capital.According to him, the Center when fully established, would serve as skills acquisition training institute, to promote science and technological innovation activities to address the effects of unemployment in the stateHe said the committee members are purely academicians drawn from tertiary institutions in the state including;Joseph Saawua Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), Benue State University Makurdi(BSU), Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo(FUSHO) and the University of Mkar.Eworo who did not disclosed the size and members of the committee, intimated his ministry thought it wise to constitute the committee after the ministry was unbounded and needed to develop a holistic science and technology innovation programmes for the state.He maintained that so far, the committee has provided the ministry with viable recommendations that would lead to the establishment of Center seamlessly where people with innovative ideas would come to sharpen their skills

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No Credible Alternative to APC – Masari

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The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari, says that there is no credible alternative to the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) administration in salvaging the plight of Nigerians.

Masari spoke on Sunday in Kafur, Kafur Local Government Area at the inauguration of the campaign for  the state’s local government councils election scheduled for February 15.

“The news making rounds in the social media that some politicians are teaming up for merger is nothing but regrouping of those who lost political favours in the APC, in terms of appointments or patronage.

“Their attempt to form an alliance will not divert the attention of APC from conceiving and implementing programmes that could assuage the pains of the common man” the former Governor of the state added.

Masari urged Nigwrians to exercise more patience with the APC administration, adding that the harsh economic hardship being faced by Nigerians was a global phenomenon.

He said further that as a founding member of the APC, he would remain committed to the ideals of the party.

Masari added, “I am in APC today, tomorrow and always because I am not in the party for any political position or appointment.”

The former speaker charged all APC loyalists to propagate the good works and ideals of the party while pleading with people to take any shortcoming as a human error.

“I am appealing to the people of Kafur Local Government Area to come out en-mass to vote for APC in the coming LG election,”  Masari said.

Speaking at the occasion, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir-Masari, urged APC members across all divides to close ranks and work assiduously to ensure the success of the party all the times.

He announced that Tinubu had awarded a contract for the reconstruction and upgrading of  the Zaria to Malumfashi and  Funtua-Yashe Roads, in an effort to facilitate socio-economic activities.

The presidential aide  also said that the president had approved the establishment of a Federal College of Agricultural at Nabanje, Masari.

Kabir-Masari added, “I can assure you that more developmental projects will be awarded to the people of the area in due course.” (NAN)

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Tariff Hike: NCC Acted in the Best Interest of Nigeria – Sajoh

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A former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Adamawa, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said the recent tariff adjustment by telecommunications companies should be considered as a development in good faith.

Sajoh made this known on Sunday in a statement in Abuja.

He said the hike regulated by the National Communication Commission (NCC) is in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Sajoh urged the Nigerian Labour Congress mobilising for a protest on the issue to be considerate based on realities on ground where the cost of everything has risen.

According to him, the telecommunication companies are compelled to adjust as a last resort to save themselves from total collapse.

“Nigerians may be famous for being resilient, but any increase in cost of living stretches such resilience further.

“But looking at the situation realistically one must be honest in accepting that the dangers of denying the Telecom Operators a cost reflective tariff adjustment at this point in time may be more costly to the consumers in the long run than allowing them to adjust their tariffs.

“Expansion of access and service efficiency are more important even to the consumers than keeping a cap that blocks expansion and better quality service.

“Perhaps allowing them to adjust their tariff to reflect their operational cost and guarantee return on investment may not only be a better option at the moment but the only one necessary,” Sajoh said.

He queried NLC for concluding to go on strike without engaging the public on issues that gave rise to the hike.

“Why is NLC as the Labour Centre leading a protest without engaging the public on the real issues in contention.

“For example the last time a tariff adjustment was carried out in Nigeria was in 2013. That was more than a decade ago. What were the operational costs then and what is it today,” he asked.

While noting the critical role being played by communication, Sajoh said stakeholders should bear with them and demand for better services after the increase instead of the position of protest chosen by NLC.

“In 2013 the minimum wage was N30,000. Today it is N70,000, more than double the amount in 2013. Other operational costs like the cost of fuel, value of the Naira in dollar terms and electricity tariff have all gone up.

“Will it not be unfair to expect the Telecom Industry to stagnate and not respond to these realities? I am not holding brief for them, but I believe that as private sector players, if there is no return on their investment, they may be forced to divest from the economy.

“What organised labour and anyone genuinely concerned about the telecom sector should be advocating for is an affordability template that respects value on investment.

“In such a situation the key factors required of the service provider after the tariff adjustment should be service efficiency,” Sajoh said. (NAN)

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