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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Umahi accuses civil servants of illegal collection of leave allowance

    Umahi accuses civil servants of illegal collection of leave allowance

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has accused civil servants in the state of illegal collection of leave allowances from 2011 to 2015.

    He also said that he would report the issue to the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) national leadership if the organised labour in the state failed to acknowledge the development and seek an amicable resolution of the issue.

    Umahi levied the accusation against the state workforce on Thursday in Abakaliki during an interactive session with representatives of labour unions and the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) Ebonyi chapter.

    According to the governor, continued payment of leave allowance to workers in that state was illegal since it has been covered in the consolidated salary structure which they receive.

    “Civil servants have forgotten that I was the deputy governor during the immediate past administration in the state which paid the allowance.

    “I mediated in the labour and state government dispute and know everything about consolidated salary payments having done all the calculations concerning it.

    “The immediate past administration paid until I took over and the state Accountant General and my Commissioner for Finance continued the payment with no one asking questions.

    “The civil servants intentionally did such thing but I came with the anointing of God who revealed the development to me,” he said.

    The governor threatened to report the state branch of the Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC ) to its national leadership except the state workers accept that they owe the government.

    “We will discuss with the representatives of the workers and if you accept that workers owe the government, we will resolve all areas of differences.

    “We would, however, invite the national leadership of the NLC to the state if you insist that workers are being owed leave allowance because you are not telling the people the truth.

    “The state accountant general is directed to calculate the whole amount we have lost on leave allowances and if there is no consolidation on the leave, we would know what it is supposed to be on yearly basis,” he said.

    He advised the state civil servants to understand that the government cared about their welfare but that whatever accrued to the state was for all sectors and not only for them.

    “When we therefore pay higher salaries than other states with bigger assets and oil deposits, then we are supposed to be pitied,” he said.

    Prof. Bernard Odoh, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) urged workers in the state to focus less on salary increment and engage in entrepreneurial ventures to make ends meet.

    “There is no amount of salary that would solve all needs of workers and the emphasis should be in supplementing their earnings through entrepreneurial ventures.

    “This is the case in states such as Anambra where I lived as I urge the state’s committee on accessing the Bank of Industry (BOI) funds, to expedite action for workers to access it.

    “They should immediately release the first tranche to workers so that people would see its impact and become interested in accessing it,” he said.

    Mr Leonard Nkah, state NLC Chairman, thanked the governor for his concern for the workers and pleaded that all issues of disagreement between labour and government be settled amicably.

    “We feel that this matter has not reached the state of inviting the NLC national leadership as we felt that since the issue of consolidation was implemented, it was justified,” he said.

    NAN

  • Stakeholders drum support for Umahi ahead of 2019

    Stakeholders drum support for Umahi ahead of 2019

    Stakeholders in Ebonyi have pledged their support for Gov. David Umahi, ahead of 2019 for the governor to continue his transformation agenda in the state.

    The stakeholders, comprising women, made this known on Wednesday at the inauguration of “Rachael Umahi’s Women for Akubaraoha 2019’’ at Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.

    The Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government, Mr Ogbonnia Enyim, commended the Governor’s Wife, Rachael, for her transformation programmes in uplifting women and children in the state.

    He said that through the first lady’s pet project, “Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation’’, there had been abolition of harmful cultural practices against widows.

    According to the chairman, women have been empowered and poverty reduced through her skills acquisition programme, among others.

    Enyim said that more women from the local government were occupying strategic positions in government.

    “You can count on 100 per cent support from the entire people of Afikpo North come 2019, ‘’ he said.

    A member representing Afikpo North/South Federal Constituency, Rep. Idu Igariwey, said that the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in the area was one strong family that would vote enmasse in the 2019 general elections.

    The lawmaker commended the first lady for carrying everyone along in the state.

    He said that the quality of leadership displayed by the present administration would attract its return.

    “PDP is one family in Afikpo and our votes are going to be larger, come 2019, ‘’ Igariwey said.

    The Director-General, Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation ( EBBC ), Mr Timothy Nwachi said that the number of youths, women and men at the occasion showed the level support for the governor come 2019.

    “Afikpo North is one and will support the present administration, ‘’ Nwachi said.

    The governor’s wife advised women to encourage and promote one another other rather than creating hatred.

    The governor’s wife urged women to carry out door-to-door campaign for the governor to attract more women into politics; more positions in government and empowerment.

    Top government officials and officials of local governments attended the occasion.

     The event also featured inauguration of some facilities for the down-trodden and indigent persons in the area.

    NAN

  • Don’t insult Buhari, Umahi advises PDP members

    Don’t insult Buhari, Umahi advises PDP members

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has advised politicians in the opposition not to insult those in government but to criticise them constructively to enhance development.

    Umahi spoke at a gala-night to celebrate 21 years of the creation of Ebonyi and the 57th Independence anniversary of Nigeria in Abakaliki on Sunday.

    He advised members of his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to refrain from insulting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government.

    The governor also urged members of APC in Ebonyi to refrain from insulting him and his PDP-led state government.

    .“I always tell my people (PDP) that opposition at the centre is not about insults; I also advise the opposition in our state to tow the same line.

    “Opposition is about constructive criticism, putting the leader in check and reminding him that he has not fulfilled the promises he made.

    “It should not involve lying to the people, deceiving them and practising politics with bitterness and anger.

    “I will ask our grandfathers who are tackling us to do so with wisdom and love because it is a shame that a grandfather would tackle his children,” he said.

    Umahi said that the opposition would not succeed in the state because the state was neat and did not need to be ‘swept.

    “We have been holding the umbrella for an old man who was under the umbrella for eight years and we will take him to the boundaries of Ebonyi to sweep.

    “We are standing on God’s mandate and not shaking because over 10,000 people are praying for us day and night to succeed and take the state to another level, “ he said.

    Umahi commended the president for agreeing that the country needed to be restructured and noted that such stance had established a platform for Nigerians to discuss their agitations.

    “We will now talk, disagree, agree and arrive at decisions that will take the nation to greater heights and achieve the desired unity and development,” he said.

    Mr Augustine Nwankwagu, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, said the party was to celebrate God’s mercies since the state’s creation and the successes of the governor.

    The governor has been heavily criticised for his actions by the opposition, with his predecessor, Chief Martin Elechi, who decamped from PDP to APC, leading the critics.

    Elechi during a recent interview told newsmen that he did not support Umahi’s emergence as governor and would not support his re-election  for a second term in office.

  • I am not afraid of Umahi’s probe -Ex- Governor Elechi

    I am not afraid of Umahi’s probe -Ex- Governor Elechi

    Former governor of Ebonyi, Chief Martin Elechi has said he was ready for probe by his successor, Governor David Umahi, alleging that he had been under investigation since 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Umahi had on Saturday in Abakaliki, threatened to probe the Elechi’s administration of 2007 – 2015, for “massive financial malpractices”.

    Umahi had stated that he had covered his predecessors ‘sins’ enough and would publish the details of the probe in newspapers and other media channels.

    He accused his former boss, who he served as deputy governor, for failing to pay past leaders, including the Minster of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, their pensions and severance allowances.

    The governor  faulted Elechi for ‘crying’ over non-payment of his pensions “when he failed to pay pensioners in the state since 2009.

    But Elechi told newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday that the governor had been probing him and his two sons since 2015.

    “I handed over to Umahi on May.29, 2015, participated in his thanksgiving service on June 7, 2015, but received a letter of summon from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 9, 2015.

    “The petitions, which EFCC sources said were more than 50, were written by the present Ebonyi government through the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    “We visited the anti-graft agency regularly since and the last time I visited there in May 2016, I was shown a later from the Attorney- General where I was accused of several financial malpractices,” he said.

    Elechi said that the petitioners’ allegations against him included his government’s involvement in the establishment of the state cement, oil and gas, rice production companies, among others.

    “I gave my own side of the story and presented copies of the same petition which the attorney-general issued me in November, 2015 over the same alleged offences.

    “It is then clear that Umahi must not be saying that he will probe me but say that he will continue from where he stopped with the probe since 2015.

    “When I rejected the car offer Umahi made to me over these issues, he denied that his government had hands in the probe and I consider this statement as a lie.

    “There is no way Umahi will not be aware of a probe instituted by the Attorney-General of his government.

    “One of my sons is currently facing a court trial instituted by Umahi’s government.

    “I am not running away from Umahi’s probe. I have survived five different probes when Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s administration was toppled, having served in the East-Central state administration.

    “I faced two judicial and three administrative boards of inquiry, was arrested three times by the police and had two suits filed against me at the Enugu High Court, all within that period.

    “All these fizzled because I was not found culpable and there was no way I would be afraid of probe presently, especially when it was ongoing,” he said.

    The former governor noted that his government earmarked N10 million monthly to offset pensions all through his administration and the public could verify from the office of the state Accountant-General.

    “The circular over the payment entitlement of past leaders was issued by the Federal Government and Onu’s own payment was supposed to be made by the Abia government, as the governor of the old Abia.

    “Umahi has the right to feel bad that I failed to support him to succeed me, but I don’t regret my actions and he should not see me as problem of his administration,” he said. (NAN)

  • NLC threatens to name, shame governors owing salaries

    NLC threatens to name, shame governors owing salaries

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to name and shame state governors, who refused to pay complete salaries to workers in the country, in spite of the bailout funds.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said this at the National Executive Council meeting of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Wabba said that some state governors have refused to effectively utilise both the bailout funds and the Paris Club refund given to them by the Federal Government.

    According to him, 10 out of the 36 states are particularly guilty of the offence, while six of the ten states were in terrible situation. We have promised to name and shame them.

    “The congress has directed all states chapters whose members are owed more than three months’ salaries arrears to declare an industrial action and we have promised to name and shame them.

    “The states include Imo that has been paying workers’ salaries in percentage and has not declared utilization of the bailout fund and Paris club refund.

    “”They paid 40 per cent pension to their pensioners without their consent and provided a form for them to sign under duress. That is not allowed in law.

    “We have Bayelsa which has between five to 10 months’ arrears, Ondo is owing between four and six, Ekiti, (five to eight), Benue (five to eight) and Kogi which is the worst case scenario.

    “We have three category of workers in Kogi. We have 40 per cent that are being paid up to date, we have 25 per cent that had not been paid between eight and sixteen months.

    “We also have another 25 per cent that have not been paid between eight and twenty-one months.

    “In all the sectors, they have categorised the workers into three categories,” he said.

    The president also listed Osun, Ebonyi, Zamfara and Abia among others still owing salaries and non-implementation of the 2011 National Minimum Wage for workers.

    Wabba while speaking on the issue of increase tariff, warned the government against approving another increase in electricity tariff.

    He said that the congress would mobilise its affiliates, social partners and other Nigerians to resist any further increase.

    He noted that Nigerians were yet to get good services for the previous increment which has been declared illegal by the court.

    “The twin issue of fuel price increase and electricity tariff has made nonsense of the minimum wage. We have not been able to justify that 45 per cent increase.

    “But now, they are coming again with another increase. Let me say emphatically that NLC as an Organisation and all our affiliates will resist any attempt to increase the electricity tariff again,”he warned.

    Earlier, Mr Chris Ani, National President of NASU, said the current agitation for restructuring and fiscal federalism were attempts to divert attention from misgovernance and ineptitude the nation has been going through.

    Ani said that Nigerians should not be distracted by elements that have actively participated in the looting and mismanagement of our economy and can be found in the two major political parties.

    “What Nigeria workers need at this point in time is not whether more power should be given to states, but to know how they have managed the power at their disposal at the moment,”he said.

    He, however, urged the government to ensure improved welfare and benefits, jobs security, prompt payment of salaries, among others for workers in the country.

  • Customs’ Eastern Area Command generates N4.89bn

    Customs’ Eastern Area Command generates N4.89bn

     The Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service ( NCS ) has generated N4.89 billion within eight months.

    The Area Comptroller, Mr Suleiman Mohammed, made the disclosure to newsmen on Monday at a stakeholders meeting in Enugu.

    Mohammed said that the N4.89 billion was about 45.3 per cent of the projected revenue target of the area command for the year.

    According to him, the 2017 revenue target of customs for the three states is N10.84 billion

    “The total amount realised as at August (from Jan. 1) stood at “Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Five Million, Three Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Five Naira, Seventy Seven Kobo (N4, 895,311,805.77) representing 45.3 per cent of the target for the year,’’ he said.

    The comptroller attributed the shortfall in revenue of the agency to the lack of border areas in the three states under the command.

    He said: “the three states covered by the command have no land borders and as such no frontier stations, rather it’s an excise oriented area with at least 20 excise factories under its control.

    “Besides, only 14 excise factories are functional presently whole six are temporarily closed-down.”

    Also speaking, Chief Raymond Okonkwo, the Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders ( NAGAFF ), urged stakeholders in freight industry to tackle facilities related problems at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

    Okonkwo said: “there is a need for stakeholders who have interest in the development of the airport structure to come together to ensure that things are the way they should.

    “The run-way at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is not of the standard to attract international flights.

    “When facilities at any airport runs short of international regulations, you know that there is a problem as no airline will put his aircraft at risk.’’

    Speaking, the representative of Triax Group of Companies, Chief Emeka Okeke, called on South-East governors to join hands with the Enugu State governor to see that the airport becomes truly international in its operation.

    “We should not leave this thing for one state alone. I don’t know why the governments of the South-East states should not come to support this international airport project.

    “Let us start with one international airport before talking of cargo airport and the rest of them.

    “Enugu is the main eastern-base and this problem should be addressed squarely,’’ Okeke said.

  • Ebonyi supports army’s ‘Python Dance’

    Ebonyi supports army’s ‘Python Dance’

    The Ebonyi Government has declared support for the ongoing Nigerian Army exercise – “Egwu Eke’’, Python Dance II, in the South East zone.

    Gov. David Umahi declared the support when he received the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    He, however, urged the army to keep to its rules of engagement.

    Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwu, Umahi noted that there was misconception of the exercise by some people in the region.

    He said that the first phase of the exercise, which took place in the zone between November and December 2016, recorded success without any reported case of human rights abuse or molestation.

    “We support the army; we support the exercise, but please dance by the rules of engagement; dance in the bush, not in the street,’’ the governor said.

    On the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafa ( IPOB ), Umahi condemned the activities of the group, saying “we do not address perceived injustice through violence’’.

    The governor said the state was enjoying relative peace in terms of security.

    He called for army establishment of army formation in the border between Ebonyi and Cross River, to address recurring communal clashes in the area.

    Earlier, the army chief restated that the exercise was designed to sharpen the skills of personnel to be able to deal with internal security issues.

    Buratai stressed that Egwu Eke was carefully planned in the interest of the South East and not targeted at any group, saying that security was “key to development’’.

    “We assure you that our troops will abide by rules of engagement and code of conduct,’’ he said.

    He said that alongside the exercise, the army would render humanitarian services such as medical outreach and sanitation in various communities in the region and urged the people to show understanding.

  • APC Committee: Enugu, Ebonyi opt out of regional structure

    The Southeast zone of All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee on True Federalism Public Consultations yesterday in Enugu compiled submissions from the party’s state chapters with Enugu and Ebonyi states opting out of regional structure.

    The committee was to take submissions from Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra states, but Anambra APC members were absent.

    Enugu and Ebonyi were represented by Ostia Okechukwu and Egwu Chima.

    Their reason for opting out of regional structure was to “enjoy the freedom we have achieved”.

    Before the commencement of the submissions, Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi stormed the venue where he was received by the committee’s chairman, Prof. Oserhrimen Osunbor, and deputy governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba.

    But the governor did not sit as he left immediately he exchanged pleasantries with the committee members.

    Osunbor said APC’s constitution and its manifesto showed its commitment to some articulated ideas and principles.

    The chairman noted that Article 7 of the party’s constitution states the need to promote and foster unity, political stability and national consciousness among Nigerians as well as promote true federalism.

    He said restructuring under democracy cannot be a revolution, adding that it must follow the rule of law in line with the constitution.

    Submitting the resolution of Enugu State APC, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita Okechukwu said the chapter adopted the creation of additional state in the Southeast, specifically Adada, to bring the number to six, like in the other zones.

    He said by doing this, the Southeast would have equal senatorial seats in the National Assembly.

    The party also supported financial autonomy to the local government and removal of state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that elections at the local government areas are free and fair.

    Okechukwu also said the state chapter supported state police and rotation of power between the South and North.

    According to him, after the eight years tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, power should go to the Southeast.

    Ebonyi State APC said it did not support regional government, adding that it was happy with the structure that gave birth to the state.

    It also supported rotation of government but opposed state police.

  • Sexual harassment: EBSU sacks lecturer, suspends another

    Sexual harassment: EBSU sacks lecturer, suspends another

    A lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Ebonyi State University, EBSU, has sacked by the school management while another in the department of History and International Relations (HIR), Onwe Chinedu Ogah has been suspended for alleged sexual harassment and extortion of students.

    This is even as Students of the institution on Monday lamented the high rate of sexual harassment and extortion by their lecturers.

    Ogah is currently facing disciplinary committee of the University over alleged sexual harassment and extortion.

    The Nation investigations shows that students of the school pay between N10,000 and N30,000 to pass a particular course or sleep with lecturers if they cannot pay the amount with those rewriting their courses as carryovers as major victims of the trend.

    The trend has been on in the school for long and has its name as sorting. A victim, Chinenye Chike said she had carryover in her HIR department because she failed to pay N10,000 demanded by the lecturer or sleep with the lecturer.

    She said “I had extra year because I couldn’t give N10, 000 to my lecturer who is now facing disciplinary panel. I carried my two months old baby to re-write his course- Major World Revolution and he made me borrow extra-five courses”.

    Another victim, Sylvia Ibiam said after paying money to one of her lecturers to pass her, the lecturer insisted that she must sleep with him which she refused leading to the hiding of her project by the lecturer.

    When contacted, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Francis Idike confirmed that sexual harassment and extortion have become order
    of the day in the institution.

    “I know that there is a case involving this particular young man. I also know that by Friday the first report on the young man from the (disciplinary) committee came to me. I also know that I am
    currently studying the report at the end of which I will send it to the management for decision.

    “From the management, depending on their decision, it may go to council. It is only after going to Council that decision would have been reached. If the management decision is such that, because there is a kind of decision that would be reached at the management, and then it will go to Council for final decision.

    “If the management takes a particular decision not involving dismissal or termination, the case stops there. That is our procedure. Right now the report has been given to me by the (disciplinary) committee last Friday. I am currently working on it. Thereafter, I will send it to my management for their decision.

    “The case may end there. At the end of which if you ask me of the verdict, i will tell you. The case will proceed to Council.

    “So many people have been calling me and saying that they saw it on Facebook that decision has been taken, this and that. I don’t know where these people actually get this information. I don’t know how to use Facebook and WhatsApp.

    “The lecturer is on suspension. How can you sack somebody without (going through) stages? The (disciplinary) committee has completed its assignment and submitted it to the Vice-Chancellor. I am studying after which I will send it to the management.

    “I don’t have the total number off head, but I know there so many of it. In fact, there was one we just decided last week based on sex for grade. A female lecturer was terminated. It happened in the Faculty of Education. Just last week, the Council took a final decision on therecommendation of the committee. And that matter has already been written and it is posted on our website. I mean there are so many of them; quite a good number of them”.

  • Ebonyi pays 30% arrears to pensioners

    Ebonyi pays 30% arrears to pensioners

    The Ebonyi Government has confirmed the payment of 30 per cent of pension arrears to state pensioners who are demanding 100 per cent payment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pensioners were alleging that they had been paid only 20 per cent of the arrears.

    This was one of the contending issues in the recent protest in Abakaliki.

    Dr Dennis Ekumankama, the State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Ebonyi,  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the issue was not a speculation.

    According to him, the decision to raise the payment up to 30 per cent was reached at the last executive council meeting of the state presided over by the state governor.

    “Government will increase the percentage of payment as more funds accrue and we advise pensioners to receive the decision in good faith.

    “Clamouring for 100 per cent payment is wrong because it entails paying when the fund is received in bulk or offsetting the arrears on year-by year-basis.

    “The arrears date back to 2009 which was not accumulated by the present government and if we pay 2009 alone for example, what will we tell others who fall within 2010–2017.

    “The pensioners are hungry and have been expecting the money for long with the governor declaring that he will pay the pensioners all their due payments,” he said.

    The commissioner said that the state was not owing pensioners and those saying that they have not been paid are those who have not been verified.

    “We cannot pay the money to anybody who claims to be a pensioner because there are people who are not supposed to be paid that are receiving pensions.

    “We want to block all leakages involved in illegal payment of pensions and that is why for instance, we are not in a hurry to pay gratuities,” he said.

    He said that the state received over N12 billion as its share of the Paris Fund refund, noting that it ranked second to the last among the states that collected the refund.

    “We received eight billion naira in the first tranche and four billion naira in the second and the funds have been dedicated for the settlement of salaries, pensions and gratuities arrears,” he said.

    The commissioner said that the public needed to be educated on true definition of the Paris Club refund to clear the wrong insinuations associated with it.

    “People should be informed that the Paris Club refund is the refund of illegal deductions from the local and international loans obtained by states,” he said.