By Tricia Michaels

The European Union (EU)in collaboration with the Abia State Government has launched a N4.840,700,800billion solar power project aimed at 24/7 electrifying of over 25 Primary health centers and businesses across approximately 25 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across 17 local government areas.

This initiative, supported by the European Union (EU), aims to improve healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, by ensuring a reliable power supply for diagnostic equipment, vaccine storage, and medication preservation.

Governor Alex C. Otti said on Tuesday during the launch at the Deputy Government office,Government house in Umuahia that his administration is committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure , further boosting local economic activities of the State.

The Governor ,who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State Engr Ikechukwu Emetu
stated that this initiative will not only transform the health care system in the State but will bring life to the communities.

He noted that the move will support more economic development in surrounding locations and equally accumulate an overall improvement in the living conditions of the people.

“I would like to specially appreciate our partners from the European Union (EU) for choosing Abia as one of the few states to participate in this round of the project.

” This is a great honour, and we do not take it lightly.

” On behalf of the Government of Abia State, I would like to convey the collective gratitude of our people to the leadership of the EU in Brussels for bringing this excellent initiative to our State.

“I would also like to thank the implementing partners, NTU International, for their hard work and commitment to the long term success of this project.

Mr Tinyan Ogiehor, the Senior Stakeholder, Engagement Manager of NISHP, noted that NISHP was funded by EU in collaboration with the Abia State Government to particularly improve health outcomes in the state.

“This initiative, supported by the European Union (EU), aims to improve healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, by ensuring a reliable power supply for diagnostic equipment, vaccine storage, and medication preservation.

The project focuses on equipping 25 PHCs across the state’s 17 LGAs with solar power.

The European Union is supporting the NISHP, which underscores their commitment to renewable energy and healthcare.

“The Abia State government is also contributing 30% counterpart funding to the project.

“The initiative aims to enhance diagnostic equipment operation, vaccine storage, and medicine preservation, leading to better healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas, and support growth of local SMEs around these health facilities.

“The solar power project is expected to benefit 50 plus small businesses operating within the facilities, further boosting local economic activities.
Commitment to PHC

According to him,
a ten-member Steering Committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Power Abia State, is overseeing the project’s implementation.

By Our Reporter

In a bid to extend the resouces of this county to the grassroot,the Federal government has shared this nation’s revenue among the three tiers of government.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N1.681 trillion to the Federal Government, States, and Local Government Councils as revenue allocation for April 2025.

Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, in a statement, indicated that the figure was drawn from a gross total of N2.848 trillion, marking one of the highest distributions in recent times.

The meeting, chaired by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun saw allocations made from statutory revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and Exchange Difference.

Highlights of the Distribution indicated that the Federal Government received N565.307b while states shared N556.741b and Local Government Councils received N406.627 billion

Oil Producing States received N152.553b as 13% Derivation

In addition to these, the statement indicated that N101.051tr was earmarked for the cost of collection, while N1.066tr was set aside for transfers, interventions, and refunds
According to the statement, revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) stood at N642.265 billion, indicating an increase of N4.647 billion from the previous month.
After deductions for collection costs and transfers, N598.077 billion was shared with the federal government receiving N89.712b, states: N299.039 billion, Local Governments: N209.327 billion

Gross statutory revenue climbed to N2.084 trillion, up by N365.595 billion from the previous month. After necessary deductions, N962.882 billion was shared among the three tiers of government, with the federal government getting N431.307 billion, states receiving N218.765 billion, Local Governments receiving N168.659b and Derivation (13%): N144.151b

Additional Revenue Streams from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) of N40.481b out of which a total of N38.862b was shared with Federal getting N5.829b, States: N19.431b and LGs: N13.602b

From Exchange Difference of N81.407 b was shared with Federal receiving N38.459b, States: N19.507b, LGs: N15.039b and Derivation: N8.402b

On the Performance of revenues, FAAC reported significant increases in Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Oil and Gas Royalties, VAT, EMTL, Excise Duty, Import Duty, and CET Levies, while Company Income Tax (CIT) saw a decline.

The total sum shared for April 2025 stood at N1.681tr, made up of
Statutory Revenue: N962.882b, VAT: N598.077b, EMTL: N38.862b and Exchange Difference: N81.407b

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Wale Edun stressed the importance of boosting domestic revenue mobilisation as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s long-term strategy for sustainable economic growth and development.
He also commended FAAC members for their dedication and professionalism.

By George Mgbeleke

President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for the proposed N1.783 trillion 2025 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA.

Tinubu, in a communication to the Red Chamber and read by its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Wednesday, appealed for expeditious consideration and passage of the budget, which he said was critical to ensuring an effective and service-oriented administration for residents of the FCT.

“Pursuant to section 299 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which vests legislative powers over the Federal Capital Territory in the National Assembly, I hereby present the 2025 FCT budget proposal to the Senate for consideration.

“The 2025 FCT budget proposal prioritises investment in health care services, job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare services, and education infrastructure, as well as increasing productivity in agriculture,” the President stated.

To sustain the ongoing efforts at providing basic infrastructure and social amenities in the FCT, he said said that 85 per cent of the capital expenditure was dedicated to the completion of ongoing projects, while 15 per cent was earmarked for new capital projects.

Responding to the request, the Senate invoked Order 78 to allow the bill to scale second reading the same day it was introduced

Leading the debate on the bill, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), explained that the proposed legislation seeks to authorise the issuance of N1,783,823,708,392.00k from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund to finance personnel, overhead, and capital expenditures between January 1 and December 31, 2025.

He gave the budget breakdown as N150.35 billion for personnel costs, N343.78 billion for overhead, and N1.29 trillion allocated for capital projects.

Senator Bamidele said the primary objective of the budget was to drive an effective and enduring service-oriented administration, with a strong focus on completing ongoing projects that have significant impacts on infrastructure and essential services in Abuja.

He noted that the budget prioritises the continuation of existing projects in the FCT, with the introduction of new ones deemed crucial.

All the Senators, who contributed to the debate on the general principles of the Appropriation Bill, commended President Tinubu and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike for the rapid infrastructural development of the Territory within two years in office and called for more provision of social amenities in the satellite towns.