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[FULL TEXT] Tinubu’s 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope

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• President Tinubu presenting the 2024 budget to the National Assembly on Wednesday Source: Channels tv
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President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, presented the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget proposal to a joint session of the 10th National Assembly in Abuja — his first since assuming office exactly six months ago.⁣

Read the full speech below:

1. In furtherance of my sacred duties and obligations as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is my honour to be here today to present my administration’s 2024 Budget Proposal to this Joint Session of the 10th National Assembly. This moment is especially profound and significant to me because it is my first annual budgetary presentation to the National Assembly.

2. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, I commend your swift consideration and passage of the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bills and the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper. Your prompt action underscores your devotion to economic development and to the greater welfare of our people. It also highlights your desire to work in close collaboration with the Executive branch. We do not serve ourselves. We must always strive to work together to serve and benefit the people of our beloved country.

3. I am confident that the National Assembly will continue to work closely with us to ensure that deliberations on the 2024 Budget are thorough but also concluded with reasonable dispatch. Our goal is for the Appropriation Act to come into effect on the 1st of January 2024.

4. It is, by now, a matter of recorded history that my very first fiscal intervention as President of this great nation was to end the fuel subsidy regime which had proven to be so harmful to the overall health of our national economy. The second was to negotiate and subsequently present a supplementary budget to enable my government to fund the items needed to restore macro-economic stability and mitigate the harsh impact of subsidy removal.

5. The third was to secure a second supplementary budget, this time to enable us to keep our promises to promote national security, invest in infrastructure and provide much-needed support to the most vulnerable households in our society.

6. In swearing in my cabinet and reflecting on the unique challenges facing us, I invited the Ministers to imagine that we are attempting to draw water from a dry well. Today, I stand before you to present our Budget of Renewed Hope; a budget which will go further than ever before in cementing macro-economic stability, reducing the deficit, increasing capital spending and allocation to reflect the eight priority areas of this Administration. The budget we now present constitutes the foundation upon which we shall erect the future of this great nation.

PREVAILING ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

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7. Economic conditions remain challenging both abroad and at home. Despite lingering post-COVID supply and production bottlenecks, armed conflict in various parts of the world and restrictive monetary policies in major economies, we expect global growth to hover around 3.0 percent in 2024. This relatively low rate has significant implications for our economy due to our current reliance on importation.

8. Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members: despite the global headwinds, the Nigerian economy has proven resilient, maintaining modest but positive growth over the past twelve months.

9. Inflation has trended upward due to weak global conditions. To contain the rising domestic prices, we will ensure effective coordination of fiscal and monetary policy measures, and collaborate with sub-national governments to address structural factors driving inflation in Nigeria.

10. The Budget proposal meets our goal of completing critical infrastructure projects which will help address structural problems in the economy by lowering the costs of doing business for companies and the cost of living for the average person, The Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning will provide full details of this proposal.

PERFORMANCE OF THE 2023 BUDGET

11. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, an aggregate revenue of 11.045 trillion naira was projected to fund the 2023 Budget of 24.82 trillion naira with a deficit of about 6.1 percent of GDP.

12. As of September 30, the Federal Government’s actual aggregate revenue inflow was 8.65 trillion naira, approximately 96 percent of the targeted 8.28 trillion naira.

13. Despite the challenges, we continue to meet our obligations.

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THEME AND PRIORITIES OF THE 2024 BUDGET

14. Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, permit me to highlight key issues relating to the budget proposals for the next fiscal year. The 2024 Appropriation has been themed the Budget of Renewed Hope. The proposed Budget seeks to achieve job-rich economic growth, macro-economic stability, a better investment environment, enhanced human capital development, as well as poverty reduction and greater access to social security.

15. Defence and internal security are accorded top priority. The internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities and safeguard lives, property and investments across the country.

16. Human capital is the most critical resource for national development. Accordingly, the budget prioritizes human development with particular attention to children, the foundation of our nation.

17. To improve the effectiveness of our budget performance, the government will focus on ensuring value for money, greater transparency and accountability. In this regard, we will work more closely with development partners and the private sector.

18. To address long-standing issues in the education sector, a more sustainable model of funding tertiary education will be implemented, including the Student Loan Scheme scheduled to become operational by January 2024.

19. A stable macro-economic environment is important to catalyse private investment and accelerate economic growth. We have and shall continue to implement business and investment-friendly measures for sustainable growth.

20. We expect the economy to grow by a minimum of 3.76 percent, above the forecasted world average. Inflation is expected to moderate to 21.4 percent in 2024.

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21. In preparing the 2024 Budget, our primary objective has been to sustain our robust foundation for sustainable economic development. A critical focus of this budget and the medium-term expenditure framework is Nigeria’s commitment to a greener future.

22.         Emphasizing public-private partnerships, we have strategically made provisions to leverage private capital for big-ticket infrastructure projects in energy, transportation and other sectors. This marks a critical step towards diversifying our energy mix, enhancing efficiency, and fostering the development of renewable energy sources. By allocating resources to support innovative and environmentally conscious initiatives, we aim to position Nigeria as a regional leader in the global movement towards clean and sustainable energy.

23.         As we approach COP 28 climate summit, a pivotal moment for global climate action, I have directed relevant government agencies to diligently work towards securing substantial funding commitments that will bolster Nigeria’s energy transition.

24.         It is imperative that we seize this opportunity to attract international partnerships and investments that align with our national goals. I call upon our representatives to engage proactively to showcase the strides we have made in the quest to create an enabling environment for sustainable energy projects.

25.         Together, we will strive for Nigeria to emerge from COP 28 with tangible commitments, reinforcing our dedication to a future where energy is not only a catalyst for development but also a driver of environmental stewardship.

26.         Distinguished members of the National Assembly, the revised 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) sets out the parameters for the 2024 Budget.

27.         After a careful review of developments in the world oil market and domestic conditions, we have adopted a conservative oil price benchmark of 77.96 US Dollars per barrel and daily oil production estimate of 1.78 million barrels per day. We have also adopted a Naira to US Dollar exchange rate of 750 naira per US Dollar for 2024.

28.         Accordingly, an aggregate expenditure of 27.5 trillion naira is proposed for the Federal Government in 2024, of which the non-debt recurrent expenditure is 9.92 trillion naira while debt service is projected to be 8.25 trillion naira and capital expenditure is 8.7 trillion naira.

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29.         Nigeria remains committed to meeting its debt obligations. Projected debt service is 45% of the expected total revenue.

30.         Budget deficit is projected at 9.18 trillion naira in 2024 or 3.88 percent of GDP. This is lower than the 13.78 trillion naira deficit recorded in 2023 which represents 6.11 percent of GDP.

31.         The deficit will be financed by new borrowings totalling 7.83 trillion naira, 298.49 billion naira from Privatization Proceeds and 1.05 trillion naira drawdown on multilateral and bilateral loans secured for specific development projects.

32.         Our government remains committed to broad-based and shared economic prosperity. We are reviewing social investment programmes to enhance their implementation and effectiveness. In particular, the National Social Safety Net project will be expanded to provide targeted cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households. In addition, efforts will made to graduate existing beneficiaries toward productive activities and employment.

33.         We are currently reviewing our tax and fiscal policies. Our target is to increase the ratio of revenue to GDP from less than 10 percent currently to 18 percent within the term of this Administration. Government will make efforts to further contain financial leakages through effective implementation of key public financial management reforms.

34.         Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, in view of the limited resources available through the federal budget, we are also exploring Public Private Partnership arrangements to finance critical infrastructure.

35.         We, therefore, invite the private sector to partner with us to ensure that our fiscal, trade and monetary policies, as well as our developmental programs and projects succeed in unlocking the latent potential of our people and other natural endowments, in line with our national aspirations.

36.         Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, this Budget presentation would be incomplete without commending the patriotic resolve of the 10th National Assembly to collaborate with the Executive on our mission to renew hope and deliver on our promises to the Nigerian people. I assure you of the strong commitment of the Executive to sustain and deepen the relationship with the National Assembly.

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37.         As you consider the 2024 Budget estimates, we trust that the legislative review process will be conducted with a view to sustaining our desired return to a predictable January-December fiscal year.

38.         I have no doubt that you will be guided by the interest of all Nigerians. We must ensure that only projects and programs with equitable benefits are allowed into the 2024 Budget. Additionally, only projects and programs which are in line with the sectoral mandates of MDAs and which are capable of realizing the vision of our Government should be included in the budget.

39.         As a Government, we are committed to improving the lot of our people and delivering on our promises to them. The 2024 Budget has the potential to boost performance, promote the development of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, enhance security and public safety, and improve the general living conditions of our people.

40.         In closing, I am confident that these budgetary allocations and directives will set Nigeria on a transformative path towards a sustainable and resilient energy future, fostering economic growth, job creation, and environmental preservation.

41.         It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I lay before this distinguished Joint Session of the National Assembly, the 2024 Budget Proposals of the Federal Government of Nigeria, titled The Renewed Hope Budget.

42.         I thank you most sincerely for your attention. May we collectively chart the course towards a brighter and cleaner future for our great nation.

43.         May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Editorial

JAPA: Dangers of Illegal Migration from Africa to Europe and How to Curb It

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THE ADVOCATE Editorial Insights 

Illegal migration from Africa to Europe remains a pressing issue as thousands of young Africans risk their lives in search of better opportunities. While economic hardship, political instability, and lack of opportunities push people to leave, the dangers of illegal migration are often underestimated. This article delves deeper into the dangers of illegal migration and outlines practical ways to curb this growing trend.

The Dangers of Illegal Migration

1.Deadly Transit Routes

Illegal migrants often take perilous routes, such as crossing the Sahara Desert or the Mediterranean Sea.

•Sahara Desert: Temperatures in the desert can exceed 50°C, leading to dehydration and death. Many migrants die from exhaustion, lack of water, or attacks by bandits.

•Mediterranean Sea: Migrants board overcrowded and unseaworthy boats, often leading to capsizing. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 2,000 deaths were recorded in the Mediterranean in 2024 alone.

Illegal African migrants crossing the Mediterranean sea to Europe in an overcrowded boat

2.Exploitation by Human Traffickers

Human traffickers exploit the desperation of migrants, charging exorbitant fees for unsafe journeys. Migrants are often subjected to:

•Physical abuse.

•Forced labor.

•Sexual exploitation, particularly for women and girls.

3.Detention and Deportation

Upon arrival, many illegal migrants are detained in overcrowded detention centers. These centers are often described as inhumane, with reports of physical abuse and lack of basic necessities. Some are deported back to their home countries, often in worse conditions than when they left.

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4.Economic and Emotional Consequences

•For Migrants: The financial burden of illegal migration leaves many families in debt, as they sell properties to fund their loved ones’ journeys.

•For Families: Families left behind often face emotional trauma, especially when they lose loved ones to the journey.

•For Communities: The loss of young, able-bodied individuals contributes to brain drain, stifling economic growth in Africa.

5.Discrimination and Marginalization in Europe

Illegal migrants face cultural barriers, discrimination, and exploitation in Europe. Without legal status, they often take low-paying jobs under poor working conditions, struggling to survive in foreign lands.

How to Curb Illegal Migration

1.Addressing Root Causes

African governments must tackle the factors driving migration:

•Job Creation: Investing in industries like agriculture, technology, and manufacturing can create job opportunities for young people.

•Education and Skills Development: Equipping youth with marketable skills can reduce the allure of migration.

•Good Governance: Addressing corruption, ensuring political stability, and protecting human rights can make Africa a more livable continent.

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158 irregular Nigerian migrants repatriated from Libya in July 2024

2.Public Awareness Campaigns

Governments, media outlets, and NGOs should educate citizens on:

•The dangers of illegal migration.

•The realities of life in Europe for undocumented migrants.

•The importance of pursuing legal migration options.

3.Strengthening Border Controls and Cooperation

African and European governments must collaborate to:

•Combat human trafficking networks.

•Improve border security to reduce illegal crossings.

•Develop frameworks for legal migration, including work visas and student exchanges.

4.Promoting Local Opportunities

International organizations can partner with African nations to support initiatives such as:

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•Entrepreneurship training and funding.

•Access to microloans for small businesses.

•Encouraging the African diaspora to invest in their home countries.

5.Enhancing Regional Collaboration

Regional bodies like the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS can:

•Develop policies that promote economic integration.

•Encourage intra-Africa migration to create opportunities within the continent.

Conclusion

Illegal migration from Africa to Europe is a complex issue with devastating consequences. While the pursuit of greener pastures is natural, the risks of unplanned and illegal migration far outweigh the potential benefits. Governments, communities, and individuals must work together to create opportunities at home and educate young people about safer, legal alternatives.

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Africa’s strength lies in its youth. By investing in them and addressing migration challenges, the continent can unlock its vast potential and pave the way for a brighter future.

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Editorial

Tinubu goes missing in transit again

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Tinubu goes missing in transit again
President Bola Tinubu
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PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu’s overseas travels and exact whereabouts have again become a subject of speculation. On August 29, Tinubu embarked on a trip to China, and Nigerians were told he would make a brief stopover in Dubai. He suddenly reappeared in London on Wednesday.

He had landed in Beijing in the early hours of September 1. He had a busy week meeting and signing agreements with Chinese political and business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The President concluded his official engagements in China by meeting with Nigerians living in the country on September 5.  He left China the same day.

Since then, Nigerians have not been told exactly where he was until he visited King Charles III on Wednesday. A State House statement on September 6 said that the President had directed that victims of the Maiduguri flood should be evacuated, and relief provided. The statement neglected to indicate where the President was issuing orders from.

It is disturbing that citizens do not know the whereabouts of their President. The office of the President is a public trust, and citizens have a right to know where the President is. Between his departure from Beijing and appearance in London, no explanations were offered. Such evasiveness is below the Presidency.

This is not the first time that Tinubu has given Nigerians the slip. On April 23, the President travelled to The Netherlands to visit the then Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, before journeying on to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum held between April 28 and 29.

Six days after the event, he had not returned, and Nigerians started asking questions which were met with silence by the Presidency until May 8 when it revealed that Tinubu would be returning from Europe the next day.

On January 24, Tinubu left for a “private visit” to France details of which were shrouded in secrecy and set off health rumours until his return after two weeks. On August 19, Tinubu flew for the first time in the new presidential jet to Paris, France, for what the Presidency described as a brief work stay, details of which were not given. He returned after three days.

While the President has been away, the home front has been in disarray with the petrol crisis lingering for over a month and floods overtaking many states including Borno and Bauchi. Terrorists and bandits have been running riot as usual. Such situations require the leader of the country to be on the ground, rallying a response and finding solutions, not taking extended holidays.

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The President should appreciate the weight of his responsibilities. Pontificating in China about the necessity of petrol subsidy removal being the magic wand to bridge the country’s massive infrastructure deficit when citizens at home are spending 16 hours in petrol queues is insensitive.

It is inconceivable that the leaders of France, the United Kingdom and China will not account for their whereabouts to citizens.

Tinubu has continued in the disdainful tradition of his predecessors, taking Nigerians for granted. The late President Umaru Yar’Adua spent months in foreign hospitals in a vegetative state while his aides lied to Nigerians about his ability to function in office until he died in May 2010. Former President Muhammadu Buhari spent 225 days abroad on medical trips without any accounting to the citizens.

In a presidential system, the office of the President is of utmost importance as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The president of the United States travels around with the country’s nuclear codes. Americans know where he is always.

Democracy means accountability and Tinubu should know. A penchant for the President to undertake surreptitious visits to foreign capitals diminishes the office. (PUNCH Editorial)

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One Year in Office: Gov Mbah Renders Account of Stewardship, Lists Achievements, Plans

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Enugu gov't approves establishment of army barracks in Isi-Uzo LGA
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah
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Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, says his administration is on course to meeting all his campaign promises and vision, including making the state the premier destination for investment, business, tourism and living as well as grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.

Mbah explained that his government’s fidelity to the Citizens’ Charter, which he executed on May 29, 2023 immediately after his inauguration and courage to bring that vision to fruition had remained unbroken, saying his administration’s efforts were vindicated by visible turnaround in public infrastructure and sustained increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

He stated these in his 48-minute first anniversary broadcast on Wednesday, giving a breakdown of achievements in the various sectors issues such as security, water, education, roads, health, agriculture, power, judiciary, transportation, and important issues such as waste management, human capital development and workers’ welfare, climate change, and revival of moribund assets and assets recovery.

The governor said that while it was yet morning on creations day, the administration “crossed many watermarks of success.”

On security, the governor said his administration had strengthened the capacity of various security agencies in Enugu State, leading to “a significant drop in crime in our communities.”

“But despite that, we stayed proactive and vigilant. This is evident in our Security Command Centre, a technology-enabled platform offering a real-time, round-the-clock surveillance of our major streets and neighbourhoods via CCTV cameras placed at strategic locations.

“Our establishing of the Security Trust Fund yet underscores our determination to keep the entire state safe and enthrone a sustainable platform to pool resources to fund our security needs. This Trust Fund, which has been signed into law and also constituted, has helped in fostering citizens’ engagement and a sense of civic responsibility,” he stated.

Water Supply 

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On the water sector, Mbah said the administration had through aggressive interventions and investment in the sector kept its promise of restoring water to Enugu metropolis in 180 days, noting however that there were still challenges in reticulation occasioned by sabotage and broken pipes installed in the colonial years, which government was addressing working on.

“Today, we have transitioned from that utterly unacceptable narrative to a situation where potable water is accessed simply by turning on taps in homes and in public galleries.

“Nonetheless, context is still important. To give us a sense of the scale of this accomplishment, let’s understand that daily water supply to Enugu municipal was an average of two million litres before our intervention. But we upped that paltry figure to 120 million litres of daily water supply. And we did so within the projected timeframe.

“I know that some would say the flow has not been consistent in their neighbourhood. That may be correct; but it’s in part due to the challenge of vandalism and largely because we are in the process of changing old asbestos pipes, which were laid in the 1950s, to modern ductile pipes. Those pipes had become brittle and corroded and could barely contain the intense water pressure. Once that process is complete, a city-wide reticulation would be achieved.

“But, again, like I noted earlier, the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of municipal problems are usually not subjects the public is easily inclined to contemplate. Solutions are what its ears are primed to listen to. And that is natural. But context remains vital, for it helps lend perspectives and shed light on presumptions and misconceptions.

“The fact is that only about 45 percent of what constitutes Enugu metropolis was reticulated, comprising mostly the older residential neighbourhoods. Much of the outlying – and fairly recent – districts were never connected to the supply grid. We have successfully delivered water to those areas originally on the distribution line, mostly including neighbourhoods where public water had not run in decades.

“On a general note, we have achieved this level of coverage across the Enugu municipal: GRA I and II – 80 per cent; Abakpa – 55 per cent; Ogui – 80 per cent; Independence Layout (including parts of Nza Street) – 60 per cent; Uwani – 85 per cent; Trans Ekulu – 30 per cent; New Haven – 85 per cent; Idaw River – 55 per cent; and Emene – 60 per cent.

Governor Peter Mbah and some of his officials while flagging off construction of the Enugu Smart City

Governor Peter Mbah and some of hos officials while flagged off construction of the Smart City in Enugu

“The public water supply experience in most of these neighbourhoods and their surrounding areas was at best unreliable – and at worst non-existent. And it had been that way for years. But once the issues of replacement of pipes, and water line obstruction we are seeing in several locations arising from physical planning infraction are resolved, a total coverage of reticulated areas would be achieved,” he stated.

Roads

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Mbah expressed happiness that long-forgotten areas of Enugu were now wearing new looks following the award of 71 urban roads and 10 major rural roads.

He announced that the state had acquired an asphalt production plant capable of producing over 1000-ton, eco-friendly asphalt daily, which would help fix the state’s roads even beyond earlier projections.

He said, “We are, for instance, increasingly seeing roads that were, for many years, bywords for neglect and municipal dysfunction wearing new looks. I’m sure nearly everyone in Enugu wouldn’t have to think hard to cite few such neighborhoods. They abound – from the once pot-holed and dusty roads of Odudukoko and its environs in Gariki; the gullies that for years left Trans Ekulu a shell of its once glorious past; to the literally impassable Premier Layout and College Road, in Abakpa, which was a nightmare stretch for motorists and residents.

“I can say, confidently, that there is hardly anyone, who hasn’t encountered some major road construction around their locality. It hardly matters where you live.

“Our rural communities are not left out. For instance, the ongoing construction of the 40-kilometre Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem Dual Carriageway that will practically open a new gateway to the North-Central region is indicative of our determination to bring a new lease of life to rural communities.”

Education

Mbah regretted that the learning imparted to Enugu children over the years was not at pace with the rapidly-changing world of knowledge, hence the administration’s Smart Green School initiative, which prototype at Owo, he said, was already up and running to ensure that Enugu children were not left behind as the rest of the world continued to take giants strides.

“The Smart Schools, which we are building in each of the state’s 260 electoral wards, are clearly at the cutting-edge of innovation. These schools are reflective of our steely resolve to bequeath to our children an experiential education that can help them navigate our evolving knowledge-driven world, and imbue them with a skillset that ensures they can practicalize what they have learnt, and are literally at ease with the tools of tomorrow’s workplace. “Our Smart School project is not an abstract dream; its prototype stands out elegantly in Owo as a pointer to what the 259 others will look like on completion by 2025. Construction works are ongoing at 135 schools, with contract for the rest due for award in the second phase.

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“Each Smart School features an interactive digital whiteboard, an internet system, robotics and artificial intelligence centre, modern ICT centre, two science laboratories, hybrid multimedia library, creative production studio, 25 inclusive classrooms and 700 Android tablets.

“Through these schools, we are nurturing a silent technological revolution. The wealth of nations may be measured in terms of material resources, oil reserves, and the like. But true wealth lies in the quality of a state’s human resources – shaped to a great degree by the attention paid to public education, for no nation can truly rise above its education standards.

“Nothing underlines our strong commitment to improve the quality of education in our dear state like the sum allocated to the sector in our budget.

“My administration’s N158.78bn education budget is both the highest per capita in the country, and in regard to the percentage of total budget sum – at 33 percent. It is also higher than UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15 per cent – 20 per cent of total annual budget. I dare say it’s perhaps highest in the world.

“The significance will be more profound if we paused for a moment to break down this figure: It implies that for every 100 Naira spent, 33 Naira goes to the education budget.

“There is no room for half measures where education is concerned,” the governor explained.

Health

In the health sector, Mbah said that besides the ongoing construction of 260 well-resourced Type 2 primary healthcare facilities across the 260 electoral wards in the state, government had paid due attention to the welfare of our healthcare workers, and have ensured that every obligation in relation to allowances as well as agreements are fulfilled.

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“This includes employment of medical practitioners, as may be necessary, to bring our doctor-to-patient ratio to acceptable standards. This would be impacted, no less, by the presence of the Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, which received further boost when I signed the bill upgrading the institution to a teaching hospital.

“Another area of success has been in the digitising of patients’ records at our various healthcare facilities, which has created a seamless access to patients’ health history at state-owned facilities,” he said.

Reviving Moribund Assets, Recovering State’s Assets

He added that his administration was fast reviving long-abandoned and moribund assets of the state to make their viable again.

He stated, “Few weeks ago, we signed a contract for the revamp of the iconic Presidential Hotel, and works have actually begun in that regard. I also performed the groundbreaking for the 345-room International Conference Centre Hotel, Enugu, a few days ago, which would be the first 5-Star category hotel in the South East.

“The absence of a truly five-star hotel has long deprived Enugu State the opportunity of tapping into the immense benefits inherent in the expansive service industry such as conferences, meetings and events. This is despite the long illustrious history of our capital city.

“But with its completion schedule of 11 months, this hotel, alongside the 5,000-seating capacity International Conference Centre due for opening in a few months, will take us a step closer to our aim to make Enugu the Conferencing Capital of Africa. Both facilities represent key enablers of our target of three million annual tourist visits to Enugu.

“It is instructive that Presidential Hotel was built in 1963 with income earned largely from agriculture, by the premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara. The same could be said of the several once thriving but now moribund industries such as Nigergas Company Limited, Niger Steel Limited, Sunrise Flour Mills, etc. We’re already taking steps towards reviving these industries.”

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Agriculture

The governor recalled that oil palm was at the heart of Eastern Region’s agro-based economy, regretting that, two of such plantations from that era located in Enugu State had “for years been in the throes of death – to put it mildly.”

“But with the signing of a N100bn partnership deal with Pragmatic Palms Ltd, a private investor, there is now a clear path to recovery for the moribund United Palm Products Ltd.

“So, we are scaling up agricultural production in Enugu State. Never again will investment in agriculture seem like a mere token gesture – or an afterthought.

“We have created 100,000 hectares of land in each of Enugu’s three senatorial zones for the cultivation of export-focused cash crops, and building the infrastructure that opens up opportunities in the entire value chain from storage to processing of agricultural produce. From this vast tract of arable farmland, we have established a land bank through which we can forge partnerships with local or foreign businesses desirous of investing in agriculture.

“A few months ago, as a matter of fact, we sealed a Public-Private Partnership deal with Ugwuanama Farms Limited for the industrial cultivation of cassava, rice, maize, banana, oil palm, yams, and sundry crops at a 15,000-hectare farmland in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.

“Our investment in agriculture reflects a strong emphasis on value addition and agro-processing, hence the attention we have devoted to growing the cassava-to-ethanol value chain:

Electricity

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Governor Mbah explained that with the Enugu State Electricity Law, which he initiated and establishing the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission, Enugu had taken concrete steps towards becoming a major player in the power sector.

“This is critical to our planned industrial expansion, and our projection to attain regular power supply in no distant time, working with the private sector.

“Indeed, the ceding of regulatory oversight of the local electricity market to the Enugu State government by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission is a strong validation for our quest to develop a commercially viable electricity market that is both reliable and sustainable,” he said.

Judiciary

He said the state judiciary was not also left behind in the many reforms embarked on by his administration.

“Much progress has been achieved towards an end-to-end digitalisation and automation of court processes. So, it’s only a matter of time before cases are filed virtually.

“The deliverables of the ongoing project include establishment and equipping of virtual hearing centres for the State High Court, the Correctional Centre, and the Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse; E-filing for lawyers; and automation and digitalization of Enugu State laws, amongst others.

Sufficient progress has also been made towards attaining Verbatim Reporting

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“But our justice reforms are by no means tailored only towards creating an improved operating environment for businesses. It is all encompassing. We have, for instance, created Small Claims Court with specialized focus covering all matters in which the amount claimed is One Million Naira or less. This is fully operational.

“Other categories of Special Courts created include Commercial Court, which deals with commercial, contracts, revenue and fast-track matters; Probate and Family Court, dealing with probate, matrimonial causes and family matters; Criminal Court responsible for criminal cases involving sentences above 14 years, including life and death sentences; Originating Applications; Lands or Real Estate Court, which handles land matters.

“The goal is creating unimpeded access to justice for all.”

He added that his government had sent over 15 executive bills to the House of Assembly all of which had been passed and assented to.

Transportation

To make commuting a more comfortable experience for the people and visitors in the state, Dr. Mbah said his administration was procuring 150 CNG buses of which 50 had already been procured for deployment across various routes.

“We are also bringing in over 2,000 taxis in conjunction with a private desirous of setting up an assembly plant in Enugu,” he added.

Following the discovery of coal in Enugu in 1909, Mbah said that Enugu city had grown from a modest colonial outpost with a handful of encampments for workers of the various coal mines to the bustling megapolis that it is today, hence the need to deal with the resulting strain on basic amenities and infrastructure.

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“Roads that once sufficed for the prevailing traffic at the time they were built have literally become too small for the sheer volume of traffic, which could be seen in the perennial gridlock experienced across the city.

“Across the world, cities’ livability drops if they lack a functional transport system with organized bus terminals that confer dignity on users and enhance seamless commuting – both at intra – and inter-state levels. Through the Central Terminal we are set to construct in Ogbete/Holy Ghost, Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka, we’re creating a modern transportation interchange that literally opens up our beloved city and eliminates the enormous manhour that is lost to traffic on a daily basis,’ he added.

Waste Management

The governor said that although his administration had since restored Enugu Enugu State to that clean city it was known for in the past, it was doing more in waste management.

“We have carried out an extensive re-organisation of Enugu’s waste management system that has paved way for the participation of private companies, which have brought in several waste compactors trucks, in place of open trucks. This has vastly improved efficiency and resulted in a cleaner environment.

“But we intend to take our waste management a notch higher, using the tool of technology to explore the possibilities in waste-to-wealth or waste-to-energy,” he said.

Action on Climate Change

He said that as in the area of waste management, the government was intensively pursuing its promise to enthrone effective remedial actions on climate change.

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“We are acutely aware of the catastrophic impact of climate change on economic growth and livelihoods, and recognize the urgent need for a robust climate policy that will pave the way for a clean energy transition, spark green innovation, enhance climate resilience, and drive sustainable economic growth for the state, ensuring a brighter, greener future for all.

“To this end, I’m delighted to announce that Enugu State is on the verge of securing a remarkable N100m grant from the African Climate Foundation, which will be instrumental in developing a groundbreaking and innovative science-based climate change policy and action plan for the state. This pioneering initiative will be the first of its kind across the 36 states of the federation, positioning Enugu as a trailblazer in climate action and sustainable development.”

On the effort to build the New Enugu City and terminal stations, Mbah reminded that “the beauty and orderliness seen in western capitals and cities were not wished into existence, as behind those qualities lie diligent planning, respect for laws and sacrifice.”

He added that while development is sometimes akin to the early stages of road construction where there might be some slight discomfort, the end is often redeeming.”

“The Central Terminal and the Enugu New City might both seem like a long, painful walk for some. But they will ultimately result in painless, graceful strides crucial to Enugu’s rise to take its rightful pride of place among the world’s best cities.

“The Enugu New City , on the other hand, was envisioned to be the premier investment destination in Nigeria. This vibrant, integrated metropolis driven by manufacturing, commerce and tourism would boast facilities comparable to the standards in globally-renowned cities, from theme park to industrial park,” he said.

*Human Capital/Workers’ Welfare*

Besides implementing an e-governance technology, and digitalisation in Enugu State with significant positive impacts on both the people and the economy, Mbah said he had in the past 12 months paid considerable attention to the twin-issues of pensions and gratuities.

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“Our senior citizens deserve their due reward when they retire, having devoted a great percentage of their lives in service to the state. Doing so, however, requires some verification exercise to digitalize the process and make the payments seamless, going forward. We have, in fact, cleared the verified backlog,” he concluded.

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