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Budget Process: KWSG Concludes Citizens’ Engagement In Three Senatorial Districts

Published

11 months ago

October 24, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Kwara State Government has concluded the Statewide consultations of the citizens in its bid to harvest the actual needs of the people, to be included in the year 2024 budget preparation, which will in turn fast-track development across the nooks and crannies of the State.

The Statewide consultations of the citizens were concluded at Ilorin East Local Government, which served as the host to the remaining three Local Government Areas in the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

The program had earlier been held at Patigi and Offa for Kwara North and Kwara South Senatorial Districts, respectively, with massive and impressive turnouts.

While addressing the large gathering at the programme, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi, said it has become sacrosanct for government to ensure participatory budgeting for accelerated socio-economic and infrastructural development of the State, describing it as the global best practice.

Hon. Lafia disclosed that the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is committed to providing succor to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, which informed his policy of engaging the citizens on the budget process since his assumption of office in 2019.

The Chairperson, the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Fatima Arinola Lawal, lauded the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his resolve to assuage the sufferings of the people across the State, adding that participants should express themselves on their most pressing needs and assured them that, as their elected Lawmaker, their interests would be included in the budget for year 2024.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretaries from Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, said the State Government is conducting medical outreach across the State to ensure improved health care delivery at zero cost, while several health facilities are being equipped for the betterment of the State.

The Permanent Secretary added that the citizens should take full advantage of the magnanimity of the State Governor to express their needs so that it can be captured for the year 2024 financial appropriation.

Speaking for the four Transition Implementation Committee Chairpersons (TIC) in the Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Chairperson of Ilorin East Local Government, Hon. Ayobami Seriki, appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for his immense support in ensuring that local governments performed their duties, revealing that their requests in the past year were actualized while the requests for this year have been submitted for considerations.

Earlier, the State Director of Budget, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe noted that Governor AbdulRazaq has changed the culture of budget preparation in the state wherein Recurrent Expenditure exceeds the Capital Expenditure, adding that the practice has greatly improved the state’s infrastructural development.

The Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Zubair Aremu, showered praises on the State Governor for his unprecedented response to the yearnings of the people, praying for his success in taking Kwara to the promised land.

Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations in Kwara State, the Executive Director of Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, Mallam Ayuba Abdulrahman, commended the State Governor for the several people-oriented interventions he has recorded across different sectors in the State, pointing out that the security architectures of the State needed to be strengthened for sustainable growth and development.

Mallam Abdulkareem Lawal, who also spoke on behalf of Persons with Disabilities, appreciated the State Governor for his inclusive governance and for engaging the public for the collective growth of the State.

He urged the state government to renovate and equip the library for the physically challenged in order to improve their academic performances.

The gathering had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life in the Kwara Central Senatorial District including Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Members of the State House of Assembly, Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Technical Implementation Committee Chairmen for Kwara Central Senatorial District, Magaji Are and Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations, amongst others.

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NCDMB Lauds Local Content Strides In NLNG’s Train 7 Project

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2024

The Gleamer

By Charles Ebi

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board ,NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has commended the significant Nigerian Content strides achieved in the Nigeria LNG Limited ,NLNG, Train 7 Project.

Speaking during a visit to the NLNG six-train plant, Train 7 Project construction site, and the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited ,NSML, training centre, Maritime Centre for Excellence ,MCOE, in Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Engr. Ogbe emphasised the need for increased collaboration and advocacy for Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.Engr. Ogbe was received by Mr. Olakunle Osobu, Deputy Managing Director; Engr. Nnamdi Anowi, General Manager of Production; Engr. Ali Uwais, Train 7 Project Director; Mr. Abdulkadir Ahmed, NSML Managing Director/CEO; and other senior management officials of the company.

During his address, the Executive Secretary highlighted how the Train 7 Project has significantly boosted local capacity through the production of ancillary components and accessories within Nigeria, contributing directly to the project’s successful execution. He commended the recent Presidential Directives on Local Content implementation, which mandate that contracts in the oil and gas sector be awarded exclusively to local companies with proven in-country capabilities, as instrumental to these achievements.Reflecting on the progress made, Engr. Ogbe stated,

“The accomplishments we are witnessing today at the NLNG Train 7 Project are a testament to the NLNG’s unwavering commitment to Nigerian Content. This project stands as a beacon of what we can achieve when we prioritise our local industries and talents”.Speaking further, the NCDMB boss lauded NLNG’s management for achieving 52 million man-hours on the Train 7 project with zero lost time injury ,LTI.

He assured that “we will support you to achieve everything you desire to accomplish for the overall development of Nigeria”.The NCDMB boss also commended his immediate predecessor, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, for his immense contributions to the approval, take-off and success of the Train 7 project.Commenting on the Maritime Centre for Excellence ,MCOE, Engr. Ogbe expressed delight that it is the first training centre in Africa to receive accreditation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency ,UK MCA, to deliver and issue certificates for the STCW 2010 Electronic Chart Display and Information System ,ECDIS, and Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations courses.

The MCOE, a maritime training and research facility, aims to enhance maritime expertise in Nigeria and the West African region.

It currently hosts a specialised training programme for marine services providers in the upstream oil and gas sector, with the support of NCDMB.on his part, NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olakunle Osobu, who represented Dr. Philip Mshelbila, NLNG’s MD/CEO, lauded the NCDMB’s unwavering support for the Train 7 Project, describing the partnership as a shining example of the public-private collaboration that can drive Nigeria’s industrial growth.

He emphasised that NLNG’s Nigerian Content deliverables showcase the power of strategic collaboration and capacity building, aligning with the NCDMB’s broader objectives and contributing to national development goals.Mr. Osobu further reiterated that Nigerian Content was not just a regulatory requirement for NLNG but a core business strategy. “We are committed to going beyond compliance, embracing Nigerian Content as a fundamental part of our vision of helping to build a better Nigeria”, he added.

He also highlighted the economic impact of the Train 7 Project, stating that the addition of Train 7 will expand Nigeria’s LNG production capacity from 22 Metric Tonnes, MT, to 30MT per annum, which will not only boost the nation’s economy by creating jobs and driving sustainable development but also reinforce Nigeria’s position as a formidable player in the global energy market.

Engr. Ogbe’s visit comes on the heels of a recent tour of BEAMCO Limited, where pumps and valves are locally assembled for the Train 7 Project, and the commissioning of the Daewoo Galvanising Plant at Abam-ama, Okrika, Rivers State.

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