News
CNG: FG sets to rollout initial critical assets May 29
All is now set for the delivery of the first set of critical assets for the deployment and launch of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on May 29.
According to the presidency, which stated this on Sunday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Nigeria will take “some baby steps” to join nations that already have large fleets of CNG vehicles by the end of May.
He said: after months of detailed planning and background work, the committee driving the initiative is set to deliver on President Tinubu’s vision and promise, the statement said.
Already, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) committee, led by Michael Oluwagbemi, has delivered some major foundational reforms to enable the new CNG and Electric Vehicles future the president promised.
The statement affirmed, “After the removal of the wasteful fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative in October last year to deliver cheaper, safer, and more climate-friendly energy. The CNG Initiative was designed to deliver compressed natural gas, especially for mass transit.”
“The Federal Government, as part of the many intervention programs to reduce the burden of the increase in pump price on the masses, provided N100 billion (part of the N500 billion palliative budget) to purchase 5500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 Electric buses, and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, alongside spurring the development of CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations,” it added.
The statement observed that with necessary tax and duty waivers approved by President Tinubu in December 2023, the PCNGI committee is partnering with the private sector to deliver on the initiative.
The presidency maintained that the Tinubu administration has opened a new industry, along with creating thousands of new jobs.
“In all, over 600 buses are targeted for production in the first phase, which will be accomplished this year,” it noted.
“As part of private sector collaboration, NIPCO and BOVAS are involved in offering refilling services for the CNG vehicles and also serving as conversion centers,” the statement added.
“The Tinubu administration is an enabler of the evolving CNG industry,” it concluded.
News
Governor Oyebanji Raises State’s monthly Subvention By N438.9 million
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved a major increment in the monthly subvention to the Judiciary and the legislative arm of government as well as the subvented institutions in the state.
The increment which amounts to N438.9 million monthly is to enable the institutions take care of the new minimum wage and the attendant consequential adjustment for workers.
In a statement,Olayinka OyebodeSpecial Adviser (Media) to the Governor, disclosed that the
beneficiaries of the increment include the Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State High Court of Justice; Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission, and Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission.
Others are Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, (EKSU); Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH); Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere Ekiti; Ekiti State Polythecnic, Isan Ekiti; College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and associated Institutions.
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers, in fulfilment of his promise to defray all outstanding entitlements of workers inherited from previous administrations.
While restating the commitment of his administration to the wellbeing and welfare of workers and retirees, Governor Oyebanji says efforts are being made to ensure payment of all outstanding entitlements including gratuities in line with the continuity and shared prosperity agenda of the government.
He urges workers in the state to remain focused on excellent service delivery and to see themselves as strategic stakeholders in the Ekiti Project.
The first child of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, late Abiola Ajimobi’s, known as Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi, is dead.
It was gathered that Bisola who is married to Mr Kolapo Kola-Daisi died in the early hours of Thursday.
She died at the age of 42.
According to reports, she died in the United Kingdom.
Until her death, she was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
The Special Adviser to the former governor, Mr Bolaji Tunji confirmed the incident to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.
Tunji said, “Yes. It has been confirmed”.
The House of Representatives on Thursday reversed its decision on the second reading of a bill which sought to strip the vice-president, governors and deputy governors of immunity.
The lower legislative chamber made the U-turn after the Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion.
The bill, which is sponsored by Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers State, passed second reading on Wednesday.
Bob noted that the bill seeks to “promote accountability in public office” by removing the immunity currently granted to the vice-president, governors and their deputies.
Section 308 of the Constitution states that “the president, vice-president, governor, and deputy governor, during the period he/she is holding the office, shall not be subjected to civil or criminal proceedings.
“The occupants of the office shall not also be arrested or imprisoned and no process of any court requiring or compelling their appearance.
”Bob stated said the move is to curb corruption, curb immunity, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office.
The green chamber also rescinded its decision on the bill to abolish the death penalty.
The bill also passed second reading during plenary on Wednesday.
Governor Oyebanji Raises State’s monthly Subvention By N438.9 million
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