The Federal Government says the relocation of some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos State is not a political move aimed at marginalising a section of the country.

The CBN recently announced the relocation of some of its departments from Abuja to Lagos.

Some of the CBN departments targeted for relocation are the Banking Supervision, Other Financial Institutions Supervision, Consumer Protection Department, Payment System Management Department, and Financial Policy Regulations Department.

The FAAN also announced the relocation of its headquarters from the nation’s capital to Lagos.

Speaking on the reactions which trailed the relocation, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Sunday, January 28, 2024, described as unfounded, the allegations that the move was aimed at demoting the Northern part of the country.

“Instead, these are pragmatic administrative steps to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs,” Idris noted.

Speaking on the economy, the minister said all relevant Ministries and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government are working together to bring down inflation, stabilise foreign exchange rates, and create a truly enabling environment for business and investment.

He said: “The Nigeria that President Tinubu seeks to build is one where no one is left behind.

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“Impactful interventions are being rolled out, including a Students’ Loan Scheme, a Presidential Initiative to deploy lower-cost CNG mass transit buses to provide alternatives to petrol and diesel and various low-interest loan schemes for businesses.

“The CNG interventions will bring down the cost of transportation by more than 50 percent. We urge Nigerians to take advantage of these opportunities as they emerge, as they have been designed for the benefit of all.”

On the security challenges bewildering the country, Idris noted that “all threats are being boldly confronted”.

The minister added: “We are taking the fight to the criminals’ dens, with promising results. Within the last week, several bandits, kidnappers, and militants have been neutralized or arrested.

“The resurgent crisis in Plateau State is indeed highly regrettable, and we assure that all perpetrators of violence there, and everywhere else in the country, are being brought to book. Justice will be done, and peace will be restored in all affected communities.

“We salute the gallantry of security and intelligence agencies who are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that we are safe in our homes and on the highways and that criminals have no breathing space.”

He, however, urged Nigerians to be mindful of all persons and groups at home and abroad, who specialise in making false and inciting claims on radio, TV, and social media, as well as in peddling altered videos and images for viral dissemination.

“We must all stand together as one, against these forces that constantly seek to test and break the bonds that hold us,” Idris said.

The Star