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Borrowings Critical For Economic Sustainability Plan

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‘Borrowings critical for economic sustainability plan,’ APC defends Buhari govt’s N2.6tr loan request

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday defended the Federal Government’s fresh request for a foreign loan.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday requested the Senate to approve a fresh N2.66 trillion ($4 billion and €710 million) external loan for the country.

In a letter addressed to Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, the President said the proposed loan would be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency, Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The request had drawn criticism from many Nigerians including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The National Secretary of APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, who reacted to the backlash that trailed the fresh loan request in a statement in Abuja, said the loans are necessary for the completion of various projects in the country.

He said the projects would stimulate economic growth, job generation, and poverty reduction when completed.

The APC spokesman stressed that the borrowings were to ensure the realisation of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan that touched key sectors of the nation’s economy.

Akpanudoedehe said: “It was in PDP’s era that loans for funding power generation, purchase of arms and ammunition to fight a raging insurgency were misappropriated and diverted to private pockets.

“And the borrowed money ultimately found its way to the pockets of cronies, friends, and family members of the administration’s officials.

“Nigeria is still servicing a $460 million loan taken from China to fund a phoney Abuja Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) contract awarded in August 2010.

“Nigerians should also reflect and recall that the PDP had in its 16 years of misrule pushed the country into a dark ditch of insolvency, and a period in which most state governments could not pay workers’ salaries.”

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Tinubu condoles with NNPCL boss over daughter’s death

President Bola Tinubu has condoled the death of his daughter with the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Kolo Mele Kyari.

Kyari’s daughter, Fatima died Friday at the age of 25 after protracted illness.

The President sympathised with Kyari and the rest of the family on the irreparable and painful loss.

He prayed for the repose of the soul of Fatima and urged the Kyari family to stay strong at these trying times

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Lagos sacks six LASTMA officials over misconduct

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has dismissed six of its officials based on the directive from the Lagos State Civil Service Commission (CSC).

This follows the recommendations of the Personnel Management Board, which flagged the officers for serious misconduct and inefficiency.

The disciplinary actions were officially communicated to the affected officials at LASTMA’s headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.

In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed that the Civil Service Commission had approved the board’s recommendations.

He emphasised that the disciplinary measures were in strict accordance with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Bakare-Oki reassured the public that LASTMA is committed to improving its operations and urged Lagos residents to report both commendable acts and cases of misconduct by LASTMA officials, providing necessary evidence.

“This exercise is part of our ongoing efforts to rid the agency of errant officers. Another Personnel Management Board meeting will soon be held to review additional cases,” he said.

He also called on road users in Lagos to adhere to traffic laws, reminding them that violations would lead to penalties, including fines imposed by the Lagos Mobile Courts.

Highlighting the importance of compliance, Bakare-Oki noted that following traffic regulations is key to achieving Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s “Greater Lagos” vision, with traffic management being a core pillar of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda.

Mmebers of the public were encouraged to report complaints through LASTMA’s toll-free hotline (080000527862) or the Walk-In Complaint Centre at their Oshodi headquarters.

Bakare-Oki reassured citizens that LASTMA is committed to addressing all complaints impartially while protecting the civil rights of motorists across the state.

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Zulum opens houses for teachers in Buratai Secondary School in Tum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday night, commissioned two projects constructed by his administration in Biu Local Government Area in the southern part of the state.

The projects include a housing estate for teachers in Buratai town and a new secondary school in Tum village.

The Buratai housing estate comprises 10 units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows aimed at addressing the problem of housing deficit particularly as it affects teachers in Borno State.

Tum Day Secondary School, one of the 102 constructed by the Zulum administration is a co-educational senior secondary school attached with junior secondary and primary schools.

Performing the brief opening ceremony, Zulum assured that his administration is committed to improving the quality of healthcare service delivery and education in Borno State.

He said, “I want to assure you that this administration is committed to providing affordable quality health care delivery systems and, most importantly, education, which is the bedrock for any meaningful development. Without education, there will be no meaningful development.”

As a mark of appreciation for the numerous projects by the Zulum administration, Buratai community presented a plaque to the governor commending his integrity in governance.

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