Economy
Governor Lalong presents 2022 Appropriation Bill of 106 Billion Naira to House of Assembly

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has presented a proposed 2022 budget of One Hundred and Six Billion, Eight Hundred and Seven Million, Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Two Naira, Twelve kobo (106,807,267,642.12) to the House of Assembly.

While presenting the budget tagged “A BUDGET OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND CONSOLIDATION OF INCLUSIVE INFRASTRUCTURAL GROWTH 2” to the House, the Governor said the 2022 proposed Appropriation Bill is tailored towards the completion of on-going projects and activation of new that will impact the lives of the people.

He said the proposed 2022 budget estimate consists of Seventy-Six Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Seven Hundred and One Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Four Naira, Sixty-Two kobo (76,263,701,644.62) only as recurrent expenditure representing 71.4% of the total budget. Thirty billion, five hundred and forty three million, five hundred and sixty five thousand, nine hundred and ninety seven naira, fifty kobo (30,543,565,997.50) only is earmarked as capital estimate representing 28.6% of the total budget.
This according to him indicates a decrease of Forty Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirty Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Eight naira, Eighty-Eight kobo (40,730,552,208, 88) only on the 2021 total approved budget.
He explained that the budget will be funded from following sources such as
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): Twenty-Four Billion, One Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Two naira, Twelve Kobo (24,199,475,222.12) only. Statutory Revenue Allocation (SRA): Fifty-Five
Billion Naira (55,000,000,000.00) only.
Aids and Grants: Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Two Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty-Four naira (3, 982, 339, 584.00) only.
Others are Capital Development Fund (CDF): Three Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Six naira (3,625,452, 836.00) only.
v. Domestic Loans: The sum of Twenty Billion Naira (20,000,000,000.00) only.
Governor Lalong said “In addition to continuing work on completing on-going infrastructural projects across the three Senatorial Districts of the State, we intend to break ground on new ones. Among them is the construction of the British-American Junction Flyover and dualization to Lamingo Junction Roundabout. Similarly we shall carry out the design of Master Plan for some selected urban areas in Plateau State namely: (Heipang, Mangu and Shendam)”.
He said while the Government hopes to complete the building of High Court Complex Phase 1 in Jos, it shall also embark on the renovation of old High Court Complexes and 35 Magistrate Courts to provide conducive environment for the Judiciary to perform its duties.
“We shall also establish a Microfinance Development Fund to propel entrepreneurship and accelerate the growth of the Micro and Small Scale Industry in the State for job creation, youth empowerment and poverty reduction. I also wish to also re-assure this Honourable House and indeed the citizens of Plateau State, that the Legacy Projects will be completed and delivered as envisaged. Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the people enjoy the benefits of those projects” he said.
Lalong explained that the sharp drop in the total budget size compared to last year has become necessary because Government realized that each year’s budget deviation performance was on the increase as the annual Budgets were characterized by high deficit projections. This he said prompted the Government to reduce the deficit projections and “cut our coat according to our clothe” in the 2022 proposed budget.
The Governor said he hoped that the House will give the proposal necessary attention it deserves. While urging the honourable House to diligently peruse and deliberate on the budget, he said he looked forward to their cooperation in the speedy passage of the budget to enable the government commence implementation and service delivery from the onset of the new financial year.
In his response, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abok Nuhu Ayuba said the House will look at the budget critically and do justice to it in the interest of the citizens of the State.
He assured the Governor that the House will be thorough and also carry out its oversight functions while ensuring that the budget impacts the lives of the people positively.

Economy
2025 Revenue: FG, States, LGAs share N1.678 trillion

A total sum of N1.678 trillion, being February 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.

The revenue was shared at the March 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja; chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

The meeting was attended by the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
The total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised distributable statutory revenue of N827.633 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N 609.430 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N35.171 billion, Solid Minerals revenue of N28.218 billion and Augmentation of N178 billion.
According to a communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), total gross revenue of N2.344 trillion was available in the month of February 2025. Total deduction for cost of collection was N89.092 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N577.097 billion.
The communiqué stated that gross statutory revenue of N1.653 trillion was received for the month of February 2025. This was lower than the sum of N1.848 trillion received in the month of January 2025 by N194.664 billion.
Gross revenue of N654.456 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in February 2025. This was lower than the N771.886 billion available in the month of January 2025 by N117.430 billion.
The communiqué stated that from the total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion, the Federal Government received total sum of N569.656 billion and the State Governments received total sum of N562.195 billion.
The Local Government Councils received total sum of N410.559 billion and a total sum of N136.042 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
On the N827.633 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N366.262 billion and the State Governments received N185.773 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N143.223 billion and the sum of N132.374 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
From the N609.430 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N91.415 billion, the State Governments received N304.715 billion and the Local Government Councils received N213.301 billion.
A total sum of N5.276 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N35.171 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N17.585 billion and the Local Government Councils received N12.310 billion.
From the N28.218 billion Solid Minerals revenue, the Federal Government received N12.933 billion and the State Governments received N6.560 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N5.057 billion and a total sum of N3.668 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
The Augmentation of N178 billion was shared as follows: Federal Government received N93.770 billion, the State Governments received N47.562 billion and the Local Government Councils received N36.668 billion.
In February 2025, Oil and Gas Royalty and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), increased significantly while Value Added Tax (VAT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies recorded decreases.

Economy
Protesters urge president Tinubu to protect Diaspora housing investments along Lagos-Calabar coastal highway

A group under the aegis of Renewed Hope Concern Citizens (RHCC) on Friday staged a peaceful protest, calling for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in protecting housing investments owned by Nigerians in the diaspora along the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

The protesters gathered in front of the United States Embassy in Abuja, carrying banners with inscriptions such as; Minister of Works, Senator Umahi should revert to the original gazetted alignment as promised. Enough is Enough; Association of Nigerian Diaspora Investors (ANDI) has cried enough, please intervene to save their energy to promote, support, and assist the Renewed Hope Administration; Renewed Hope Concern Citizens want Diaspora Investments to be protected and given adequate attention among others

“As committed stakeholders in the nation’s economic progress, we have consistently supported the government’s vision, particularly in revitalizing Nigeria’s infrastructure and energy sector. While we acknowledge the administration’s positive strides, recent developments have raised concerns about the misalignment of energy policies, particularly regarding the 2006 Gazetted alignment.
“We urgently call on the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to restore the 2006 Gazetted alignment to ensure continued growth and stability in Nigeria’s energy sector,” said Hon. Tayo Agbaje, Chairman of RHCC, while addressing journalists.
The group refuted the Minister’s claim that an underground cable warranted the removal of structures in Okun Ajah, Lagos and outlined several reasons why President Tinubu’s intervention is crucial.
According to them, The 2006 Gazetted alignment has long provided a stable and predictable framework, essential for maintaining investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Diaspora investors contribute significantly to job creation, business growth, and the overall economy, making their protection vital to sustaining these contributions.
“The President should investigate the Minister of Works’ claim about the underground cable allegedly interfering with the 2006 Gazetted plan.
“Restoring the alignment will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to a stable investment climate, boosting foreign investor confidence and attracting much-needed capital for infrastructure development.
“Deviating from established policies creates uncertainty, undermining both current and future foreign investments.
“Maintaining the 2006 Gazetted alignment will signal Nigeria’s dedication to long-term economic stability, further reassuring both local and international investors,” the group stated.
The RHCC reaffirmed its support for the Association of Nigeria in Diaspora Investments (ANDI) in its quest to uphold the 2006 Gazetted alignment plan of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
They urged the government to act swiftly to protect diaspora investors, as this will strengthen Nigeria’s investment future and ensure continued economic success under the Renewed Hope Administration.

Economy
Ogunjimi promises to collaborate with ex-Accountants-General in taking treasury house to greater heights

The newly appointed Accountant General
of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen B. Ogunjimi said he would collaborate and tap from the wealth of experiences of all Former Accountants -General of the Federation to bring the nation treasury to a greater height.

Mr Ogunjimi disclosed this while receiving two Former Accountants-General of the Federation, Dr John Naiyeju and Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo in his office in Abuja.

Speaking earlier, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo suggested the upgrading of the Treasury Academy, Orozo owned by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to a Degree (University) awarding Institute.
Also, Dr. John K. Naiyeju charged the new Accountant-General to carry along everyone and advised him to make staff welfare his priority.
In a related development, the Accountant-General of the Federation expressed his willingness to work with all professional organisation that will bring positive development to the nation, especially, his professional and Academy colleagues of the doctorate class.
Mr Ogunjimi called on his classmates to come up with ideas and suggestions that will enhance the management of the nation’s treasury that will positively affect the economy development.
In his remarks, the Chairman Forum of Doctorate Students, Ibrahim Aliyu said that they were in Treasury House to congratulate one of their own and assured him of their support towards his successful tenure.

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