Nigeria spends $1.2Billion to import fish annually

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele says about 1.2 billion dollars’ worth of fish is imported into the country annually.

Emefiele disclosed this in Abuja while briefing some state Governors and the media on the feat recorded so far in agriculture for economic growth.

He explained that current fish production stood at 0.8 million tons while the demand was 2.7 million tons, giving a deficit of 1.9 million tons.

He said the apex bank’s current initiative was to engage the coastal state governors to develop the blue economy to address the deficit of 1.9metric tons as well as eradicate the huge import bill for fish.

According to him, this is a very huge economic opportunity for the states to create an enabling environment for investors.

In a similar development, the governor said that major innovation to deepen the poultry business was the recent partnership between the bank and tertiary institutions to pilot the “The University–Based Poultry Production Programme” in twelve 12 Universities across the six geo-political zones.

He added that the objective was not only building future agripreneurs but making the universities able to improve their internally generated revenue.

“For the pilot phase, five Nigerian Universities, namely; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Ilorin were enrolled.

“These Universities have submitted revised proposal to their respective sponsoring banks,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari  approved the appointment of Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

In a statement signed by Mr Willie Bassey, Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yemi-Esan, who was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources takes over from Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

According to Bassey, Oyo-Ita has been directed to proceed on an indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He said the President had also approved the extension of the tenure of seven retiring Permanent Secretaries for a period of one calendar year with effect from Oct. 1.

“This is to ensure stability in the Federal Civil Service and effective delivery on the nine priority areas of the administration as well as the mandates given to the new Ministers.

The affected Permanent Secretaries are: Mrs Georgina Ehuriah – Ministry of Interior, Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu – Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Grace Gekpe – Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Others are Dr Umar Bello – Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Suleiman Lawal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Comfort Ekaro – Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Mr Olusegun Adekunle would serve as Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Oyo-Ita removed at last

Similarly, the President has directed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to commence the process for the selection of new Permanent Secretaries to replace all retiring Permanent Secretaries.

“The decision of government to extend the tenure of these permanent secretaries is premised on the need to ensure that the new Ministers are properly guided.

“And also to be briefed about their sectors and to ensure that a solid foundation is laid for the delivery on the Presidential Mandate which they jointly signed.”

Bassey said that the permanent secretaries would also help the ministers to manage the process for the preparation of the 2020 Budget in line with the commitment of Government to return to the January-December budget circle.

He added that this would help develop various policies and programmes aimed at lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.