The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Aregbesola: Once upon an era

    Aregbesola: Once upon an era

    Sir: In every corridor of power around the globe, there are people who call the shots. Some are seen. Others are invisible. But you hear and see their exploits. They are real. They wield enormous powers such that the real occupier of the office, on behalf of whom the powers are wielded, most times, defers to them and relies on them to take certain critical decisions. Most times, when they are not within reach, critical decisions must be delayed. Unless they have their say, nothing moves, nothing works. They are called the powers behind the throne!

    Around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in those days, Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Interior Minister, was the de facto power behind the throne. You hardly get anything without his input and final stamp. Once you encounter President Tinubu, the next thing is ‘go and see Rauf’.

    As governor of Osun State, unless certain Lagos matters get to Osogbo, they are never resolved. Tickets into certain offices in Lagos are got from Osogbo, with the express approval of ‘Rauf’.

    With Tinubu, Rauf’s words were law. Fall out with Rauf and you are out of favour with Tinubu. 

    But somehow, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola mismanaged the relationship, abused the trust and even attempted to play God. Now, he is left in the cold to lick his wounds. 

    Curiously, rather than retrace his steps, show remorse and find a way to be reintegrated into the fold for possible political rehabilitation, Aregbesola appears to be grandstanding.  Unfortunately, those he misled and turned into political orphans in Osun are still urging him on. They are the ones who gathered to welcome him back to Osun. For what really, I do not know.

    Read Also: I was chased away from Osun for four years, says Aregbesola

    As minister, he was treated to a celebratory banquet by the APC government in Osun, led by Adegboyega Oyetola. Now, he is being welcomed not by the Osun State APC. 

    While in Abuja, he never participated in any election in Osun. He never showed any iota of concern for Osun as a minister during the raving COVID-19 pandemic. It is on record that as a member of the Presidential Committee on COVID-19, Aregbesola behaved as though Osun needed no support from the fedral government to the extent that after Osun successfully contained the famous Ejigbo 127 Ivory Coast returnees, he almost forced another set on Osun.

    If the so-called ‘welcome home’ gathering is to relaunch himself back to political reckoning, I think Aregbesola and those behind it have missed the point again. 

    But if it is to continue his political war against the party and persons that brought him to political reckoning, it is a good start. Unfortunately, he and those behind it may not go far either, unless the Osun State PDP government is willing and ready to fund the political war.

    Historically speaking, since 1999, those that are today waging war on the progressives in Osun have never spent their personal money to advance any political cause. They have always relied on Tinubu’s financial war chest and government’s money. Once these two sources of funding are blocked, give them six months from now, the market will cease to exist and the traders will go their separate ways.

    But one thing Aregbesola must know is that an average Osun APC faithful only appears to be waiting for the appropriate time to square up with him. One thing that is however certain for now is that, except Aregbesola changes his perceived arrogant posture, with regard to his relationship with APC in Osun especially, it may be difficult for him to return to political reckoning as far as the progressives’ politicking is concerned because for now, the era of ‘go and see Rauf’ appears gone!

    • Ismail Omipidan, Ila Orangun, Osun State.
  • Tina Turner dies at 83

    Tina Turner dies at 83

    • The world celebrates an icon whose music appealed to all, irrespective of class, race or creed

    “My legacy is that I stayed on course… From the beginning to the end, Because I believed in something inside of me” – Tina Turner

    Tina Turner, American-Swiss Rock ‘n’ Roll legend was born in 1939 as Anna Mae Bullock in a little Nutbush Tennessee town to parents who were sharecroppers. She died on May 24 at 83 in her adopted country, Switzerland. Tina went by so many aliases given her life odyssey and phenomenal success as a multi-award winning Rock ‘n’ Roll musician, dancer and actress.

    She was known variously as, the ‘Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll’, Simply the Best, What’s Love Got to do with It and simply as TT. Since the news of her passing, there has been an impressive global celebration of her life because she appealed to all races, creeds, genders, royals and peasants alike because she communicated humanity through her unique music, hair, dressing, dancing style, outstanding elegance and creatively alluring stage presence that was first noticed when she started off in the 50s with her first husband, Ike Turner in his band, Kings of Rhythm, that later became the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

    Her electrifying stage performances brought attention to her talents and Ike, the leader of the band married her in what she described in her autobiography, “My Love Story” as his attempt to formalise their relationship for business purposes. Ike Turner lived out the commercial intent by becoming a metaphor for domestic violence perpetrator in the music industry in America and even globally, given the fact that his abusive behaviour towards Tina became public knowledge. She left him after 16 abusive years and demanded nothing but to retain her name, Tina Turner.

    Read Also: Queen of Rock ‘n’ roll Tina Turner dies at 83

    Tina had left him with just 36 cents in her wallet and the will power to survive on her own terms. She had said she preferred living as a slave to someone else rather than living as Ike’s wife. When she closed the door behind her as she ran for dear life, she only had her talent which no one could take away.  She eventually sold more than 200m records globally and with that her fame blossomed as a solo artist.

    She won 12 Grammies, a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement Award, and three Grammy Hall of Fame inductions. She had the distinguished honour of being the first black artist and  woman to be on the Cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. She has been adjudged one of the 100 greatest Artists of All Time. She has a Star at both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and St. Louis Walk Of Fame. She was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame twice amongst a series of other awards.

    Her life was a very inspirational one as she is globally seen as a survivor and a courageous woman who took the bold step to leave an abusive spouse and became a star on her own terms. She highlighted the dangers of domestic violence in and was involved in advocating for victims. 

    Tragedies dogged her step almost throughout her life but she was resolute to live and love. Her two sons died before her, living her with two adopted sons from Ike’s earlier relationship. Despite all she went through, she still had a great sense of gratitude to Ike and always highlighted his good sides before drugs and alcohol set in. She always proudly said she neither did drugs nor abused alcohol.

    In one of the greatest love paradoxes, she later married a second husband, Erwin Bach, a German music producer who was 16 years her junior but who loved her like no man ever did. They dated for almost 30 years before finally marrying in 2013. She renounced her American citizenship for the Swiss one just to live with the love of her life who proved his love in unique ways, including giving her his kidney after hers failed and she was at the risk of death. Even when she advised him not to, seeing that he had his life to live being a younger man, “My life is our life” he told her. In every way, her younger European husband compensated for the hurt her black older husband caused her.

    Tina left a legacy of admirable elegance, perseverance and courage that endeared her to many across the globe. She was a trail blazer with unique qualities in 20th century music world. She was sexy without being sensual and her legs were so beautiful they were insured for millions of dollars when she was actively performing. She was as sassy as she was engagingly brilliant. The world would miss her but her legacy of courage that birthed phenomenal success will endure for centuries to come.

    May she find peace.

  • Unsafe water, sanitation and disease burden

    Unsafe water, sanitation and disease burden

    Sir : The lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene services—exacerbated by accelerated urbanization, poor cost recovery, and weak governance and institutional frameworks—adversely affects Nigerian citizens’ health, as well as their access to educational and economic opportunities and their work efficiency and labour productivity.

    Further complicating the issue, Nigeria is divided into 36 states, each of which operates with different institutional structures, power dynamics, and little or no regulatory oversight. In most states, a State Water Board (SWB) is responsible for providing water and sanitation services. On the whole, however, SWBs are hobbled by non-existent or weak incentives for better performance, aging infrastructure, inadequate or ineffective operations and maintenance, weak institutional capacity, and little accountability to consumers.

    In a recent study, assessments of disease burden have shed light on the alarming consequences of unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Nigeria. The findings highlight the urgent need for action to address this critical issue and its impact on public health.

    The study revealed staggering figures for Nigeria. It estimated that approximately 1.4 million deaths and 74 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) could have been prevented in 2019 through the provision of safe WASH services. These numbers account for 2.5% of global deaths and 2.9% of global DALYs from all causes, underscoring the significant impact of WASH-related diseases on the country’s population.

    Read Also: Protecting our freshwater bodies

    Unsafe WASH services were found to contribute to a considerable proportion of diarrhoea cases (69%), acute respiratory infections (14%), and undernutrition (10%) in Nigeria. Moreover, the entire disease burden of soil-transmitted helminthiasis was attributed to unsafe WASH services. These findings emphasize the urgent need for improved WASH infrastructure and services across the country.

    Despite notable progress in recent years, millions of Nigerians still lack access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services. The consequences are dire, with increased risks of diarrhoea, chronic under-nutrition, acute respiratory infections, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Additionally, there is evidence that compromised WASH conditions have far-reaching effects on educational outcomes, cognitive development, mental health, and instances of physical and sexual violence, particularly affecting women and girls.

    Efforts to combat the WASH-related disease burden in Nigeria must focus on implementing sustainable strategies, such as improving access to safe drinking water, promoting proper sanitation practices, and enhancing hygiene education. Additionally, comprehensive monitoring and data collection systems should be established to track progress and inform evidence-based interventions.

    The estimated government investment needed for achieving SDG 6 by 2030 currently stands at 1.30% of GDP per year, which is $5.3 billion or NGN1.9 trillion. The government needs to increase budgetary allocations for water, sanitation and hygiene and ensure that the monies allocated are effectively utilised.

    • Victor Okeke, Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.
  • Randy pastors

    Randy pastors

    • Godless ‘men of God’ debase human morality

    Clerics ordinarily are respected members of community who are regarded as role models of societal morality and fear of God. They are expected to be life savers, not life takers, and their mere appearance tends to evoke a sense of solace and comfort for troubled persons. But there are some clerics who have been caught in acts so fiendish that they signpost the basest thing conceivable in human morality. Examples are two professing clerics who lately were found in violation of the law with the indulgence of their libido that resulted in deaths of hapless victims.

    A Rivers State high court sitting in Port Harcourt recently sentenced a pastor, Chidiebere Okoroafor, to death by hanging for multiple murder. Okoroafor, who is the General Overseer of the Altar of Solution and Healing Assembly based in Oyigbo, Rivers State, was put through trial and found guilty of the killing of his choir leader, Orlunma Nwagba, who he allegedly impregnated. He also faced murder charges and was found guilty of the killing of Nwagba’s friend, Chigozie Ezenwa, and her 11-month-old daughter, Cresabel, on December 11, 2017, in Oyigbo council area of Rivers State. Reports said the women had visited the pastor’s house in Oyigbo for talks about Nwagba’s pregnancy, upon which he tricked them to a bush and allegedly committed the murder act at two different locations. Men of Rivers State police command had on December 17, 2017, arrested Okoroafor following an alarm raised by Ezenwa’s husband over the killing of the three persons.

    The trial judge, Justice S.O. Benson, ruled that available evidence and confessional statements by the pastor showed he committed the crimes. The judge said the prosecution proved the case of murder against the cleric and ordered that he be hung by the neck until he dies or a lethal injection be administered on him.

    Speaking to journalists after the trial, prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, saying: “Justice has been served to the state, the complainant and the convict. This will serve as a deterrent to all those who intend to commit similar offence because it is justice for all.” For his part, defence counsel, Innocent Ekwu, said his team would appeal the judgment because “we have grounds on which we believe that the defendant did not commit the offence.”

    Read Also: ‘Randy UNIBEN lecturer won’t go unpunished’

    In another instance, a catechist at St. Martins Parish, Mbape in Adikpo deanery, Kwande council area of Benue State, is said to be at large following the death of a lady suspected to be his lover. The catechist, identified as Oliver Vershima, was said to have fled when he was caught with the corpse of the lady as he planned to dispose of it. Reports cited a resident of the community telling journalists that the incident happened last Saturday.

    According to the source, Vershima was caught with the body around 7p.m. on Saturday and upon being questioned, it was discovered that he had impregnated the lady and they tried to terminate the pregnancy, but the lady lost her life in the process earlier on that Saturday. “To conceal this, the catechist hid the corpse inside his room until night so he could take the body out of the village. Unfortunately for him, he was caught while trying to carry the body out of the village, but he later escaped,” the community resident was quoted saying, adding that though the lady’s identity was yet to be ascertained, she was believed to be from a neighbouring community.

    Confirming the incident, Benue State Police Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, said the body had been recovered and deposited in a morgue. She stated: “The corpse of the young girl who was said to have visited her man friend was recovered and taken to the mortuary after a report was received. But the said Oliver is yet to be seen as he ran away after he brought the corpse out of his room.” The spokesperson added that investigation was ongoing and the cause of death yet unknown.

    The depravity of morals that the supposed ‘men of God’ were linked to is so sordid that such wouldn’t be expected even of Godless men. It is difficult to see what knowledge of God they ever had or taught to their followers, not to mention that they failed expectations to be good examples that can be emulated. We applaud the justice dealt with the verdict on the randy general overseer, while we hope that no effort is spared to apprehend the fleeing catechist so that he is brought to account for his misdeed. But the moral here is that the hood never makes the monk and people should be wary of making themselves vulnerable to wolves in sheep’s skin.

  • Keeping seas, ships clean

    Keeping seas, ships clean

    Towards the end of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the Federal Government signed a concession agreement with XPO Marine Services Limited for the provision of an Offshore Waste Reception Facility (OWRF) in the nation’s eastern zone. In this report, OLUWAKEMI DAUDA looks at the benefits of the facility to the country.

    One of the key programmes okayed by the immediate past Federal administration is the cleaning of ships and ports.

      To give teeth to it, the Federal Government signed a concession agreement with XPO Marine Services Limited to provide Offshore Waste Reception Facility (OWRF) in the eastern zone clean seas and ships of any debris. The zone covers Cross River,  Akwa Ibom, Rivers to Bayelsa states.

    The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, represented the Federal Government, while the Managing Director, XPO Marine Services, Wellington Agharese, signed for the company.

    What is a port reception facility?

    A port reception facility is a kind of provision that any international shipping port must make to collect residues, oily mixtures, and garbage generated from sea-going vessels. The arrangements must be such that the receiving operation can be performed as fast as possible to avoid undue delays of the ships.

    The facility also refers to any fixed, floating or mobile facility capable of receiving waste.

    The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) mandates the facility to receive to receive residues/waste from ships.

    What is MARPOL?

    MARPOL was adopted in November 1973 at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) meeting.

    It is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental pollution.

    The Convention states that parties to it should ensure adequate provision of facilities at ports and terminals to meet the need of ships using them without causing undue delays.

    The merchant fleet of ships in the shipping industry is divided into two main categories: dry ships, which carry dry cargo in bulk and wet ships – these ships generate oily residue mixture and garbage during their cargo carrying operations.

    Read Also: Ahead May 29, Tinubu returns to Nigeria from overseas trip

    The oily residue mixture and garbage generated by the vessel cannot be discharged to the sea, according to the law to avoid marine pollution. That is why they are disposed to the port reception facilities around the world.

    Position of IMO

    The IMO recognised that reception facilities are crucial to  the effective MARPOL implementation, and the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has encouraged member-states (Nigeria inclusive), particularly those parties to MARPOL as port states, to fulfil their treaty obligations on providing adequate reception facilities.

    Benefits of agreement signed by the govt

    The benefits of the agreement include pollution elimination in Nigeria’s waters, infrastructure stock increase, revenue generation,  employment, improved economic activities and transfer of the assets at the end of concession period to the Federal Government.

    The importance of adequate waste reception facilities in the chain of implementation of MARPOL and MARPOL policy of “zero tolerance of illegal discharges from ships” could only be enforced when there are adequate facilities provided by the government or its agents.

    Agharese expressed the capability of the company to take on the responsibility.

    The company, he said, would utilise the Design, Finance, Build, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (DFBOMT) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategy for the project, which will ensure that from inception government funds were not utilised in project operations while the Federal Government partakes in revenue sharing.

    Objective and application

    Nigeria is a party to the International Convention on the Prevention of pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) develop under the IMO. The MARPOL Convention requires in its annexes I, II, IV, V and VI that Port Reception Facilities be provided and adequate for ship wastes by member-states.

    •These regulations are founded on international commitments of objectives.

    They provide for a framework for waste reception facilities for ship-generated waste: statutory backing and regulatory oversight for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in providing shore-based reception facilities; regulatory cover for reception of waste generated across various offshore installations; for the licensing of waste management organisations and guidelines for developing charges; and reporting requirements for waste delivery and receipt.

    •These regulations apply to any port, terminal, jetty, shipyard and offshore installation.

    •Subject to sub-regulations and

    •These regulations apply to ships calling at/or operating within a port, terminal or otherwise operating a commercial service within the waters.

    •These regulations do not apply to any warship, naval auxiliary or other ship owned or operated by a state and used for the time being, only on the government’s non-commercial service.

    •The provision of regulations 9 and 12 of these regulations do not apply to a ship which is afishing vessel; or recreational craft authorised to carry or designed to carry not more than 12 passengers.

    •The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is responsible for the provision of waste reception facilities offshore for the reception of waste generated by ships to which these regulations apply that do not call into ports or are otherwise engaged in commercial service within the waters; and offshore installations.

    The agency may, in the discharge of their duty, collaborate with  a qualified organisation in providing waste reception facilities; direct or arrange for the provision of such reception facilities by any other person who shall be qualified to undertake the provision of facilities.

    What experts said

    In a statement, two stakeholders in the industry, Dagogo Jack  and Afiz Abass, said there is interest in marine environment protection among African  coastal states, as the region takes steps to harness its vast maritime endowments.

    The statement reads in part: “Nigeria in this respect is conscious of the fact that her people depends on the sea for livelihood.The country is recognising more and more the need to scale up its environmental stewardship  by intensifying efforts to implement the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), which it is a party to. 

    MARPOL, one of the instruments of IMO, is the main international convention covering the prevention of pollution of the marine environment through ships from operational or accidental causes.

    “In line with the MARPOL Convention, the Federal Government enacted the Merchant Shipping Act, 2007, and Merchant Shipping (Ship Generated Marine Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations, 2012. Nigeria, being a major oil producing nation, contends with oil-related pollution.

    “Oil is the main pollutant of Nigeria’s maritime environment, given the crucial role of the product in the country’s economy.

    “Several offshore activities pollute the ocean and coastal communities. Contamination from ships and drilling facilities harms plants, animals, and human communities. It is estimated that more than half a billion barrels of waste fluids are generated annually in the course of oil and gas activities in Nigeria.

    “To deal with such pollution menace, the Federal Government, acting through the country’s maritime regulatory agency, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), recently signed a concession agreement with XPO Marine Services Limited for the provision of an Offshore Waste Reception Facility (OWRF) in Nigeria’s Eastern Zone. The zone stretches from Cross River State, through Akwa Ibom, Rivers to Bayelsa State.”

    The contract signed

     Dagogo and Abass said: “The contract, signed on May 15, will be executed under a Design, Finance, Build, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (DFBOMT) public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. It will be executed in four phases for an initial period of 10 years at a total cost of USD72.2 million.The facility would handle inspections for verification of compliance and assessment of service requirements, collection/reception of ship generated waste, waste processing and safe recycling and disposal.

    “The specialised vessels will also patrol the seas and oceans to protect them from pollution, and act as first responders.

    “The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), which has regulatory guidance over the project, announced in December last year that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved three PPP projects to be executed in NIMASA.

    “ICRC said the projects were expected to generate over USD1, 110,384,387 for the Federal Government during the concession period.

    “The Eastern OWRF, Central/Western OWRF, and a Floating Dry Dock were approved by FEC, following the issuance of Full Business Case Certificate of Compliance (FBC) by the PPP regulator, ICRC.”

    What ICRC said

    The Director-General, ICRC, Michael Ohiani, had said the approvals demonstrated the commitment of the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration to the environmental well-being of coastal communities and offshore fisher folks.

    ICRC said the OWRF projects would help keep the seas and oceans clean.

    “The projected total revenue from Eastern OWRF for the entire concession period due to Federal Government based on revenue-sharing ratios is USD279, 487,228.35.The projected total revenue for the entire concession period from the Central and Western zones due to Federal Government based on the revenue sharing ratios is USD765, 289,988.

    ”The IMO recognises the provision of waste reception facilities as crucial for effective implementation of the MARPOL Convention. IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee also encourages member-states, particularly parties to MARPOL as port states, to fulfil their treaty obligations on provision of adequate waste reception facilities at ports and terminals. Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from the offshore waste disposal facility.

    “It comes at a time of fervent quest for deep seaports by the state and federal governments, and revelations that about 70 per cent of cargo bound for West and Central Africa are destined for Nigeria.’’

     Besides, NIMASA is expected to commence soon the operation of its floating dry dock, which is of huge commercial benefit to the country in ship dry-docking and repairs. These are in pursuit of the objective of developing Nigeria as a regional and global maritime hub. The waste reception facility would be a significant effort to deal with the increased pollution in maritime activities.

    Findings have shown that the offshore waste collection facility has the capacity to receive various classifications of residues/wastes, in line with the demands of MARPOL I-VI, covering oily waste, residues containing noxious liquid substances (NLS), sewage, garbage, including dry/bulk cargo residues and cargo-associated waste, such as dunnage and packaging; and ozone-depleting substances and exhaust gas cleaning residues.The facility is in tandem with efforts to increase Nigeria’s infrastructure stock through PPPs, as captured in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (METF/FSP) 2020-2022.

    Increase in revenue

    The facility will raise revenue for the government and provide the country an innovative best-practice solution and infrastructure for offshore waste management. It would create employment opportunities for the host community and other Nigerians, with an estimated 1, 200 direct jobs, and up to 2,000 indirect and ancillary jobs. It would give maritime students and scholars an opportunity to sharpen their knowledge through easy data collection, investigation, and analysis.The waste collection project would stimulate greater economic activities in the maritime industry and attract investments.

    Advantages of the project

    All these, it was gathered, would be at no cost to the government, as incidental risks are transferred to the concessionaire. The DFBOMT PPP strategy also brings advantages to the government. It ensures that, from start to finish, the government funds are not involved; the government has the opportunity to share from the revenue; and it meets it complies with the international maritime convention. Above all, the asset will revert to the government upon expiration of the concession period. In trying to harness the potential of its maritime environment, Nigeria has invested a great deal of effort in ventures meant to guarantee long-term ecological health and improvement.

     Globally concerns

    Gobally, concerns are rising about the harmful effects of human activities on the environment.The World Economic Forum (WEF), a Switzerland-based non-governmental and lobbying organisation, warned about a climate crisis in its 2022 Global Risks Report. It said the environment’s health remained the biggest long-term worry for humanity.

    The risks report is usually released before the meeting of world business and political leaders held every January in Davos, Switzerland to address global economic issues. Things did not turn out better than forecasted over the course of 2022. WEF started the event with a warning that the world was on the verge of a perilous “polycrisis” – a tangled web of crises straddling global systems. Climate change was one of the major threats identified by the WEF.The Nigerian maritime industry has witnessed an inclination towards innovative steps aimed at securing and preserving the environment for profitable investment. The country intends to develop an environment favourable to faster rollout of its blue economy potential.

    The country made international headlines in September 24, 2021, when it launched a wreck removal initiative, in deliberate effort to further open up the maritime sector for sustainable investment.The then Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, at the launch of the wreck removal in Lagos: “This creative venture of clearing our waters of wrecks and derelicts, apart from guaranteeing better safety of navigation, opens up the prospects of many new investments in the maritime industry.”

    On February 20, 2020, the former Director-General,  NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, initiated the Maritime Action Plan on Marine Litter and Plastics, setting a national roadmap for tackling marine pollution.

    IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, said: “Shipping must be balanced with the safety of life at sea, the long-term health and diversity of oceans and the conservation of the marine environment. Marine litters are a great concern and the discharge of garbage from ships has been prohibited since the 1980s by the MARPOL convention and additionally by the London convention Governments the world over have adopted partnership with the private sector as an effective strategy for maintaining ocean and sea health.”

    Last line

    Investigation has shown that in the United Kingdom, the ports employ licensed waste disposal contractors to serve the shipping community. The approach is similar in the United States, where port/terminal operators employ firms for waste reception/removal services, and update the companies’ information with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) if there are changes.

    Stakeholders said the latest partnership with XPO Marine Services for an offshore waste reception facility was a good attempt by the Buhari administration to secure the marine environment to support life and investment. The company that won the contract has provided integrated offshore marine support services to the oil and gas industry in West Africa for over a decade, hence the decision of the government to give it a trial.

    “We are proud to be part of the execution of Nigeria’s critical treaty obligation under the MARPOL Convention,” said  Agharese.

  • Nigeria, others in Geneva for International Labour Conference

    Nigeria, others in Geneva for International Labour Conference

    Nigeria’s delegates across the three tripartite system of government, employers’ group and organised labour are among the 187 member-states participating at this year’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) 111 International Labour Conference (ILC), which kicked off on June 5 and end on June 16.

    The yearly event of the ILO returns in full swing this year with more delegates, unlike last year, when delegates were streamlined due to construction at the United Nations’ Palais, venue of the event.

    Worker, employer and government delegates from the ILO’s 187 member-states are expected to tackle issues that have a long-term impact on the world of work, including: a second standard-setting discussion on quality apprenticeships, a recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of social protection (labour protection).

    Read Also: Nigeria wins UN Economic, Social Council seat

    The ILO noted that there would also be a proposed Convention and Recommendation concerning the partial revision of 15 international labour instruments, following the inclusion of a safe and healthy working environment in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.

    A World of Work Summit will equally takes place on June 14 and 15. Its theme is “Social Justice for All”.

    According to the ILO, this will be a forum for global voices to address the need for increased, coordinated and coherent action in support of social justice.

    “It will provide an opportunity to discuss the Global Coalition for Social Justice initiative, which was welcomed by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office at its 347th Session in March 2023,” the global body stated.

  • Fuel subsidy removal will unlock N6tr yearly, says NECA

    Fuel subsidy removal will unlock N6tr yearly, says NECA

    • Praises Tinubu administration

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has supported President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s removal of fuel subsidy, saying it could unlock over N6 trillion in revenue yearly.

    Its Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, in a statement, said the fuel subsidy over the years had neither served the interest of the average Nigerian nor promoted enterprise’s sustainability, growth and competitiveness.

    He said: “NECA commends the policy thrust of the new administration as enunciated by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his inaugural address.

    “Some of the key issues raised that were germane to the survival of organised businesses and the economy at large include the plan to unify the exchange rates, review of multiplicity of taxes, strive towards a higher GDP growth rate; improving accessibility and affordability of electricity, investment in infrastructure, establishment of agricultural hubs, deepening engagement with Organised Private Sector and removal of fuel subsidy.”

    Oyerinde emphasised that fuel subsidy removal could unlock huge revenue, which could be channelled into infrastructure development.

    Read Also: NECA flays govt’s fiscal policies

    He added that reports had shown that less than three per cent of Nigerians (the super-rich) benefited from the subsidy regime, advising the government that efforts at providing short-term palliatives should be fast-tracked in view of their urgency.

    The NECA chief also argued that of greater interest to organised businesses was the implementation framework to drive the policies and level of engagement that will be initiated with the private sector by the new administration.

    He said  while the call for palliatives and other short-term interventions were valid, experiences over the years had shown that short-term solutions such as the provision of mass transit and cash transfers, as proposed with the $800 million loan, among others, were shallow and not sustainable.

    He said: “While the President’s announcement during his inaugural speech that the era of fuel subsidy is gone was met with varied reactions from different stakeholders, the reality remains that the removal is no more sustainable in the face of the nation’s dire financial situation.

    “The $10 billion (over N4 trillion at the official rate) spent on subsidy in 2022, which is about 25 per cent of the national budget for that year, and the $7.5 billion (N3.5trillion) budgeted for subsidy from January to June, this year is obviously not sustainable in view of our revenue and debt challenges.

    “The announcement by the President triggered the hoarding of petroleum products and inflationary pressures with negative consequences such as increase in fares and the upsurge in prices of goods and services, among others. These pressures will, in the short-term, further erode the purchasing power of average Nigerians, increase the input, operating, and production costs for organised businesses and, if not urgently checked, would result in heightened contraction in domestic production and business activities,” Oyerinde concluded.  

  • CISLAC to Fed Govt: tackle fraudulent regime in fuel pricing

    CISLAC to Fed Govt: tackle fraudulent regime in fuel pricing

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Federal Government to tackle fraudulent regime in fuel pricing which is  common with elite manipulations and intrigues in the sector for fuel subsidy removal to be effective.

    CISLAC Executive Director and Head, Transparency International-Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, also called on President Bola Tinubu to introduce palliatives and measures to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal which would address the food and transport costs for Nigerians.

    The CISLAC boss noted the government needed to come up with  short-term measures that would mitigate the pains of the sharp increases in transportation and feeding costs on the citizens, adding that food and transportation account for over 70 per cent of the household budget of the populace, noting that something urgent needed to be done.

    According to him, arguments for the removal of fuel subsidy had always bordered on a need to free resources and take needed measures towards long-needed reform, as the cost has become unsustainable, especially as the economy hovers in and out of recession.

    “The deregulation (subsidy removal) agenda is part of what is contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA),” he said.

    He noted that a report by the House of Representatives committee revealed that Nigeria’s fuel subsidy scheme cost the country $6.8 billion over a three-year period (2009-2011). He added that the NNPCL was single-handedly responsible for almost half of the siphoned subsidy funds and was found not to be accountable to anybody or authority.

    “The report revealed that 72 fuel importers, some of whom had allegedly close links to senior government officials, were also singled out. In one case, payments totalling  $6.4million flowed from the state treasury 128 times within 24 hours to unknown entities. Investigators discovered that importers were paid for 59 million litres a day, while the country only consumes 35 million.

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    “In 2012, the pump price of fuel was N65 ($0.40) per litre, against a landing cost of N139. The government thus contributed a N73 subsidy per litre, for an annual total of N1.2trillion ($7.6billion), or 2.6 per cent of the country’s GDP,” he said.

    He noted that  the Nigeria Extractive Industry and Transparency Initiative said Nigeria spent about N722.3 billion on fuel subsidy in 2018.

    “The NNPCL’s financial and operations report for 2019 showed that Nigeria spent N326.43 billion in four months (N104.35 billion, N102.24 billion, N30.64 billion and N89.19 billion in January, February, March and April) in 2019,” he said.

  • Lagos to promote 4000

    Lagos to promote 4000

    The Lagos State Civil Service Commission has ended activities for the promotion of 4000 of its workers.

     The event had as its theme “Year 2023 Promotion Exercise Revised Structured Training Programme.”

    Speaking on Day Two of the events on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Commission, Mrs Regina Olubunmi Fabamwo, explained that the exercise was only for the eligible staff members between Grade Level Six and 10. She listed the conditions fr eligibility as maturity, clean records, performance, and attendance at the training, among others.

    The lucky staff members, who were over 400, were drawn from ministries such as Justice, Information and Strategy, Education, Physical Planning and Urban Development.

    Mrs. Fabamwo, Fellow, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), said the main objective of the exercise was to make the workers aware of the new role ahead of them. She said it was introduced in 2019 by her team to let those to be promoted to know that there is a great responsibility ahead and that they were being prepared for it to boost their productivity. So far, she averred, the programme has been a huge success.

    She said it was for this her team tagged the commission the ‘Awakening Commission’ to help the workers some of whom might not know to do things differently and achieve results, adding that they continue to improve on the training.

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    She said the responsibility of the commission is to promote a disciplined workforce guided by the core values of transparency, fairness and integrity, among others. She assured the workers of their commitment to quality service delivery and that the commission was established to serve them as “No civil servants, No Civil Service Commission. We do the best for the service.”

    Mrs. Fabamwo said Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was interested in the workers’ welfare and that is why those due for promotion every three years, are not denied by the commission.

    Congratulating the workers, she tasked them on the actualisation of the administration’s six strategic development agenda, namely, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism (THEMES) as well as Security and Governance (THEMES) and better services to the people.

    A facilitator at the training, Tajudeen Ekunsumi, said building a smart city as being championed by the state government requires that all hands must be on the deck. He charged the workers to be alive to their responsibility. He noted that the government relies on them for the prosecution of its agenda. He said over the years, the government has been focusing on infrastructural development. As a result, its budget is being tuned more towards capital expenditure instead of recurrent expenditure which had been taking a large chunk of its expenses.

  • Picketing by NUBIFIE: Polaris Bank recommits to staff welfare

    Picketing by NUBIFIE: Polaris Bank recommits to staff welfare

    Polaris Bank has clarified that it did not violate any law in a recent disengagement of some members of staff.

    It said it was done in line with the terms of the contract guiding their engagements

    The bank was reacting to a report of the picketing of its headquarters on Tuesday by National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFE) by some newspapers.

    The bank, in a statement signed by Group Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communication, Nduneche Ezurike, said it had engaged and would continue to engage the union to resolve any lingering labour matters.

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    The bank emphasised that a cordial relationship has existed between her and the union over the years, and believes that concerns raised by either party can be effectively addressed through dialogue.

    “Polaris Bank remains committed to fostering a harmonious working relationship and ensuring the well-being of its employees,” he said.