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South Sudan, Japanese govt sign $23m deal for infrastructural development

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2022

The South Sudan government has penned a $23.3m deal with the Japanese government to develop infrastructure in the world’s youngest nation.

The multi-year project grant deal which was signed on Wednesday will include the reconstruction of four bridges, approach roads, revetment, and consulting service to ensure the road traffic safety and expand the traffic volume through reconstructing bridges in the country’s capital, Juba City.

The deal was signed on behalf of the South Sudanese government by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Mayen Dut Wol, and Toyama Mitsuhiro, Chargé d’affaires ad interim of Japan, in Juba.

“Without the improvement of infrastructure, sustainable development and economic growth cannot be achieved”, Mr. Mitsuhiro said during the signing ceremony for new grant aid from Japan.

He said the project will also see many South Sudanese engineers train on various technologies necessary for the development of the African youngest nation.

“Once this project is completed, the reconstructed four bridges will contribute to improving the traffic convenience and logistics in the capital city Juba.

“In addition to the Freedom Bridge over the Nile, which will be available in the coming weeks, we expect these bridges also improve the lives of all Juba citizens,” Mitsuhiro said.

Amb. Wol said the grant will be utilised for the “construction of four bridges located in Juba, named Shuhada, Albino, Salakana, and Kokora bridges will reduce traffic congestion and help the overflow of the traffic.”

Related Topics:Featured Infrastructure Japan South Sudan

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Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu presents N27.5 trillion 2024 budget of ‘Renewed Hope’

Published

13 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Exactly six months after his inauguration, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, presented the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget proposal to a joint session of the 10th National Assembly in Abuja.

The president said, “The 2024 Appropriation has been themed the Budget of Renewed Hope” with intentions to achieve job-rich economic growth, macro-economic stability, a better investment environment, enhanced human capital development, as well as poverty reduction and greater access to social security.

“Defence and internal security are accorded top priority. The internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities and safeguard lives, property, and investments across the country,” he said in his presentation on Wednesday.

The budget also prioritizes human development, with particular attention to children, whom he called “the foundation of our nation”.

The Nigerian government under Tinubu has sought to stabilize the country’s economy with two major policy actions: the removal of petrol subsidies to address fiscal wastage, and the unification of the exchange rate. Although the policies have yet to positively impact standard of living, Tinubu insisted that the Nigerian economy had performed well in 2023 despite the challenges, and the government continued to meet its obligations.

According to him, “an aggregate revenue of 11.045 trillion naira was projected to fund the 2023 Budget of 24.82 trillion naira with a deficit of about 6.1% of GDP. However, as of September 30, the Federal Government’s actual aggregate revenue inflow was 8.65 trillion naira, approximately 96% of the targeted 8.28 trillion naira”.

Tinubu commended the legislature for its swift consideration and passage of the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill and the 2024–2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper last week. He noted that their “prompt action underscores your devotion to economic development and to the greater welfare of our people.”

Nigeria’s main revenue source is oil, but earnings have been affected by its industrial-scale theft, and dwindling global oil prices. However, it produced 1.49 million barrels of oil per day last month, the most in nearly two years, after increasing its output by 60,000 barrels per day.

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Nigeria’s Tinubu to present N27.5trn budget on Wednesday

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, will present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the country’s bicameral legislature, the National Assembly, on Wednesday.

The bill is an increase from the N26.01tn earlier considered by the council, according to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, who confirmed the approval to State House correspondents after the close of FEC’s weekly meeting presided over by President Tinubu.

In addition, the minister disclosed that the government had projected N18 trillion in revenue for the fiscal year 2024. Bagudu stated that more information regarding the appropriation bill would be made public on Wednesday when the president brought it before a joint session of the National Assembly.

The minister stated that the Council was currently reviewing the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, which was approved by the National Assembly.

Bagudu said, “Equally, the Federal Executive Council approved the 2024 Appropriation Bill and the presentation of such to the National Assembly by His Excellency, Mr. President.

“The bill has an aggregate expenditure of N27.5tn which is an increase of over N1.5tn from the previously estimated, using the old reference prices.”

He added, “The forecast revenue is now N18.32tn which is higher than the 2023 revenues, including that provided in the two supplementary budgets. Equally and commendably, the deficit is lower than that of 2023. Details of the Renewed Hope Budget will be announced by Mr. President when he makes the presentation to the National Assembly”.

With two key policy initiatives—halting the fiscal bleeding caused by petrol subsidies, and unifying the exchange rate—the Nigerian government, led by Bola Tinubu, has attempted to stabilise the economy of the nation. With its currency value declining even further and the cost of living rising sharply, the results have not been favourable.