The Nation Newspaper

Tag: contract

  • Akpoveta to terminate Bronshoj contract

    Akpoveta to terminate Bronshoj contract

    According to information gathered by  allnigeriasoccer.com, Oke Akpoveta is preparing to bid farewell to demoted Danish First Division club Brønshøj.

    Ten months ago, the attacker penned a one – and – a – half year deal with Brønshøj that ought to tie him to the club until June 30, 2016.

    There is a clause inserted into the contract that allows him to shred that agreement should the Copenhagen – based outfit lose their second – tier status at the end of this season.

    The former Warri Wolves and Brondby forward has decided to take up that option and will end his collaboration with Brønshøj after their last game of the season against Vejle on Saturday, June 6.

    It is understood that Oke Akpoveta is weighing up offers from clubs in Denmark and Sweden.

  • New York City delays Onyewu’s contract offer

    New York City delays Onyewu’s contract offer

    Major League Soccer side New York City are undecided whether or not to offer Oguchi Onyewu a contract after one week of trials.

    English Championship side Charlton Athletic released the central defender earlier this month and he soon surfaced in his home country to try his luck with New York City.

    “It’s been interesting.He’s a really big body, and we’re looking to make some additions to the team in the summer.

    “It’s a consideration, ”Head Coach of The Yankee Stadium outfit, Jason Kreis, said.

    In addition he disclosed that the club will continue running the rule over Onyewu before a decision is made probably in the next four or five days.

  • ‘Why Graduate Internship Scheme contract was terminated’

    ‘Why Graduate Internship Scheme contract was terminated’

    Following the  directive by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the termination of the partnership between the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and Forecom Networks Limited (FNL) on the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), the GIS has clarified why the pact was terminated.

    In a briefing with reporters in Lagos, the GIS alleged that FNL did not keep to the terms of the contract. “We have decided to use one of the firms with large number of interns as an example to serve as a deterrent to other partners that do not keep to the terms of the contract,” the Head of Operations, GIS, Akubo Adegbe said.

    “The GIS will like to state that it will not hesitate to prosecute firms and/or interns that operate outside its guidelines,” he added. The GIS is one of the components of the Sure-P set up in 2012 by the Federal Government to reduce unemployment in the country.

    He explained that qualified graduates and companies register on the GIS website, which then deploy graduates to firms where they can gain valuable experience for 12 months. A monthly stipend is paid to each intern for the 12-month duration of the internship by the GIS, on the basis of how many days they work. So, companies can get free manpower in exchange for adequate mentoring of these graduates. There are about 22,000 interns currently on the scheme and up to 3,900 firms serving as valid employers.

    According to the FNL, problem started when the firm approached the GIS to recruit graduates for mobile money business. Apparently, after the required background check on the number of graduates the firm could engage was done, 2,000 interns were deployed to FNL.

    However, according to GIS, months after the graduates were deployed to the firm as interns, they were not deployed to work on mobile money business. Some interns were deployed to man the office of the FNL in Lagos and some of its state offices in Nigeria as officers that were to mentor other interns. This is not in line with the guidelines of the scheme, which demands that interns must be mentored by experienced staff of the partnering companies.

    Meanwhile, after terminating its partnership with FNL, GIS said it has taken steps to reintegrate the affected interns. “There would be internship opportunity fairs in the approved pilot states within the next three weeks to redeploy all interns that are still interested in the scheme to other organisations. The GIS will contact organisations that will take the interns located outside the pilot states.

  • That pipeline protection contract

    After six years of lack-lustre performance, President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to relinquish Nigeria’s presidency on My 29, 2015. But like the proverbial Whiteman that defecates on the chair before vacating his seat, Jonathan is bent on leaving behind some mess for the incoming administration.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concern over what it called last minute looting of the nation’s resources, secret sales of government property and massive recruitment into the public service by the departing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Federal Government. While these might not be entirely true, it behoves the Jonathan administration to tread with caution, its last days in office, in order not to create problems for the incoming administration.

    And one of such likely problems is the planned handover of the job of protecting the nation’s oil/gas pipelines and waterways to former militants and self determination groups by President Jonathan. Barring any last minute change, former Niger Delta militants/warlords, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo and Chief Bipobiri Ajube (aka Gen. Shoot-At-Sight) together with Dr Frederick Faseun and Ganiyu Adams of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), should be in charge of protecting these vital economic facilities. They were billed to take over from the various security agencies yesterday.

    Looking at the implications of contracting out such important duty of government to private individuals/companies, to the security of state, one would have expected President Jonathan to leave the decision on the outsourcing of such assignment to the incoming administration. The pipelines and waterways are treasured national assets that should not be placed in the hands of anybody or group of people other than agents of the state.

    Considering the cry over poor funding of our armed forces and other security agencies, the N9.3 billion to be expended on the pipeline protection contract for the former militants could go a long way in adequately arming the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Police to provide the needed security for these pipelines and our waterways. These are bodies/organizations statutorily empowered to carry out the job of protecting these facilities, and if for whatever reason they have been unable to do so effectively, the solution is not to outsource their duties, but to ensure they carry out such duties.

    Moreover it is doubtful if any of these contractors have any requisite knowledge or training on how to carry out the assignment. Giving them the contract amounts to merely giving ‘job to the boys’ to keep them quiet or away from crime. While it is good and even necessary for government to either provide gainful employment for all or create a conducive environment for everybody so willing to be gainfully employed, this kind of job being given to Tompolo and others is beyond their level of competence and should be stopped immediately.

    If Jonathan insists on going ahead with the contract, the incoming administration on taking over power should halt the implementation as soon as possible. If the government feels there is a need for a special force to be in charge of protecting these facilities, it should create such and put under its control, just like it created the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to take care of road safety matters and drug law enforcement in the country.

    I had complained about this contract in the past when it was first mooted. I have nothing personal against the people involved, but I believe that the security of state, including that of the citizens and vital state facilities/resources should not be put in the hands of private individuals. And considering the past activities of some of those benefiting from the contract, I believe it amounts to rewarding criminality if those who had at one time or another taken up arms against the government in the past, should be so rewarded, if at all they should be rewarded, the Niger Delta  amnesty programme notwithstanding.

    While the incoming General Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has promised not to probe Jonathan or any of his predecessors, this type of pipeline protection contract could leave the new government with no choice than to look into the books of the outgoing government. And Nigerians would definitely understand if the new government came to this.

    There are some actions of the Jonathan government that would and should definitely be looked into. No responsible government would want to close its eyes to the disappearance of 20 billion USD oil earning not remitted into the federation account by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as alleged by the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano.

    Sanusi, as CBN government made the allegation and instead of Jonathan looking into it fired the apex bank boss. It is believed that Sanusi’s appointment as Emir of Kano probably prevented Jonathan from further persecuting for making the revelation.

    President-elect, Buhari is right in saying he would look into the books on this matter once he assumes office on May 29, 2015. Nigerians would understand why. We need to know who was saying the truth; Sanusi or Jonathan’s government that says no $20billion was missing. Corruption is at the root of our problems in this country and until issues like the alleged missing oil money is satisfactorily dealt with and the truth uncovered, and punishment meted out if necessary; corruption will continue to thrive in Nigeria. $20billion is big money and no effort must be spared by Buhari to uncover the truth and no sacred cow must be left untouched if at all somebody or some people tampered with that money.

    The president-elect should also look into the bogus oil subsidy being paid by the federal government to importers of petrol. This is another platform where Nigeria is being defrauded of huge sums of money.

    The fraudulent practices are not of monetary nature alone. There is so much fraud in our electoral system which if not stopped could derail this democracy. The last general elections and the sham that took place in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States just to mention a few, in the name of election was enough to show that all is not well with our democracy in spite of the worldwide kudos given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its chairman, Attahiru Jega for a job well done.

    It was glaring that no election took place in these two states and yet results, votes, running into millions were declared. Who did the voting? While the judiciary should be left alone to determine whether it was right for INEC to declare result in the face of so many irregularities in these states, conscious efforts should be made by the Buhari administration to reform our electoral system such that votes would count. It would be wise for the incoming administration to look into the Justice Uwais Commission report in this regard.

    As Jonathan prepares his hand over notes, it is hoped that the president would make himself available to the new government for clarification on some of his actions if need be. Let us thank the president once again for that concession speech. For once in six years, he did something good.

  • Scatec wins renewable-energy contract in South Africa

    Scatec Solar ASA, a Norwegian developer of renewable-energy facilities, is among preferred bidders for three solar-power projects in the fourth of five programme rounds to increase electricity from clean sources in South Africa.

    The country’s Department of Energy awarded Scatec preferred-bidder status for projects in the Northern Cape province with a combined capacity of 258 megawatts, the Oslo-based company said in a statement

    South Africa is expanding capacity as the state utility, which generates about 95 percent of the country’s power mostly using coal, has been forced to implement managed blackouts due to breakdowns at its aging fleet of plants and failure to invest in new facilities on time.

    The country procured about 3,900 megawatts of capacity through the first three competitive rounds of bids by clean-energy producers, with about $10 billion invested so far, the Department of Energy said in December. That already exceeded the 3,725 megawatts initially sought from five bid windows.

    The department had planned to name the preferred providers in the program’s fourth round on Dec. 15. Maduna Ngobeni, a spokesman for the department, didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

    Scatec has arranged financing for the projects that will be built near Upington, about 870 kilometers (540 miles) northeast of Cape Town, it said. Construction will start in early 2017, according to the company.

    It will own 42 percent of the plants while the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries, or Norfund, will hold 18 percent and a trust for local South African communities will control the rest, it said.

  • TUC blames weak law for contract staffing

    General Secretary, Trade Union Congress (TUC),  Comrade Mohammed Lawal, has blamed the continued t existence of contract staff in the country on weak legal system.

    Lawal, who represented the President of TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, at the launch of a book titled: ‘Determination of Contract of Employment’ written by Femi Aborsade, said Nigeria’s legal system needed an urgent review to  align with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

    He said jobs were no longer secured as employers now opt for short-term flexible employment as part of the strategies to save costs and boost profit.

    Aborisade, a lawyer,  said he was motivated to publish the book to explore ways through which the law could be used to address social problem, such as contract employment and the unprecedented grill of unemployment.

    He expressed concern over increasing disregard for the rule of law by several private sector employers, noting that violation and open disregard for the law is capable of creating atmosphere of industrial unrest.

    He said: “In doing this, I felt it is necessary to establish the international standard establish by the ILO and which is being practised in countries, such as South African, Zimbabwe. We have to compare and contrast.

    “We discovered that the international standard being adopted by ILO is lacking in the Nigerian judicial system. In some other African countries, common principles have been jettisoned in favour of the international standard that states that no employer has no right to sack any employee without following the normal procedures.

    “The two principles guiding the contract employment which is stated in the ILO recommendation are applicable in other countries, but they are not applicable in the Nigerian legal system.’’

    A former Attorney-General of Edo State, who is also the reviewer of the book, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, said progressive laws were being violated with impunity by employers, particularly in the private sector, adding that workers are denied the right to organise.

    According to him, the majority of Nigerians have never been beneficiaries of social justice and so less regard is being paid to this very important issue.

    He said: “More so, there is the general believe that the present crop of labour leaders have failed in their responsibility to promote the right of workers across the country. As the Nigerian situation continues to worsen by the day, the little gains of the labour movement to improve the living conditions of the workers have been eroded.”

  • Fayose awards N1.2b contract to local carpenters

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has awarded a N1.2 billion contract to make chairs and tables in public schools to the Carpenters and Furniture Makers Association.

    Fayose said the gesture was to empower local artisans and grow the local economy.

    Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and the association yesterday, Fayose said the action was part of his administration’s stomach infrastructure agenda.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo, Fayose said the project, which is a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) project, covering six local government areas.

    He said: “This is an empowerment project. We are awarding the furniture aspect of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) project to these local furniture makers.

    “The project covers six local governments. The project would cost the government about N1.2 billion. This gesture by the governor is a first. He did this to make good his promise to empower local contractors and artisans.”

     

  • Activist seeks probe on N5b surveillance contract in Niger Delta

    A Niger Delta activist, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, has urged anti-corruption agencies to probe the alleged embezzlement of the multibillion naira pipeline surveillance contract awarded to some former militants and tribal groups in the Niger Delta region.

    Newuwumi’s call came on the heels of revelations that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, was planning to renew the contract, which was awarded between 2010 and 2011.

    Newuwumi, who is the President of Iwere (Itsekiri) Development Association (IDA), told reporters yesterday that the Itsekiri slots were hijacked by a popular Itsekiri leader and House of Assembly candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.

    He said: “This open letter has become necessary because of recent attempt to re-award the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline surveillance contract in Delta State to a surveillance company, where he (a former militant leader) represents the Itsekiri interest again.

    “I know the first phase of the contract, which was also awarded to him, was meant to employ more than 1,500 Itsekiri. But to my dismay, this lofty dream by the government for the people did not materialise because of the greed of one person. He did not only embezzle the money meant for the contract, he also failed to employ a single youth among the Itsekiri.”

    The activist said a similar contract by the state government was also hijacked by the same clique, which he accused of desperation to cage the ethnic group.

    The IDA President noted that contrary to the terms of the contract, the Itsekiri front for the contract failed to pay the agreed salary of N120,000 monthly to the 1,500 workers and also failed to provide tools needed to do the job.

  • Barca excited to extend Neymars Contract

    Barca excited to extend Neymars Contract

    Barcelona are said to be in a “rush” to secure the services of Brazil superstar Neymar, with a contract extension in the pipeline.

    Santi Gimenez of AS reported the Blaugrana will “safeguard” the Camp Nou squad in light of the club’s transfer ban which will continue until January 2016.

    Gimenez wrote that senior figures at Barca are desperate to meet with the player’s agent and thrash out terms: “The current board are in a rush to enforce [a new deal] and they will fix a date with his [Neymar] representatives to discuss the matter.”

    Xavi Canals of Catalan publication Sport went one step further and declared Neymar is set to tie himself to his team until 2020, earning a staggering €12 million a year, doubling his current salary.

    This pay rise is seen as a reward for the player who has grown in stature in his short time in La Liga, and he has matured into one of the best in the world.

    Canals says Barca feel “indebted” to Neymar, who was originally offered a much larger wage deal to join Real Madrid but turned his back on Los Blancos, shunning the chance to be a Galactico.

    ESPN’s Catalan writer Francesc Tomas says Neymar deserves the recognition for his work at Barcelona and called him the best new talent in world football:

    And current Barca boss Luis Enrique joined in on praising the player, saying he has the ability to match the achievements of Lionel Messi and go on to be a great for his club, per Marca:

    “Neymar is at the right club to define an era. He’s a special, unique player and all of us “Cules” would love for him to do that. Can he be better than Messi? We’ll see in the future, but the bar has been set very high.”

    The Brazilian star has really taken his chance at Barcelona this season and his record speaks for itself.

    His 13 La Liga starts have yielded 14 goals, per WhoScored.com, and he is leading Barca’s charge for trophies on all fronts in tandem with Messi.

    A new deal to bring the player in line with the best paid individuals at the club is certainly to be expected and Neymar has earned every penny.

    At just 22 years old, there is still so much to come from the player who is already an icon in South America and beyond.

    One day, Messi might leave Barcelona, but the team already has an able enough leader in their ranks if that time ever materialises.

  • Joola offers Quadri improved contract

    Joola offers Quadri improved contract

    • U.S. firm names Nigerian as brand ambassador

    Germany-based kits manufacturing firm, Joola has offered Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri an improved contract that will see the player getting monetary rewards annually as well as equipment in the next four years.

    Also, United States-based Sengled Optoelectronics Company has named the African champion as its global ambassador.

    Joola has been supporting Quadri since 2009 after his debut at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cup in Moscow, Russia, and this new contract is an improvement from the previous agreement between the player and the company.

    Also in the new contract, Quadri will be entitled to bonuses based on his improvement in the game globally.

    An elated Quadri told SportingLife that despite the support he has been getting from foreign firms, he is still expecting Nigerian companies to identify with their own.

    “It is with happiness to announce that Sengled is one of my sponsors for the 2015 tournaments calendar and I promise to be a great ambassador of this great company from America, despite having no sponsor or  support yet from my home country. But I am looking forward to telecoms and top companies in Nigeria to identify with my success globally,” he said.

    Sengled Optoelectronics Company Limited is a global innovator that brings bright new ideas to the lighting industry. Based in Shanghai, with operations in Europe and North America, Sengled integrates consumer electronics with energy-saving LED lighting, creating products to reduce clutter and expand smart home capabilities to every room. Sengled is the global leader in intelligent illumination, producing a full range of app-controlled, intuitive, eco-friendly products.