Kebbi Government on Monday convened a stakeholders meeting to proper a way out, as future federal allocations seem bleak following the crash of oil prices in the international market.
The meeting involved government officials, labour unions
traditional rulers, 21 local chairmen and members of Kebbi House of Assembly.
The meeting was to come up with suggestions on what the state would do to shore up its internally generated revenue and collections in the midst of present financials uncertainties.
According to Gov. Abubakar Bagudu the state is exploring opportunities in other sectors to remain buoyant.
“We are coming together to think of a future without oil as we don’t want to copy other states, rather we want to lead the way for others to follow,” he said
Bagudu told newsmen after the meeting in Birnin Kebbi that they discussed the adverse effects of the crash in oil revenues and a way out.
“We want to be less dependent on oil revenue, and we have accepted a proposal that a committee be set up to spearhead the development and come up with suggestions that will help us to address the current economic realities because of the Coronavirus.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Budget and Economic Planning, Hajiya Aisha Usman, revealed that the current economic realities had impacted negatively on the state’s 2020 budget.
“Crude oil prices were estimated at $57 per barrel as per the federal government 2020 budget critical assumptions, with crude oil prices falling below cost of production averaging $17 and $30 respectively, accrued revenues and future federal allocations seem bleak,” she said.
She said that the state 2020 budget was also prepared on certain critical assumptions based on the crude oil price of $57 per barrel.
“Statutory allocation was to contribute about N49.6 billion which is 36 per cent of the budget based on the benchmark oil price of $57 per barrel.”
The permanent secretary, however, lamented that the current and forecasted events clearly indicated that the state government finances would be badly affected.
She therefore urged the meeting to come up with strong and workable recommendations to ease out of the present circumstances. (NAN)
Tag: Kebbi
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COVID-19: Kebbi Govt seeks way out of dwindling revenue
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Minimum wage: Kebbi workers suspend planned strike
The Organised Labour in Kebbi has announced the immediate suspension of its strike notice, which was to take effect on Tuesday over delay in the implementation of the national minimum wage.The workers unions issued the strike notice on Feb. 27.However, Umar Alhassan, state Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), said that the strike notice had been withdrawn as the state government had agreed to the workers demands.Alhasan made the announcement when he briefed newsmen after the union’s Executive Council meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.“The state government has agreed with our demands on minimum wage and consequential adjustment, payment of 2019 leave grant, annual increment and payment of retirement benefits.“The government has agreed to set up a committee on minimum wage and consequential adjustments, and will be inaugurated today.“On 2019 leave grant, the state government workers from GL 1 – 6 are going to receive their grant today.“On annual increment, by the end of this month, our members are going to receive their payment while on retirement benefits a standing committee will commence sorting out of genuine members and process their payment soon,” he said.Alhassan appealed to civil servants on Grade Level 7 and above to exercise patience, saying the payment of their leave grant would commence soon.“In as much as we want our members to have a conducive working environment and atmosphere, we will not be unmindful with present reality of the situation.“The civil servants on GL. 7 and above will not be getting their leave grant today, due to paucity of funds, as said by the government representatives in the discussion.“We have agreed that civil servants on those grade levels will get their own later,” the chairman said. (NAN). -
DPR intensifies surveillance on fuel stations in Sokoto, Kebbi
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has intensified surveillance to ensure maximum safety and regulatory compliance in cooking gas retailer business in Sokoto and Kebbi.
Mr Muhammad Makera, DPR Operations Controller in charge of Sokoto State and Kebbi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Sokoto.
Makera said DPR surveillance team visited 17 LPG retailers shops out of which seven were
sealed for various offences in Sokoto.Makera said five sanctioned shops were found guilty of flouting environmental safety regulations and operating without licences.
He added that two others closed for operating without valid licences of retailing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
”The DPR will continue to ensure that stakeholders in the petroleum sector operate in a safe environment and according to international best practices.
”Sanctions are available for operators who default in their operations, to serve as deterrent to others.
“We urge marketers to align their business values to reflect integrity and the sanctity of human lives and the environment.
” Retailers should come to DPR to register and obtain relevant operating licence,” he said. (NAN)