GOVERNOR YARI REASSURES OF MORE ROADS IN THE RURAL AREAS

The Executive Governor of Zamfara state and Chairman Nigeria Governors' Forum, Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar today Friday 20th January 2017, Reaffirms his commitment to fulfilling his 2015 electioneering campaign promises to the people of the state, particularly rural communities he promised to provide with roads.

The Gov said the promises to various communities in the state would be fulfilled before the end of the tenure of his administration.

Gov Yari gave the assurance in Dauran town of Zurmi local government at the flag - off of the construction of the road linking Dauran - Birnin Tsaba - Birnin Magaji - Kaura Namoda Road.

The Gov said the road which is to be constructed at the cost of #4,349,534,298.26, would be completed and commissioned within the next twelve months, as 60% of the contract sum has already been paid to the contractor DANTATA & SAWOE.

He said his administration constructed over 700 kilometers of both state and federal roads across the state. This is in addition to the 20 kilometers of Township road constructed by the administration in each of the fourteen local government areas of the state.

Gov Yari said his government accorded construction of roads topmost priority due to the the strategic importance of the roads in security, agriculture, industry, mining, transport and the wellbeing of the citizenry.

He regretted that the present economic difficulty being faced by the nation has been responsible for the delay in the fulfillment of the campaign promises.

He thanked the people for their patience and prayers for the success of his administration, and urged them to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed in his efforts to put Nigeria in the right path of peace and Economic development.

The construction of the road was flagged off by the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON.

Saraki congralated the people of Zamfara state for having a dynamic and focused leader, full of vision and wisdom.

He commended the Gov for his foresight and wonderful performance.

Signed
Ibrahim Dosara
Hon Special Adviser to the Executive Governor
(Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications)
20/01 /2017

GOVERNMENT HOUSE GUSAU

This is to inform the general public, particularly the press, that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara state and Chairman Nigeria Governors' Forum Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar (Shatiman Zamfara) would tomorrow Friday, 20th January, 2017 flag - off the construction of Dauran - Birnin Tsaba - Birnin Magaji - Kaura Namoda Road,  with spur roads to Nasarawa Godal and Modomawa towns.
The President of the Senate Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki would perform the flagging - off at Dauran town by 10:30 am.
Members of the press and the general public to note, please.
Thanks

Signed
Mal Ibrahim Dosara
Hon Special Adviser to the Executive Governor
(Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications)

FG CONDOLES GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF ZAMFARA STATE

Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara state today received a Federal Government Delegation to condole the government and people of Zamfara state over the recent attacks and killing of some innocent people in the state.

 Receiving the 5 man delegation, Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar reassures his government resolved commitment and determination to ending security challenges bedevilling the state.

The Governor who expresses satisfaction over President Muhammadu Buhari 's concerns on the happenings in Zamfara state said this is the first time he received Federal government delegation to condole the government and people of the state over wanton killings of innocent people within the six years of his administration,  despite the scourge of killings by the terrorists.

The Gov commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his attention and care for the wellbeing of Zamfara people,  adding that there was no time he visited the President over such incidents without getting the President's attention.

He said his government has set up a special committee to go round the affected areas with a view to assessing the extent of damages and assisting the victims,  including setting up IDP centres where necessary.

He thanked Mr President for sending the delegation to condole the government and the people of the state and prayed for their safe return back home.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation,  Hon. Minister of Water Resources, Alh Suleiman Adamu told the Governor that president Muhammadu Buhari was worried over the killings in the state, hence sending the delegated to come and commiserate with the Government and people of the state.

The 5 man Federal government delegation said members of the Federal Executive Council and President Muhammadu Buhari were deeply concerned over the incident in which over One Hundred and Fifty people lost their lives to bandits within the short period of time, last week and condemned in stronger terms, the act of terror.

Mr Sulaiman Adamu pledges federal government's resolved commitment to arresting the situation in the state, also prayed for the repose of the departed souls and quick recovery for the injured.

In the delegation were ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr Audu Ogbeh, ministers of State Aviation Sen Hadi Sirika,  that of Environment Alh Usman Jibrin,  as well as the Minister of Health Prof.Isaac Adewole

Signed
Hon. Ibrahim Dosara
(Kakakin Maradun)
Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communication.

GOV. YARI MEETS WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON SECURITY.

  Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state today Monday 21st November 2016 expressed dissatisfaction over the conduct of security agencies in the state

Gov Yari who  was addressing a strata of stakeholders in the state reiterated the state government commitment to continue safeguarding the lives and property of all Zamfara State citizens.

The governor said, the state government was bitterly not happy with the performance of security in the state.

He said he provides what ever the security agencies require at all times and questioned how people were allowing new faces into their domain without proper consultation with the security.

He said the state government had already consulted all relevant security agencies at both state and national levels with a view to ending the current reoccurrence of arm banditry in the state.

Yari however said already he has instructed all security personnel working to arrest anybody suspected of wrong doing in the state.

He particularly called on traditional and  religious leaders to educate the citizen the need to continue praying for peace and tranquility in the state.

Finally, governor Yari equally said the responsibility of security is for all people, therefore advised the citizens to report any suspicious person to nearest authority for necessary  action .

Ibrahim Magaji Dosara
(Kakakin Maradun)
Hon Special Adviser
Public Enlightenment ,
Media and Communication, Gusau.

NEC ENDORSES ALTERNATIVE OIL & GAS JOINT VENTURE FUNDING REGIME, ELIMINATING CASH CALLS

At its meeting presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the National Economic Council, NEC, today endorsed a new funding regime for the oil and gas industry, eliminating the often arduous and onerous cash call regime which has dragged the industry in about a decade, stalling growth.

This is one of the highlights of today’s meeting of NEC, which  is the constitutional body set up to advise the president on the economic affairs of the federation. Chaired by the Vice President, governors of all 36 states of the federation and the Central Bank governor are statutory members.

The alternative funding stream had been approved earlier this week at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday and then presented today to NEC, as the body mandated to come up with “measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.”



HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL’S 72NDNEC MEETING – THURSDAY, 17TH NOVEMBER, 2016


ENERGIZING THE MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMES) SECTOR AS MAJOR ECONOMIC GROWTH DRIVE

Council received a presentation from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and relevant agencies on Energizing the MSMEs sector as a major Economic Growth Drive.The Ministry informed the Council that the total estimated number of MSMEs is  37,067,416 MSMEs in Nigeria, and their contributions to employment is 84.02%,  48.47% to GDP, and 7.27% to export.Of the total number, micro enterprises account for the majority, (99.8%) of the MSMEs in Nigeria, with 36,994,578 enterprises, 68,168 small enterprises, and 4,670 medium enterprises.According to the presentation, Lagos State has the highest number of Micro Enterprises – (3,224,324); followed by Oyo and Kano States (1,864,054 and 1,794,358 respectively, while Nasarawa State has the least (226).

PRESENTATION BY THE CBN GOVERNOR ON FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES CRITICAL FOR MSMES DEVELOPMENT

Following up on the presentation, the Governor of CBN made a related presentation to the Council on financing opportunities critical for MSMEs development.The Governor reported that the reason for the CBN’s involvement in MSMEs is to increase lending, provide access to affordable credit facility, and diversify the country’s economic base, create jobs and improve microeconomic stability.Other reasons include to boost the capacity of MSMEs, conserving foreign exchange reserve, encourage export and the expansion of agriculture, manufacturing and to service other sub-sectors.He stated that the CBN has a fund for such purposes in excess of N200B meant to provide affordable loans to MSMEs, adding that for instance in about three states the Bank has helped 120, 290 small holder farmers under the Anchor Borrowers Programme launched by President Muhammadu Buhari, creating more than 500,000 jobs.


MEMORANDUM ON THE ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE OPTION FOR FUNDING JOINT VENTURE CASH CALLS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF STATE, PETROLEUM RESOURCES

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu stated that the current upstream Joint Venture arrangement in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) meaning that NNPC and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) partner in each Joint Venture as unique and separate legal entities.

The Minister also noted that while the NNPC pays the entire Oil and Gas revenues realised from the JV operations into the Federation account, the production costs are appropriated, calendarized and paid monthly as Cash Calls to the JV operations from the NNPC and IOCs.According to the Minister, January – November 2016 underfunding of the NNPC Cash Calls is estimated at US$2.3 billion.  This is in addition to the inherited arrears estimated at USD$6.8 billion for year ending 2015.However he disclosed that through negotiations the $6.8B past due Cash Calls burden on the Federation has now been reduced to $5.1B, which would be paid based on an improved oil production output.Under the new funding stream, the JVs would become incorporated and source for their own financing, freeing-up the FG from the budgetary obligations of coming up with the cash calls already put at $2.3B so far this year alone.Under the alternative funding regime, the technical cost of oil production in the country would also come down from about $27 per barrel to $18.The new arrangement, he assured would drive up investment in the oil and gas sector while also boosting production output and revenue significantly.For instance net payment from oil production to the Federation account is expected to peak under the new arrangement to about $18B by year 2020 while raising output to 3million barrels per day.

REPORT ON THE EXCESS CRUDE PROCEEDS PRESENTED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE

The Honourable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun reported to Council that as at November 2016, the balance of Excess Crude Proceeds stands at $2, 455,790,144- i.e. about $2.4B

  UPDATE ON BUDGET SUPPORT LOAN FACILITY

A sum of N1.1 billion was disbursed in the month of October to 35 States and a total of N6.3 billion has now been disbursed to each of the 35 States.


LONG TERM FINANCIAL ABUSES BY SOME REVENUE GENERATING AGENCIES

Arising from previous Council deliberations on the matter, the Vice President informed that the Federal Government is paying diligent attention to the issue of abuses and excesses of certain Revenue Generating Agencies, RGA.He then asked the Finance Minister to further brief the Council. The Minister detailed to Council certain activities of some Revenue Generating Agencies (RGAs) that amounted to financial abuses of the revenue they generate, meant to have been remitted to the Federation Account, but diverted through several undue and illegal means and ploys.This include paying salaries above specifications of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, converting official cars to personal ownership under 48 hours of purchase, inappropriate and arbitrary monetization of medical allowances, undue and excessive overseas travels, lavish training allowances and conference spendings, excessive and personal loan approvals, including unapproved mortgages among others.The Ministry of Finance and RMFAC are working together to rein in these abuses as this revenue agencies raise as much as 1.5 trillion Naira yearly, and spend almost 90% of it on recurrent expenditure in clear violation of due process and the constitution.The Minister added that this financial abuses have been going on for a decade, whereby the agencies hide revenues that ought to go into the Federation Account. But assured Council that such activities will now be exposed and terminated as directed by the President.


ECOLOGICAL FUND

Governors brought up the alleged N2 billion said to have been paid to some States by the last Administration under unclear circumstances and criteria.  There were complaints that state governments did not have equal access to the Fund amid allegations of political preferences.Vice President Osinbajo assured the Council that the matter would be properly investigated, broadly reviewed, and forthright counsel would be made to the President regarding the matter.

Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity

Office of the Vice President

November 17, 2016

BINDIN KILLINGS: GOVERNOR YARI MEETS CHIEF OF AIR STAFF

In continuation of the pursuit for justice for the victims of the recent attack on miners at a mining site in Bindin Village of Maru local government area in Zamfara state, the state  Executive Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, today Wednesday, the 16th November, 2016, met with the Nigerian Chief of Air staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

The Gov who expressed deep concerns over the spate of attacks on innocent citizens of Zamfara state, solicited for the support of the Chief of  Air Staff to end the rampant killings.

The meeting which was conducted in a close door lasted for some hours.

The Gov who insists on taking all necessary efforts and measures to tackle insecurity situation in the state, to allow the people live in Peace, said people must be given the opportunity to enjoy their fundamental human rights to continue with their legitimate businesses.

Governor Yari has since last week when the incident occurred, been chasing means and manners to handle security situation in Zamfara state.

The Governor appeals to the people of the state continue supporting the current move by his government to tackle all forms of banditry and criminality in the state to give peace a chance.

 Gov Yari who described the people of Zamfara state as peace loving citizens, said his government would not relent in its efforts to ensuring peaceful coexistence between various communities living in the state.

 Gov Yari said his government would henceforth be dealing decisively, with who ever is caught taking laws in to his hands, terrorizing innocent people in the state, no matter his highly placed.

Signed
Ibrahim Dosara
Hon Special Adviser to the Governor
(Public Enlightenment, Media & Communication)

The Federal Governments’ policy on 13 percent revenue derivation fund on mineral resources in all parts of the federation has been described as a welcome development.

Governor Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State and Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum, made the remark today at government house Gusau, while receiving a delegation of Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commision, Abuja, who paid him a courtesy call, as part of a week tour to the State.

Governor Yari said Zamfara State would be among the first beneficiaries of the policy, considering the numerous mineral deposits available in the State.

 He expressed delight and the state government readiness to support the policy with a view to diversify the state economy.

Governor Yari said already the State government had constituted a task Force Committee to regulate illegal mining in the state, adding that government would soon enbark on a process of documentation of all registered and licensed miners in the State, to allow the state benefit from the policy.

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation Engr. Dr. Friday Eguche, told the Governor that 13 percent revenue derivation funds was not restricted to only oil producing States, but also extended to all other states of the federation where mineral resources are being extracted from beneath the Earth, including sand.

Dr. Friday advised the State government to properly document all mining activities in the State, in order to benefit from the policy.
                                                      Ibrahim Dosara                                                           Hon. Special Adviser to the Executive Governor                                                                     (Public Enlightenment, Media                                                                          and Communications)