News

Polls: We’ve Resolved Petrol Scarcity, Cash Crunch Issues- Prof Yakubu

Published

2 months ago

February 9, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has resolved previous pressing issues of cash crunch and petrol squeeze ahead of the presidential election.

Speaking yesterday , INEC affirmed that it has resolved the issues, according to Chairman of the Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, who briefed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday on its preparation for the exercise, said after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

He explained that the Commission has met with relevant stakeholders on fuel and cash supplies and agreements have been reached on how to make both available as needed.

He, therefore, assured that the electoral umpire is ready to conduct a hitch-free exercise starting the February 25 polls. Mahmood said briefing the council is routine and in keeping with the tradition on the eve of general elections, revealing that the Commission will also brief the Council of States on Friday.

Asked to provide insight on the meeting, he said: “It is a general briefing. It’s in keeping with the tradition that on the eve of major elections, general elections in particular, the Commission is invited to brief Council.

It is also invited to brief the Council of State. The briefing for the Council of State is going to take place on Friday, the 10th. So, it’s about the readiness of the Commission to conduct the elections.

“So, we took members of Council through all the preparations that we have put in place for the election and the few challenges that we are facing and the steps that we have taken to address those challenges.“I can tell you two of these challenges quickly. The first one is the availability of petroleum products. We had a meeting with the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and they raised that as an issue of concern

.“Immediately after that meeting, we interfaced with the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and right now, a technical committee is working.

“The idea is for them to avail us the use of their over 900 land mega stations as well as floating mega stations nationwide, to stock products to ensure that the Commission doesn’t suffer any encumbrances in the movement of personnel and materials for the election.

“The second one is the currency issue. Again, we had an engagement yesterday with the Governor of the Central Bank, and he assured us that the Commission will not suffer any encumbrances on that score.

“Fortunately for us, all our accounts, national and state, are held by the apex bank.“So, we raised those challenges, but we have found a solution to those challenges.So, be rest assured that the election will hold as scheduled; on the 25th of February for the national and on the 11th of March for the state election.”

News

FG Approves N24.2bn For Free Internet At Airports, Schools, Markets

Published

7 hours ago

March 30, 2023

Thebig Eye

THE Federal Government has approved free internet services worth N24.2 billion naira at 20 selected airports, 43 universities and six markets across the country.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami, disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday

Pantami said that the airports were selected from the six geo-political zones.

“Certain intervention projects are going to be implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Communications Commission of providing Internet in 20 selected airports in Nigeria and higher institutions of learning and also some markets to support micro small and medium enterprises.

“In each geopolitical zone, you have around three airports. In the South-West, we have Lagos and Ondo. For the South-East, we have Anambra and Enugu.

“For the South-South, we have Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom. For the North-Central we have Abuja and Ilorin. In the North-West, we have Kano, Sokoto and Kebbi. For the North-East we have Yola, Maiduguri and Gombe.”

The minister said the markets and 43 institutions which include universities and polytechnics were also drawn from the six geopolitical zones, adding that it will ease e-learning in schools and also enhance the transition to a cashless economy.

News

Buhari Approves Appointment Of 6 New Perm Secs

Published

8 hours ago

March 30, 2023

Thebig Eye

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday approved the appointment of six new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service

The appointments followed after a recent conducted selection process.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF),Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, made this known in a statement by Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Communications of the Office of the HOCSF,

The appointees and their states of origin are Esuabana Asanye (Cross River), Mahmud Kambari (Borno), Richard Pheelangwah (Taraba), Lamuwa Ibrahim (Gombe), Yakubu Kofar-Mata (Kano) and Oloruntola Michael (Ogun).

News

DSS Confirms Plot To Install Interim Govt

Published

8 hours ago

March 30, 2023

Thebig Eye

The Department of State Security Service has said that the plot to Instal interim government was real

DSS noted that the plot was “by some key players” to install an interim government and stop Bola Ahmed Tinubu from being inaugurated as president.

A statement on Wednesday, by Peter Afunanya, the public relations officer of the secret police, said: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria.

“The Service considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.

“The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace loving Nigerians. This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country.”