Nigeria Press Review 27.11. – 4.12.2020
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November/December 2020 Nigeria Office Nigeria Press Review 27.11. – 4.12.2020 Welcome to Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Nigeria Weekly Press Review The weekly press review seeks to explore and keep you informed on selected issues relating to politics, business and economy, insecurity, infrastructure and development, health related issues, new trends and matters bothering on COVID-19 and the situation in Nigeria. Content Experts Worry over Nigeria’s Debt Profile, FG Reveals Plans for Debt Restructuring and Improved Standard of Living FG Set to Introduce Gas as Alternative to Petrol for Automobiles, begins Solar Power Installation in December Corruption Cases: PRTT Chairman, Maina Arrested for Alleged Fraud, EFCC Seeks for the Extradition of Former Petroleum Minister, Madueke #EndSARS: Investigation Continues as Judicial Panels Sustain Sitting, Reps Seeks Apology from British Parliament over Corruption Allegation Against Gowon, FG to Treat Rising Protest as Treason Pressure Mounts over 2023 Presidential Election Insecurity: Boko Haram Strikes Again, Kills Dozens of Famers in Borno State, Stakeholders React Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V. N igeria Office November/December 2020 2 Experts Worry over Nigeria’s Debt Profile, FG million citizens now have access to portable wa- Reveals Plans for Debt Restructuring and Im- ter and that the policy would create jobs and en- proved Standard of Living hance food security. Premium Times (1st Decem- ber) details. As the country continues to battle the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and the plunge On another note, the federal government has in- in oil prices on the economy amid its rising debt creased the number of N-power beneficiaries un- profile, reports from last week revealed that Ni- der the Nigeria Social Investment Programme geria has gone into another recession. Experts (NSIP) to 1 million citizens. The federal govern- have expressed concerns over the rising debt ment had initially planned 500,000 beneficiaries profile. The Op-Ed Contributor in Nairametrics for the program. In a press briefing, the Minister News (2nd December) questioned the extravagant of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq noted that spending by the government and its continuous the N-Power program is spread across key indus- borrowing when the country can no longer afford tries such as the Agriculture, Health, Education, the luxury. The contributor introduced the notion and Tax. She added that President Buhari has ap- of “austerity” which is never a sought after option proved the expansion of the NSIP programmes. for governments and advised the government to Kunnle Sanni explains in Premium Times (1st De- change its strategy and cut its spending. cember). On the same note, the Resource Centre for Hu- man Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), raised FG Set to Introduce Gas as Alternative to Pet- alarm over the country’s mounting debt. The Ex- rol for Automobiles, begins Solar Power Instal- ecutive Director of CHRICED, Ibrahim M. lation in December Zikirullahi lamented on the rising debt which he described as a direct threat to “Nigeria’s democ- The federal government has introduced a Natural racy, national stability and the survival of current Gas Expansion (NGEP), that will convert fuel and future generations of citizens”. He ques- powered cars, generators from petrol to gas. The tioned the reason for the sustained borrowing Group General Manager/Special Assistant on policy without visible result to the country’s de- Media to the Minister of State for Petroleum velopment. He stressed that the rising debt Resources, Garba Deen Muhammad, stated that would have serious consequences for the coun- at least one million vehicles would be converted try. Vincent Ufoma, ICIR News (1st December) ex- to run on auto gas by 2021. He said that the plains. program will deepen domestic usage of netural gas in its various form and also make gas the first Still on debts, the federal government has re- choice of cheaper and cleaner energy. Micheal vealed plans for debts restructuring. The Minister Ebo, Vanguard News (29th November) and of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Eklavya Gupte, S & P Global (1st December) Ahmed, made this disclosure during a television report. programme. She stated that the current debt ser- vicing obligation are utilizing too much of the na- The federal government also stated that auto- tion’s resources. Zainab added that the govern- mobile owners will pay up to the tune 250,000 for ment would dwell on local borrowing and conces- the conversion. This was disclosed by the sionary loans. She said that the government Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Slyva. would improve its Public Private Partnership to Slyva noted that the conversion would be done include private investors and provision for more nationwide. He mentioned that the converted gas opportunities for development. All Africa News will be test-run and the installer will “now put (1st December) details. some form of mechanism that each time you buy the gas; a certain amount will be deducted to pay Meanwhile, the federal government has reiter- for the conversion kit”. Udeme Akpan, Vanguard ated its plans to lift 100 million citizens out of News (2nd December) explains. The Central Bank poverty. The Minister of Water Resources, Sulei- of Nigeria (CBN), will give the sum of N250bn to man Adamu, has stated that the federal govern- fund compressed Natural Gas. Johnson Uche, ment plans to create millions of jobs in the agri- Nairametircs (2nd December) details. cultural sector through massive irrigation. This was revealed by Adamu in the second edition of On the same note, President Muhammadu Nigeria Media Water Week. Adamu noted that 10 Buhari has commended citizens for their Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V. N igeria Office November/December 2020 3 patience and understanding as the country their Nigerien counterpart. In addition, Maina has battles its dwindling economy. President Buhari been extradicted to Nigeria after the team from who made the call at the virtual event to unveil INTERPOL Nigeria, led by the Commissioner of the National Gas Expansion Programme and Police INTERPOL, CP Garba Umar processed his National Autogas Roll-out Initiative, called for transfer. The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A citizens to adopt the alternative to fuel citing Adamu, NPM commended the efforts from the challenges posed for the deregulation of the security teams and assured that neccessay action downstream oil and fluctuations in the global would be taken. Nasir Ayitogo, Premium Times crude oil market. He further stressed on the need (3rd December) and Channels News (3rd for domestic gas expansion. Premium Times (1st December) report. December) explains. Still on corruption cases, the Federal High Court, On another note, the Presidency has revealed Abuja, has fixed March 3, 2021, for the EFCC to that about 25 million citizens who will benefit fully comply with its orders in the trial of former from the federal government Solar Home System Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison- is expected to pay about N24,000 monthly for a Madueke. This is coming following the request by period of 3 years. According to the Senior Special the EFCC asking the court to grant them more Assistant to the Vice President on Media and time to enable them prepare for the case. The Publicity, Laolu Akande, the federal government counsel to the EFCC, Farouk Abdullah noted would commence installation in underserved and difficulties in getting Madueke to Nigeria in order off-grid communities across the country next to appear before the court. He stressed on the week. He added that it would support efforts need for an arrest warrant to be able to achieve geared at fixing the nation’s energy supply desired results. Premium Times, (3rd December) challenge. Chike Olisah, Nairametrics (30th explains. November) writes. In new report, there was a total national grid in #EndSARS: Investigation Continues as Judicial Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Lagos and Zamfara states Panels Sustain Sitting, Reps Seeks Apology on Sunday, 30th November. This was disclosed via from British Parliament over Corruption twitter by the Abdulazeez Abdullahi, head of Allegation Against Gowon, FG to Treat Rising corporate communication of Kaduna Electricity Protest as Treason Distribution PLC. However, power was later restored. The Cable News (29th November). The judicial panels set up to investigate the controversy surrounding the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) protest, has sustained its Corruption Cases: PRTT Chairman, Maina panel sittings across the country. The #EndSARS Arrested for Alleged Fraud, EFCC Seeks for the protest which began in October called for an end Extradition of Former Petroleum Minister, to police brutality and excesses of security Madueke personels. The peaceful protest which gradually progressed to a call for change in the affairs of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission the country was hijacked by hoodlums following (EFCC) is prosecuting the former chairman of the the killings at the Lekki Toll Gate by uniformed Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrashid men alleged to be members of the Nigerian Abdullahi Maina, for alleged money laundering to Army. The Lagos Judicial Panel has dismissed a the tune of N2bn. Reports indicates that Maina petition brought by a witness, Paschal Bonu stopped attending his trial since September 29. seeking for the enforcement of a N300m The Judge presiding over the case, Justice Abang judgement against SARS. According to the Okon issued an arrest warrant for Maina after he spokesperson of the counsel (Police), the Court of jumped bail and failed to appear in court. Justice Appeal had delivered judgement in the case and Okon also ordered the arrest of his surety, upheld the ruling of the Federal High Court to Senator Ali Ndume, who was in Kuje prison for 5 reduce the damages from N300m to N30m. It days but was later released for his good conduct.