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Tag: declines

  • Court declines Labour’s request to compel payment of N30,000

    Labour’s plan for a strike suffered a setback in court as its request for an order to compel the government to pay N30,000 minumum wage was turned down.

    Besides, air traffic controllers declined to join the strike.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar cautioned Labour leaders.

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja declined a request to compel both Federal and state governments to immediately adopt N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

    Justice Sanusi Kado also rejected a request for a fresh order restraining organised labour from proceeding on its planned strike.

    Justice Kado, whose ruling was on an ex-parte motion by a group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International (KHRFI), noted that since the court made a similar order on November 2, restraining labour from embarking on a strike, a fresh order was unnecessary.

    The judge also noted that since parties to the dispute over a new minimum wage were still having negotiations, it was unnecessary compelling a party to the talks to agree to an amount.

    Justice Kado on November 2 granted an ex-parte application argued on behalf of the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF) for, among others, an order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and, Trade Union Congress (TUC) from engaging in the planned strike.

    At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, KHRFI lawyer Nnamdi Okere told the court about the motion ex-parte he filed along with originating summons. He prayed the court to grant the prayers contained in the ex-parte motion. He made efforts to distinguish his motion from the one the court granted on November 2.

    But Justice Kado noted that the orders of interim injunction sought by the applicant could only be granted where there was no urgency; there was the need to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and the defendants could not be served.

    The judge noted that since the court, on November 2, granted an order stopping the strike, there was no longer any urgency and, as such, it was not necessary to compel the government to start the process of adopting the N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

    In view of the judge’s observation, Okere withdrew the first two prayers, leaving the one for substituted service of the court processes on the 36 governors, which the judge granted and directed that the court documents should be deposited at each of the governor’s lodge in Abuja.

    Defendants in the suit are: the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Minister of Labour and Productivity, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, and the National Assembly.

    Others are: NLC, TUC, United Labour Congress (ULC) and the governors of the 36 states, who are listed as the 10th to the 45th defendants.

    The plaintiff, in a supportive affidavit, noted that “negotiation between the government and the organised labour, according to the NLC, has been concluded and a new minimum wage of N30,0000 agreed by the parties”.

    The plaintiff urged the court to hold that “in view of the economic realities, hardship and pauperised squalor living condition of Nigerian masses, the payment of the paltry sum of N18,000 monthly national minimum wage to the lowest category of workers in Nigeria is adequate to take care of an average worker and his family”.

    It also asked the court to hold that the N18,000 regime was not reasonably justifiable in a democratic society “if juxtaposed with huge, excessive, outrageous and disproportionate salaries, emoluments, allowances, impress and arrears paid to the political office holders, and heads of governments agencies and parastatals.”

    The plaintiff contended that “should the organised labour shut down the entire nation on November 6, 2018, including health sector, it will deny many poor Nigerians access to healthcare, especially those in emergency/accident unit, pregnant women on antenatal and those on post-natal, and will result to avoidable death of many innocent lives”.

    In a statement by his media adviser Paul Ibe, Atiku restated his “support of labour in its struggle for a living wage”, but he urged both the organised labour and the Federal Government “to exercise restraint and avoid creating situations that will plunge the nation into deeper crises.”

    Atiku implored labour “to reconsider its stance on an industrial strike”, saying both sides “should go back to the negotiating table and reach an agreement”.

    He added: “Our economy is already on its knees and escalation of this crisis into full blown industrial action may have dire consequences for our nation.”

    Dr. Saraki said the government and Labour should find a common ground.

    In a statement by his spokesman Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said: “My appeal is for the two sides to immediately move fast, shift from their extreme positions and create a new middle ground in the negotiations for the new minimum wage.

    “The shift in positions can be done even before the period of the commencement of the proposed strike action so that we do not further create tension within the economy.

    “At this point, the interest of the people should be paramount in our minds. Any labour strike will cause inconvenience and discomfort to our people. While the government and labour are representing the interest of the people, it is important to also ensure we avoid any action that will not show sensitivity and sensibility to the plight of the people.”

  • Buhari again declines assent to Electoral Act (amendment) Bill

    President Muhammadu Buhari has again declined assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018.

    The President had earlier declined assent to the bill twice because of the order of elections and a drafting error.

    Speaking with State House correspondents yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate) Ita Enang, said the President, in a communication to the Senate and the House of Representatives dated 30th August, 2018, stated the reasons for his decision.

    According to him, the President again declined assent because of some drafting issues that remained unaddressed.

    Enang said: “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has by communication dated August 30, 2018, to the Senate and the House of Representatives declined Assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

    “I pray for leave, that in view of public interest, the fact of the National Assembly vacation, the imperative to avoid speculation and misinformation, that I give just a few of the rationale by Mr. President.

    ”Mr. President is declining assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill due to some drafting issues that remain unaddressed following the prior revisions to the Bill.”

    “Mr. President invites the Senate and House of Representatives to address these issues as quickly as possible so that he may grant President Assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill.

    “A few of the outstanding issues are:

    ”There is a cross referencing error in the proposed amendment to Section 18 of the Bill. The appropriate amendment is to substitute the existing sub-section (2) with the proposed subsection (1A), while the proposed sub-section (1B) is the new sub-section (2A)”

    ”The proposed amendment to include a new Section 87 (14) which stipulates a specific period within which political party primaries are required to be held has the unintended consequence of leaving INEC with only nine days to collate and compile lists of candidates and political parties as well manage the primaries of 91 political parties for the various elections.

    “This is because the Electoral Amendment Bill does not amend sections 31, 34 and 85 which stipulate times for the submission of lists of candidates, publication of lists of candidates and notice of convention, congresses for nominating candidates for elections.”

    “For clarity, may I provide some details of the provisions referenced.

    Clause 87 (14) states

    ”The dates for the primaries shall not be earlier than 120 days and not later than 90 days before the date of elections to the offices.

    The Electoral Act 2010 referred to herein states; in Section 31:

    Section 31:  ”That every Political Party shall not later than 60 days before the date appointed for a       general election submit to the Commission the list of candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections.

    “Section 34:

    ”That the Commission shall at least 30 days before the day of the election publish a statement of the full names and addresses of all candidates standing nominated.

    “Section 85 (1)

    “That a Political Party shall give the Commission at least Twenty-one days’ notice of any convention, congress etc., for electing members of its executive committees or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices.”

    “For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Constitution nor any written law allows a President or a Governor to whom a Bill is forwarded by the Legislature to edit, correct, amend or in any manner alter the provisions of any such Bill to reflect appropriate intent before Assenting to same. He is to ASSENT in the manner it is or to withhold ASSENT,” he said.

    According to him, he said that the President has taken same action on seven other bills.

    The seven bills earlier transmitted, Enang said, include National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill, 2018, The Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2017, The Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurship (Establishment) Bill, 2018, The Subsidiary Legislation (Legislative Scrutiny) Bill, 2018, National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (Establishment) Bill, 2018, National Research and Innovation Council (Establishment) Bill, 2017, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2017.”

    “Mr. President has communicated his action to the National Assembly,” Enang said.

     

  • Buhari declines assent to three bills

    Buhari declines assent to three bills

    President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to sign three bills passed by the National Assembly.

    In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, dated January 25, signed by the President and read on the floor by Dogara, Buhari gave reasons for not signing the bills.

    The letter, titled: “Presidential decision to decline assent to 3(three) Bills recently passed by the National Assembly in December 2017”, reads: “Pursuant to Section 58 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby convey to the House of Representatives, my decision on 25th January, 2018 to decline Presidential Assent to 3 (three) Bills recently passed by the National Assembly.

    “Police Procurement Fund ( Establishment ) Bill, 2017- due to lack of clarity regarding the manner of disbursement of funds, as well as Constitutional issues regarding the powers of the National Assembly to appropriate funds allocated to the 36 state governments and 784 local governments, which conflicts with Section 80 – 82 and 120 of the1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “Chartered Institute of Public Management  of Nigeria Bill, 2017 – due to lack of clarity over the scope of the profession of “public management” that this Bill prohibits all persons who are not members of the Institute from practicing; and

    “Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment ) Bill, 2017- due to lack of clarity over the scope of the profession of ‘Social Work’ that this Bill prohibits all persons who are not members of the Institute from practicing.”

  • Inflation declines but prices remain high

    Inflation declines but prices remain high

    Inflation has been declining in the last few months, indicating a fall in food prices. But some traders lament that the situation is at variance with reality, FECHUKWU ANYANWU reports.

    Things are technically looking up for the economy.

    Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)showed that inflation rate has been declining in the last few months, indicating a fall in price. But in realities, it is not so and traders are complaining.

    According to the NBS, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, dropped from 17.26 per cent in March to 17.24 per cent in last month. It said the 0.02 per cent drop in inflation rate makes it the third consecutive month of decline in the CPI.

    “The CPI, which measures inflation, increased by 17.24 per cent (year-on-year) though at a slower pace in April 2017, 0.02 per cent points lower from the rate recorded in March (17.26) per cent. “This is the third consecutive month of a decline in the headline CPI rate, exhibiting effects of some easing in the already high food and non-food prices, as favourable base effects over 2016 prices,” the NBS report said.

    However, the report though heart-warming, appears to be at variance with reality. Some traders and consumers, who spoke with The Nation, lamented that the drop in inflation has yet to translate into any significant decrease in prices of most food items.

    For instance, at Ikotun Market, Lagos, traders lamented the low patronage caused by high cost of food items. They cited huge transport costs, high shop rents and various market development levies as responsible for the hike in food prices, urging government to come to their aid.

    One of the traders, who identified himself as John, sells rice, beans and other grains. He  said he travels from Lagos to Abakiliki in Ebonyi State to buy goods and that each time he did, he discovered that prices of foodstuffs remained high. He said he had no choice than to transfer the burden to his customers.

    “I have to add a token on each (derica) or ‘paint bucket’ that I sell to customers to cover my expenses,”  John said, adding that traders in Ikotun Market were merely transferring the extra cost of bringing the food items in to buyers.

    John, however, explained that the price of rice and other grains are not constant because they are seasonal. “There are various types of rice and different time of harvest,” John said, noting that a bag of rice, which sold at more than N20, 000 early this year, now sells at about N17, 800.

    He lamented the low customer patronage that had hit him and other traders in the market. According to him, any slight increase in the price of items is usually resisted by customers most of who end up not buying anything after complaining of not having enough money to buy due to the economic downturn.

    “I didn’t make enough sales early this year because of the recession. After paying shop rent and meeting other expenses, what is left as my profit is never enough to enable me go back to the market and re-stock. I hope the economy gets better soon,”John said.

    He is not alone in his frustration. Mrs. Francesca, who sells provision and toiletries, also lamented that profit had been dwindling as a result of low patronage caused by high prices. She said she was considering switching to another line of business in the hope of breaking even.

    Similarly, Mama Chidera, a food item seller, said she is on the verge of quitting the business because of the fluctuating cost of food stuff coupled with the stress of waking up early to go to Liverpool Market in Apapa area of Lagos to get food items for sale.

    She regretted that despite the reported drop in inflation, cost of food items remained high. For instance, a bag of Egusi sells for N65,000, while a bag of Ogbono, which formerly cost about N95,000, now goes for as high as N100, 000.

    She also said a bag of crayfish, which was N26, 000, now costs N32, 000, while a bag of pepper is now 55,000.

    Mama Chidera also lamented that prices of toiletries and beverages, such as Dano Milk, Peak Milk and assorted brands of soap have remained high, despite the drop in inflation.

  • Why education standard declines

    Stakeholders in education have identified reasons the standard has been falling in Nigeria.

    At the second edition of stakeholders forum organised by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in Ondo to facilitate qualitative education in Nigeria, participants reviewed the level of the learners, who have diverse experiences, characteristics, skills and conditions vis-a-vis the level of the education system.

    They also considered its managerial and administrative system, implementation of good policies, human and managerial resources and the means to measure learning outcome.

    The theme of the conference was: “Education Quality Assurance: A panacea for equity, access and accountability in education”.

    Participants comprising the Directors of Education Quality Assurance (DEQA) in federal and state ministries of Education, parastatals and agencies, noted that Nigerians have the perception a poorly coordinated supervision, underfunded with inadequate data for planning, as well as poor learning environment.

    They also  observed that teacher training programme in Nigeria, has not really been taken into consideration the changes that are needed to implement innovative curriculum in schools.

    “Many states in Nigeria are yet to implement the quality assurance programme prescribed by the Federal Ministry of Education and therefore, internal quality assurance procedures are not being applied in schools in such states.

    They noted that quality assurance departments and agencies (QADA), where they have been established, are sometimes staffed with officers who are not trained in that field. Besides, they are poorly funded and lack requisite operational facilities.

    Stakeholders said despite the establishment of many institutions at the tertiary level, and government policies that support access and equity in education, many young people are still out of school in Nigeria.

    According to them, examination malpractice, which has assumed frightening dimension in many states, has become a threat, not just to the validity and reliability of the examination itself, but also the overall quality of the entire education system and the society at large.

    They noted that perpetrators of examination fraud are not just students and teachers, but also parents, school administrators, government officials, other school personnel, officials of examination bodies and school host communities.

    Besides, they identified common causes of examination malpractice to include: undue emphasis on certificates, poor quality of teaching and learning, high level of materialism, parental consent and involvement as well as the pressure mounted on students to pass examinations at all cost in some cases.

    On funding, they contended that it was one of the formidable obstacles to the effective implementation of Quality Assurance in education programmes and activities by FME, Departments in SMoEs, SUBEBs and agencies.

    The participants, who are representatives of Ministries of Education from 31 states and federal including NECO, NABTEB and other examination bodies, recommended that all credible education programmes, designed to achieve quality assurance in education should address all the requirements of both learners and the education system.

     

  • Market capitalisation declines by N29b

    Market capitalisation declines by N29b

    The NSE All Share Index (ASI) shed18bps yesterday close at 41,135.56 points after three days of consecutive gains. Market capitalisation equally declined N29.0bnto close at N13.6tn.

    The decline in the market was attributable to profit taking in Nestle 3.7per cent , Dangote Cement 0.5 per cent, Guinness 5.0 per cent and PZ Cussons 5.0 per cent, even as market activity levels measured by aggregate volume and value traded also closed weaker at 674.0m and N6.3bn a 37.6 per cent and 21.8 per cent decline.

    Most sector indices within our coverage closed in the red with the exception of the Banking Index advancing 1.0 per cent due to the rally in Fidelity Bank 4.5 per cent Union Bank 3.0 per cent and Skye Bank 2.3 per cent. On the flip side, the NSE Consumer Goods Index shed 1.1 per cent amidst profit taking in Guinness 5.0 per cent, National Salt 4.0 per cent and Nestle 3.7 per cent.

    Similarly, the Oil and Gas Index retreated, shedding 0.7 per cent. Notably, the Index was pressured by the decline in Oando 0.9 per cent, Seplat 0.8 per cent and Eterna 0.5 per cent. The Insurance and Industrial Goods indices also both traded downwards —each shedding 70bps and 7bps respectively.

    The Market breadth closed marginally below the border line today at 0.9x advancers/decliners ratio: 32 gainers vs 33 losers.

    At the close of trading, Champions Breweries 10.1 per cent, Ikeja Hotel 9.6 per cent and Beta Glass 6.1 per cent topped the gainers list, while Guinness 5.0 per cent, PZ Cussons 5.0 per cent and Custody in 4.9 per cent topped the losers chart.

  • Akingbola declines presentation at FRC hearing

    Akingbola declines presentation at FRC hearing

    The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN’s) investigations into the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) financial years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, began yesterday in Lagos. Security at the FRC Ikeja office, venue of the hearing, was tight. The hearing took place behind closed doors.

    There was heavy Police presence while other security officers scrutinsed visitors to the Elephant House, venue of the hearing.

    Although members of the public were disallowed from the venue, it was learnt that the first day of the two-day hearing ended in a mild drama as the Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank, Dr. Erastus Akingbola could not make his presentation.

    Akingbola, after the introduction of the Parties and their counsel, Akingbola informed the Panel that he was constrained because his petition is pending before a court. He said based on the advice of his lawyers, it would be wrong for him to comment on the same issues before the panel.

    Also, the presentation by the former Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede and his successor, Herbert Wigwe could not go on, as their Councel, Paul Usoro (SAN), asked for time to study the documents relating to the accusations, which he got only yesterday. They were given seven days to make to file their defense. The management of Nigerian Security and Minting Company, also got five days to make its presentation.

    The hearing session continues with Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the suspended Governor of the CBN, Mr. Tunde Lemo, former Deputy Governor (Operations), CBN, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), the acting Governor of the CBN, Dr. Sarah Alade, Deputy Governors of the CBN, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu and Alhaji Suleiman Barau and others scheduled to appear before the investigation panel today.

    In a related development, industry sources said one of Erastus Akingbola’s properties located at 19 Embassy Court, London NW8 9SX was sold yesterday for £5.7 million pursuant to the Judgement of Mr. Justice Burton of the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London ordering him to refund the sum of N165 billion to Intercontinental Bank now a part of Access Bank Plc.

    Also yesterday, the Acting Governor of the CBN, Dr. Sarah Alade was in Lagos to see the extent of damage by the fire at the bank’s Lagos branch office on Monday.

    Mrs Alade said no life nor were records were lost to the incident.

    She said the fire affected the first floor of the over 50-year old building which houses the Branch Support Office and one or two administrative rooms. She added that though few files were lost, the bank had effective backups under its disaster recovery system where the documents are safely stored.

    Dispelling rumours that the office of the Governor was located on the affected floor, Mrs Alade said the Governor’s office was located in the 22-storey new building of the bank and that the branch office was for the service of CBN’s stakeholders in Lagos and its environs.

    She said forex trading at the affected floor will resume after engineers had declared it safe.