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National Assembly Passes N9.120trn 2018 Budget

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THE National Assembly on Wednesday passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill.

The lawmakers during plenary passed the total sum of N9.120 trillion, an increase of N508 billion from the N8.612 trillion originally presented to the Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje after consultation with the Executive, the oil benchmark price was increased from 45 to 51 dollars.

He stressed that the additional 508 billion added to the budget was applied in critical sectors of the economy such as: reduction of the deficit, security, health and power, works and housing.

Also, the House of Representatives passed the 2018 budget with a recurrent expenditure of 3,512,677,902,077 and capital expenditure of 2,873,400,351,825.

A debt servicing cost of 2,203,835,365,699 and statutory transfers of 530,421,368,624.

The passage of the budget had earlier been delayed because the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies had not submitted details of their budget proposals, which led to the Senate giving them a one-week ultimatum to submit details of their 2018 budget proposals or risk sanctions.

The President, Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2017, presented a budget of N8.612 trillion before a joint session of the National Assembly.

President Buhari said, “the 2018 budget will consolidate on the achievements of the previous budget and that 2018 is expected to be a year of better outcomes”.

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Rainstorm plunges forty Ogun communities into darkness

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Forty communities in Ogun State have been plunged into darkness following a rainstorm on Sunday.

The downpour, which began midday, destroyed electricity facilities in some parts of the state, leading to a blackout.

“Due to broken poles occasioned by the heavy downpour at Ota and Mowe, customers in the following communities: lyana lyesi, Osuke Town, Egan Road, lyana Ilogbo, Ijaba, Ijagba, Itele, Lafenwa, Singer, Joju, Alishiba, Oju Ore, Tollgate, Eledi, Akeja, Abebi, Osi Round About, Ota Town, Ota Industrial Estate, Igberen, lju, Atan, Onipanu, Obasanjo, Lusada, Arigba, Odugbe, Ado-Odo, Igbesa, Owode,” the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said in a statement late Sunday.

“Olokuta, Hanushi, Bamtish Camp Lufiwape, Eltees Farm, August Engineering, Spark Cear Soap Ayetoro, Amazing Grace Oil, Christopher University, Royal Garden Estate, Pentagon Estate, and environs are experiencing power outages”.

It called on residents of the areas to avoid “contact with the broken poles, saggy wires or any other electrical installation affected by the rain.

“Our technical team is working to clear and replace the broken poles and installations to ensure power supply is restored as soon as possible,” IBEDC said.

A video circulating on social media showed fallen electricity poles on vehicles in a flooded Sango-Ota area of the state.

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Israel Vows To Increase ‘Military Pressure’ On Hamas In ‘Coming Days’

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(FILES) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo by Abir SULTAN / POOL / AFP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Israel will increase “military pressure” on Palestinian militant group Hamas in a bid to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

“In the coming days we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages,” Netanyahu said in a video statement on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, threatening to “deliver additional and painful blows” without specifying.

Despite an international outcry, Netanyahu has repeatedly said that the army will launch a ground assault on Rafah, a southern Gaza city so far spared an Israeli invasion where more than 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge.

The army has said some of the hostages abducted from southern Israel during Hamas’s October 7 attack that sparked the war were being held in Rafah.

Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement later on Sunday that “the chief of staff has approved the next steps for the war,” without offering details.

“On Passover, it will be 200 days of captivity for the hostages… We will fight until you return home to us.”

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FG to Launch CNG Initiative Ahead of Tinubu’s Anniversary

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The presidency announced on Sunday that the Federal Government is gearing up to launch its compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative in May, coinciding with President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming first anniversary in office.

Tinubu had declared the end of the fuel subsidy era during his inauguration, a move that led to a surge in fuel prices.

However, he assured the public of implementing measures to mitigate the impact, including the introduction of CNG-powered mass transit buses and tricycles.

According to presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, the initiative is now ready to be set in motion after nearly a year in the making.

Onanuga stated in a late Sunday statement, “In all, over 600 buses are targeted for production in the first phase that will be accomplished this year.”

He further elaborated on the plans, mentioning, “A new plant on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will assemble thousands of tricycles.”

Onanuga revealed that parts manufactured by Chinese company LUOJIA, in partnership with local entities, are en route to Nigeria and expected to arrive early in May.

He added, “About 2,500 of the tricycles will be ready before May 29, 2024.”

The Federal Government aims to procure “5,500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 Electric buses, and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits,” Onanuga explained.

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He also highlighted efforts to facilitate the development of CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations.

President Tinubu’s approval of tax and duty waivers in December 2023 has paved the way for collaboration with the private sector to advance the initiative.

Onanuga noted, “The private sector has responded with over $50 million in actual investments in refueling stations, conversion centers, and mother stations.”

Additionally, plans are underway to assist petrol-powered buses and taxis in transitioning to CNG. Onanuga assured, “Thousands of conversion kits for petrol-powered buses and taxis that want to migrate to CNG are also ready with CNG cylinders.”

In response to negotiations with labour unions over the subsidy removal effects, Tinubu has urged patience from Nigerians, expressing confidence in the long-term benefits of his reforms.

As part of the government’s efforts, a package includes a temporary pay increase for federal employees, suspension of VAT on diesel, and social security cash transfers to the poorest citizens.

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