Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the engagement of 774,000 Nigerians on Special Public Works programme in the country to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

READ ALSO:FG to evacuate Nigerians from US over COVID-19 pandemic

Ahmed disclosed this at a press conference on fiscal stimulus measures in response to COVID-19 pandemic and oil prices fiscal shock in Abuja. She explained that 1,000 people were expected to be recruited for the Special Public Works programme from each of the 774 local government areas in the country.

READ ALSO: IGP Adamu Mohammed warns police personnel against violation of rights of Nigerians in enforcing restriction of movements

According to her, the federal government is developing a comprehensive framework for the transparent management of the contributions which at last count now stands at 19.4 billion naira. She said Buhari has approved the temporary restructuring of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in order to better mobilize cash donations from the generality of the people and corporate bodies across the nation.

Written By Saviour Robert

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The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammad Babandede, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari may soon decide when the country’s land borders will be reopened.

Babandede spoke during the NIS project validation meeting with senior officers in Abuja.

READ ALSO : House of Representatives urge Buhari to declare emergency on power sector,

According to him, the borders are not fully closed as they are opened from 6am to 6pm.

He insisted the borders were closed to protect the country, adding that the measure was not targeted at some neighbouring countries as speculated.

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Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has described the fire disaster at Iwuokpum community in Ibeno Council that destroyed over 2,000 houses and rendered over 4,000 people homeless as pathetic and unfortunate.

He made the remark when he visited the scene of the inferno to commiserate with the victims of the tragedy.

READ ALSO : Persons with disabilities appeal to Akwa Ibom state government to facilitate passage of Disability Discriminatory Bill.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Ekuwem, the governor who expressed shock over the level of devastation and pain the inferno caused the community, assured the victims of his administration’s support and commitment to give them a new lease of life.

The governor commended the villagers’ concerted efforts in putting off the wild fire without any loss of life or injury, even without the help of the state’s fire officials and assured the fishermen whose houses were destroyed by the inferno of his administration’s readiness to provide adequate funds and necessary support to effectively assuage their pains.

Earlier, the village head of Iwuokpum village, Chief Okon Akpanowung, who spoke on behalf of the community, appealed to the governor for a speedy donation of relief materials to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims who were affected by the fire disaster.

AMAZING FACTS : The most common causes of house fires

Cooking Equipment : Pots and pans can overheat and cause a fire very easily if the person cooking gets distracted and leaves cooking unattended. Always stay in the room, or ask someone to watch your food, when cooking on hotplates.

Heating : Keep portable heaters at least one metre away from anything that could easily catch fire such as furniture, curtains, laundry, clothes and even yourself. If you have a furnace, get it inspected once a year to make sure it is working to safety standards.

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