The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Bauchi PRP berates Mohammed over minimum wage

    Bauchi PRP berates Mohammed over minimum wage

    The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State has berated Governor Bala Mohammed over the alleged failure of his government to make provisions for the N30, 000 minimum wages in the 2022 State Appropriation Law.

    Recall that Mohammed had signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill of N197.475 billion into law last week.

    But the party gave a seven-day ultimatum to Mohammed to initiate a supplementary appropriation bill for its implementation in compliance with the provision of the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 or face legal action.

    It stated that the state government has been running its budget without any appropriation for the minimum wage requirement for the past two years.

    At a briefing held at the NUJ Secretariat in Bauchi, the state capital, yesterday, the Chairman of the party, Ahmed Umar Farouk described the non-compliance as not only illegal but null and void.

    He said: “The National Minimum Wage Act 2019 in section 3(1) precisely mandated all employers of Labour-Bauchi State inclusive-to pay a minimum wage of N30, 000 per month to every worker under their establishments.

    “The Governor of Bauchi State, only a couple of days ago, signed into law the 2022 Bauchi State Appropriation Law which is the legal document that will guide the financial spending and expenditure of the state for the next fiscal year.

    “Worrisome about this document is how it has consistently refused to be synchronised with the provision and requirement of the National Minimum Wage Act 2019- a statute of general application in Nigeria.

    “The penalties for the violation of this law are well encapsulated therein. See also S. 9 (2) (a) (b) (c) and S10 (2) (a) (b) of the Act and we intend to test the full application of this law.” he said.

    Umar Farouk also blamed labour leaders and state legislators for not doing the needful towards ensuring the implementation of the Act, adding that the attitude of the union leaders looks more of a compromise.

    He, therefore, vowed that the PRP as a party would rise to the challenges facing the workers who are being shortchanged in that regard.

    When contacted, the Head of Service Yahuza Adamu said he is studying the press statement by the PRP and would get back to reporters later.

    However, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in its reaction said the government has implemented the minimum wage since last year but the only bone of contention is the consequential adjustment.

    While addressing reporters, the Chairman, Danjuma Saleh said: “This issue of 30,000 has been there nationwide not only in Bauchi but are taking things one step at a time. We are approaching the government to see that the problem of non-payment of workers’ salaries is solved before facing the issue of consequential adjustment. That’s members of senior staff’s benefit based on their grade level.”

  • Youths pass confidence vote in Buni-led caretaker committee

    Youths pass confidence vote in Buni-led caretaker committee

    The All Progressives Congress Youth Development and Solidarity Vanguard has warned those it described as troublemakers and agents of destabilisation to quit their quest to jeopardise Governor Mai Mala-Buni-led Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee’s roadmap for the party.

    The group also vowed to resist anyone who imports thugs and miscreants into Abuja from Lagos or Kano to stampede the committee from carrying out its duties to project the party for victory ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    The APC Youth, Development and Solidarity Vanguard gave the warning in Abuja, yesterday.

    Secretary-General of the group Tobias Ogbeh passed a confidence vote on the Governor Buni-led committee, noting that it has already surpassed expectations.

    According to Ogbeh, the committee has quelled the crisis in the party, united faithful and set the APC on the path for groundbreaking success in 2023. He admitted, however, that despite these gains, some saboteurs have relentlessly tried to undermine the party under different guises, including launching judicial challenges to the legality of the committee.

    Ogbeh said these saboteurs are people who pretend to be APC members at the national, state and even ward levels yet deployed different schemes to intimidate the committee.

    Ogbeh warned these saboteurs to desist from incurring the wrath of party men and women, who he said: “will not hesitate to activate the full weight of the law to curtail the illegalities they are perpetrating against the party.”

    The group also said anyone trying to force the committee to leave office when it has not finished its mandate of rejuvenating the party is either of the PDP pretending to be APC or saboteurs who want the party to lose future elections. It, however, urged the committee to rise above the distractions that are being placed in its path and forge ahead to consolidate the party.

    He said: ”For the avoidance of doubt, it is on record that the Caretaker Committee under Governor Buni’s leadership has consistently lived up to expectation. Save for its nomenclature, it has delivered value to the party on a scale that challenges the performance of a full-fledged EXCO. Even more impressive is how it ensured that the crises that necessitated its constitution did not fester to become worse while assiduously working to unite the party and heal the tears of division that had hitherto threatened to undermine the internal cohesion of the APC.”

  • Kaduna to spend N8.2b on primary health care

    Kaduna to spend N8.2b on primary health care

    The Kaduna State Government is to spend N8.2 billion on primary health care in 2022.

    The information was contained in the budget of N278.6 billion signed by Governor Nasir El-Rufai on December 22 obtained by reporters in Kaduna yesterday.

    The document showed that of the N8.2 billion allocated to the state Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB), N5.8 billion was earmarked for capital projects while N2.5 billion was for recurrent expenditure.

    It also showed that N4.3 billion was earmarked for the construction, renovation and upgrading of Primary Health care Centres (PHCs), 255 health clinics, reconstruction of PHCB Headquarters and consultancy services.

    Also, N233.6 million was allocated for the procurement of personal protective equipment for 1,154 health facilities for the prevention of COVID-19, while N25.5 million was earmarked for preventive maintenance of equipment in 255 PHCs

    A total of N954.3 million was earmarked as counterpart for various health projects, including Basic Health care Provision Fund.

    The document further showed that N100 million would be spent on the procurement of basic tools and consumables for Community Health Influencers, Promoters Service Agents (CHIPS) and mobile outreaches.

    The government also allocated N136.6 million for the provision of solar power for the second phase of 255 PHCs being upgraded.

    Similarly, N52.3 million would be spent on repairs and routine maintenance of solar systems in 34 PHCs across the state.

    The N5.8 billion allocated for the PHCDB for capital projects was less than the N8.9 billion allocated in 2021.

    Also, the sum ofN1.4 billion has been voted for the purchase of fully equipped ambulances.

    The ambulances would be procured for each of the functional Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the 255 political wards in the state.

    It also showed that of the N3.8 billion allocated to the state’s Health Supplies Management Agency (KADSHMA), N485 million would be expended on the procurement and distribution of drugs and health commodities to 1,099 health facilities across the state.

    It equally showed that N503.5 million was earmarked for the procurement of health commodities and consumables for integrated PHC Services and other programmes.

    The government also allocated N247.6 million for the procurement of drugs for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, while N16.4 million would be spent on the procurement of quality control laboratory and equipment.

    Also, N140 million was earmarked for the upgrade of KADHSMA pharmaceutical-grade warehouse phase II, N80 million for the renovation and upgrade of Zonal Medical stores in Zaria and Kafanchan.

    The state government equally allocated N500 million for logistics for the Zipline Aerial Drone Delivery Services to selected hard-to-reach health facilities and emergencies across the State.

    A total of N366.7 million was also earmarked for the procurement of antiretroviral drugs, diagnostics test kits, reagents, and other consumables under the HIV/AIDS treatment programme

    Similarly, N100 million was allocated for the procurement of free ante-natal and delivery services consumables and N40 million for the procurement of free paediatrics consumables for children under five years, for Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.

    A total of N3.9 billion was allocated to KADSHMA representing 1.4 per cent of the total budget size, of which N3.8 billion was for capital expenditure and N86.5 million for recurrent.

    Also, N6.8 million was voted for the procurement of HIV diagnostic kits and consumables in 2022.

    The document showed that out of the N20.3 million allocated to the State AIDS Control Agency (KADSACA) for capital expenditure, N3.0 million was for the procurement of HIV diagnostic kits and N3.8 million of HIV consumables.

    The government plans to spend N3.8 million on condoms, N3.3 million on hepatitis B test strips, and N2.6 million on methadone.

    Also, N828, 000 was allocated for venereal disease research laboratory tests, N842, 400 for single-use syringes and N308, 700 for procurement of antibiotics for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI).

    The government equally earmarked N385, 480 for behavioural change communication for targeted populations.

    A total of N798, 660 would be spent on the scale-up of Adolescent and Youth Population intervention in nine Local Government Areas of the state to significantly reduce the incidence of new HIV infections.

    The government further allocated N487, 800 to set up offices for the Network of People Living with HIV in Nigeria in the three Senatorial Zones for HIV, Hepatitis and STI counselling and testing services.

    A total of N100.6 million was allocated to KADSACA, representing 0.04 per cent of the total budget size of N278.6 billion.

    Of the N100.6 million, N20.3 million was for capital expenditure and N80.3 million for recurrent expenditure.

    The N20.3 million allocated for capital expenditure was lower than the N51.2 million allocated to the agency in 2021.

  • Church provides relief items for banditry victims

    Church provides relief items for banditry victims

    The Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, His Eminence Dr Samuel Kanu Uche has provided relief materials to members of the community affected by banditry and other forms of insecurities in Kaduna State.

    Dr Uche and Founder of Mission to Humanity, who is also an official of the church, Dr John Eze denoted food items which include rice, indomie, and also some cash to widows and the less privileged in the state affected by banditry.

    Presenting the gifts to the beneficiaries on behalf of the Prelate, the Regional Director of Evangelist and the Discipleship for the Methodist Church, Dr John Eze said they deemed it necessary to assist the people due to the hardship they were subjugated to as a result of insecurity; hence, the need to show love and compassion to them.

    On the insecurity bedevilling the country, Dr Eze said the country is in a state of insecurity that has never been witnessed before. He, however, advised the government to up its game in ensuring the safety of lives and property of citizens, observing that the Nigerian military has what it takes to diminish the terrorists.

    “The government must have to sit up; they should not play with the lives of the people anymore. There is no human life that is better than the other; it is so heartbreaking to find ourselves in such a mess that Nigeria has never been before.

    I advise the government to wake up. The Nigerian military has more guns than the enemies of the state. What they need to do is to articulate and put out measures together in other to find a means to apprehend these people who are causing unease to the citizens,” he said.

    The President Archbishop discipleship, Kaduna Methodists, Agada Simon noted that the beneficiaries have suffered so much in terms of crisis and attacks in the state.

    “We felt that it would be proper to respond to them at this festive period of Christmas, so we cried to our friend outside this diocese. Dr Sunday Aze graciously responded to our cry and he has come down to affect our people.

    “So, what we did was to go round the communities in Southern Kaduna and then we request that widows, the less privileged should be mobilised. That is what we are seeing today,” he said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Peter Enoch narrated how the insecurity has affected them in their communities, saying the gesture came at the right time.

    “We appreciate them for this gesture. Insecurity has affected us so much, we cannot go to the farm, and the little we have gathered, we have used it for ransom to get back our loved ones that were kidnapped by the bandits.”

  • Masari advises council chiefs on revenue generation

    Masari advises council chiefs on revenue generation

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has urged the incoming local government area chairmen to explore ways to generate more revenue to enable them to pay the salaries of their members of staff. Masari made the call on Tuesday during a chat with reporters in Katsina.

    The governor said the previous administration stopped the salary of over 2,000 members of staff.

    In Katsina State, there are no industries to employ people. The only industry in Katsina State is the civil service, either state or local government.

    “Paying salaries and pensions are very critical to the survival of the economy of the state.

    “Some local government areas have become solvent; some partially are, while some are yet to be.

    “Those that cannot pay their members of staff will have to face their workers and tell them why they cannot pay them,” he said.

  • Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa governors sign budgets

    Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa governors sign budgets

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill of N211 billion.

    Signing the Bill yesterday at the Government House in Minna, the state capital, Bello said his administration was poised to fund the budget completely as it is the last full budget to be implemented by his administration.

    “On our part, we will try and see that we implement the budget but of course, it is subject to availability of funds. As we are all aware the budget is just a statement, we hope that we can fund it100 per cent,” he said.

    The Budget, which was passed into law, was with an increase of N13 billion as the Governor had presented a budget estimate of N198.2 billion to the State Assembly.

    The Governor appreciated the lawmakers for passing the 2022 budget on time.

    The Speaker Abdullahi Bawa said the budget was adjusted to ensure that some MDAs that were not captured properly were captured to enable them to carry out their programmes and projects.

    Also, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday signed the state’s 2022 Appropriation Bill of N145.8 billion.

    While signing the bill in Lokoja, the state capital, Bello assured residents of greater performance in 2022.

    Read Also; Lagos Assembly passes N1.758tr budget for 2022

    He said the budget tagged “Budget of Accelerated Result,” consists of N90.1 billion, representing 61.79 per cent recurrent expenditure and N55.7 billion, representing 38.21 per cent capital expenditure.

    “My administration has tried to stem corruption to the barest, to give better service to the people of the state with good accountability.

    “We will continue to guarantee zero-corruption in Kogi State. Corruption will never lead us anywhere. We will try our best to stem it to the barest, if not at zero-level in Kogi State,” he said.

    According to him, the administration will consolidate on the economic, infrastructural and security development of the state in 2022.

    He stated that his administration would also continue to improve on security because “without security, there can’t be any meaningful economic development in the state.”

    Bello appreciated all law enforcement agencies and residents for always responding properly whenever there was any challenge.

    The governor also thanked the members of the House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the budget and for giving prompt attention to all the requests of the executive.

    Also yesterday, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule signed N110 billion 2022 appropriation bill.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lafia, Gov ernor Sule praised members of the House of Assembly for passing the budget within the shortest period of time despite their busy schedules.

    Sule said he presented the budget on December 9 but the Assembly members denied themselves weekends and holidays to ensure that it was passed.

    “The Assembly at first passed it on December 22 with the increase to N114 billion, but after going through and based on the realities on ground, I sent it back for amendment and they sat again and passed it into law yesterday,” Sule added.

    He further explained that the budget performance of the administration in 2021 was 64 per cent, adding that he is determined to surpass that performance in 2022.

    The Governor expressed optimism that with the calibre of people appointed and inaugurated as Commissioners and other aides, the administration would perform more than it did in the previous years.

    Sule also announced that he would launch the dualisation of Shendam Road from Toto Filling Station through Government House to Alkurba.

     

  • That fictional ‘secret memo’

    That fictional ‘secret memo’

    It would have been unnecessary for anyone, much less an observer like me, to respond to allegations contained in a widely syndicated “story” on obscure social media platforms alleging that “directors in the National Intelligence Agency [NIA]” wrote a secret memo to President Muhammadu Buhari. The alleged “directors” were neither identified, nor was it said whether they are serving or retired, which says a lot about the professionalism of the social media outlets that lent their space to this “story.”

    Still, it is important respond to this fictitious “story” lest it fools some innocent social media users.

    To begin with, no “directors” in any government agency would write directly to the President, unless it is a personal matter affecting their welfare. Even that has to be properly routed through their superiors and it has to be on matters within their competence and prerogative to advice. That any “directors”, serving or retired, wrote such a memo to the President, as is being alleged, is entirely in the realm of fantasy and imagination.

    And what was the alleged memo about? That they “asked President Muhammadu Buhari to desist from appending his seal on decisions he does not understand. All these they attributed to the President’s inability to pay rapt attention to matters.” I doubt if anyone in the whole Federal Public Service, no matter how imprudent or impertinent, will address the President in such language.

    The syndicated fiction and its hidden hands’ grouse was in regard to the appointment or reappointment of the Director General of National Intelligence Agency, NIA. The incumbent DG’s four-year tenure expires in January next year. The alleged memo said the President’s appointing Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar to the position four years ago was a “wrong one based on very wrong advice.”

    Who decides that? The 1999 Constitution vests all powers to make executive and even judicial branch appointments in the President. It did not vest this power in directors of the agency, serving or retired, loyal or disgruntled. The President exercises this power at his discretion, subject to relevant laws and laid down rules and regulations. If any of these are breached, an affected person or persons could resort to the courts. But in exercising his prerogatives, the President is not bound to do the bidding of any other vested interest. Some of the outfits that carried the “story’s” publishers contested for President in the last general election. If Nigerians had elected them, they will most certainly never cede their constitutional prerogatives on appointments to anyone.

    The imaginary letter alleged that President Buhari is being “deliberately misguided by his aides and advisers as a result of selfishness.” Insofar as the President has absolute prerogative to appoint his aides and to accept or reject their counsel, it is futile for anyone to ignorantly snipe from the sidelines and allege that the President is being misguided. We must assume that the President is fully responsible for all his actions and the electorate and historians will accordingly judge him by it all.

    The alleged letter repeatedly claimed that an NIA DG must be appointed upon recommendation by the National Security Adviser, NSA. Insofar as NSA is another prerogative appointee of the President, it is difficult to see how that takes away the constitutional provision that “All Executive power of the Federation shall vest in the President.” How could any outsider possibly know what transpired between President and NSA?

    The alleged memo was said to have been prompted because “We learnt that the tenure of the current DG, which comes to an end in January 2022, is being considered for extension or has been secretly renewed.” We wouldn’t know that one way or another until the Presidency makes an announcement, but why should anyone be irked by this? The President is the one in the best position to know if the current DG has satisfactorily discharged his duties in the last four years. NIA being a secret intelligence outfit, the public is in no position to judge its performance as they would judge agencies with a more public profile. To that extent we should allow the person with both the information and the constitutional prerogative to make up his mind one way or another.

    It is very dangerous to the health of critical national institutions when people with vested interest collude with social media outfits to try to stampede the Presidency into following a line of action that entirely fits their selfish personal agenda. It also does incalculable harm to the country’s image and the integrity of its public institutions. National security is too precious to be sacrificed by anyone on the altar of disgruntled self-interest.

    • Afolabi, a researcher on diplomatic and security affairs, writes from Lagos.

  • Yobe alerts residents on explosives detonation

    Yobe alerts residents on explosives detonation

    The Yobe State Government has alerted residents of a planned detonation of explosive ordinances by Sector 2 Operation Hadin Kai Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Damaturu.

    The information was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Mai-Mala Buni on Security Affairs retired Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam, in Damaturu yesterday.

    Abdulsalam said the detonation of explosives would take place near the state university, Damaturu on Gujba Road and on Maiduguri Road.

    “The public is hereby notified that they are controlled explosions and should not panic.

    “People are further advised to go about their normal businesses as there is no cause for alarm.

    “The press is, by this announcement, advised to take note that it is not an adversary explosion, please,” he said.

  • FCTA to revoke ownership of 435 abandoned buildings

    FCTA to revoke ownership of 435 abandoned buildings

    In order to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in and around the 250 square kilometres of the Federal Capital City, Abuja the FCT Administration has concluded arrangements to sanction owners of 435 abandoned/uncompleted buildings.

    FCT Director of Land Administration, Adamu Hussaini who disclosed this yesterday while briefing reporters on the end-of-the-year activities of the department, revealed that the sanction may include revocation of titles.

    Hussani advised owners of such abandoned and uncompleted buildings within the city to swiftly work towards the completion of the buildings; saying that such structures have become a source of a security breach in the city.

    He reiterated that the security breach is of great concern to the government, adding that it will not fold its arms to watch danger in the waiting to explode. “This development has been a source of worry for the FCT Administration.”

    According to him, the abandoned and uncompleted buildings have become shelters for unintended occupants as well as other people with criminal disposition, who use these uncompleted structures as hideouts to perpetuate their nefarious activities against the residents.

    Hussani also disclosed that the same fate may befall owners of about 600 undeveloped plots in the Federal Capital City; emphasising that such undeveloped plots have remained an eyesore in Abuja, despite the huge amount of money spent to provide this basic infrastructure in the districts..

    He recalled that owners of these undeveloped plots scattered around the Abuja metropolis have been warned severally in the past, yet some remain recalcitrant.

    The Director further revealed that though there exist thousands of uncollected Certificates of Occupancy in the vaults, the department has conveyed 495 Certificates of Occupancy to bonafide owners from January to December 2021.

    He, however, implores other property owners who are yet to pick theirs to come over and pick their Certificates as such an act would help lubricate economic activities of the Territory.

    On the issuance of Rights of Occupancy within the year under review, Hussani explained that the Land Administration Department released 1,319 titles to the beneficiaries.

    While also disclosing that there are quite a huge number of uncollected Rights of Occupancy in the vaults, the Director advised those who have applied for land in the FCT to come forward and check the status of their applications.

    Hussaini further said the department has witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of fresh applications for land in the Federal Capital Territory during the year under review; noting that 8,010 applied for land between January and December 2021.

    He stated that the department undertook and released 546 certified true copies to various individuals who were allotted lands in the year under review.

  • ‘Probe attack on Zamfara PDP congress venue’

    ‘Probe attack on Zamfara PDP congress venue’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) faction in Zamfara State has condemned the attack on the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress in the state, demanding a probe into the incident.

    Thugs had, on Monday, destroyed the voting materials, nomination forms as well as set ablaze two vehicles belonging to PDP members, chairs, and set canopies.

    The situation forced the main opposition party to move the venue from the Zaitun Oil Mill, behind State Pilgrim Board to the Command Guest House in Gusau, the state capital.

    Condemning the incident via a statement yesterday, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa-led APC expressed shock at the incident.

    The faction led by its Chairman, Sirajo Garba Maikatako said it is worried that the spokesperson to the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, linked the action with the ruling APC in the state.

    “On this note, the leadership of Senator Marafa faction of the APC condemns the reported action against opposition PDP in the state and considers the action as barbaric, savage, desperate and primitive,” the statement read.

    The group called on security agencies in the state to probe the matter with a view to arresting the culprits behind the attack.

    “As democrats, we commend the conduct of the opposition PDP on the maturity exhibited in the face of violence and managing the situation.

    “We also congratulate them on holding the congresses and emerging with the new party’s leadership in the state.”