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Senator Jibrin Barau Launches ₦2.79Bn Loan Scheme For North-West Farmers

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Senator Jibrin Barau

Senator Jibrin Barau Launches ₦2.79Bn Loan Scheme For North-West Farmers

Senator Jibrin Barau launches ₦2.79bn loan scheme for North-West farmers. The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, has introduced a ₦2.79 billion loan initiative aimed at empowering farmers across the 186 Local Government Areas in the seven North-West states.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Barau—who represents Kano North Senatorial District—stated that the programme seeks to create 558 young farmer millionaires in the region.

Under the “Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North-West (BIARN)”, three farmers will be selected from each LGA across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

Beneficiaries will receive an interest-free ₦5 million loan to invest in farming, with the initiative set to begin in April 2025.

Barau, represented by his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Prof. Bashir Fagge, emphasized that the scheme aims to restore the North-West’s agricultural prominence, ensuring food security and economic growth.

Senator Jibrin Barau

Senator Jibrin Barau

He noted that the Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF) is partnering with a national financial institution to implement the programme, which will focus on maize and rice cultivation to boost food production and lower food prices.

Fagge added that the initiative is designed to empower youth with agricultural expertise, fostering long-term sustainability in the region’s farming sector.

Economy

Kaduna State Government Urges Residents To Obtain Building Approvals

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Kaduna State Government

Kaduna State Government Urges Residents To Obtain Building Approvals

Kaduna State Government urges residents to obtain building approvals. Mr Yahya said the engagement was to sensitise the traditional leaders to the need to encourage their communities to secure development permits.

The Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) has urged the residents of Kujama District in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) to obtain proper building approvals in compliance with the extant urban development regulations.

Abdurrahman Yahya, director-general of the KASUPDA, gave the advice during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the palace of the Kujama District Head.

Mr Yahya said the engagement was to sensitise the traditional leaders to the need to encourage their communities to secure development permits.
He stressed that the state government remained committed to assisting the residents in the process.

Mr Yahya bemoaned that some areas in the district, including Byagi Villa, Romi, Sabon Tasha and Gwanin-Gora, had been approved for regularisation. Yet, the turnout for obtaining approvals remained low.

“We are appealing to the traditional and religious leaders to extend this message to their people so that everyone can secure their development approvals.
“This will enhance proper planning, safety and security in the district and across the state,” he said.

Kaduna State Government

Kaduna State Government

Responding, Stephen Ibrahim, the district head of Kujama, pledged to mobilise his people for compliance.
He announced plans to hold a meeting with the community members and other stakeholders to discuss the issue.

Mr Ibrahim also commended Governor Uba Sani for his inclusive approach to governance and praised KASUPDA for its open-door policy in engaging with the communities.

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Economy

NERC Transfers Plateau State Electricity Oversight To State Regulator

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Power Generation

NERC Transfers Plateau State Electricity Oversight To State Regulator

NERC transfers Plateau state electricity oversight to state regulator. Plateau is the 11th state that has obtained NERC’s order of transfer of regulatory oversight.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Plateau to the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC).

In a statement on its X handle on Friday, the commission said the transfer was in compliance with the amended constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFN) and the Electricity Act (EA) 2023 as Amended.

The commission said that with the EA 2023, it retained the role of a central regulator overseeing interstate/international generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations.

”The EA also mandates any state that intends to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets to deliver a formal notification of its processes and requests to NERC.
“The request is to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations to the state regulator.

”Based on this, the government of Plateau complied with the conditions precedent in the laws, duly notified NERC and requested the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market,” it said.
According to the commission, the transfer order has certain provisions.

“It directed Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) to incorporate a subsidiary (JED SubCo) to assume responsibilities for intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Plateau from JED. It said that JED shall complete the incorporation of JED SubCo within 60 days from March 12.

“The sub-company shall apply for and obtain a licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from PSERC, among other directives.

NERC Transfers Plateau

NERC

”All transfers envisaged by this order shall be completed by September 12,” it said.
Plateau is the 11th state that has obtained NERC’s order of transfer of regulatory oversight.

The other 10 states include Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, and Niger.

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Economy

Kaduna Government Unveils Electric Vehicle Initiative For Workers

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Uba Sani

Kaduna Government Unveils Electric Vehicle Initiative For Workers

Kaduna Government unveils electric vehicle initiative for workers. He said, additionally, the civil servants would enjoy a 50 per cent discount on the charging costs.

Kaduna State Government has launched an electric vehicle (EV) initiative aimed at providing civil servants in the state with affordable and eco-friendly transportation.

The scheme was unveiled at Murtala Square, Kaduna, on Friday by Governor Uba Sani, represented by his deputy, Hadiza Balarabe.

Mr Sani said that the scheme offered tricycles and electric motorcycles through subsidised loans, with repayments deducted instalmentally from the workers’ salaries.

He emphasised the state government’s commitment to easing the recurring transportation challenges for civil servants while promoting eco-friendly mobility.

He said that the scheme was a partnership between the state government, the Nigerian Labour Congress, Paynacle Digital Services Limited, and Optimus Bank.
According to Mr Sani, the initiative seeks to ease the transportation challenges of the workers while promoting clean energy.

The managing director, Bashir Ibrahim, said to ensure the project’s sustainability, Paynacle Digital Services planned to establish EV charging stations and maintenance hubs across Kaduna’s three senatorial districts.

Government Unveils Electric Vehicle

Government Unveils Electric Vehicle

He also revealed that 10,000 electric motorcycles would be made available for the workers, while over 2,000 jobs would be created in assembly, maintenance, and technical support.

He said, additionally, the civil servants would enjoy a 50 per cent discount on the charging costs.

The official hailed Mr Sani’s administration for making Kaduna the first state to implement a large-scale electric mobility project for the workers.

He said that this aligned with the efforts to improve transportation, create jobs, and reduce carbon emissions.

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