The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently concluded its 2012 ‘Article IV Consultation’ on Nigeria. The IMF, as part of its recommendations, suggested the winding down of the operation of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). This recommendation was apparently predicated on the need to curb what it described as ‘moral hazards and fiscal risks’.

ABUJA—Indications emerged, Sunday, that the Federal Government-owned Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, might have turned a blind eye to the mismanagement of the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, while the Russian firm, Rusal, ran the only smelter in the country aground.

Immediate past governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu in an interview in Lagos speaks on contemporary issues facing the country including his return to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, corruption and the state of insecurity in the country among other issues. Excerpts:

LABOUR and Civil Society Coalition, LASCO, weekend, released the Lagos programme for the Wednesday, April 10, nationwide planned protest in solidarity with pensioners over unpaid benefits.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, is billed to deliver a speech at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank joint conference at the IMF’s headquarters in Washington, DC from April 21-22, 2013. The conference will focus on Fiscal Policy, Equity, and Long-Term Growth in Developing Countries.