5 more states receive FG’s bail out funds

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday said that five more states got its bail-out funds meant to alleviate the financial challenges faced by the second tier of government, in order to pay off outstanding salary arrears of their workers. The Director of Corporate Communications of CBN, Alhaji Ibrahim Muazu, said in Abuja that the states that received the funds were Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo, Ogun and Oyo. In a statement, CBN said in order for a state to receive bail out funds, it must submit a resolution of the State Executive Council, SEC, authorizing the borrowing. It must also obtain an approval of the states House of Assembly consenting to it and issue an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order, ISPO, to enable CBN deduct at source when its allocations become available. These 5 states now join 10 states (Kwara, Osun, Zamfara, Niger, Bauchi, Gombe, Abia, Adamawa, Ondo and Kebbi) that had previously received bailouts from the Govt.

FG, Draft Bill for Biotechnology Organization Approved !

In furtherance of Leader Goodluck Jonathan's Change Agenda, a Draft Bill for the establishment of a Biotechnology Development Agency was permitted by the Federal Government Council. Supervising Minister of Data Nurudeen Muhammed observed the establishment of the Agency may promote, coordinate and set bio-technology goal for the country.
Muhammed said,

“Today in council, the Minister of Science and Technology presented another memorandum to seek for council’s approval to transmit to the National Assembly a Draft Bill (2014) for an act to establish a National Biotechnology Development Agency and other related matters. Council deliberated extensively and noted the relevance of this bill in research development, food production, export promotion, import substitution, manufacturing and job creation, which are consistent with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration."
“It unanimously approved for transmission to the National Assembly a Draft Bill (2014) for an act to establish the National Biotechnology Development Agency and other related matters,” he said.

Mr. Muhammed also stated the Act seeks to improve service delivery, efficiency and promote sustenance and innovation in the development and application of acceptable and profitable technologies through strategic investments in biotechnology research and development.

FG to Upgrade Navy Capabilities and Facilities

FG is set to upgrade  the equipment and facilities of the Nigerian Navy within measures meant to improve the fight against insurgency and other crimes. The Minister of Defence General Aliyu Gusau (rtd) disclosed this yesterday at the commissioning of the Naval Headquarters office extension in Abuja, adding the government would continue steadily to cater for the welfare of military personnel.

Chibok girls: FG, B’Haram to meet in Chad again

The Federal Government and the Boko Haram Islamic sect will on Monday meet in Chad to further discuss the release of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno State in April 2014.

This came a week after a botched ceasefire agreement reached by the Federal government and the sect.

The peace talk between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram sect, which is being mediated by the Chadian government, had been called into question since it was announced by the military last week following the refusal of both parties to respect the ceasefire deal.

Nigeria: FG commends Rivers over land donation for housing scheme

WorldStage Newsonline—The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended the Rivers State Government for donating over 10 hectares of land to enable it execute one of its housing programmes.

The Minister of Housing, Ms Amal Pepple who said this when she inspected the parcel of land in Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state stated that “we are very happy to have this collaborative effort because I am not happy that I have not really done anything in Rivers state.”

Pepple who was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, Mr Marshal Uwom also said that with the land, she could now put the stamp of her ministry ”which is the stamp of President Goodluck Jonathan in housing in Rivers state because it is his government and we are all working and ensuring that whatever he wants to do, we do them.”

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