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Routine Maintenance of Facilities at State House to gulp N7.20billion

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***N1.96billion for vehicle purchase 

The State House, has set aside N7.20billion for maintenance of Presidential Villa facilities being part of N21.137billion budgetary proposals for 2023 fiscal year

It has also set aside N1.96b for vehicle purchase in the fiscal year and N644million for maintenance of State House Lagos Complex and Guest Houses .

At the presentations before the Senate Committee on Federal Character on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary State House, Tijjani Umar said the proposals and projections, were inadequate.

According to him, the total budget size of N21.137billion for State House in 2023 is N19.010billion less, when compared to the N40.148billion appropriated for it in 2022 fiscal year.

The N7.20billion earmarked for maintenance of Villa Facilities he explained, formed the critical component of the Capital Expenditure segment of the proposed budget 

“The facilities under this heading include but are not limited to electrical/mechanical installations, buildings and infrastructures in the President’s and Vice President’s residences, offices, State House Auditorium, Presidential and Ministerial Airport Chalets etc 

“These commitment usually take about 65% of the total appropriation of the State House. In order to keep the facilities in optimal working condition, the sum of N7.20billion has been proposed for year 2023 against the sum of N7.76billion in 2022”, he said.

He added that 2023 being an election year, the sum of N1.96billion earmarked for vehicle purchase was inadequate just as provision of N59million for maintenance of State House Lagos Complex and Guest Houses, is grossly inadequate.

“The provision of N59million for maintenance of State House Lagos Complex and Guest Houses is inadequate, requiring an estimated sum of N644million for upgrade of the facilities.

“It is also instructive to note that the provision of N1.96billion in the 2023 proposal for vehicle purchase , would still be inadequate to meet existing requirements, 2023 being an election year which entails frequent travels with associated costs as well as the replacement of vehicles by incoming administration ” , he said .

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abba Moro ( PDP Benue South), said the slash in the State House budget for 2023 fiscal year, was not peculiar as other MDAs were equally affected .

He assured the Perm Sec that the committee will work on it.

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FCT News

FCT minister for State performs Zuba Modern Market ground breaking ceremony

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Dr. Mariya Mahmoud
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Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has performed the ground breaking for the construction of Zuba Relief Market In the Gwagwalada Area Council under Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
Special adviser on media to the minister Austine Elemue in a statement quoted the minister at the event to indicated that the ceremony is a confirmation of the administration’s commitment to the provision of critical infrastructures to residents, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.
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She described the ground breaking was a bold step by the FCT Administration through the Gwagwalada Area Council towards reducing the burden on funding through budgetary allocations.

Explaining further she said, the Zuba Modern Market was awarded to Khuntex Engineering Company Limited in December 2021, on a Public Private Partnership agreement, to redevelop the market to a modern market. 

According to her the agreement was for the Area Council to provide unencumbered land and Khuntex to fund the construction 100 percent.

“To solve the protracted funding issue, the Gwagwalada Area Council decided to explore private sector funding options as we are witnessing today which leverages the utilisation of private sector in exchange for land as a resource for the redevelopement of the Zuba Modern Market, amongst other Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) initiatives”.

While emphasising the importance of robust market infrastructure in rural areas, the minister noted that rural markets serve as the lifeline of countless communities, providing a platform for farmers and artisans to sell their produce and goods.

Mahmoud assured that through collaboration, the rural markets are equipped with modern facilities that would not only enhance the efficiency of agricultural value chains, but also empower rural entrepreneurs to access larger markets and attain better prices for their products.

She said; “the redevelopment of this Zuba modern market under public-private partnerships fosters economic resilience and social inclusion.

“It generates employment opportunities, enhances income levels, and promotes skill development among rural youth”.

In his remarks, the chairmen and chief executive of Khuntex Engineering Company Ltd. Engr. Dayo Jigan, assured that the first phase of the project would be completed in 10 months, as a mark of unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit of two dynamic forces.

He, however, expressed his appreciation to the administration, for their leadership foresight in initiating the remodeling of Zuba modern market.

He described the partnership as a labour of love and dedication.

On his part, the chairman of Gwagwalada Area Councils, Hon. Abubakar Giri, identified the Zuba modern market as one of the major markets that would boost the revenue base of Gwagwalada Area Council. 

He promised that other abandoned markets within the area council would be revived, even as he called on the contractor to complete the construction work within the stipulated period.

Recall that the 618 Zuba modern market will consists of mixed units of open/lock up shops, warehouses, eatery, banking hall, restaurant, police post, fire station, public toilet, bus loading bay as well as other amenities in line with global standard.

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Mahmoud rallies support for Renewed Hope Initiative

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FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has urged women leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to come up with ideas that would support the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to succeed.
The Minister who made this call when women leaders of the APC paid her a sympathy visit in her office.
Special adviser on media to the minister Austine Elemue quoted the Minister to have also tasked them to work together for the interest of all Nigerians.
Mahmoud also reiterated the need to bring women closer, not only when elections are around the corners, but for the purpose of building an inclusive society.
She, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his style of leadership, stressing that the government is on the right track towards building an inclusive society.
According to her; “for us to achieve the issue of inclusion, we have to work together. And that is even the logo of our great party, the broom tied together.
“We have to synergize for us to achieve. We have to be working together with synergy. We need to know what is happening in Taraba, we need to know what is happening in Katsina, we need to know what is happening in Imo.

“And more importantly we need to know how we can assist our mother, the First Lady of Federal Republic of Nigeria. What are her methods of getting closer to our women so that we apply same in Kano, we apply same in Katsina and other states of the federation for us to achieve.

“We have to bring these women closer. Not when elections are around the corner. So we need to be close because we need to advise the First Ladies of our states. We have to really work harder. We have to brainstorm and come up with practical ideas”.
While speaking on the recent infrastructural developments in the FCT, Mahmoud assured her guests that before the end of the tenure, residents of the territory would witnessed several changes in terms of infrastructures, agriculture, people’s welfare, education and health sector.
In her words; “And I want to assure you that this is just the beginning. Before the end of the tenure, you will see several changes in terms of infrastructures, in terms of agriculture, in terms of our people’s welfare, and then also education and health sector at large”.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the leader of the delegation and National Deputy Women Leader of the APC, Hajia Zaniab Ibrahim, commended the FCT Minister of State for her team work, noting that the recent changes in the nation’s capital was as a result of committed team work.
While expressing sympathy over the fire incident that gutted the minister’s residence two weeks ago, she however pledged the commitment of APC women to support the programmes and policies of the present. administration.
She said; “the projects we are seeing in recent times in our capital city are worth commendation. We are very happy that both of you are working together for the upliftment of FCT.
“We sincerely hope that these infrastructural development are cascaded to the satellite towns so that our people in the rural areas can feel the impact of the government”.
Present at the occasion were the Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Strategy to FCT Minister of State, Dr. Abdullahi Isah Kauramata, and State Women Leaders of the All Progressives Congress across the federation.

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Council of retired Permanent secretaries (CORFEPS) celebrates its week

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***President Tinubu to declare event open

The Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS) is set to celebrate its maiden CORFEPS week, starting with a Colloquium to be declared open by President Bola Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour, Tuesday, 5th March, 2024

A statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Dr Goke Adegoroye, the National Publicity Secretary of the Council, said the second part will be the Annual General Meeting, at the Atiku Hall, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, on Tuesday 6th of March, 2024 for CORFEPS members only.
According to the statement, the third part will be the Investiture of the Grand Patron, President Tinubu
at the Rotunda Conference Hall of the Tafawa Balewa House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Adegoroye said the colloquium has as its theme, ‘Reflections on Nigeria’s Public Service: Way Forward for Good Governance’.

“The morning session will be chaired by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former Minister of Finance, His Majesty Oluyemi Falae, the Olu of Ilu-Abo and Baba Oba of Akure Kingdom.

“The afternoon session will be chaired by Amb. Babagana Kingibe, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former Minister of Foreign Affairs,” Adegoroye said.

In his words, “Pursuant to its aims and objectives, CORFEPS under its current Chairman has decided to institute the CORFEPS WEEK as a yearly event preferably in the first quarter of each year.
“Commencing this year where, in addition to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) as stipulated in its Articles of Association, members will focus on an issue of national importance which will be exhaustively discussed with a view to providing recommendations on the way forward.
“The CORFEPS WEEK this year has been slated for 5-7 March 2024 and it is coming at an opportune period to enable us celebrate one of the icons of the Nigerian Civil Service, Izoma Philip Asiodu, founding Chairman of CORFEPS and Chairman of the Council’s Board of Trustees, who was 90 years old on 26 February 2024.
Adegoroye listed the Lead Speakers to include, Dr. Bukar Usman, who os highly distinguished retired Perm Sec in the Presidency, who is to give the general overview while Dr. Timiebi Koripamo Agary, OON retired Perm Sec will present the Insider’s Perspective
According to the statement, Mr. Martins Oloja, MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Guardian, Nigeria’s foremost Journalist on Public Policy, will present the Outsider’s Perspective
The statement explained further, there will be three discussants for the Colloquium, all retired Perm Secs, to include Amb (Dr.) Godknows B. Igali, Ammuna Lawan Ali, and Dr. Goke Adegoroye.

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