By El-ameen Ibrahim
The Federal Executive Council, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has greenlit crucial memos presented by key ministries. This decision, announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, underscores the government’s commitment to addressing pertinent issues across various sectors.
Speaking at the conclusion of the council meeting in Abuja, Minister Idris revealed that memos from the Ministries of Aviation, Communications, Power, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Works have received the Council’s approval. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior’s proposal for the revision of the nation’s visa regulations has been given the go-ahead.
Highlighting the rationale behind the revised visa regime, Minister Idris emphasized government’s aim to streamline processes and alleviate challenges encountered by both Nigerian citizens and foreign investors traveling to and from the country. Under the new system, visa applications will be exclusively processed online, with stringent security screenings completed within 48 hours. The implementation of these reforms is slated to commence within the next four weeks.
Furthermore, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the council’s decision to revoke the longstanding exemption of ticket fees for certain privileged individuals at Nigerian airports. This practice, which had resulted in significant revenue losses, has now been discontinued with the full endorsement of the President and Vice President.
These policy reforms signal what the government has described as its unwavering commitment to enhancing transparency, efficiency, and revenue generation across critical sectors, ultimately fostering a conducive environment for sustainable growth and development.
He claimed that both the president and the vice president had supported the previous system, which had resulted in a loss of money.
‘’The ministry has been losing huge revenue that ordinarily should not be. With the new system, everybody coming into the nation’s airports must pay the toll gate fees. Already the president and the vice president have agreed to be part of those that would pay.’’ he said.
Regarding the frequent runway mishaps, Mr. Keyamo stated that oversight would be maintained under his direction and the ministry would keep up its efforts to enforce compliance with appropriate regulations.
‘’There is no way I will allow the safety of air passengers to be jeopardised under my watch. Any airline that is consistently found wanting in this issue will be sanctioned appropriately; as in the case of the Dana Airline ” he said.’
Government Approves Ambitious Infrastructure Projects to Boost National Development
In a bid to revolutionize internet connectivity and bolster crucial sectors, the Federal Government has unveiled ambitious plans to deploy 90,000 fiber cables nationwide over the next three years. This landmark initiative, spearheaded by the Minister of Communication, Bosun Tijani, aims to enhance internet accessibility and affordability across the country.
Minister Tijani emphasized that the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle for this project underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for socio-economic development. These fiber cables are integral to the government’s strategy to foster accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery in critical areas such as healthcare, education, and revenue generation.
In another significant development, the Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo, announced the approval of contracts for the provision of essential equipment to fortify the power sector. These contracts, which encompass earthing, reactor, and emergency equipment, are poised to bolster power generation, transmission, and distribution nationwide.
Minister Adebayo stressed that these initiatives are pivotal to advancing power sector reforms, minimizing downtime, and expanding access to electricity for all Nigerians. Additionally, these contracts will address the longstanding infrastructure challenges plaguing the power sector, thereby enhancing distribution and transmission efficiency.
Furthermore, the council endorsed the Ministry of Works’ proposal to integrate complementary energy sources such as solar and wind into the national grid. Solar energy will be harnessed in sunlit regions, while wind energy will be tapped in coastal areas, bolstering the grid’s resilience and sustainability.
In a flurry of approvals, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, disclosed the council’s approval of several projects, which she said are pivotal. These include the development of bus terminals, construction of the Appeal Court, and the operation and maintenance of street light generators within the territory.
Moreover, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, unveiled the council’s endorsement of 12 memos pertaining to the redesign and continuation of road projects nationwide. Emphasizing transparency and due process, Minister Umahi clarified that projects underwent rigorous bidding processes to ensure value for allocated funds.
Speaking on the government’s commitment to infrastructural development, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reiterated the prioritization of national infrastructure for sustainable growth. He outlined plans to secure special funding for housing and infrastructure, leveraging diverse financial mechanisms including the pension scheme, Sovereign Wealth Fund, and partnerships with the private sector and development stakeholders.
The government noted that these initiatives underscore its proactive approach to addressing critical infrastructure needs, heralding a new era of progress and prosperity for Nigeria.
