The Federal Government is seeking a $500m loan from the World Bank to enhance rural road infrastructure and agricultural marketing across the federation. The international lender said the fund was expected to address the dire need for better connectivity in rural Nigeria, where 92 million people currently lack access to good roads. This request was contained in the final draft of the Resettlement Policy Framework for the Nigeria Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project Scale-UP implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The RAAMP-SU project aims to improve rural access and climate resilience, thereby boosting agricultural potential and marketing prospects for agrarian communities. This, in turn, will contribute to better livelihoods for the rural populace. The project’s objectives include improving rural access and climate resilience of communities in served rural areas, strengthening institutional capacity for rural road network management, and fortifying the financial and institutional foundations for sustainable management of both rural and state road networks. The RAAMP-SU initiative is an extension of the earlier Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, supported by the World Bank and the French Development Agency. The project is led by the Federal Department of Rural Development within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with oversight by the Federal Project Management Unit. The policy document noted: “Nigeria’s road network is relatively extensive, encompassing approximately 194,000 kilometres of roads. This includes 34,000 kilometres of federal roads, 30,000 kilometres of state roads, and 130,000 kilometres of registered rural roads. The road density equates to about 0.21 kilometres of roads per square kilometre. “Despite this relatively high road density, the rural accessibility index for Nigeria (defined as the proportion of the rural population residing within 2 kilometres of an all-weather road) stands at a mere 25.5 per cent, resulting in approximately 92 million rural inhabitants lacking connectivity. “Rural access is particularly restricted in areas densely populated by the economically disadvantaged. These factors underscore the imperative to expand and enhance the rural road network, as well as conserve rural road and transport assets.” The total cost of the RAAMP-SU project is estimated at $600m, with the World Bank expected to provide 83.33 per cent of the required funding. The commitment amount is 79 per cent higher than the initial World Bank commitment amount of $280m for the parent project. The project will finance three key components, which are the Improvement of Resilient Rural Access ($387m), Climate Resilient Asset Management ($158m), and Institutional Strengthening and Project Management ($55m). According to the policy document, states willing to participate in the project are required to have a fully functional Roads Fund and Roads Agency with appointed boards and staff, and provisions for administrative costs in the state budget. The document added “While the eligibility for state participation under RAAMP required the drafting and placement of Road Fund and Roads Agency bills in the State house of assemblies, the new project would require the States to have a fully functional Roads Fund and Roads Agency with appointed boards and staff, and provision for administrative costs made in the state budget. In addition, RARAs offer an opportunity to foster women’s representation in the transport sector. “The RAAMP-SU’s funds will be allocated on a competitive basis between states factoring in a refined socioeconomic selection matrix to increase rural access to basic services and promote food security; activities readiness in terms of design; and state’s demonstrated commitment in the projected infrastructure efficient maintenance, including potential co-financing from their resources.” The policy framework stipulates that the implementation of resettlement and compensation plans is a prerequisite for project activities that cause resettlement. Compensation and other assistance are expected to be provided before displacement, ensuring that necessary measures for resettlement and compensation are in place before any land acquisition or restriction of access.

  US President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would not pardon his son Hunter or commute any sentence following Hunter’s conviction on charges of lying about his drug addiction while buying a handgun. “No,” Biden replied when reporters at a G7 summit press conference in Italy asked if he would commute any sentence that 54-year-old Hunter faces. “I’m extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction, he’s one of the brightest, most decent men I know,” Biden said. “I said I’d abide by the jury decision. I will do that. I will not pardon him,” he said. In the historic first criminal prosecution of a sitting US president’s child, a jury on Tuesday found Hunter Biden guilty on three felony counts stemming from his 2018 purchase of a handgun while addicted to crack cocaine. He could face up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender jail time is unlikely. A date was not set for sentencing but it is expected to take place in the next few months. Biden said in a statement after the verdict that he loved his sole surviving son — his eldest son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 — and would respect the jury’s conclusion. But his comments in Italy on Thursday were his first public statement on the verdict. The day before his Italy trip, Biden, 81, changed his schedule to fly to Wilmington, Delaware, the family hometown where the trial was held. Hunter Biden was waiting on the tarmac when Marine One landed and was given a warm hug by his father before they left in a motorcade. The verdict came as Biden faces a tough re-election battle against Donald Trump, who himself recently became the first former president to become a convicted felon. Trump was found guilty by a New York jury of breaching election law by lying about hush money payments to a porn star.

  Three persons have died following the collapse of a mining pit in the Adunu community, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State. The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba’arah, confirmed the death of three persons and the rescue of one person in the community. According to the DG, all those trapped were recovered from the pit following community efforts. The mining site is said to be an illegal mining site that attracts mostly women and children from the community. Earlier, the state Chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Yusuf Shuaibu, told Channels Television that the pit caved in around 10 am, trapping an unconfirmed number of workers. He added that the association had mobilised a team for on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the incident with support from the government of Niger State.

  Friday 14 June 2024 NNPC withdraws suit against ExxonMobil, Seplat $1.28bn deal Buyers in last-minute rush for Sallah rams lament exorbitant costs Tinubu gets bill proposing return to regional govt Friday Appeal Court Sets Aside Contempt Proceedings Against EFCC Chairman Edwin Clark Writes Tinubu, Demands Implementation Of 2014 Confab Report LG Autonomy: Supreme Court Reserves Judgment In FG’s Suit Ado Bayero Has Jurisdiction To Be Heard, Court Declares Alleged ₦80bn Fraud: Court Shifts Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment To June 27 Oil Mafia Tried To Sabotage Refinery Project, Says Dangote Minimum Wage: I Will Approve What Nigeria Can Afford, Says Tinubu Tinubu Appoints Tanimu Yakubu As New Director-General Of Budget Office Troops Raid IPOB/ESN Training Camp In Abia, Clear Bandits Hideouts In Ondo Biden Pledges Not To Pardon Son Or Commute Sentence South Africa’s ANC Strikes 11th-Hour Deal To Form Government World Bank approves $2.25bn loan for Nigeria Reps panel recommends acquisition of new aircraft for Tinubu, Shettima ‘Corruption’ probe: ICPC invites foreign affairs ministry official who accused perm sec of harassment Hardship: Labour kicks as 20 states deny workers wage award NCDC alerts on cholera outbreak Naira down to N1,500/$ in parallel market Police Ban Durbar In Kano Heritage Bank’s Offices, Assets Put Up For Sale Soludo: Nigeria Is Broke But Govt Officials Live Extravagantly Nigeria crude oil production drops to 1.25mbpd – OPEC Aiyedatiwa, Agboola, 15 others make final list of Ondo Gov candidates Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, has announced the approval of two major “financial support packages” by the World Bank — valued at $2.25 billion. According to a statement on Thursday, this is part of President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to stabilise the economy, reposition it for sustained and inclusive growth, and provide urgent support to the poor and vulnerable. The statement was signed by Mohammed Manga, the ministry’s director of information and public relations. “The approved operations include $1.5 billion for the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation (RESET) Development Policy Financing Program (DPF) and $750 million for the Nigeria Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR) Program-for-Results (PforR),” the statement reads.   “The combined total of $2.25 billion will provide essential financial and technical support as the government continues to address economic distortions.” Additionally, Manga said the support package will assist Nigeria in its long-term goal of increasing non-oil revenues and securing oil revenues to ensure fiscal sustainability and the delivery of quality public services. He said ‘RESET’ aims to strengthen Nigeria’s economic policy framework, create fiscal space, and protect the poor and vulnerable. The statement also noted that ‘Armor PforR’ supports tax and excise reforms, improves tax revenue and customs administration, and safeguards oil revenues. Commenting on the approval, Edun welcomed the support of the World Bank. “We have undertaken bold and necessary reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and put Nigeria on a path to sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” he said. “These reforms will create quality jobs and economic opportunities for all Nigerians. “We welcome the support of the RESET and ARMOR programs as we further consolidate and implement our policy reforms, consistent with accelerating investment and using public resources more sustainably to achieve our development goals.” On his part, Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank vice-president for Western and Central Africa, lauded the country’s efforts in reforming the financial sector. “Nigeria’s comprehensive macro-fiscal reforms are placing the country on a new path that can stabilize the economy and lift people out of poverty,” Diagana said. “It is essential to maintain the momentum of these reforms and continue to provide support to the poor and vulnerable to mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.” The vice-president said the financing package will strengthen the World Bank’s strong partnership with Nigeria and support efforts to rejuvenate the economy and expedite poverty reduction, serving as an example for Africa.

  To maintain industrial peace in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have called on the President, Bola Tinubu, not to present any figure regarding the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly without consulting the organised labour and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS). They also reminded the Tinubu-led federal government that workers across all cadres in the country would demand payment of minimum wage arrears no matter how long it takes to sign the new minimum wage into law. Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC and his counterpart from TUC, Festus Osifo, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday on the sideline of the ongoing International Labour Conference at the Palais du Nation in Geneva, Switzerland.   The last national minimum wage expired on April 18, 2024, after completing its five-year lifespan. For records, the last minimum wage came into existence on April 17, 2019, when the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari signed it into law. Speaking at the joint briefing, Ajaero explained that it was imperative for workers to demand payment of minimum wage arrears irrespective of when a new national minimum wage law is passed by the National Assembly. The labour leader stated that labour expects the President to invite tripartite bodies to a meeting where the ability to pay will be discussed before arriving at a final figure. He said, “We do not expect the President to present a final figure to the National Assembly without consulting with organised labour, employers, and state governors. Everyone will still come together to discuss before transmission to the National Assembly.”         Corroborating what Ajaero said, the TUC President added that even after transmission to the National Assembly, labour will continue to lobby and push for more in its bid to secure the best possible figure for Nigerian workers. When asked about the exact figure inserted in the report submitted to the President, the leaders of the two labour centres denied knowledge of its full content, insisting that they didn’t append their signature to any report. “Moreover, we have not seen the content of what has been submitted to the President. We will insist on seeing the content and appending our signatures to every page. We will not append our signatures to any page we are not comfortable with. “As representatives here, we cannot specify the exact amount until we consult, review the offers, and determine what is fair for Nigerian workers,” Ajaero told journalists. On his part, Osifo said the reason minimum wage arrears would be demanded was because of growing inflation on a daily basis which he said has impacted negatively on the Nigerian workers. The TUC President said, “It took about two years to conclude the last minimum wage negotiation. That duration was due to fewer challenges compared to what we face now. Food prices are high, the Naira is devalued, and energy costs have escalated. “Currently, urgency is paramount. We don’t have the luxury of time. Negotiations began in January this year, and we are already discussing sending a bill to the National Assembly for a new minimum wage law. “Since April 18, 2024, Nigeria has lacked a minimum wage law. However, I assure Nigerians that labour will demand arrears payment, regardless of when the new law takes effect.”

  The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has invited Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi, a married female employee of the federal ministry of foreign affairs, who accused Ibrahim Lamuwa, permanent secretary of the ministry, of sexual harassment, for interrogation. Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, recently notified Folasade Yemi-Esan, head of service of the federation, about persisting allegations of sexual harassment against Lamuwa. In a letter dated May 27 to Yemi-Esan, Tuggar said he felt it was necessary to write her following the “gravity of the matter”. Ajayi, through Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and her lawyer, informed Tuggar of Lamuwa’s alleged sexual advances.   Lamuwa has since denied the allegation, claiming that he turned down Ajayi’s request to pay her bills during an overseas trip. However, in a new twist to the saga, the ICPC has invited Ajayi to appear at its headquarters in Abuja on June 14 for an interview. In a letter of invitation dated June 11 addressed to the minister of foreign affairs, sighted by TheCable, the commission said it is “investigating an alleged violation of provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and it has become imperative to have recourse to your office”.   “In view of the above, pursuant to section 28 and 40 of the said Act, you are kindly requested to release and direct Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun Ajayi of the ministry to appear for an interview before the undersigned at the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja, on Friday 14th June, 2024 at 1100 hours,” the letter reads. The letter, which was signed by S. Yahaya, acting director of information at the ICPC, did not give details of the violated Act to which Ajayi is being invited.

  President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Tanimu Yakubu as the director-general of the budget office of the federation. The appointment follows the expiration of the tenure of Ben Akabueze, according to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson. Akabueze was first appointed in June 2016 by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari the director-general of the budget office of the federation. His tenure was later extended for a second term on May 17, 2020. Announcing the new appointment, the presidency said Yakubu is an accomplished economist and was chief economic adviser to a former president from 2007 to 2010. According to the statement, Yakubu was also the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria from 2003 to 2007, and commissioner of finance, budget, and economic planning in Katsina state from 1999 to 2003. “The new Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the same institution,” the statement reads. “President Tinubu thanks the outgoing Director-General, Mr. Akabueze, for his services and wishes him success in his future endeavours.” The statement said the president expects the new director-general of “this pivotal agency” to further enhance the provision of efficient and qualitative budget functions, with a view to promoting fiscal sustainability, transparency, and accountability in public finance management for national development.

  The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says many suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of five soldiers in Abia state. Five soldiers were killed on May 30 by gunmen who were reportedly enforcing the sit-at-home directive of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The soldiers were ambushed at an army post in Obikabia, Obingwa LGA of the state. The DHQ vowed to respond “fiercely” and avenge the killing of its personnel.   Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said troops launched offensives after the killing to apprehend the masterminds. Buba said those who were not involved in the attack on soldiers were released after an investigation. He added that the suspects who were involved in the attack are helping troops locate the camps of the IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN).   “It would be recalled that we lost five soldiers at their checkpoint in Abia state,” Buba said. “Following the incident, troops conducted offensives, and these offensives were to identify IPOB and their ESN camps, which are scattered across the south-east region. “As a result of these offences, several people, indeed, in their hundreds, were arrested. In the course of the investigation, all those found not to be party to the attack have been released. “What we have now are those who actively took part in that attack.”