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Ajaokuta Steel: Process of Re-directing the Activities of the Steel Plant Kick-starts as FG Inaugurate APPIT

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3 years ago

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Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited
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The Federal Government has kick-start process of redirecting the activities of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant Limited.

This is revealed in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha during the inauguration of the Ajaokuta Presidential Project Implementation Team (APPIT).

Boss Mustapha said, “I am delighted to address you all at this unique and historical event that is expected to culminate in pushing forward the economic diversification agenda of this government. As you are all aware, Mr. President’s quest to create opportunities for the development of our national local capacity, especially in the area of industrialization within a diversified economy remains a major cardinal point in his administration.

  1. The Ajaokuta Steel plant have languished in economic unproductivity for about four decades and previous efforts at reviving it had proved abortive. This has resulted in avoidable massive foreign exchange losses at intolerable opportunity cost to the country. The pressing need to redress these avoidable challenges has necessitated this Presidential intervention at this time. This is further underscored by difficulties being witnessed with present challenges in the global oil industry.
  2. Revamping the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, therefore clearly presents a unique opportunity to make us West Africa’s largest fully integrated steel producer and most importantly accelerate our industrialization especially in steel related industries.
  3. Honourable Minister and distinguished Members of the Committee, this government places a lot of value on the diversification of the economy, hence, Mr. President’s participation at the Russia-Africa Summit last year in Sochi, to discuss the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin.
  4. Following the bilateral discussions in Sochi, Russia, the Ajaokuta Steel Project is to be resuscitated on the basis of a Government-to-Government agreement with funding from the Afreximbank and the Russian Export Centre. However, one of the key issues discussed by the parties was the Technical Audit, Upgrade, Completion and Operation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
  5. Today’s inauguration of the “Ajaokuta Presidential Project and Implementation Team” (APPIT) is therefore meant to kick start the process of re-directing the activities of the Steel Plant with the aim of bringing the Steel Project back to life for the growth and economic development of our dear nation.
  6. I am happy to note that preliminary works have commenced to determine parameters for effective and coordinated take-off of rehabilitation works on the Steel plant. It is on this note that Mr. President graciously approved the composition of this Implementation Team that is being inaugurated today, with the under listed terms of reference (TOR):

i. Engage in all bilateral negotiations as shall be necessary on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria leading to the execution of the Government-to-Government Agreement with the Russian Federation and the Afreximbank;
ii. Provide all relevant technical and other inputs necessary to close the Government-to-Government negotiations;
iii. Ensure that the best extreme possible, all relevant raw materials are sourced locally, bearing in mind the local content provisions and the Presidential Executive Order 005;
iv. Scrutinize and assemble Nigerian Content Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Special Purpose Vehicle Contractors which will embody the Co-Concessionaire representing Nigeria’s interest in the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Concession;
v. Ensure the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Plant (ASP) based on the original design; and
vi. Ensure timely commissioning of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant (ASP) within a reasonable period to be agreed upon by the parties to the agreement and recommend primary tenure of a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Concession.

  1. The membership of the Ajaokuta Presidential Project Implementation Team (APPIT) include:

i. Secretary to the Government of the Federation: Chairman
ii. Hon. Minister of Mines and Steel Development: Alt Chairman
iii. Permanent Secretary, Mines and Steel Development Member
iv. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance Member
v. Solicitor-General of the Federation/
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice Member
vi. Mr. Gabriel Aduda Member
vii. Sole Administrator, Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd Member
viii. Sole Administrator, National Iron Ore Mining Co. Member
ix. Engr. Vincent Dogo (Industry Expert) Member
x. Prof. Elegba S.B. (Industry Expert) Member
xi. Dr. Godwin Adeogba (Industry Expert) Member
xii. Director-General, ICRC Member
xiii. Director, Steel; MMSD Member.

  1. The Committee is expected to prepare and submit a periodic work plan along with quarterly progress reports on assignment activities, end-of-assignment report and develop concession contract terms.
  2. I am happy to note that the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development has prepared a detailed Scope of Work which takes cognizance of technical due diligence, costing of investment required, forecast and financial analysis amongst others. It would, therefore be necessary that you focus your minds on the following deliverables, as a minimum:
    • periodic work plan and quarterly progress reports and an end-of-assignment report.

• Briefing Materials for participating in road infrastructure development and Roundtables and Road-Show events;

• Technical reports on key aspects of the project preparation work and concession contract terms.

• Stakeholder engagement

  1. It is my utmost believe that the APPIT will carry out this assignment with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity. It is equally expected of members to conduct assigned duties in an open and transparent manner at all times.
  2. I am confident that with the calibre of members of this team and their associated high degree of professionalism and integrity, Nigeria would witness a revamped steel industry that will propel further industrialisation.
  3. Hon. Minister, distinguished guests, it is therefore my singular honour and privilege to formally inaugurate the ‘’Ajaokuta Presidential Project and Implementation Team’’ (APPIT) to the good of our dear country, Nigeria.
  4. I thank you all for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Business and Economy

FAAC Shares N680.783 Billion May 2022 Revenue To FG, States And LGCs

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12 months ago

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June 24, 2022

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The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N680.783 Billion May 2022 Federation Account Revenue to the Federal Government, States and Local Government Councils.   

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for June 2022, held in Abuja.  

The N680.783 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N385.004 billion,  distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N198.512 billion and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N97.267 billion. 

In May 2022, the total deductions for cost of collection was N36. 996 billion and total deductions for transfers and refunds was N186.672 billion.  

The balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $35.377 million.  

The communiqué confirmed that from the total distributable revenue of N680.783 billion; the Federal Government received N229.563 billion, the State Governments received N241.824 billion and the Local Government Councils received N175.942 billion. The sum of N33.454 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue. 

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A gross statutory revenue of N589.952 billion was received for the month of May 2022. This was lower than the N635.037 billion received in the previous month by N45.085 billion.  

From the  N385.004 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N185.197 billion, the State Governments received N93.934 billion and the Local Government Councils received N72.419 billion. The sum of N33.454 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue.   

In the month of May 2022, the gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N213.179 billion.  This was higher than the N178.825 billion available in the month of April 2022 by N34.354 billion.  

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From the N198.512 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N29.777 billion, the State Governments received N99.256 billion and the Local Government Councils received N69.479 billion. 

The Federal Government received N14.590 billion; the State Governments received N48.634 billion and the Local Government Councils received N34.043 billion from the N97.267 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). 

According to the Communiqué, in the month of May 2022,  Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) recorded considerable increases, Import Duty increased marginally while Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Excise Duties decreased marginally. Oil and Gas Royalties decreased significantly.    

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Business and Economy

Non-interest TAJBank Reports 433% PBT in 2021 Financial Year

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1 year ago

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May 29, 2022

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Vibrant Board is Key to Local Capacity Building – Lee Maeba
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…as balance sheet grows to N110bn

The second non-interest Bank, TAJBank Limited, has recorded more milestones in its second year of operations with its profit before tax (PBT) surging to N1.6 billion in FY2021, representing 433% improvement over the preceding year’s profit.  

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This is even as the multiple award-winning lenders, which recently received the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification in recognition of its globally recognized information security standards in all areas of its operations, also recorded 117% growth in gross revenue from N3.3 billion in FY2020 to N7.2 billion in FY2021.

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In the period under review, the bank recorded positive indicators which showed the remarkable growth that the nascent bank continues to achieve. push({}); The bank’s financial results showed a rise in its balance sheet figure from N50 billion in FY2020 to N110 billion in the FY2021 recording a 122% growth.

The bank also achieved a leap in shareholders’ funds during the year which also marked some great improvements in the Bank’s financial results coming from the previous year.

The non-interest bank’s audited financial statements also reflected outstanding positive indices which demonstrated its management’s professionalism in handling investors’ funds despite serious economic headwinds.

TAJBank’s drive for deposit base growth showed in the financial results as customer deposits also remarkably grew in the year under review, increasing by 99% over the previous year’s value and representing the highest in the industry.

Also, the bank also rapidly expanded its branch network by 22 new branches and business offices within the period under review.

Speaking on the financial results, the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hamid Joda, noted that “since commencing operations two years ago, TAJBank has continued to record giant strides in the financial services industry.

“It is on record that we achieved break-even in our 8th month of business, recorded profit in our first year of operations while also wiping-off preoperational expenses in the first year of operation. Generally, the bank has continued to record excellent financial performance within the short period of its existence”, he added.

The Executive Director, Mr. Sherif Idi, while reacting to the results said: “TAJBank has a healthy appetite for growth and for excellence and these results are a testament to what we portray and what we are about.”

He also stressed that the bank “is not looking at slowing down in its sustained commitment to continue to add value to our shareholders, surpassing our customers’ expectations in innovative products and services delivery and in ensuring that we continue to break frontiers in the Nigerian financial system.”

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Business and Economy

Reps Passes 2022 Budget of N17.1 Trillion

Published

1 year ago

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December 22, 2021

By

Femi Gbajabiamila
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Ogechi Okorie

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed N17,126,873,917,692 as 2022 budget.

The budget was passed by the Green Chamber following the presentation of report by the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Muktar Betara.

The report was considered at the Committee of Supply presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and his deputy, Hon. Idris Wase.

According to the Bill passed by the lawmakers authorises the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N17,126,873,917,692 (Seventeen Trillion, One Hundred and Twenty-Six Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, Nine Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety-Two Naira) only.

N869,667,187,542 (Eight Hundred and Sixty-Nine Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty-Two Naira) only is for Statutory Transfers while N3,879,952,981,550 (Three Trillion, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Two Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Naira) only is for Debt Service.

N6,909,849,788,737 (Six Trillion, Nine Hundred and Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty-Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Seven Naira) only is for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure while the sum of N5,467,403,959,863 (Five Trillion, Four Hundred and Sixty-Seven Billion, Four Hundred and Three Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Three Naira) only is for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2022.

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According to Chairman committee on Appropriation Hon. Muktar Betara, the report was a result of work done on the submission of estimates by the president.

He observed that the 2022 budget would be the last to be fully implemented by the current administration.

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According to him, the report took cognizance of the benchmark estimates and the financial/economic realities of current times.

He earlier urged members to support and approve the recommendations in the spirit of the harmonious execution of projects for the good of Nigeria.

The report was considered clause by clause and passed.

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The Green Chamber adjourned plenary till Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa

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