FCT Internally Generated Revenue To Fund Projects- Minister

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August 31, 2023

The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has announced that going forward, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Abuja, the nation’s capital will be linked to specific project executions.

The Minister, while addressing pressing matters that demand decisive action to rectify dire circumstances in Abuja, asserted that this approach would facilitate the timely execution of specific initiatives without undue dependence solely on budgetary provisions.

He consequently recommended that any individuals who are avoiding the payment of ground rents and taxes owed to FCTA should promptly settle their debts. He also emphasized that regardless of their social status, the Administration will not hesitate to take action against defaulters to collect what is rightfully due for FCTA.

Wike Gives Eight-Month Ultimatum for Abuja Light Rail Completion

The FCT Minister expresses concern over the fact that it is predominantly members of the elite who are responsible for obstructing the efforts of the FCT Administration to reinstate the Abuja master plan.

The Minister utilized the platform to allude to the 825m naira restitution for native landowners whose lands were earmarked for the development of Abuja airport’s second runway. Consequently, he instructed the Permanent Secretary to disburse said funds before the week’s end to expedite and streamline the construction process of said runway.

Wike further revealed that his administration is burdened with debt (garnishee order) in tune to the sum of eight hundred million dollars against the administration in court, hence, the need to beam searchlight on IGR to fund projects, given the dwindling National budgetary allocation.

Speaking on the impact of the order on the economy, the Minister said the debt is enough to fund the budget of the FCTA for 10 years.

“How do you survive it? Who are those responsible for this? That there are no projects in the territory, everything has been abandoned. There is a garnishee order of $800m. Do you know what we are talking about? How do we survive it? Go and see what happened. Garnishee orders here and there.

“The place is just corrupt… How do we survive it? Then you now said that we have come and that we should do miracles, which miracle? Where will I get the money to go and pay $800m?” Wike lamented.

Brain Drain: African Countries Pay Nigerian Doctors $4000 – CMDs tell Reps

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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August 31, 2023

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The Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, Professor Emem Bassey, on Wednesday, said other African countries are now poaching Nigerian medical doctors and other health professionals.

He also said that countries like Sierra Leone and Gambia were offering them up to $3000 to $4000, which was about three to four times the amount they are paid in Nigeria.

Bassey, who is the CMD of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, said the health sector is currently undergoing a major crisis in terms of manpower as health professionals are leaving in droves.

He also said doctors often went on strike because the government often failed to meet unrealizable promises.

Bassey said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee to probe employment racketeering in Federal Government agencies, alongside the heads of other health institutions in the country.

He said, “Some African countries are also beginning to poach from Nigeria. The West Coast is looking for our specialists. So many people are now going to places like Sierra Leone and Gambia and the wages they earn is $3000 to $ 4000. It is about three to four times what they earn back home. So we are beginning to see that people are leaving for other African countries too.

“The health sector is currently undergoing a major crisis in terms of manpower. What we are seeing is that medical specialists, not just doctors, even nurses, in fact, even more nurses are leaving. Doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, and all manner of health professionals are leaving the country in droves.

“That is part of the problem we are facing. Replacement of these health workers is a major problem. This is because even though we are usually granted approvals to recruit, getting the waivers is a tortuous process.”

He said due to the urgency of the need to replace various health professionals who leave, it is difficult to comply with federal character in recruitment.

The CMD also noted that previous governments had reached ridiculous agreements because of their urgent need to end strike actions.

Bassey added, “A strike should be the very last option, but one of the things we have been seeing is threats and threats and threats. I would say that governments in the past sitting had negotiated resolutions that are not feasible, just because they want to end a strike.

“ Now, they have agreements that they cannot implement. And then after a certain period, six months or one year and you have not implemented it, people now go on strike. So we need to sit down together and negotiate.”

The Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, urged the doctors to be patriotic by staying back to contribute to the development of the country, even if they have better options abroad.

He said the committee would work towards addressing the need to balance compliance to the spirit of federal character by filling up urgent vacancies in the health sector.

Gagdi said, “I admit there is a lack of advanced medical facilities in our health sector. This is a fact and we must as governments pay attention to that. Where we are confused is the aspect of lack of patriotism.

“You ( Medical doctors) are produced by Nigerian institutions. We admit to the brain drain and are trying to find solutions. We are happy to see you here. A lot of you have connections maybe based on the value of your intellect to be in the developed countries and provide services to them. But most of you have a passion for adding value to your own motherland and fatherland.

“What are you telling your co-professionals about patriotism, about giving back to the society that gave you the knowledge? We challenge you to be true to your own profession and the issue of morality. You cannot disown your father no matter how poor he is for taking you this far to go and adopt somebody’s father. Nigeria is our country.

“Nigeria produced us as medical doctors, no matter the rot within our public sector in terms of remuneration. Let us work together and see how we can find solutions to that. But let us remain in Nigeria to serve our own country.”

Continuing, Gadgi said, “We would review your submissions entirely. For these institutions that have pending recruitment cases, we would interface with them uniquely. For those of you who don’t have one, we will look into your issue.

“You have a very good defence for now by having a balanced sheet in terms of federal character. Nigerians have listened to you. So whatever this committee at the end of the day recommends to the government, it is going to be done and it is for our own good entirely.”`

House Speaker Condemns Tax Incentive Abuse

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2023

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The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has decried the abuse of tax incentives and waivers in Nigeria.

He described it as an act of economic sabotage which must not be allowed to continue.

The Speaker gave the condemnation while inaugurating the House Ad-hoc Committee To Investigate Allegations of Abuse Of Tax Incentives, Tax Breaks, and Tax Waivers By Public Institutions and Companies Benefitting From Tax Incentives.

Represented by the House Leader, Professional. Julius Ihonvbare, the Speaker said that the investigation by the House was to put an end to such acts of economic sabotage and ensure transparency, accountability and fairness in our tax system

He said tax incentives are an essential tool used by governments to promote economic growth, attract investments, and stimulate job creation.

The Speaker also said that it was crucial to ensure that these incentives offered by the government are utilized appropriately and not being misused or abused.

“The allegations that have been brought to the attention of the House suggest that some public institutions and companies may be taking advantage of these incentives for personal gain or to evade their tax obligations. Hence the establishment of this committee.

“In carrying out this investigation, the Committee is required to thoroughly investigate these allegations and provide recommendations for necessary sanctions and reforms.

“Endeavor to find out whether the beneficiaries of these tax incentives have lived up to the conditions attached to them and if they have fulfilled their obligations to the Nigerian people as required.

“Your mandate will be to examine the extent of the alleged abuse by public institutions and organisations, review relevant legislation, policies, and regulations governing these incentives to identify any loopholes or weaknesses that may have contributed to the alleged abuse.

“The purpose of this investigation is to end all forms of economic sabotage and ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in our tax system.

“I, therefore, call on all relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, public institutions, and companies benefitting from tax incentives, to cooperate fully with the committee’s investigation for the House to have a full understanding of the tax system with a view of taking appropriate legislative actions,” the Speaker said.

The chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman said taxes enable the government to raise the necessary funds needed for development.

According to him, where taxes are inadequate, where there are leakages or where infractions of the system lead to narrowing of tax inflow, the government resorts to borrowings which have attendant consequences for national development.

“Abuses of tax incentives by the supposed beneficiaries and the statutory institutions meant to regulate the tax regime could push the government into fiscal constraints.

“While tax incentives are granted to encourage businesses to stand well and be strong enough to contribute to the economy, its abuse creates distortions in fiscal and monetary policy management.

“As Nigeria experiences dwindling oil revenue and public debt approaches prohibitive levels amidst allegations of abuse of tax incentives, there is the need to know the scope of tax incentives and the possible existence of abuses to enable proper administration of the tax breaks, waivers and incentives,“ Makki said.

He said that the investigation was not a witch-hunting exercise, but a fact-finding mission that aims to correct the abuses in the management of tax incentives and ensure the right thing is done for the general good.

Atiku condemns Coup in Gabon

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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August 31, 2023

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The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the unconstitutional removal of the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, by the country’s military officers.

Atiku who was a former vice president of Nigeria during former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, in a statement on Thursday advised the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to engage these soldiers diplomatically, thus convince them to return to the barracks.

Recall that Gabonese army officers, under the aegis of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, CTRI, on Wednesday, seized power and sacked Ali Bongo as President.

Ali Bongo is currently under house arrest according to TV reports yesterday.

Reacting to these recurring decimal called ‘coup’, Atiku in a statement condemned coup, noting that democracy has come to stay as a preferred form of government.

His words: “The coup in Gabon stands condemned. Democracy and democratic governance have come to stay as a preferred form of government, and everything should be done to enthrone, nurture, and sustain it.

“As I suggested in the case of the Niger Republic, the ECOWAS and African Union authorities should open a window of diplomatic engagement that will pave the way for the soldiers to return to the barracks.

The latest coup brings the number of military takeovers in Central and West Africa to 8 since 2020. This is worrisome and calls for introspection. We may have to focus on dealing with the disease and not the symptoms that birth coups”.

Court Upholds ₦50M Damages Against Abbo For Slapping Shop Attendant

By

faith Jegede

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August 31, 2023

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Senator Elisha Abbo, the lawmaker representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, has been mandated by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, to pay N50 million damages awarded by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for assaulting a woman, Osimibibra Warmate, in an intimacy gadget shop in Abuja, in 2019.

The three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, in a judgment, dismissed Abbo’s appeal, which he filed against the decision given on September 29, 2020, by Justice Samira Bature on a fundamental rights enforcement suit by Warmate.

The court affirmed the judgment of the High Court of the FCT, and held that Justice Bature was right in upholding Warmate’s case and awarding N50 million in damages against the Senator.

It rejected Senator Abbo’s argument that the suit was not properly commenced at the trial court and that he was denied a fair hearing.

The court, in the judgment delivered, also rejected Abbo’s argument that Warmate’s claim that he slapped her, pulled her hair and dragged her out of the shop did not amount to a rights violation, but a case of simple assault.

While describing Abbo’s conduct as sufficiently outrageous, the court resolved all five issues identified for determination against the Senator and further awarded N500,000 cost against him in favour of Warmate.

Justices Tukur, James Abundaga and Danlami Senchi (who were on the panel) were unanimous in holding that the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/945/2020 was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.

Justice Senchi, who authored and read the lead judgment, held that from the evidence presented before the trial court, Warmate sufficiently proved that Senator Abbo violated her fundamental right to human dignity.

“The decision of the trial court in the award of N50 million against the appellant and in favour of the respondent was proper,” Justice Senchi said.

He added that going by the quality of evidence presented by Warmate, including a medical report and video recordings of the incident, the decision of the trial court could not be tampered with.

Justice Senchi added: “The conduct of the appellant is sufficiently outrageous to merit the punishment as the facts of the case disclosed flagrant disobedience of the law, especially that the appellant is an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Senator Abbo’s appeal was against the September 28 judgment by Justice Samira Bature of the High Court of the FCT, in the fundamental rights enforcement suit marked: FCT/HC/CV/2393/2019.

Justice Bature had, among others, held that Senator Abbo’s violent attack on May 11, 2019, in an intimacy gadget shop at New Bannex Plaza, Wuse 2, Abuja amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment, which constituted a breach of her fundamental right to the dignity of her person guaranteed under Section 34 of the Constitution.

The incident went viral in 2019 after the video circulated on social media. Many criticized the senators’ act as shameless and worthy of condemnation.

How NDDC can attain sustainable development in the Niger Delta area

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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August 31, 2023

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Following incessant social crisis, protests for better life and demand by the people of the region to have a dedicated institution of the Federal Government to answer to their peculiar needs, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was created by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration at the wake of the fourth republic in 2000. To emphasise the importance of the commission, it became one of the very first prayers of any people of Nigeria that was answered by the greenhorn civilian and democratic government for which notable Nigerian democrats and patrots have fought tooth and nail to achieve, with many great citizens paying the ultimate price.

The Commission was created with the mission “to offer a lasting solution to the socio-economic difficulties of the Niger Delta Region and to facilitate the rapid and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.”

Unfortunately, as at today, after 23 years of its existence, the NDDC cannot boast of any significant milestone achieved. This is shameful.

With yet another appointment of a new board of the NDDC, now is the time of reckoning. Thankfully, the board now appears to have people with measurable levels of technocracy in the helms of affairs.

President Bola Tinubu on Tueaday appointed Mr Chiedu Ebie, a trained and practising Delta State-born lawyer before joining the former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s cabinet as Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education. He later became the Secretary to the State Government. The Nigerian president also appointed Samuel Ogboku, a political scientist and an astute administrator who is known to have a deep understanding of all issues of the Niger Delta region.

The Economy is convinced that there is no better time for the NDDC to start working than now. With captains who are now more technocratic than previous appointees, and with a government that appears more decisive on issues of development, the NDDC should now draw up a well planned strategy. There should be a strategic plan spanning about 20 to 30 years on what the commission need to achieve in the Niger Delta area. This long-term strategy should however be broken into short-term goals that can assessed in order to make the commission to be on its toes. There should be this plan which has to be sustained from one administration of NDDC to another. Each new administration coming after the other must key into the plan and continue the commission’s projects and programmes as left by the previous administration.

The government must monitor the NDDC administrations very closely. It is not enough for relevant national assembly committees to do oversight functions on the NDDC. This cannot be enough to monitor the NDDC. When you have a commission that receives budget and allocation from the Federal Government annually, as significant as the one that the NDDC is getting, there must be a way to determine and ensure that the funds are used for what they meant for.

In 2021, the then Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, disclosed that between 2000 and 2019, the NDDC received N6 trillion. The Managing Director of the Commission in the immediate past administration, Samuel Ogbukwu who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC for budget presentation and defence said an aggregate expenditure of N485.7 billion is proposed for the commission in 2021, N928.2 billion in 2022 and N876 billion for 2023. These are huge sums, even though they can’t do much in their individual years when talking about developing the Niger Delta region in real term. However, over the years, a significant achievement should have been done if the funds were properly utilised. Unfortunately, what the commission has to show for all the funding allocations are 13,000 uncompleted and unverified projects in the region.

The NDDC is like a creation of a pot of soup for the boys. Reports coming from the NDDC over the years have been that of shame. They simply connote a “share the money” syndrome. The NDDC must move away from the this.

Also, the people of the area must find a way to monitor the activities of the NDDC. There’s nothing stopping them to create bodies dedicated to monitoring the funding and utilisation of these fundings by the commission in a manner that the NDDC can become more accountable to the people.

Like we noted earlier, the funding available to the NDDC from the Fed Government for each year is small when compared with what the commission should be doing. The mission of the NDDC is “to offer a lasting solution to the socio-economic difficulties of the Niger Delta Region and to facilitate the rapid and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.”

To do this, sincerely, a huge, very huge amount of resources is needed. The Niger Delta area is an area that is very difficult to develop. To alleviate economic difficulties in the Niger Delta area and provide sustainable development to make the area economically prosperous, creation of road networks and provision of electricity first come to mind.

If this must done in the Niger Delta, it means creation of bridges to connect, at least major communities in the area, and this can take enormous capital to the extent that what is given to the commission in a year cannot pay for creation of 200km of bridge. For instance, the distance between Warri and Okerenkoko (where the Nigerian Maritime University is located) in Delta State is over 200km. Right now, there’s is no road connecting the two towns. With speed boat, it takes around two hours to travel from Warri to Okerenkoko. Also, Okerenkoko also needs to be linked to major communities in Bayelsa, and in Ondo states for instance.

Think about it: Do we need a Maritime University? Yes. Should this Maritime University be in the Niger Delta area? Why not? Otherwise, how else do we intend to develop the area if not by building infrastructures there? But after building these infrastructure with billions of naira, we need to have roads to access them and for the people of the area to move around for business and social integration.

What we see now is the NDDC doing a few kilometres of roads in towns on the dry land. Nothing significant is done for communities in the creek. No bridges have been built, no efforts made to connect the communities in the creek with electricity. It looks to them as impossible to do these things, but if there is sincerity and commitment, these things can be achieved over some number of years. There’s nothing wrong with coming up with even a 50-year strategic plan to turn this area into a network of maritime business hub that the world could be proud of. This is an area inhabited by fishermen and this region can supply all the aquatic food needed by the country with excess to export.

However, this is not to justify the looting that goes on at NDDC. The Economy believes that with a long-term strategic plan, all fundings received by the commission can be channelled into the plan and then the plan is monitored by the government from time to time and from administration to adminstration. This way, there will be a focus and a goal for the NDDC to achieve within a specified period of time broken into short assessment points.

Again, When there is a strategic road map and plan to achieve certain goals, the states in the Niger Delta area can also be brought in to assist the NDDC. The states can partner NDDC in their various states to drive a development project home.

The NDDC must cease to be a food for the boys commission. We can only hope that the President Bola Tinubu administration can take the bull by the horn and bring in the needed change of modus operandi and stop the thievery at the NDDC.

Credit: The Nigerian Economy

Vandalised Pipelines: Marketers Predict More Fuel Queues

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2023

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Petrol queues lingered across Lagos and Ogun states on Wednesday, just as oil marketers predicted tougher days ahead in terms of product availability.

Several motorists were seen on queues at filling stations across the states with some oil sector operators saying the fuel scarcity might not go away any time soon.

In an update on the prevailing situation, the Chairman of Satellite Depot, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Lagos, Akin Akinrinade, told The PUNCH that the situation was “worsening”.

He said, “Nobody is saying anything to us yet. And as we speak, we are still not loading products here. In fact, the situation is worsening because the queues have continued. Even some of NNPCL Retail stations don’t also have products for sale. I believe it’s a stock issue, and the NMDPRA should be able to tell us what is really happening but, I know they won’t want to tell the truth.”

On his part, National Controller Operations, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, said there was no cause for alarm.

“Yes, there are still queues but NNPCL has assured us that there is no cause for alarm. So, let us rely on their statement for some days before we know what to do,” he said.

President, IPMAN, Elder Chinedu Okonkwo said he was in a meeting with NNPCL Retail.

“I just left NNPC Retail, and they assured us that they have plenty of products. Go to the depots, they are loading,” he said.

However, Okonkwo said, “I don’t know the quantity in stock but all depots are loading.”

A source at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency who pleaded to speak on condition of anonymity, said there was more than enough stock in-country.

According to him, a total of 200,000 metric tonnes, equivalent to about 540 million litres of fuel, is currently at various depots in Lagos.

“We are taking concrete steps to close the gaps in product distribution, and I can tell you that there is no significant difference in what was trucked out last week and this week,” he said while declining to state what quantity was distributed last week.

“The depots are not dry. Everywhere is wet. There are two vessels discharging PMS at Apapa jetty, one at Ijegun, one at Coconut, Ibafo, and one at MRS, Tincan. Cumulatively, we are talking about 200, 000 metric tonnes of PMS, equivalent to about 540 million litres in various shore tanks in Lagos. So, we are taking time to close the supply gaps, and I can assure you that the queues would disappear just as they came,” he added.

Fuel Shortage Continues in Kenya with Long Queues at Petrol Stations

Queues at stations were sighted particularly those on the Oshodi/Ibadan Expressway.

Selling its petrol at N568 per litre, North West had the longest queue, with others such as Eterna N568/litre, NNPCL N568/litre, TotalEnergies N570/litre and Mobil N570/litre having shorter queues. The likes of Conoil, Enyo, Oando at Berger had no products.

While some of TotalEnergies stations were seen dispensing, a branch of the station located on the Berger axis was seen under lock and key. A few others such as Worldoil, Fatgbems, Quest in Ogun State shut their outlets.

Akinrinade had on Tuesday said the depots had not loaded products in the last three weeks.

FG To Begin Rehabilitation, Modernisation Of Ports

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2023

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The Nigerian Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, has said that the rehabilitation and modernisation of the nation’s ports would commence soon.

He made this known on Wednesday shortly after concluding his interaction with the various heads of agencies and departments under his ministry.

The minister, who was inaugurated last Monday, began receiving briefings from the heads of agencies and departments under his ministry almost immediately.

Adegboyega Oyetola Redeployed As Minister Of Marine & Blue Economy

So far, he has interacted with all the departmental heads and followed up with the heads of agencies, beginning with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Nigeria Shippers’ Council.

He rounded off the briefings on Wednesday with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron and the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

Oyetola promised to look into some of the issues impeding their smooth operations with relevant agencies of the government, just as he reiterated the need for effective collaboration among agencies within the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry to realise the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for the sector.

He also noted that dredging of the nation’s ports will continue to make them remain navigable, enhance their operations, and ensure improved revenue generation for the Federal Government.

“The briefings have been educative and enlightening. It gave me the opportunity to listen to the challenges of the departments and agencies under our Ministry, and I have resolved, to work with my team to ensure we hit the ground running immediately. We remain committed to the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” the minister added.

Coup: Gabon Dollar-Denominated Bonds Suffer Highest Drop

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 31, 2023

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Gabon’s military coup sparked the steepest daily drop in its dollar bonds since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, just weeks after the country carried out continental Africa’s first debt for nature swap.

The 2025 maturity fell the most, by as much as 14 cents, before recovering to trade down 9.5 cents on the dollar at 83.41 cents at 13:02 GMT.

Gabon Crises: Soldiers stage coup, declare election ‘fraud’

The Head Of Macro Strategy at FIM Partners, Charlie Robertson, said, “That was still the biggest fall since the COVID-19 market rout of March 2020. Its two 2031 maturities were both down around seven cents.

“The immediate risk to bondholders is that sanctions are imposed that complicate things, potentially making payments to and from the country difficult.”

The coup, which if successful, would be the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020, could exacerbate already poor access to finance for countries on the continent.

Amid rising interest rates and high debt, no African country had issued a new Eurobond in more than a year.

“The military takeover will force investors to reassess their interest in Gabon and the wider political landscape in the region,” Senior Africa analyst at risk intelligence company, Verisk Maplecroft, Maja Bovcon, said.

Tellimer, a research firm, also warned that multilateral and bilateral lenders could change or suspend concessional lending in response to the coup.

Meanwhile, shares in Gabon-exposed oil producers TotalEnergies Gabon and Maurel et Prom fell over 20 per cent at one point.

Gabon completed a $436m ‘debt for nature’ swap earlier in August where it exchanged parts of the 2025 and 2031 Eurobonds for a ‘blue bond’ maturing in 2038. That bond fell 1.91 cents on the dollar to 98.34 cents.

The blue bond, which was meant to generate savings for marine conservation, had political risk insurance from the U.S Development Finance Corporation.

The insurance could cover a full repayment in the event of default, subject to an arbitration, but the precise terms of the insurance were not made public at the time of the deal.

Post Maui Fire: Biden Administration Pledges $95 Million For Hawaii’s Electric Grid

By

Angel Gimalo

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August 31, 2023

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The Biden administration will provide $95 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve Hawaii’s electric grid, the White House said on Wednesday.

The island of Maui was devastated earlier this month after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century swept through the resort town of Lahaina, leaving 115 people dead and 338 missing.

Hawaii’s electric utility acknowledged its power lines started a wildfire on Maui but faulted county firefighters for declaring the blaze contained and leaving the scene, only to have a second wildfire break out nearby and become the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century.