With Passage of N2.17tn Supplementary Budget, FG Upbeat on Intervention in Critical Sectors

•Assures Nigerians, foreigners of protection; highlights successes against terrorists 

•Seeks media support on development programmes

Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja

The federal government, yesterday, said the accelerated consideration and approval of its N2.17 trillion 2023 Supplementary Budget by the National Assembly would guarantee the liquidity needed for critical interventions in road infrastructure, agriculture, student loan schemes, health, security, housing, social investment, among other critical areas of national need.

Addressing a press conference along with some senior presidential aides in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, also stated that President Bola Tinubu was dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians and visitors to the country.

The Senate recently approved the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget for the 2023 fiscal year, as proposed by the president. However, the House of Representatives, scrapped the budgetary allocation of N5.095 billion for the purchase of a controversial presidential yacht in the 2023 supplementary budget.

Explaining the significance of passage of the supplementary budget, Idris said the action of the National Assembly would guarantee adequate funds for Tinubu’s interventions in critical sectors for the benefit of Nigerians.

He stated, “The president is pleased with the quick and decisive response of the National Assembly in passing the 2023 supplementary budget. Note also that work is ongoing on the 2024 Appropriation Bill, which is going to be the first full-year budget of the Tinubu administration.”

On security, the federal government’s spokesman said the security agencies had been very busy, doing their best to keep everyone safe.

He said, “I will highlight just a few of those successes in recent days: in various parts of Kaduna State, seven bandits were neutralised in various operations between the 1st and 3rd of November.

“In Kano State, on November 3, a joint operation by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services carried out a dawn raid operation on terrorists’ hideout in Gezawa Local Government Area, successfully averting an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents.

“The operation recovered AK 47 Rifles, AK 47 Rifle Magazines, a Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), RPG Bombs, Hand Grenades, Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials, among others.”

In Katsina, the minister explained that the two National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted by bandits were successfully rescued, adding that the Nigerian Air Force had also been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno states.

According the minister, the Air Force has also recently taken delivery of four new aircraft, to strengthen the fight against banditry and terrorism.

Idris stated, “I have taken some time to outline some of these efforts to make the point that our security and intelligence agencies are constantly at work, foiling threats, and neutralising those who seek to undermine the security of the country. And for this reason, they deserve the full support of all Nigerians, the media included.

“Please, pay attention to what they’re doing, and give amplified coverage to their successes and gains. The bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, pirates, etc., are waging not only a physical battle but also a psychological one, trying to undermine our faith and confidence in our security agencies.”

He advised media leaders not to play into the hands of enemies of the country, through “reports that might be misleading or sensational or that undermines the morale of the security personnel”.

Idris also spoke on the recent United States travel advisory for its citizens in Nigeria. He said while the federal government understood the concerns raised by the U.S. government in its recent travel advisory, it was also imperative that the U.S. government did not generalise isolated incidents across the entire hospitality industry.

He stated, “We have consistently prioritised the safety and well-being of all visitors to our country. We have implemented comprehensive security measures, both at the federal and state levels, to ensure the safety of tourists and international guests.

“These measures include intense intelligence gathering, acquisition and deployment of additional platforms, training and re-training of personnel, cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, among others, to maintain a secure environment.”

The minister also spoke on post-oil subsidy removal economic interventions, saying the Tinubu’s administration has taken necessary measures to alleviate the pains being felt, and to cushion the effect of these foundational reforms being pursued.

He explained that the interventions were designed to serve as palliatives in the short and medium-term, while Nigerians wait to reap the long-term benefits of the reforms. He said the interventions included a provisional wage increment of N35,000 monthly for six months, to enhance federal minimum wage, without causing undue inflation, and establishment of an infrastructure support fund for states to invest in critical areas that would create an enabling environment for businesses

On the recent foreign exchange policy of the federal government, the federal government’s spokesman said the “deft moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria to clear the billions of dollars in inherited foreign exchange backlog is already having immediate impact on the exchange rate.

“We are confident that this is just the beginning. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the central bank is determined to focus on its core mandates of price stability and financial system stability, for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

Idris also said the federal government welcomed with great relief the resolution of the lingering $11 billion P&ID case in favour of Nigeria, and congratulated all Nigerians and Tinubu for their steadfast approach to the case, and for the positive resolution that ensued.

The minister stressed the need for the media to support Tinubu in his effort to develop Nigeria.