. Endorses National Technology Action Plan for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), yesterday, approved two major policies, including the implementation of the National Blockchain Policy for Nigeria, and the National Technology Action Plan for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
A blockchain is a decentralised, distributed and public digital ledger used to record transactions across many computers so that record cannot be altered retroactively without the alteration of subsequent blocks and the consensus of the network.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, briefing journalists at the end of the FEC meeting, said the policy was developed in consultations with stakeholders involving more than 50 institutions and personalities.
“With the approval of the National Blockchain Policy, we can safely say that blockchain technology with all its components and types have been institutionalised in the country.
“The Federal Government had earlier approved the National Digital Economy policy and strategy for a digital Nigeria. It was unveiled and launched on November 28, 2019,” he said.
He added that following the approval of the policy, the Council directed regulatory agencies to liaise with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to ensure that regulatory instruments were introduced in national economy and security.
Also speaking, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Adeleke Mamora, said FEC approved a National Technology Action Plan for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Nigeria’s most vulnerable sectors.
He said the devastating effects of climate change had made it expedient for nations to take actions on mitigation and adaptation to emerging trends.
This (refund) will be processed after a debt sustainability analysis has been conducted by the DMO leading to the issuance of debt instrument and promissory notes in the same value to be approved by the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, informed that FEC approved N2.6 billion as a variation for the procurement of security and safety operations equipment for the Maiduguri International Airport.
“The President had earlier approved an expenditure of a little more than N20 billion on the project,” he said. Sirika also assured that the national carrier, Nigeria Air, would take off before May 29.
The Council also approved a refund of N16.8 billion to Borno State for road projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.
However, Laolu Akande, Spokesperson for Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said a debt sustainability analysis would be carried out by the Debt Management Office (DMO) on the payment of the debt.
He added that approval would be obtained from the National Assembly before the money would be paid to Borno.
“Council approved the President’s memo for the reimbursement of funds spent by Borno on federal road projects in the sum of N16.8 billion.
“This will be processed after a debt sustainability analysis has been conducted by the DMO leading to the issuance of debt instrument and promissory notes in the same value to be approved by the National Assembly,” he said.
