The Ekiti state government reportedly approved ₦96 million for scholarships, while Katsina laments on electricity tariffs. In other news, Anambra state has 5.5 million vaccinated residents against yellow fever. And the US government donated 3.6 million treated bed nets.
₦2 billion
Curiously, the government is also feeling the brunt of the new electricity tariff plans. And per Engineer Mansur Musa, the 50 billion units consumed may double with said new plans. The Adviser to the Katsina State governor on power and energy also disclosed that the current administration has spent over ₦2 billion since 2015. Citing the banal alternative solar, Musa maintained the government is looking into ways to reduce power consumption.
₦96 million
In another state, one governor is pushing the educational barrier forward. The governor of Ekiti State has approved scholarships worth ₦96 million for students in tertiary institutions, albeit with a caveat; only state indigenes are eligible. The Commissioner of Education, Science and Planning for Ekiti state added this scholarship will pay for at least 469 students. Already, the government has started payment into the accounts of the scholarship benefactors, per Dr Olabimpe Aderiye. Breaking it down, the beneficiaries are 31 physically challenged students, 288 undergraduates and 150 postgraduates. The physically challenged students got ₦60,000; while Masters students and PhD students got ₦250,000 and ₦750,000 respectively.
3.6 million
Finally, a bit of good news is coming from the health sector. The US government donated 3.6 million treated bed nets through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) to Benue State; this comes in less than a week after the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) notified the Ministry of Budget and Planning of additional $48.5 million malaria funding. There is also provision of funding for logistics which includes transportation, mobilisation, planning, coordination and distribution, roughly summing up to $8.4 million. Since 2011, PMI has reportedly distributed over 60 million treated nets in order to help eradicate malaria in Nigeria.
5.5 million
Still on the health scene, the Anambra State Government has reportedly vaccinated 5.5 million of her residents against yellow fever. This happened during an anti-yellow fever campaign that started October 10, spanning 19 out of 21 local government areas. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Vincent Okpala, made this known during Anambra budget defence.
Meanwhile, Mr Okpala lamented that because of COVID-19 and insufficient funds, the ministry of health could not establish a trauma centre, cancer care centre or drone facilities for hospital as previously budgeted. He also said that if the ₦6.8 billion budget proposed health budget is approved, it will uplift the health system.
₦434 billion
Speaking of budget defences, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) revealed plans to sell 3 power plants for the price of ₦434 billion in 2021. The plants in question are the Geregu 2 (Kogi State), Omotosho 2 (Ondo State) and Calabar (Cross River State) power plants. Breaking down the selling price, BPE will sell Gerugu 2 for ₦140.7 billion; Omotosho 2 will go for ₦151.4 billion; while Calabar power plant will go for ₦143.4 billion. There are also plans by the government to concede some infrastructures next year, including the Lagos National Stadium, Jos International Stadium, Abuja Moshood Abiola Stadium and the National Art Theatre.