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Tag: Chris Ngige

  • APC named Ngige, others as Nwoye campaign members

    APC named Ngige, others as Nwoye campaign members

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Anambra on Sunday named Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Productivity as the state chairman of Dr Tony Nwoye 2017 Governorship Campaign Organisation.

    The minister of Labour and Productivity is to be assisted by Chief George Muoghalu as vice chairman.

    More than 50 other persons were named as chairmen and vice chairmen of various directorates of the campaign organisation by the party.

    Mr Emeka Ibe, the Anambra State Chairman of APC, who announced  the membership  before inaugurating the committee, charged them to commit their time and resources to the success of Nwoye governorship project.

    Ibe said that the party has a capable candidate that would  make history in the Nov.18 governorship election in the state.

    NAN reports that all the aspirant of the Anambra governorship race except Sen. Andy Uba were named as members of the campaign organisation.

    Mr Osita Ezenwa, the Director-General of the Nwoye Campaign Organisation commended the composition of the various sub-committees.

    He said that there was a lot of work to be done and added that the party would make the desired change in the governance of Anambra.

    “We must all work hard and together in the task of seeing to the success of our candidate, Dr Tony Nwoye, in the Nov.18 election so that on Nov.19 we all will rejoice that we have finally won’’, he said.

    The National Secretariat of  APC had earlier named Gov Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi  State  as the national chairman of Nwoye Campaign Organisation.

    NAN

  • Health workers insist strike continues until conclusion of negotiations

    Health workers insist strike continues until conclusion of negotiations

    There are indications that the on-going indefinite strike embarked upon by health workers by the Joint Health Sector Unions may soon be called off even as the unions insist that the industrial action continues until after negotiations are concluded at the weekend.
    The government and the unions were believed to have signed an agreement in the early hours of Wednesday after about nine hours meeting with the unions informing the government team led by the Ministers of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige and his Health counterpart, Prof. Isaac Adewole that they need to get back to their members.
    The unions are expected to return to the negotiating table with the government team on Saturday after their National Executive Council meeting.
    In a statement made available to newsmen late Wednesday night, the unions asked its members nationwide to await further directive from the leaders, while asking state councils who were supposed to join the strike on Thursday to hold on and await further instruction.
    The statement signed by the Chairman, Biobelemoye Joy Josiah and Secretary, Florence Ekpebor reads: “As a result of the on-going negotiation between JOHESU and the Federal Government, the leadership of JOHESU wish to inform all members that negotiation is on-going and the strike continues nationwide in all Federal Health Institutions and further directives will be given after meeting with Federal Government on Saturday, 30th September, 2017.
    “In the light of the above, state councils are further directed to put on hold the commencement of their strike initially billed for Thursday, 28th of September, 2017 due to the on-going talks.
    “JOHESU commends members nationwide for their steadfastness and we hope that government will seize this opportunity to effectively meet our demands in order to shorten the life span of the strike.”
  • FG, ASUU officials meeting to end strike

    FG, ASUU officials meeting to end strike

    The Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities are holding a crucial meeting that may see the union calling off their five weeks old strike.

    The meeting, according to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige was a continuation of the meeting held between both parties on Friday.

    He added that he was convinced that a concrete agreement will be reached after the meeting that will see the union calling off their strike.

    He reassured them that the Buhari government was a different government committed  to the implementation of all agreements reached with unions.

    “If you go into other negotiations without implementation, this is a different government. That is why we put timeline in all agreement reached.”

    ASUU President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi said as a result of feedback from their members, the union held about eight hours meeting with the government on Friday and came up with concrete areas of agreement.

    He said the ongoing meeting was to agree on a final document so that an agreemn t can be reached by both parties.

  • NARD violates Trade Dispute Act – Ngige

    NARD violates Trade Dispute Act – Ngige

    The Federal Government said that the National Association of Resident Doctors ( NARD ) had violated section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act of the Federation of 2004 by embarking on strike.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this at a conciliation meeting with the leadership of NARD on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “I do not want to be legalistic about it, because you have breached section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act, but all these are the sacrifices we have to make,” he said.

    It would be recalled that on Aug. 31, a Memorandum of Understanding was reached the minister and the Executives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), NARD.

    Others are Ministry of Health, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Budget Office of the Federation and National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

    It would also be recalled that NARD had begun strike on Sept. 4, after reaching a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Ministry of Health on its six-point demand.

    “We all signed that agreement which was like a collective bargaining agreement. One of the clauses there was that NARD should revert back to their National Executive Committee (NEC).

    “They should present the agreement which was a CBA with a view to shelving the strike that they had proposed.

    “We then adjourned the meeting to Nov. 2 within which period we expected the implementation of the items on the agreement.

    “We were surprised that at the NEC meeting, the CBA that was entered into was repudiated and the Association embarked on strike.

    “So, by section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act of the Federation, T8, T9, 2004, conciliation starts by the Minister.

    “No party is allowed to stage a lock out either for employees or embark on strike against the employers.

    “In this ministry, we act as conciliators and in such situation. Even though I am a government minister I am a Chief Conciliator. If the government is wrong, I will tell them that they are wrong.

    “If the employee is wrong, I will say so and at the end of the day, we will find a way to conciliate and make for an equitable industrial relations”,he said.

    He said that as a chief conciliator, it was imperative to reconvene the meeting and look at the CBA, if there were issues that the association felt that their interest were not properly captured.

    He noted that NARD would have written to the ministry, adding that the alternative would not have been to embark on a proposed strike, adding “that is not industrial relations.

    “I want to commend the President of NMA for making out time to come and all areas of dispute would be resolved in this meeting so that the doctors can go back to their patients.

    “For me, any other strike can be handled in a way that you do not care about the little time you lose.

    “But in essential services, especially in medical service, we can’t replace lives that were lost.

    “That is why we had to reconvene this meeting few hours after you started your strike and we hope that this meeting will resolve the rough edges in the CBA if there are any.

    “I assure you even before we start this meeting that we have had a government side meeting and reviewed the agreement and I want to say that within 48 hours, everybody has started implementation of this CBA, ‘’he said.

    He said that the Accountant General’s office had done what they were supposed to have done and had remitted the money from the short fall to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Earlier, Mr Mike Ogirima, NMA President commended the minister for reconvening the meeting.

    “ We have listened to you and that is why we are here. We hope that the trust that was not there when MoU was signed would be restored at this meeting.

    “Because once that trust is restored and evidences of implementations of those six point demands are seen, I hope this will be the shortest strike by Resident Doctors.

    The News Agency report s that at the time of filing this report the minister and the stakeholders were still in a closed door meeting.

  • Shock as resident doctors begin strike over salaries

    Shock as resident doctors begin strike over salaries

    Return to work, minister pleads

    Medical Council: prevent illegality

    The Federal Government last night expressed “deep shock and utter disappointment as Resident Doctors began yesterday an indefinite strike to press home their demand for better pay.

    The action is coming three days after their leadership signed a  memorandum of terms of settlement with the government.

    Ministry of Labour and Employment spokesman Samuel Olowookere, in a statement, said the Federal Government was disapointed over the sudden u-turn by the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD ) after it had  reached a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Federal Ministry of Health on its six-point demand.

    He added: “Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige, “in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Trade Dispute Act 2004, has apprehended the ongoing strike by NARD. Consequently, the meeting between NARD and the government earlier scheduled for November 2 is now slated for Wednesday, September 6, 2017 (tomorrow) by noon at the Conference Room of the Minister of Labour and Employment. ”

    “All stakeholders are implored to attend this crucial meeting. The health and well-being of Nigerians are cardinal to President Buhari’s administration. Hence, every measure necessary shall be taken to restore normalcy”.

    Rising from their National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the doctors said they were rejecting the terms of settlement, which would have seen the strike being suspended.

    But the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) warned doctors on internship not to join the strike.

    They risk repeating their programme, if they do, it said.

    In a notice of strike sent to chief medical directors and medical directors of hospitals and signed by the President and Secretary General, Dr. Onyebueze John and Dr. Aneke Emmanuel, the resident doctors said they rejected the terms, but did not give any reason for doing so.

    The letter reads: “The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, rising from her extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held on Sunday, 3rd September 2017 at Parkview Hotels, Abuja, rejected the Memorandum of terms of settlement from government on the items of her demand for strike and resolved to proceed on the proposed national, total and indefinite strike with effect from 8am Monday, 4th September 2017.”

    A message from the President of the Resident Doctors also reads: “Rising from our NEC meeting which started by 7pm yesterday (Sunday) and ended 3am today (Monday), NARD resolved to reject the promissory offer from government and proceed on total and indefinite strike until all items in her demand list are resolved by government.”

    The doctors are contesting what they described as the government’s failure to:

    • pay our salary shortfall of 2016 and January to May 2017;
    • rectify the salary shortfall from August 2017;
    • circularize House Officers’ entry point;
    • correct the stagnation of promotion of our members and properly place them on their appropriate grade level;
    • enroll and capture our members on the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS) and
    • budget, deduct and remit both the employer’s and employees’ pension contributions to our retirement savings account since 2013.

    After a meeting between the government’s representatives and officials of the doctors’ association and the Nigeria Medical Association on Thursday, both parties signed a memorandum of terms of agreement, pointing out that some of the issues being complained about by the association were already being addressed by the government.

    The memorandum was signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Health  Prof. Isaac Adewole. Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, National President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Prof. Mike O. Ogirima, National Association of Resident Doctors President Onyebueze John and of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission Chairman Richard Egbule.

    Other signatories are representatives of Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Budget Office of the Federation.

    The memorandum reads: “The meeting noted that some Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FHTI) have paid a percentage of salaries to Resident Doctors and are consequently in arrears of salary payments to members of NARD and Honorary Consultants.

    “It was also noted that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) had started the process of paying the shortfall of salaries owed in batches. It was therefore concluded that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) should forward the list of the recipient FHTI to the Honourable Minister of Health to ensure that the released fund was used for its intended purpose. The payment for other FHTI not captured to be implemented before the end of October 2017.”

    On shortfall in salaries, it was agreed that “the Director Hospital Services is to address a circular/letter to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and state therein that the released funds should be used solely for salaries and shortfalls. The Federal Ministry of Finance should ensure that monthly salaries are paid in full.

    “Reference was made to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached at the 7th Senate in 2014, and House of Representatives with the Speaker presiding in 2016, where parties agreed to use the quantum of monies contained in CONHESS 9:4 for CONMESS 1:1.

    “It was concluded that effect should be given to previous Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) reached on this issue so that CONHESS 9:4 would be in parity with CONMESS 1:1. The Chairman NSIWC to get this circularised, after getting the quantum from FMoH. All matters on this issue should be finalised before the preparation of 2018 Budget is concluded.

    “Issues of skipping and matters ancillary thereto were discussed. The meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Health had appealed against the ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on skipping and that a date has been given by the Court of Appeal for hearing in March, 2018.

    “It was further noted that a major issue is the improper placements on appropriate Salary Grade Levels. It was concluded that a proper guideline should be provided by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and that Item 4 of the MoU of December 16, 2013 should be adopted.

    “The Item 4 states that ‘the FMoH, NSIWC, NMA should urgently review the NMA’s proposal on skipping of CONTISS 10/CONHESS10/COMESS 2 in the new Scheme of Service with a view to amending it to reflect the suspension of the circular on unauthorised skipping of equivalent of CONMESS 2 for medical doctors in the Public Service.

    “The amended proposal shall be forwarded to the HCSF through the FMoH for an onward presentation to the forthcoming National Council on Establishment (NCE) on 24th January, 2014 in Ilorin.” In view of this earlier position, it was concluded that the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH) should drive this issue and that no circular should be issued on the matter until it is concluded by the HMoH.

    “In view of the expected meeting of the Council of Establishment, the end of October was given as the tentative time limit to conclude the assignment by the FMoH and Office of the HCSF. Hospitals that are yet to implement skipping for doctors are to commence and henceforth, promotions should be in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

    “Based on the information given by the members of NARD, it was noted that only 18 Federal Tertiary Health Institutions had so far submitted their Nominal Roll. The meeting concluded that NARD members should be on the IPPIS platform and that the CMDs as well as the MDs should be requested by the FMoH to submit their Nominal Roll to the Office of the Accountant General of The Federation (OAGF) and copy to the FMoH and FML&E on or before September 15, 2017. It was agreed that all Resident Doctors should be captured on IPPIS platform by the end of October 2017.

    “It was concluded that NARD members are on pensionable appointment and, as such, the FMoH in conjunction with OAGF and Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) should take necessary steps to ensure that adequate budgetary allocations are made to cover the Pension requirements of NARD members.

    “Furthermore, FMoH should issue a letter in that regard to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation who would correspond with the Budget Office of the Federation for necessary action, as the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) had in a letter of February 12, 2015, Ref.PENCOM/INSP/C&E/CCPA/66/15/1167 to the Honourable Minister of Health affirmed that members of NARD are “employees”.

    “In view of the foregoing terms of settlement, NARD agreed to meet in an Emergency Session before Monday, September 4, 2017, for the presentation of this Memorandum to her National Executive Council with a view to averting the scheduled strike.”

     

  • Resident doctors commence nationwide strike

    Resident doctors commence nationwide strike

    The last minute effort by the Federal Government to stop resident doctors from embarking on a nationwide strike has failed.

    President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, John Onyebueze announced the commencement of the nationwide indefinite strike action early hours of Monday.

    Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige had on Saturday after a meeting with the doctors which was also attended by Minister of Health; Prof. Isaac Adewole hinted that the planned strike had been suspended.

    The doctors however refuted the statement, saying though they met with the government, but were yet to take a decision.

    Ngige, was quoted by Channels Television as saying on Friday that the doctors suspended the strike after a meeting.

    Mr. Ngige said the meeting would continue on November 2.

    The strike action is expected to adversely affect healthcare in public secondary and tertiary hostpitals in the country, particularly the teaching hospitals.

    Onyebueze stated that the doctors rejected the “promissory offer from Government, and proceed on total and indefinite strike action until all items in her demand list for strike action.”

    The resident doctors had earlier threatened to go on strike from September 4, if the federal government does not meet their demands including their immediate enrolment in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS.

    NARD felt that neither the federal nor state governments has shown commitment to the resolution of issues at stake nor honoured previous agreements.

    Consequent upon this, the association resolved to proceed on a total indefinite industrial action from Monday, September 4, 2017, until all these issues are permanently resolved.

  • FG, ASUU to resume negotiation after Eid-el-Kabir

    FG, ASUU to resume negotiation after Eid-el-Kabir

    Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige says negotiation between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will resume after Eid-el-Kabir.

    In a statement issued by Mr Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director (Press) in the ministry, Ngige said the meeting would hold shortly after the holidays as requested by the leadership of ASUU.

    He also dispelled speculations of uncertainty over talks between the Federal Government and the union.

    “Engagement of the striking ASUU members is still being handled by ministers of Labour and Employment and the ministers of Education.

    “Issues of strike by an employee are a labour matter. The Minister of Labour and Employment is, therefore, synergising with his the Ministry of Education to resolve the dispute.

    “This is normal procedure in government where ministers brief and report to the president or vice-president to streamline efforts and gains in a given assignment,’’ he said.(NAN)

  • Forum drums support for Anambra APC governorship candidate

    Forum drums support for Anambra APC governorship candidate

    Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), a socio-political group says Dr Tony Nwoye, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, is the only candidate with the pedigree to transform Anambra to a model state.

    The President of the forum, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Saturday that Nwoye had the needed charisma, dynamism and exposure to lead Anambra to the next level.

    Chikwudum, therefore, called on Anambra people to vote en mass for Nwoye for the needed transformation on the Nov. 18 governorship poll.

    He expressed optimism that an APC-led administration with the support of from the Federal Government would fix all existing infrastructure and developmental lapses in the state.

    “Nwoye is the only person who can continue from where the former governor Chris Ngige stopped in terms of building an enduring developmental infrastructure because since Ngige left office, the state has remained stand still.

    “No solid road; no water both in the urban and rural area; no free education; hospital has been overgrown with weeds and no new jobs creation,’’ he said.

    Chukwudum said that other notable areas where the state had been doing well previously had continued to retard behind.

    “While agriculture, tourism and industry, where the state had been faring well in the 80s, 90s and early 20s is nothing to write home about now.

    “To correct all these ills is why Ndigbo Unity Forum endorse Nwoye because he is well equipped to lead Anambra to higher level of development,’’ he said.

    “I therefore call on the good people of Anambra to vote Nwoye, APC governorship candidate come Nov. 18 election.

  • Osinbajo denies taking over ASUU negotiations

    Osinbajo denies taking over ASUU negotiations

    Reports that Vice President Professor. Yemi Osinbajo has taken over negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the strike is “untrue,” according to his spokesperson Laolu Akande.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige was quoted after the Federal Council Meeting (FEC) on Wednesday to have said Osinbajo will henceforth lead the negotiations with ASUU. 

    Ngige said,  “At Council today, the Vice President has taken over some of the aspects of the negotiations and discussions.”

     “So, we are continuing the meeting in his office and when we finish meeting, we will get back to ASUU for another round of meeting and we are hopeful that we will be able to go to an appreciable extent to solve some of the outstanding issues that are preventing them from going back to work.’’

    However, early Friday Osinbajo retweeted a tweet by Laolu Akande, his media aide, debunking the reports.

    The tweet read: “News reports that VP Osinbajo has taken over ASUU negotiations is untrue & inaccurate. Labour & Education Ministers continue to lead d talks.”

    ASUU has been on strike for about two weeks demanding implementation of previous agreements, full payment of salaries and improved government funding of universities.

  • Ngige restates FG’s commitment to combating unemployment

    Ngige restates FG’s commitment to combating unemployment

    Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to combating unemployment through supporting viable economic ventures.

    Ngige gave the  assurance at the end of a three-day retreat organised for workers of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Sokoto.

    A  statement issued on Friday by the directorate’s  Head of  Public Relations Department, Malam Sani Musa,  said the retreat was tagged: “Repositioning the NDE for Operational Excellence through Effective Leadership and Team Building.’’

    “Combating the unemployment challenge through creation of jobs and poverty reduction constitute very daunting tasks, which in turn, have always tasked the dexterity of governments the world over.

    “It becomes even more challenging in time of economic recession due to dwindling funds and the capital-intensive nature of employment creation,’’ Ngige said.

    According to the minister, the present administration included his ministry as key to its efforts to improve the wellbeing of its citizens.

    He said that the Federal Government would  increase access to productive employment as a  catalyst to the nation’s growth.

    Ngige, who was represented by a Director in the ministry, Mr Eyewumi Neburagho, described the theme of the retreat as critical, relevant and able to broaden participants’ minds for achievement of government’s programmes.

    The minister commended NDE’s present leadership, saying that they made distinguished contributions in the recently concluded International Labour Conference.

    He urged Nigerians to avail themselves of the reintroduced employment programmes.

    Ngige pledged more support for the NDE and other related agencies to ensure maximum success in providing active entrepreneurship skills, good business conditions and training of Nigerians.

    He urged workers to complement government’s intentions through dedication and promoting transparent dealings.

    In his remarks, the NDE Director-General, Dr Nasiru Argungu, said he was impressed by workers’  participation and commitment, assuring them of more training avenues.

    Argungu said that training was a very vital incentive and motivational factor for employees in both the public and private sector.

    He described training as an effective tool for sharpening the skills of the workforce for efficient performance at work.

    “The NDE management realises that it is imperative to train and re-train its personnel to acquire the appropriate skills, knowledge and attitude.

    “This will enhance productivity and efficiency to meet the special needs of directorate operations,’’ the NDE director-general said.