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NCDMB, SON, others top in half-year efficiency, transparency compliance – report

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The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) says the Nigerian Content Development Board (NCDMB) emerged first with 83.1 per cent on the 2024 Half-Year Transparency and Efficiency report.

The Special Adviser to the president on PEBEC and Investment , Dr Jumoke Oduwale, said this while presenting the report at a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Oduwale, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service came second and third with 78.2 per  cent and 74.8 per cent.

“The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) secured the fourth and fifth positions, scoring 73.9 per  cent and 73.2, per cent.

“The number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that scored over 50 per cent in their efficiency compliance increased from eight in the 2023 half-year report to 20 MDAs in the 2024 half-year report.

“While significant improvement has been made, the 2024 half-year report spotlights the urgent need for MDAs to strengthen their efforts on high-quality service delivery.

“This is to rapidly improve the productivity and competitiveness of Nigeria’s business environment,” she said.

Oduwale said that the inaugural 90-day regulatory reform accelerator of the Federal Government,  which commenced on February 20, played a critical role in driving the performance of MDAs in the half-year compliance report.

“However, a key observation is that MDAs that showed consistency with the monthly transparency and efficiency report submission were better able to deliver on the regulatory reform accelerator and vice versa.

“We acknowledge the hard work and progress made by the MDAs in delivering critical services to the business community.

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” We also observed that the business climate, both locally and globally, has continued to experience turbulence characterised by uncertainties and rapid changes,” she said.

She expressed the commitment of PEBEC in driving reforms aimed at enhancing effectiveness, transparency, and collaboration with MDAs that directly interface with the business public.

She also expressed the council’s commitment to institutionalising these reforms for the  iimprovement of the business climate in Nigeria. (NAN)

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Power Generation Faces Downturn, Falls By 1.64%, Says CBN

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The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).

Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.

Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.

This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.

On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.

The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.

The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.

According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.

Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.

The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.

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Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Enforce 0.5% Import Levy On ECOWAS Nations

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The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 percent import duty on goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.

The move further strains relations between the three junta-led nations and the ECOWAS, which they withdrew from earlier this year following a series of military coups and economic sanctions.

The AES, which began as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries in 2023, has now metamorphosed into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.

In a joint statement last week, the AES said the levy aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.

The tax, which came into effect on Friday, applies to all imports from ECOWAS countries, except humanitarian aid.

The taxes also disrupt the free trade once enjoyed by all countries in the West African region.

The economic implications could be severe, leading to higher consumer prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained regional economic stability.

While it may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, it risks other long-term consequences, including weakened regional integration.

ECOWAS has maintained that it will keep diplomatic channels open with the junta-led states until July, despite announcing their permanent expulsion from the bloc earlier this year.

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Okpebholo: 14 Suspected Killers Of Kano-Bound Hunters Now In Abuja For Interrogation

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Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo state, says 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Kano-bound travellers in Uromi LGA of the state have been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.

The suspects were detained after a mob attacked a group of hunters travelling to Kano for Sallah celebrations on Thursday.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a condolence visit to Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, Okpebholo condemned the attack and assured Nigerians that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Okpebholo also announced that his government had set up a committee to support the families of those killed.

“It’s unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy,” Ismail Mudashir, media aide to Barau, quoted Okpebholo as saying.

“The president is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also.

“The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects.

“So they are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased.”

Responding, Barau said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

“We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want – all Nigerians, what they are looking forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice. And you are doing well in that direction,” Barau said.

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“And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected.

“I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts.”

He urged the Edo government to ensure all those involved were held accountable, adding that such attacks must never happen again.

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