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Kaduna: PDP Berates El-Rufai, Demands for Workers’ Reinstatement |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

We Will Go On Strike Over Kaduna – NUPENG

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, to as a matter of urgency, unconditionally recall sacked workers of the Kaduna Public service, calling their sack worrisome.

The request by the PDP comes on the heels of the threat by Oil Workers under NUPENG to go on strike Nationwide, and thus, ground the Country over the Kaduna NLC crisis.

If  NUPENG carries out its threat, the effect on the economy which is already weak will worsen.

Since 2016, El Rufai has sacked not less than 70,000 workers. His State has, also been  under attack by kidnappers and bandits, and the lives of the kidnapped students of Greenfield University hang in the balance over his hard stand.

In a release signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party said that it is worrisome that the State Government dismissed the Workers “without recourse to laid down due disengagement proccess and benefits as prescribed by extant labor laws.”

During a warning strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress, thugs were unleashed on the demonstrators, and the NLC leader, Ayuba Nwaba, was declared wanted by the Governor. He later announced the sack of nurses in the State and Civil Servants below management level. This group participated in the strike.

The Governor, also, also sacked the Kano State University Lecturers.

The Governor also called the  NLC Executive members, Bandits, and said they plan to destroy the economy of the State.

But, shocked, the release said “The PDP further upbraids Governor el-Rufai for overstepping the law in declaring the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Ayuba Wabba wanted as well as ordering the sack of health workers and lecturers for joining in peaceful solidarity procession with the sacked workers.

:Our party insists that the right of citizens to peaceful protest is fully guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and charges Governor el-Rufai to douse the tensed situation by coming down from his high horse, rescind his position and listen to the people.

“Governor el-Rufai must understand that we are in a democratic Nation, governed by law; where sovereignty belongs to the people, and not a dictatorial regime as being witnessed in the attitude of the Kaduna state government towards workers.

“It is even more worrisome that some of those involved in this anti-people disposition are seen as aspiring to hold the position of President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

“Our party insists that the workers in Kaduna are citizens of Nigeria and we demand that their wellbeing and rights under the law must be respected.

“Moreover, the unleashing of thugs to attack the Kaduna workers during their peaceful protest now leaves no one in doubt regarding the connection between APC leaders and the thugs that attacked our youths in the #EndSARS protests as well as the thugs unbridled to attack innocent Nigerians during the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

“Furthermore, the silence by the APC, as a party, to the situation in Kaduna, betrays its support for the suppressive measures of the Kaduna State Government as well as the unleashing of thugs to attack the workers.

“Our party, however, urges the NLC and the workers to remain calm and law abiding in the pursuit of their demands despite the provocation by the Kaduna state government, while efforts are being made to find solution to the matter”, it concluded.

Many concerned Nigerians and institutions, including the APC Governors Forum, have asked the Governor to sue for peace and get down to a round table with the striking Workers.

The Presidency has, also,  reportedly waded into  the crisis.

But, sounding tough, Wabba has dared the Governor to arrest him, triggering fears of a possible Nationwide strike by the NLC.

Buhari Snubs Critics, Adds $6b To Nigeria’s Huge Debt

By
Bayo Bernard
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Fola James

President Muhhamdu Buhari has made a fresh request for  $6.1 billion loan from the National Assembly for the funding of the 2021 Budget, barely a month after he got approval for $1.5 billion loan, which the federal government said was needed to fund the shortfall in last year’s budget, as well as finance critical infrastructure in the country.

The development has raised serious concern from the critics of the government who said the loan could become a problem for the government to  pay back, considering the country’s current financial state.

According to the letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan at the Senate sitting on Monday, the president said the loan will be used to fund part of the N5.6 trillion deficit in the 2021 Budget.

What this means is that the President has effectively increased the nation’s debt stock, which the Debt Management Office, DMO put at over N30 trillion at the end of 2020, by close to $8 billion within a year.

The government has yet to give details of where the loan is expected to come from , but the magazine learnt that it’s likely to be sourced from development partners such as African Development Bank, AfDB, IMF, World Bank and China, which recently has become one of the nation’s biggest creditors.

The worry, however, is that Nigeria foreign loan has skyrocketed since the advent of the Buhari administration, critics say, adding that the loan could become unsustainable in the face of year-on-year fall in crude oil receipt due to global economic downturn.

In spite of this, the Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed said earlier in the year, that the federal government needed the loans to fund critical infrastructure, adding that more debt will be incurred whenever there is need for it.

This, is contrary to IMF, World Bank position that loan request by the Buhari administration has become alarming.

The Financial Counsellor/Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF, Tobias Adrian, said two years ago that “Nigeria has been borrowing in international markets but we worry. So, on the one hand, that is very good because it allows Nigeria to invest more; but on the other hand, we do worry about rollover risks going forward.

“At the moment, funding conditions in economies such as Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries are very favourable but that might change at some point. And there is a risk of rollovers and there is the risk of whether these needs for refinancing can be met in the future.”

The nation’s total debt profile as of December 31, 2018, stood at N24.387 trillion. The figure swelled by 12.25 per cent from N21.725trillion in 2017 to N24.39trillion in 2018.

The figure, the DMO said has risen to over N30 trillion by December 2020, more than 20 per cent increase within two years.

Last month, the National Assembly approved for the president a $1.5 billion he requested since May last year which the administration said would enable it finance the 2020 budget deficit, fund ‘critical projects’, and support some states of the federation.

The federal government said ”the loans will be used to execute priority projects and support state governments in stimulating their economy, adversely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic”.

The breakdown of the loan, according to the ministry of Finance include $750 million from the World Bank for States, Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability, SFTAS programme to provide fiscal support to states.

It also include World Bank’s $750 million for the COVID-19 Action Recovery and economic stimulus programme to support state level efforts to protect livelihoods, ensure food security and stimulate economic activity, N-CARES, apart from the  €671 million, €324 million and €995 million from the Export-Import Bank of Brazil (BNDES) & Deutsche Bank of Germany for the Green Imperative to enhance mechanisation of Agriculture and agro progressing in Nigeria (GIP).

Nigerian Gymnast Sensation, Uche Eke, On The Verge Of Making Historic Olympic Appearance |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Uche Eke - NIgeria Gymnast

By Akinwale Kasali

Little or nothing was known about him until he won the nation its first ever Gymnastics Gold Medal at the 2019 All African Games in Morocco.

The 24- Year old sensation distinguished himself; winning Nigeria’s first-ever Gold medal in the event at the last African Games in Morocco, setting his eyes on becoming the first Nigerian to participate in this sport at the Olympic Games. It is hoped that his performances will endear more people to the sport.

Since achieving that historic feat, Uche Eke has never looked back, as he strives to register the Nation’s name in  history by becoming the first ever Nigerian to hoist the Green White Green Flag at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games rescheduled for this year.

He is set to participate in the African Gymnastics Qualification series slated for May 2021,  in Tokyo, Japan. If he qualifies, he will participate in six categories.

Eke’s determination to be at the Olympic Games was  boosted following the support, applaud and the love shown to him by Nigerians at the All African Games when he won the Gold Medal.

According to him, “I was overwhelmed with the show of love and the way the Nigerian crowd chanted my name. I was so impressed. The way and manner I held the Nation’s flag was fulfilling, though, I have never held the flag before. It boosted me to do more.

“Being at the Olympics will be amazing, holding the Green White Green Flag will be great, and it means everything to me”,he said.

Born to a Nigerian Father, Chief Daniel Eke, from Abia State, and a United States of America Mother from New Orleans, his passion for Gymnastics started at the tender age of Four, through the influence of his friend, Kevin.

“I have been doing gymnastics since I was four years old, so it has been part of my life. At a time my dad said to me that if I failed my classes, then I would have to drop gymnastics, and since I didn’t want to drop my favourite sport. I told him I was not going to fail. So I started working a lot harder on both my studies and gymnastics. In the U.S., as an athlete, you go to college because of your sport. Based on mum and dad’s difference of opinions, I was able to use that to my own advantage to get the best out of education and sports. It’s like a win-win situation for me from both ends. I was also lucky to have gone to the University of Michigan which is arguably number one in sports. I was happy to make mum and dad happy. Although it was more strenuous, I am glad to have achieved my goals of graduating, and also making headway in gymnastics”.

Eke added that he started doing backflips and always landed on his head forcing his Mother asking him to quit or learn it properly. The zeal, passion and consistency however paid off, making him what he his today.

Since the age of three, he has always visited Nigeria twice a year, and he likes eating Fufu and Egusi soup.

Uche’s ultimate goal is to be at the Olympics in the summer to make the Nation proud.

Agriculture : Osun Queue Into Federal Govt Programme, To Empower 2,000 Youths |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As part of efforts to revamp the agricultural sector in Osun state, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, said on Tuesday that his Administration remained a critical partner of the Anchor Borrower Programme initiative of the Federal Government.

The Governor spoke at the unveiling of Ekiti State Government Rice Pyramid Project, the signing of MoU between the State and the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria and the flag-off of 2021 wet season rice cultivation.

According to him, rice component of the Osun Food Support Scheme was sourced from local rice sellers in order to encourage and empower local farmers in the State and beyond.

Oyetola pointed out that the Scheme, which enables the State to feed 30, 000 poor and vulnerable persons, will ultimately support food sufficiency programme, as farmers will be encouraged to double their efforts while Government serves as the off-taker.

He  assured the administration’s readiness to unveil a new cocoa initiative that would empower 2, 000 young farmers in the State.

“In two days’ time, we will be unveiling a new Cocoa initiative, aimed at empowering 2, 000 youths. We are doing this in collaboration with Afex Commodity and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“The aim of the programme is to bring rapid development to Cocoa value chain and promote agro produce in the Cocoa producing States.”

The programme, he said, was to bring rapid development to cocoa value chain and promote agro produce in the cocoa producing States, adding that the government has also been working hard to support the Maize farmers, Cotton farmers and Cocoa farmers to make sure that the Anchor Borrower Scheme’s goals are realised even in the face of dwindling resources.

Governor Oyetola, who described agriculture as the most critical sector and bedrock of socioeconomic development, said, “By the nation’s potential and history, agriculture remains a critical but missing mainstay that we must all as a nation and the constituent States join hands together to find and sustain.”

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for graciously initiating the Anchor Borrower Programme to achieve food sufficiency in rice and other food crops, saying,

“If, today, Nigeria has moved significantly to food sufficiency from where it was in 2015, rice production plays a significant role.

“President Buhari has not only initiated the Anchor Borrower Programme, he has also demonstrated leadership by giving it tremendous support that has made it possible to display gigantic rice pyramids in Niger, Kebbi and Gombe States, and in Ekiti to launch the State Rice Pyramid Project.

“The novel success we have recorded in rice production as a nation in the past five years is evidence that we have the capacity as a nation to feed ourselves and turn our economy around.

“It is also proof that the President Buhari Administration means well for the people and the nation.”

Oyetola congratulated Governor Kayode Fayemi on the unveiling of Ekiti State Government Rice Pyramid Project, saying “If agriculture worked for us as the mainstay of the nation’s economy in the First Republic, it will work for us better now in the knowledge- and technology-driven 21st Century.

“We must all at the Federal, State and Local levels muster the political will to give agriculture its pride of place as a staunch source of food sufficiency and security, as well as an employment generation and revenue earner.

“I commend the Ekiti State Government, RIFAN and all our rice farmers for rising up to the challenges of 2020, including the Covid-19 pandemic, and for putting all the requisite measures in place for a bountiful yield during the 2020 Wet Season Harvested Paddy.

“I urge all stakeholders to continue to engage meaningfully in research and training and re-training of personnel to build capacity for optimum results.

“We will also do well to provide all the necessary implements and support for our farmers to perform to their optimum”.

The host Governor and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the initiative was in line with the vision of the Administration to ensure massive food production which was also in tandem with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s agricultural transformational agenda.

He said his Administration has successfully demonstrated the need for the people to look inward towards improving and revamping agriculture sector with focus on improved rice production to ensure food security and economic prosperity.

“As a responsible and responsive government, we are encouraging our farmers to take full advantage of the programme to enhance their agriculture produce capacity.

“In the olden days, Ekiti used to be the leading rice producer for the entire Western Region, and beyond.

“We are working to regain our pride of place, and building a successor generation of players in the rice value chain that would ensure security and economic prosperity.

“I am sure we would put Ekiti rice on the world map as we have institutionalised commercial agriculture.”

Delta Commissioner Announces Own Sack Along With Other Political Office Holders |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Charles Aniagwu

By Ayodele Oni

Political appointees in Delta State got the surprise of their lives Tuesday as the State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa sent them packing.

In all, 25 Commissioners, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff Government House, Senior Political Adviser, and others were affected.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who announced his sack, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.

He said the move was to give room for fresh blood to strengthen the administration’s agenda of a stronger Delta.

Mr Aniagwu named those affected by the dissolution to include the 25 Commissioners, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebie; Chief of Staff, Mr David Edevbie; Senior Political Adviser, Mr Funkekeme Solomon; Chief Strategist, Festus Agas and Special Advisers.

According to him, the Governor thanked members of the dissolved cabinet for their contributions to the successes of his administration in the past six years including those who joined in last two years.

Aniagwu said Okowa has directed all the affected former political appointees to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries.

Sack Of FUOYE Registrar, Senate Summons Governing Council, VC |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Federal University, Oye Ekiti

By Ayodele Oni

Sacked Registrar of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, (FUOYE), Mr Olatubosun Odusanya, has dragged the Governing Council and Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Abayomi Fashina, before the senate Committee on Public Petitions over his removal.

Mr Odusanya’s appointment was terminated last month over an allegation of involving himself in staff recruitment scam during the tenure of the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof Kayode Soremekun.

Odusanya was an administrative staff at the VC’s office during Prof Soremekun five years tenure.

The Governing Council has equally placed on suspension another principal officer, this time, the Bursar, Mrs Bolatito Akande.

In the petition, Mr Odusanya wrote against the Governing Council and the VC, he protested what he described as wrongful termination of his appointment.

His petition had earlier been laid before the Senate Committee on Tuesday by the Chairman, Mr Ayo Akinyelure, Senator, Ondo Central on behalf of the Senate President.

The petitioner pleaded with the Senate to look into the matter and compel the University to reinstate him.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Committee, the vice Chancellor, Prof Abayomi was absent and did not send any representative.

The Senate Committee Chairman has directed the VC to report on June 7 saying “I will give another benefit of doubt to the VC and I am mandating him to appear before this Committee on Monday, 7th of June.”

South-East Security : IGP Flags-Off ‘Operation Restore Peace’ In Enugu |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Usman Alkali Baba - IGP in Enugu

By Ayodele Oni

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, on Tuesday, launched a new operational action plan code-named “OPERATION RP” for the stabilization of security order in the South-East Zone of the country.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, stated that the ceremony took place at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.

The IGP announced that it was part of efforts targeted at returning the South-Eastern region to its historical pride of place where its people are known to be peaceful, tolerant, innovative, industrious and entrepreneurial.

He explained that the special operation has become necessary to engender all-inclusive security actions to roll-back the murderous attacks, violence, proliferation of weapons and other threats to law and order occasioned by the separatist agenda being heightened by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the South-East region.

According to him, activities of the group in the region have assumed dangerous dimension in which important political and community leaders, as well as personnel and assets of the Nigeria Police, Military and other security agencies, critical national infrastructure are being constantly targeted in clearly well-coordinated, premeditated manners.

This, he said, was in addition to deepening inter-ethnic prejudice and intolerance, unjustifiable inter-ethnic violence and counter-violence, loss of lives and massive destruction of properties.

The IGP, commended the individual and collective efforts of the South-East Governors and other critical stakeholders  towards supporting the Police in restoring security and strengthening national unity.

He assured that in the coming days, the special operation would be extended to other parts of the South-East region to confront criminal elements, take the battle to their doorsteps and re-order the cherished national values in the region.

The IGP also promised that the “Operation RP” would be replicated in other parts of the country, to address peculiar crimes including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, amongst others.

“The ‘Operation’ will be carried out by operatives of the Force in collaboration with the Armed Forces, the intelligence community and other sister security agencies.

“The personnel deployed have been charged to be civil with the law-abiding citizens, but firm and ruthless with criminal elements operating under any guise whatsoever who may attempt to test the collective will of the people.”

In his remarks, the host Governor, of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, commended the IGP for initiating the special operation.

He described the operation as timely, noting that it would help in rejigging and re-tooling the security architecture of the South-East.

Fayemi Constitutes Committee For Views Of Ekiti At Constitution Review Sittings |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

A nine- member Committee to harmonize the views of Government and People of Ekiti State on the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) has been constituted.

The State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who inaugurated the Committee in Ado Ekiti, explained that it was in furtherance to the 7th May 2021 announcement by the National Assembly.

The Senate, through the Deputy Senate President, who doubles as Chairman, Senate and House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution had hinted on the commencement of the exercise, as part of efforts aimed at ensuring the participation of Nigerians in the proposed alteration of some of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, stated that the Committee is to be Chaired by the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda.

Other members are Adeoye Aribasoye, and Tajudeen Akingbolu representing, Ekiti State House of Assembly; Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele,  Commissioner Regional Development and Special Duties.

Others are Adeyemi Adewunmi, Chairman Nigerian Bar Association Ado-Ekiti Branch;

Catherine Oduluyi, Chairperson, Young Lawyers Forum, N.B.A. Ikere-Ekiti Branch; Professor Kunle Ajayi of the Ekiti State University; Rita Ilevbare of the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee and Ayo Daramola, Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters to the Governor, who will serve as secretary to the Committee.

The statement added that the Committee is expected to participate actively at the Zonal and National meetings of the National Assembly on Constitutional Review and ensure that as far as practicable the proposals suggested by the government and people of Ekiti State are included in the final outcome of the review process.

Senators Mull Lawan’s Impeachment |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Ahmed Lawan - Senate President

By Uche Mbah

There are indications that some Senators from the Southern part of the country are mulling the idea of the impeachment of the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, due to what a national Assembly source described as his “sitting on senators’ allowances and starving them of money”.

The allegations are that the approval speed for the Senators’ entitlements have been reduced to snail speed, and Senators are hurting.

“Many senators are scouting for an acceptable  reason to present to the public as the motivation for the impeachment.

“And he had unwittingly provided it with the recent utterance against the position of the Southern Governors on open grazing and restructuring”.

Lawan had condemned the Southern Governors’ position, a situation that has made him the butt of attacks in the social media.

Before the attack, Senators were said to be considering the use of the security situation as a bait, claiming that the Upper Legislative Chamber ought to have taken a tougher stand against the way the issue of insurgency is being handled, and that President Buhari, whose table the buck is expected to stop, is being shielded by the Senate leadership from being held accountable.

This Magazine has been  following the movement  through sources within the National Assembly, and can confirm that meetings have been held at different times and different locations in connection with this.

Southern Governors have been meeting on the issue, and North west Senators who stand to gain from the impeachment due to their numbers are also said to be keying in on the project.

The first hint of public confirmation came through the member of the House of Representatives(North-East/Esan South-East constituency of Edo state), Hon. Sergius Ogun. Ogun first appeared on ‘The Morning Show,’ a programme on ARISE NEWS Channel, claiming that there are plans to oust Lawan.

“We are in the process of reviewing the constitution and the Chairman of the National Assembly (Lawan) is rebuking, chastising the Governors for saying that they should restructure the country. So, if you ask me, any right-thinking person will believe that the process is dead on arrival. He doesn’t believe in it; why would he talk like that?”, he said.

“For him really to be talking to Governors representing a section of the country like that, he’s not fit to be the Senate President, and I strongly believe that the Senators from the South will do something about it this week.

“We are even talking about impeachment? Who is the leader? The Chairman of the National Assembly. If we are going to start any process of impeachment of the President, who is going to superintend over that? The same man we are talking about. I think he should go and I am sure the process has started.”

The move, however, will be a difficult nut to crack. It is not likely the angry Senators will have the numbers to carry out the plan to its logical end. Lawan is, therefore, not rattled.

Ogun is from the South- south geopolitical zone.

This Magazine gathered that although signatures are, allegedly,  being collected, they are still short of the required majority because there has been counter moves by the loyalists of the Presidency, who are working round the clock to break the ties.

Nigeria Receives €4.2m Ibori Loot, As President Buhari Seeks Fresh Foreign Loan |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
James Onanefe Ibori

By Ayodele Oni

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has confirmed that the Federal Government of Nigeria has received 4,214,017.66 Pounds of the loot associated with  former Delta State Governor, James Ibori.

This is coming just as President Mohamadu Buhari wrote to the National Assembly seeking an approval for fresh foreign loan.

Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney-General, Dr Umar Gwandu, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement explained that the amount has been credited into the designated Federal Government account with Naira equivalent value of the amount as at 10th May, 2021.

According to the statement, Malami  signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the repatriation of the Ibori loot on behalf of the Federal Government.

The development, according to Malami, was a demonstration of the recognition of reputation Nigeria earns through records of management of recovered loot so far in the execution of public oriented projects.

In the letter, read at plenary on Tuesday, by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, President Buhari is seeking legislative approval for a fresh loan.

The President urged the Senate to approve the new external loan of N2,343,387,942,848.00, about $6.183billion.

Buhari in the letter, noted that the loan would be used by the Federal Government to finance the 2021 budget deficit.

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