World Bank grants Cross River $20 million under SFTAS programme
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Business
NCC reacts to speculations of mass disconnection of subscribers over NIN
NCC has refuted claims on the impending mass disconnection of telephone subscribers over NIN.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has refuted claims on the impending mass disconnection of telephone subscribers over the National Identity Numbers (NIN), describing such as unfounded.
This follows speculations from different publications in both the print and electronic media on the ongoing linkage of SIM registration records with the NIN.
READ: Telcos seek engagement from NCC, CBN on USSD dispute
This clarification is contained in a statement that was issued by the NCC Director, Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, late on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, in Abuja.
What the NCC Director for Public Affairs is saying
Adinde in his statement said:
- ‘’The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to the numerous publications in both print and electronic media regarding the unfounded fears of mass disconnection of telephone subscribers as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM Registration Records with the National Identity Number (NIN).It is, therefore, necessary for the commission to issue this clarification in order to allay the fears of subscribers and the general public. Most of these publications are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber.
READ: Don’t process drivers’ licenses without NIN from Monday, FG orders FRSC
- However, with the advent of social media and App-driven digital environment, network subscription went beyond human subscribers to include machines like PoS, Routers, Wi-Fi devices, electricity meters, CCTV, tracking devices etc.’’
Going further, Adinde pointed out that a recent survey conducted in Nigeria showed that there were approximately 4 to 5 SIMs to every human subscriber. He said:
- “This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to seven SIMs to one unique NIN in the recently launched Federal Government Portal. Thus, if there are 43 million Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172 million SIMs already linked to NINs.
READ: FG orders removal of N20 NIN retrieval charge across all networks
- “It is very important to emphasise that the current exercise of linking NIN to SIMs is for the common good of all Nigerians, as it has far-reaching benefits. Apart from enhancing our general safety, this will help in such vital exercises like national budgeting, policy planning, social intervention programmes and many more.’’
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What you should know
- It can be recalled that ever since the Federal Government directed all telecom operators to block all phone lines that do not register on their networks with a valid National Identification Number, the exercise has been riddled with a lot of controversies and misinformation.
- The Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had earlier denied reported claims of breach of its database by hackers.
READ: NERC orders DisCos to increase electricity tariffs, effective January 1, 2021
- While struggling to attend to a massive turnout of crowd across their offices, which they are not prepared for, the agency has had to deal with allegations of extortion of applicants by its staff.
- The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, had said that the Federal Government would continue to review the exercise in the light of experiences, to ensure its smooth implementation.
@NgComCommission. PRESS STATEMENT
"CLARIFICATION ON THE UNFOUNDED FEARS OF MASS DISCONNECTION OF TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERS"
@DrIsaPantami @aliyuaziz @FMoCDENigeria @UwaSuleiman pic.twitter.com/9COjQbSMGM— NIMC (@nimc_ng) January 7, 2021
Business
World Bank grants Cross River $20 million under SFTAS programme
The Cross River State government has received from the World Bank, $20.4 million as grant for the SFTAS programme.
The Cross River State government announced that it received the sum of $20.4 million as World Bank grant for the States Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme.
This was disclosed by the Finance Commissioner, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong, on Friday in Calabar, during a press briefing.
The Commissioner said the state was able to receive the grant due to being scored high marks by independent verification assessors for the programme.
- “The assessment exercise, conducted in September 2020 by the Independent Verification Assessors from the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, showed that we achieved six disbursement linked indicators (DLIs) out of the nine applicable for 2019 and 100 percent for 2020 additional financing,” Ekpenyong said.
He added that the report showed Cross River had improved its public debt and fiscal framework.
- “The report also indicates that the state has strengthened its public debt management and fiscal responsibility framework, improved debt and instituted a more transparent budgeting process over the course of the fiscal year,” he said.
Cross River state government said the grant would be used to finance part of its 2021 budget.
What you should know
- The World Bank SFTAS loan between the FG and the bank was agreed in 2018, valued at $750 million with a grace period of 5 years and maturity of 30 years. The aim of the loan is to help strengthen fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability in the participating states.
- The program is a hybrid with two components of activities that support Nigerian states to achieve the key result areas of the program: (1) a performance-based financing component for state governments, which will be implemented as a PforR; and (2) a technical assistance (TA) component for states and selected national-level institutions, which will be implemented as an investment project financing (IPF).
- Nairametrics recently reported that the Kwara State Government won the 2019/2020 World Bank-supported State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAs) award. The award came with a monetary reward of $16.9 million and was the highest ever achieved by the state since the initiative began in 2018.
Business
Lagos to close Apapa dockyard road for Railway Modernization project
The Lagos State Government has announced the proposed shut down of the Apapa Dockyard Road for one week for construction works.
The Lagos State Government has announced the planned temporary shutdown of Apapa Dockyard Road from 5:00 pm on Sunday, January 17 to 5:00 am on Sunday, January 24, 2021, for construction works as part of the Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Lagos-Ibadan).
This disclosure is contained in a statement that was issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, Friday, January 15, 2021.
Oladeinde in his statement, explained that the tracks of the standard and narrow gauge lines will be laid during the temporary closure, adding that this will allow the contractors to work without any form of hindrance to meet set deadlines.
He advised motorists heading towards Naval Dockyard from Ajegunle to go through Marine Bridge to link Ijora Bridge and descend to Under Bridge (Ijora 7up) to connect through Forte Oil/Conoil Depot to the Western Naval Gate, while those coming from Ijora Olopa are to link Ijora Oloye through Under Bridge (7up).
While informing road users heading towards the Naval Dockyard from Ijora Badiya that they would be directed to ascend Total Bridge, make a u-turn under the bridge and reconnect the bridge again to descend Under Bridge (Ijora 7up) for access to the Western Naval Gate, the Commissioner said those coming from Iganmu are required to link the Naval Dockyard from Under Bridge (7up) as well.
Oladeinde emphasized that motorists whose movement will be disrupted by the closure are enjoined to utilise the provided alternatives and follow the directives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority personnel assigned to minimise inconveniences along the corridors.
The Commissioner, however, appealed to the motoring public to abide by the measures put in place to ensure ease in movement despite the ongoing construction, restating that a seamless multi-modal transportation system will soon be in place to meet the needs of all residents.
What you should know
- The Lagos-Ibadan railway is part of the Nigerian Railway Modernization project, which involves the realization of a new standard gauge railway line with connection to other states.
- The Lagos State Government had recently temporarily closed some roads for construction work as part of the Nigerian Railway Modernization project. Some of the roads earlier closed, include those at Agege, Iganmu and so on.
The @lagosmot18 has announced plans to temporarily close Apapa Dockyard Road from 5:00 pm on Sunday, 17th January to 5:00 am on Sunday, 24th January 2021 for construction works in continuation of the Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan). @jidesanwoolu pic.twitter.com/SVVb81jPez
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) January 15, 2021
Business
Lagos reaffirms that schools should reopen on January 18
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that all public and private schools in the state will should resume next week.
The Lagos State Government has affirmed its earlier pronouncement that all public and private schools in the state below tertiary level should resume on Monday, January 18, 2021, for the second term 2020/2021 academic session.
This clarification by the state government is coming against the backdrop of opposition from some stakeholders and uncertainty amongst parents and students on the resumption of schools.
According to a statement by the Head, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Kayode Abayomi, on Friday, January 15, 2021, this affirmation was made by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo.
The Commissioner maintained that the resumption is in line with the Federal Government’s resolution after reaching a consensus with relevant stakeholders.
Adefisayo, while welcoming all to a happy and successful new academic term, urged students and members of staff to stay safe and adhere strictly to COVID-19 guidelines, adding that schools must provide soap, wash hand basin, alcoholic hand sanitisers, thermometers, and other essential items in public and private schools across the State.
She stressed the washing of hands, wearing of face masks, and maintenance of social distancing must be adhered to in order to avoid further spread of the virus.
She added that, “All schools must ensure strict compliance with subsisting COVID-19 requirements for school’s resumption. Administrators of both public and private schools are expected to ensure full compliance with the guidelines for school’s re-opening in their respective schools as the State’s Office of Education Quality Assurance Team will be on the ground to monitor situations in all schools across the State.’’
What you should know
- It can be recalled that the Lagos State Government had earlier announced that all public and private schools below the tertiary level in the State should resume for the second term 2020/21 academic session from Monday, January 18, 2021.
- The state government also advised all schools to come up with flexible plans where students and teachers who feel sick can teach or learn from home through available online platforms, adding that schools should also strive to prevent any COVID-19 infection among all students and staff.
FLASH: The Lagos State Government has affirmed its earlier pronouncement that all public and private schools in Lagos State below tertiary level should resume on Monday, 18th January, 2021 for the second term 2020/2021 academic session.#ForAGreaterLagos @jidesanwoolu pic.twitter.com/CkNI7GhXka
— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) January 15, 2021
