The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ‘Councils

  • Councils get sensitive polls materials

    Ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State yesterday distributed sensitive materials directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the 20 local governments.

    Spokesman Femi Akinbiyi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the distrubution of the materials, which include ballot papers and result sheets, was being monitored by members of the Inter-Agency Consultantive Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    “We have begun movement of the sensitive materials to the local governments directly from the CBN under heavy security cover.

    “Present at the CBN to monitor the distribution are the representatives of parties. The distribution starts today (yesterday) and will end tomorrow because the materials are already batched for quick movement.

    “INEC offices in each local government have been directed to come with vehicles and security to CBN to carry the materials, for onward distribution to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) on Friday (today),” Akinbiyi said.

  • Fed Govt, states, councils share N788.139b as October allocation

    THE Federal, states and local government areas have shared N788.139 billion as revenue allocation that accrued in the month of October.

    But, the gross statutory revenue for the month was N682.161 billion, which was higher than the N569.281 billion received in the previous month by N112.880 billion.

    In a statement yesterday at the end of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, Accountant-General of the Federation Ahmed Idris said crude oil export sales increased by 0.82 million barrels, leading to increase in revenue to the federation.

    AGF Idris added: “However, the average unit price dropped further from $75.69 to $73.92.

    “The shut-in and shut down of pipelines at various terminals persisted due to leaks and maintenance.

    “Revenues from oil and gas royalties, petroleum profit tax and value added tax increased significantly while Companies Income Tax, Import and Excise duties increased only marginally.”

    The breakdown of the figures released by the AGF showed that beneficiaries of the statutory allocation for the October disbursements shared N682.161 billion with the Federal Government keeping, N284.396 billion; state governments, N144.249; the 774 local government councils took N111.210 billion.

    However, N58.092 was allocated to the oil mineral producing states under the 13% derivation principles and N84.214 billion was disbursed under the Cost of Collection/Transfers/FIRS refund.

    With regards to the Value Added Tax (VAT) distributions for the month, a total of N105.172 billion was disbursed with the Federal Government receiving N15.145 billion; state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) keeping N50.483 billion and local government councils receiving N35.338 billion. But N4.207 billion was allocated to the Cost of Collection/Transfers/FIRS refund for VAT.

    Read also: 2019: Our plan for free, fair elections, by Abubakar Panel

    The AGF added that N806 million was shared as proceeds of Exchange Gain with the Federal Government receiving N372 million; state governments, N188 million; local government councils N145 million and beneficiaries of the 13% of mineral revenue derivation receiving N101 million.

    He said reports of revenue collection agencies and military pensions were read and adopted, adding that the next FAAC meeting has been fixed for mid-December in Abuja.

    But, FAAC has finally adopted a revenue disclosure template as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Buhari had given the directive following a bitter face off in June 2018 between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other FAAC members, particularly the commissioners of finance over the haphazard disclosure of revenues made to the committee by NNPC.

    As a sign of things to come with the adoption of the revenue template, the revenue into federation account from where the three tiers of government and other beneficiaries draw allocations grew by N112.88 billion.

  • FAAC: Fed Govt, states, councils share N698.7b

    The Federal, states and local governments yesterday shared N698.710 billion for September.

    Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed, who presided over the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, stressed the need for the tiers of government to save.

    The Minister told members of the committee to maintain transparency and save for the rainy day.

    A communique by the Technical Sub-Committee of FAAC after its meeting which held on Wednesday and signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation Ahmed Idris noted that the distributable statutory revenue for the month was N569.281 billion and the total revenue distributable for the month stood at N698.710 billion.

    “Crude oil export sales increased by 0.17 million barrels resulting in increased revenue to the Federation of $8.48 million. However, the average unit price dropped from $77.10 to $75.69. There was shutdown of pipelines which resulted in shut in of production at various pipelines. Revenue from Royalties increased significantly while Value Added Tax (VAT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Companies Income Tax (CIT) decreased significantly.”

    The breakdown for the month of September shows that the gross revenue available from the VAT was N79.154 billion as against N114.542 billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in a decrease of N35.388 billion.

    The report also indicated that while the federal government got N277.197 billion, the state and local governments got N172.810 billion and 130.534 billion respectively. Derivation (13% of mineral revenue) amounts to N52.596 billion and cost of collection/transfer and FIRS Refund was put at N15.572 billion.

    “The distributable Statutory Revenue for the month is N569.281 billion. The total revenue distributable for the month (including VAT and Exchange Gain Difference) is N648.710 billion.

    The report of the committee on the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was stepped down and withdrawn to enable the committee to rework and represent it at the next meeting.

  • JOHESU directs members at states, councils to join strike

    THE Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has directed its members in the states and local government areas to join the ongoing strike.

    It followed the inability of the Federal Government to meet the union’s demands, according to JOHESU National Chairman Josiah Joy Biobelemoye.

    Health workers at Federal health institutions have been on strike in the last 22 days.

    Biobelemoye,  who addressed reporters yesterday, said the government has not shown enough commitment.

    “Since the government has not shown enough commitment to the path of honour and meet our demands, especially, the core demand for the upward adjustment of CONHESS Salary Structure as agreed in the Memorandum of Terms of Settlement signed on September 30, 2017 with JOHESU, we are left with no other option than to direct members in states and local governments to commence and join the strike action nationwide from midnight of today, Wednesday, May 9, 2018.”

    He, however, said the union has temporarily put on hold other activities like street protest, rallies and joint zonal picketing.

    He, therefore, appealed to the  “Nigerians to bear with JOHESU for the withdrawal of our services, which can be attributed to the insincerity of government, particularly, the Federal Ministry of Health and its leadership, who behaves like a Federal Ministry of Doctors.

  • NLC to Fed Govt: stop allocations of states, councils refusing to pay minimum wage

    THE new national minimum wage yesterday dominated the May Day celebration at the Eagle square in Abuja with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba insisting the Federal Government should ensure that allocation is not released to any state or local council, which fails to implement the new pay.

    Wabba, who spoke while addressing workers, also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a thorough voter register audit to weed out names of double registrants and under-age voters.

    This, he said, would help boost the confidence of voters and stakeholders in our electoral system.

    Wabba said the organised labour was battle ready against any public and private organisation that would refuse to conform to the new minimum wage. He said: “At our disposal is the power of our votes! We shall ensure that governments that refuse to pay the new minimum wage will not receive the support of the working class, pensioners and their families.”

    He said the ongoing negotiation for a new national minimum wage was a clear indication that an increase in the minimum wage would pull many workers out of poverty.

    A new minimum wage, he added, would put the country in positive light globally as it would ensure compliance with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and raise the levels of productivity and enhance the purchasing power of workers.

    Beside the demand of N66,500 as the national minimum wage, he said the organised Labour has proposed that the Minimum Wage Act should be amended to guarantee review every five years as contained in the recommendation of the 2011 Belgore-led Tripartite Committee.

    According to Wabba, the nationwide minimum wage public hearings have unmasked the enemies of Nigerian workers.

    “We insist that once the Minimum Wage Act is signed into law, all employers in public and private sectors must pay at once. We shall stand with those willing to pay more than the minimum. We shall resist any move to renegotiate the minimum wage at any level,” he said.

    He frowned at a situation where employers’ unlawfully and illegally withheld contributory pension deductions from workers’ salaries and not remitting same to their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

    The NLC leader added that situations where workers retire from public service and were forced to wait for several months for their pension benefits to be processed still persist.

    Wabba said the lethargic payment and non-payment for those who were already pensioners, especially by state governments keep militating against the smooth operation of pension administration.

    He called on employers of labour and the three tiers of government to promptly remit contributory pension deductions to workers’ PFAs.

    Wabba stressed that workers, pensioners and their allies condemned and rejected the report of the Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s All Progressive Congress (APC) committee on restructuring.

    He particularly mentioned its recommendation that local government system be removed from the constitution and labour matters, including trade unions, labour relations, occupational safety, minimum wage and industrial arbitrations should be moved from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.

    “The education that Mallam El-Rufai and his committee members need is that first; the removal of labour issues from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent list is not in conformity with global best practice. Second is that member countries of International Labour Organisation (ILO) are responsible for implementing labour standards not sub national governments,” the labour leader said.

    On the 2019 general election, Wabba said: “As we progress towards the 2019 general elections, we call on the political class and Nigerians to always put the interest of Nigeria above any other interests. We must all respect democratic values, imbibe political tolerance and shun all tendencies of politics of ‘do or die’.

    “INEC must work assiduously to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. INEC should provide a level-playing ground for all political actors. There are still very positive aspects of the Report of the Justice Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee that should be implemented, especially the establishment of Electoral Offences Commission.

    “We also advise that INEC should prioritize early preparations for the forthcoming elections. INEC should also improve the delivery of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs). A situation where Nigerians are forced to wait for too long or travel long distances to collect their PVCs induces voter apathy and constitutes a strong source of disenfranchisement.”

    Trade Union Congress of Nigeria President Bobboi Kaigama expressed the hope that the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage would conclude its work by August and make its recommendation to government for implementation.

     

  • Councils endorse Ambode for second term

    No fewer than eight local government and local council development areas yesterday endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second.

    Hundreds of party enthusiasts stormed secretariats of Oshodi-Isolo, Odi-Olowo, Somolu, Ifako-Ijaiye, Iru-Victoria, Apapa-Iganmu, Bariga, Onigbongbo for the endorsement.

    Apostle Oloruntoba Oke of Ifako-Ijaiye said the endorsement was as a result of Ambode’s grassroots policies and all-inclusive programmes of the government.

    Oke said all the chairmen of the 20 Local Government and 37 LCDAs are rooting for return of Ambode because “Ambode has distinguished himself as bastion of hope and beacon of light for light for good governance, in less than three years in the saddle.”

    Alhaja Funmilayo Mohammed of Apapa-Iganmu said Ambode has reduced crime in her council to the barest minimum due to his people-oriented policies.

    Besides this, she said, Apapa-Iganmu benefitted immensely from the governor’s employment opportunities.

    Her Iru-Victoria Island counterpart, Princess Rasheedat Abiodun Adu said a vote for Ambode is a vote for good governance.

    Princess Adu said the governor has endeared himself in the minds of Lagosians through massive developmental projects executed in the last three years.

    Idris Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh of Oshodi-Isolo said: “Many people had called me to express their love for the governor to continue beyond 2019, that is why I asked everyone to come to the open to signify their willingness.”

    Muse-Ariyoh thanked Ambode for the ongoing construction of Oshodi Transport Interchange and expansion of Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road among other projects.

    His Somolu counterpart, Abdulhamed Salawu aka Dullar said Ambode is a source of blessing to Lagos State.

    Ambode, he said, came in when the country was facing severe economic hardship but ensure Lagosians don’t feel the impact.

    In Bariga, Kolade Alabi said: “It is commonsensical to give our unalloyed support to Governor Ambode because he has done well in constructing roads and bridges, schools and hospitals, water treatment plants, sewage and storm water drainages.

    “Lagos today is a city of honour, a land of opportunity; Ambode is turning Lagos to smart city.”

     

  • Nine councils endorse Ikpeazu for second term

    Nine councils endorse Ikpeazu for second term

    Nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State have endorsed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for a second term.

    Aba North; Aba South; Isialangwa North; Isialangwa South; Osisioma; Obingwa; Ugwunagbo; Ukwa West and Ukwa East said on the basis of his performance, Ikpeazu deserves to be reelected for a second term. They called on all sons and daughters of the area to work for the governor’s victory in 2019.

    The endorsement came at Okpuala Ngwa, the ancestral headquarters of the Ngwa people, during the Great Ukwa Ngwa Declaration at the weekend.

    Former Senate President Adolfus Wabara, who moved the motion for the endorsement, said: “Our son and brother, Okezie Ikpeazu, is a silent achiever and performer. He has performed creditably well and that confers on him the right to lead once more. Our people today speak with one voice to make a proclamation in support of the governor, asking him to contest for governor again in 2019.”

    Chief Chukwu Wachukwu, who seconded the motion, said: “Abia North was governor for eight years with Orji Uzo Kalu, Abia Central governed for eight years with Senator Theodore Orji and Abia South is completing four years with Governor Ikpeazu. Therefore, we, as a people, unanimously declare our support for the re-election of Okezie Ikpeazu as governor of Abia State in 2019, because he has done well and also because he must complete the eight year tenure of Abia South.”

    Statesman Emmanuel Adaelu explained that the governor has the constitutional right to seek re-election in 2019, and as such deserves the support of his people.

    “We have seen governors in Abia State and I will boldly state that there has not been any like Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. He has done so well and the evidence of his great works are everywhere for the world to see.

    “So we are boldly and eloquently declaring our support for him to re-contest in 2019.”

  • Lagos recruits 2,459 for councils

    Lagos recruits 2,459 for councils

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the appointment of 2,459 local government workers.

    The employees include  1,500 regular administrative and professional workers, 114 physically-challenged and 845 street sweepers. The employment was the first in the last 10 years by the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC).

    Introducing the workers to the ethics of the civil service at an interactive session  at the Local Government Training School on Monday, LGSC’s Chairman Mr Babatunde Rotinwa urged them to treat the public courteously. The session was held by LGSC in conjunction with Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), with some accredited Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) in attendance.

    Rotinwa said: “Be well behaved, dress well and be a good ambassador of this commission and the local government where you may be posted to serve. You must all remember that you are now part of a service that is being sustained by the tax payers’ money. Remember that Local Government business is a serious business and your actions and inactions can hurt, kill or move the local government forward.”

  • Oyo Assembly to councils: maintain constituency projects

    Oyo Assembly to councils: maintain constituency projects

    The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged authorities at the local government areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to take over the maintenance of constituency projects in their domains.

    This followed what it called a high rate of abandoned constituency projects across the state.

    The Assembly expressed deep concerns about the constituency projects of its members, whom it said has the primary assignment of making laws for the progress of the citizenry.

    The Oyo lawmakers expressed the concerns at yesterday’s plenary.

    They noted that efforts had been focused at delivering the dividends of democracy to their constituents.

    Presenting a motion, titled: “Call On Local Governmenta and LCDAs in the State To Take Over the Maintenance of Constituency Projects Executed in Their Domains,” sponsored by Speaker Michael Adeyemo (Ibarapa East), Deputy Speaker Musah Abdulwasi (Saki West) and Majority Leader Kehinde Subair (Ibadan South West I), Musah described constituency and empowerment projects as welfare packages to reduce poverty at the grassroots.

  • FAAC: Fed Govt, states, councils share N655b in December

    FAAC: Fed Govt, states, councils share N655b in December

    The three tiers of government have started 2018 on a good note as members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) yesterday shared N655.177 billion for the December 2017.

    Addressing reporters at the end of the monthly FAAC meeting on December 2017 disbursements, the minister of finance and chairman of FAAC, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, stated that N540.446 billion was shared as statutory disbursements.

    However, after deducting costs of collection for the Customs and Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) the federal government pocketed N252.543 billion, states, N128.093, local governments got N98.755 billion while N47.738 billion shelled out as 13 per cent derivation to oil producing states.

    After making statutory deductions to FIRS, the three tiers also shared N80.604 billion from proceeds of Value Added Tax (VAT) with the federal government receiving N13.091 billion, state governments, N40.302 billion and local governments N28.211 billion.

    According to the minister,  gross revenue of N540.446 billion received for the month was lower than the N549.533 billion received in the previous month by N9.087 billion.

    Adeosun noted that the decrease in crude oil export sales by 0.59 million barrels resulted in decreased revenues from export sales of $11.65 million.

    The finance minister also disclosed that the accruals into the Excess Crude Account still stands at $2.317 billion.

    Also speaking after the meeting, the chairman of finance commissions forum Alhaji Mahmoud Yunusa said many states governments have keyed into the efficiency unit which has been working favourable for the states.

    Yunusa from Adamawa state many state governments have embarked on cost cutting measures after adopting the efficiency unit protocol which is part of the fiscal responsibility plan that they have all agreed to adopt.