The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fed Govt

  • Fire station: Fed Govt partners Akwa Ibom

    The Akwa Ibom State government has signed a deal with the Federal Government to site a metropolitan fire station for the Southsouth in Uyo, the state capital.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel spoke yesterday when he granted  audience to the Comptroller General of Fire Service, EngineerAnebi Joseph Garba who led a delegation of Fire Officials to the Government House, Uyo on a courtesy call to the State Chief Executive.

    Emmanuel said the state government has provided land for the construction of the metropolitan fire station, adding the facility will be easily accessible without traffic congestion and suitable for the discharge of their responsibility.

    He expressed appreciation to the Federal Fire Service for the decision to set up a zonal office in the state noting that it will compliment government’s efforts at setting up an emergency centre in conjunction with the state Ministry of Health, and other related services.

    The governor made a case for the employment of indigenes of the state by the Federal Fire Service and promised to assist in certain aspects of logistics and other things.

    He stated that the state was not taking their coming to Akwa Ibom for granted as shown in the calibre of stakeholders invited to be part of the courtesy call by the State Government and assured the officials of a successful stay in the course of work in Akwa Ibom.

    The Comptroller General, Federal Fire Service,  Anebi Joseph Garba , said the purpose of the visit was to request for a suitable land for the construction of a metropolitan-type fire station for the Southsouth in Uyo.

    According to  Anebi, the decision to site the office in Akwa Ibom is sequel to approval by the Federal Government for the construction of such station in the six geopolitical zones in the country.

    He said the service would soon commence the strengthening of its presence in Akwa Ibom with the deployment of multi-million naira fire fighting assets and personnel.

    ice, Njoku Chika, The South East Commander of the Fire Service, Akpan Anthony among others in attendance.

     

     

     

  • Fed Govt denies report of $6.59b judgment by U.S. court

    THE Federal Government has faulted reports that a court in the United States (U.S.) has entered a default judgment affirming a $6.59 billion arbitral award against it in favour of a firm, Process & Industrial Development Limited (P&ID).

    Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice Dayo Apata while speaking in Abuja yesterday, confirmed that the firm sued the Federal Government in a U.S. District Court, but said no judgment has been given yet.

    Apata said the Nigerian government has taken the necessary steps to engage lawyers to handle the case on its behalf.

    He was, however, silent on the details of the dispute and what informed the suit brought against Nigeria by the private firm.

    Apata, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, said: “No default judgment was entered against Nigeria in the enforcement proceedings by P&ID.

    “The Federal Government through its foreign solicitors, Messrs. Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, has commenced the process of challenging and defending the enforcement proceedings.

    “It needs be stated that what is being taunted as a default judgment was actually a default entry made by the Court Clerk. Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), a defendant has up to 60 days period to answer to a petition filed against it.

    “Where no response is entered for the defendant, the Court Clerk upon application by the petitioner, makes a default entry, which in this case was made on June 5, 2018.

    “It is to be noted that under the FSIA, a default judgment cannot be entered against a foreign state like Nigeria unless the presiding judge determines so after the petitioner/claimant must have established its entitlement to a default judgment.”

    He added: “Based on the presumption of sovereign immunity, the U.S. District Court is still under obligation, despite default by a Foreign State, to determine whether the foreign state is immune from the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court under FSIA or whether the case before it falls within one of the recognised exceptions.

    “Even where the court determines that it has jurisdiction, a default judgment will not be granted automatically or as a routine matter to be handled by a court clerk as this can only be done after a formal trial.

    “On June 12, 2018, our foreign solicitors filed the necessary application to set aside the clerk’s default entry and to dismiss the entire case on grounds of defective service and lack of personal jurisdiction over Nigeria in line with the provisions of the FSIA.

    “We wish to re-assure the general public that there is no default judgment against Nigeria at the instance of P&ID.

    “We urge Nigeria’s foreign friends and investors to ignore the malicious reports.

    “The Federal Government is also making concerted efforts through legal and diplomatic channels to resolve the issues in contention between the parties in this matter.”

     

  • Fed Govt disburses N10b to 300, 000 poor Nigerians in two years

    THE Federal Government has since 2016 disbursed N10 billion to no fewer than 300,000 beneficiaries through its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.

    CCT National Programme Coordinator Dr. Temitope Sinkaye stated this yesterday on the sidelines of the National Cash Transfer Programme Mid-year Review in Ilorin, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    She said the programme started in 2016 with eight pilot states that met the condition set by the Federal Government.

    The condition, Sinkaye explained, was just for states to provide offices, personnel and equipment for the take-off of the programme.

    “All states are eligible to participate in the programme, but upon fulfilling some conditions.

    “So currently, we have only 20 states that have fulfilled the conditions.

    “As at 2016 when we started the programme, only eight states met the condition and as at today, we have 20 states and we are still counting.

    “The condition is that states will provide the programme with office, staff and equipment while the Federal Government takes it up from there.

    “Once the state is done with that, the Federal Government takes up from there and train the personnel on what the programme is all about,” she said.

    On the modality for selection of beneficiaries, the national coordinator said that they were selected through a process known as “community-based targeting”.

    “There is a different government agency that is charged with the responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries and the agency is known as the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office at the national office,” Sinkaye said.

    She noted that the community-based targeting team of the office at the local government level move from one community to another to identify the poorest set of Nigerians through the help of members of those communities.

  • Fed Govt to implement accident reports

    Minister of State for  Aviation Hadi Sirika has pledged that the Federal Government would ensure the implementation of Air Safety Recommendations released by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

    Sirika made the pledge in Abuja last week while receiving the report.

    According to him, the report covers safety recommendations made since AIB’s inception till date, numbering about 130.

    The minister said all the recommendations had not been implemented, adding that the government’s purpose was to ensure that the recommendations were fully implemented.

    He said safety and security of aviation industry had been the focus of the current administration as contained in the road map presented to the public at the inception of the administration.

    “Since inception we haven’t had any report of this nature, but now that we have it, it behooves on us that we ensure that it be implemented 100 per cent.

    “Since we assumed duties,  we focused on all of those things that are safety and security critical to the industry.

    “In our belief and understanding and even in our road map, we set out to review all those things that would enhance safety and security of the industry.

    “I had maintained overtime that it is how safe and secure that you depart point A and land point B that is more important in aviation than all other aesthetics.

    “We all want to attract investment and make our airport more comfortable, but you have to arrive at your destination first before you enjoy comfort and you have to be well secured.”

    AIB Commissioner and Chairman of the Committee, Akin Olateru, said the Bureau had since inception in 2007, made 130 safety recommendations, adding that while 61 per cent of the recommendations had been implemented, eight per cent partially implemented, 31 per cent are yet to be implemented.

    He said AIB ‘s mandate was to investigate serious accidents and incidents with the view to prevent future occurrence, adding that the implementation of the recommendations would help the country to prevent accidents and incidents.

    A member of the committee, Group Capt. John Ojikutu, (Rtd), called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure full implementation of the recommendations, adding that safety and security of the industry required thorough attention.

    Ojikutu also called on the government to urgently address the challenges of shortage of manpower, especially the Air Traffic Controllers to ensure safety in the Industry.

  • Fed Govt approves gold buying centre, refinery

    The Federal Government has approved a gold buying centre and refinery in the country.

    Acting Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bwari said the approval would halt current exploitation of the country’s gold and gemstones by artisanal small scale mine operators.

    According to him, the country’s gold and gemstones are mostly smuggled out of the country in unrefined/unprocessed form, leading to massive losses of revenues to government and the producers.

    He said the establishment of a gild refinery and faceting centre in Nigeria would go a long way in preventing gold/gemstone smuggling.

    Speaking during the ainauguration of  AMRAN Faceting Incubation Centre in Abuja,  Hon. Bwari said: “Nigeria is endowed with gold and gemstone resources located in several  states that are currently exploited by ASM operators. These are mostly smuggled out of the country in unrefined / unprocessed form leading to massive losses of earnings for government and the producers, as the gold / gemstones are mostly not appropriately priced.

  • Fed Govt endorses gold buying centre, refinery

    THE Federal Government at the weekend endorsed a gold buying centre and refinery.

    Acting Minister of Mines and Steel Development Abubakar Bwari said this is to stem the exploitation of Nigeria’s gold and gemstones by artisanal small scale mine operators.

    According to him, Nigerian gold and gemstones are mostly smuggled out of the country in unrefined/unprocessed form, leading to massive losses of earnings for government and the producers.

    Bwari spoke in Abuja at the commissioning ceremony of AMRAN faceting incubation centre.

    He said the establishment of a gold refinery and faceting centre would go a long way in preventing gold/gemstone smuggling.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, you may wish to be informed that Nigeria is endowed with gold and gemstone resources located in several  states that are currently exploited by ASM operators. These are mostly smuggled out of the country in unrefined/unprocessed form, leading to massive losses of earnings for government and the producers, as the gold / gemstones are mostly not appropriately priced.

    “The establishment of a gold refinery and the faceting centre in Nigeria would therefore go a long way in preventing gold / gemstone smuggling, especially if transparent and competitive pricing method is adopted. It would also enable the CBN to easily procure refined gold for its gold reserve scheme.”

    ARMAN Mining Company Chairman Lamba Zannah explained that the incubating centre, which is in phases includes “the establishment of gold buying centres and a gold refinery to produce Nigeria’s gold bullion in 500 grammes, one kilogramme (kg) and two kgs for export.”

     

     

     

     

  • Fed Govt begins 2019 retirees verification, enrolment

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has commenced the final verification procedures for prospective retirees from the public service.

    The exercise is scheduled to take place between June 25 and August 17, 2018 in 15 centers across the country.

    According to a statement issued from the Commission in Abuja yesterday, it said the exercise had become necessary in order to provide adequate sensitisation and public enlightenment for would-be retirees on the right steps to take towards a hitch free retirement life.

    According to the Commission, the exercise is for “employees in the service of the Federal Government Treasury Funded MDAs, who are due to retire from service between January and December 2019 by virtue of attaining the applicable maximum age or length of service, whichever is earlier.”

    The statement noted that the affected employees are required to personally come along with the originals of documents for sighting while photocopies of the same documents would be submitted for verification and enrolment.

    The documents are Letter of First Appointment, Evidence of Transfer of Service and Acceptance (where applicable), Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age, Letter/Evidence of promotion to the Grade Level as at June 2004, Letter/Evidence of ALL promotions obtained from 2004 to date, Letter of Introduction from the MDA, Staff Identity Card.

    Others are Letter/Evidence of Retirement (Applicable to those who have retired,Mandatorily/Voluntarily/Disengaged /Termination and yet to enroll with the Commission), Letter of Indemnity from the MDA stating Non-Payment of Retirement Benefits (Applicable to those who retired / disengaged before 2009, Evidence of registration with a Pension Fund Administrator indicating Retirement Savings Account Personal Identification Number (PIN).

    The Commission also urged Pension Desk Officers (PDOs) of each MDA to be available at the designated centers to authenticate the documents and endorse the Retirement Bond Registration Form of each potential retiree from his/her MDA,

    PenCom added that “medically unfit employees are exempted from the physical enrolment, however Pension Desk Officers of the medically unfit employees were advised to come along with a letter from a suitably qualified physician or medical board certifying that the employee is no longer physically or mentally capable of carrying out the functions of his/her office in addition to documents listed above.

    “For ease of access of participant, the exercise is scheduled to hold at fifteen centres through-out the Federation. Participants are advised to adhere strictly to dates assigned to each service sector.”

     

  • Labour warns Fed Govt over killings, insecurity

    The organised labour has warned the Federal Government over the killing of innocent citizens across the country.

    The organised labour in separate statements expressed worry over the insecurity threatening the nation.

    The United Labour Congress (ULC), in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, described the recent killings in Plateau State as the most barbaric and wicked.

    He lamented the insensitivity of the government and security agencies.

    “We have watched with heightened fear as lives and property of Nigerians are wasted daily in our communities especially in the North East and North Central. We have raised alarm severally but our leaders seem to have become deaf and insensitive to the bloodlettings and the butchering of innocent lives in these communities. It is like we have bred a crop of leadership that are inured to the deaths and sufferings of fellow Nigerians to the extent that they have become impervious to the cries of anguish from Nigerians.

    “The galling reports of the slaughtering of men, women and children and the recent sacking of whole communities in Plateau State has left us panting for breathe and wondering whether we still have a group of people whose duty it is to ensure that lives and property are protected”.

    Ajaero said the mindless butchering of about 200 persons was the height of the exacerbated insecurity challenge threatening the nation.

    He said it was a clear demonstration of a total system failure in governance at all levels.

    “It shows that the government in Nigeria has collapsed completely. The near helplessness and wringing of hands by those in charge; the buck-passing and the blame game leave us deeply worried and aghast. A serious sign of a failing state if not a failed state.

    “It is mind-boggling to see the entire national security apparatus lying prostrate in the face of this rabid wantonness. It is unbelievable that the same security agencies to which billions of naira were allocated annually cannot stop the continued extermination of lives of fellow citizens in these numbers. It is completely paradoxical that same security operatives, who can swiftly harass, intimidate and arrest sitting Senators and Supreme Court judges cannot gather enough intelligence to stop these killings that have become a daily occurrence and a signpost of the depth of governance failure and decrepitude in Nigeria,” he said.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described it as senseless, saying that it threatens to shatter, once and for all, the bonds of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence.

    “We are disturbed by the range of targets, the duration of these attacks and the scope of casualties and destruction. Even in a full-scale war with another country, the statistics are numbing.

    “Therefore, for the umpteenth time, we condemn these killings in their entirerity. They are senseless and barbaric and threaten to shatter, once and for all, the bonds of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence.

    “Accordingly, our security, though stretched, must be seen to do more to restore the confidence of the civil populace. If the emerging allegations are true that the attacks went on unchecked for hours, then something needs to be done about the reaction time of our dedicated internal security operations in the state,”Ayuba said.

    He said the Federal and Plateau State Governments, in consultation with the parties to this bloody conflict, should design a framework for an enduring peace, including taking pro-active measures.

    He said governments should quickly move to rebuild these communities and restore shattered lives as well as put an end to the anarchy.

  • Union to Fed govt: remove TCN management

    The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company (SSAEAC) has called for the immediate change of the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over alleged anti-labour practices or face industrial action.

    SSAEAC said despite various interventions by the Ministry of Labour, to resolve the issue with various meetings called, the Managing Director of TCN, Gur Mohammed, disregarded the invitations.

    The union accused TCN management of violating the negotiated conditions of service, impunity and destruction of the unions by instigating eight members against constituted authority.

    The union President, Chris Okonkwo, at a media parley at it’s secretariat in Lagos, said the two weeks ultimatum given had elapsed and all are enjoined to wait for the signal for a long-drawn nationwide action to save TCN and the power sector as statutory notices have been given to government agencies.

    Okonkwo accused the Mohammed-led management  of being on a mission to wound down TCN operation as a government company. He accused him of planning to reduce the regions into four, refusing to replace retiring Assistant General Managers (AGMs) and General Managers (GMs) without recourse to labour matters.

    Mohammed was also accused of diverting SSAEAC check-off dues to cronies before writing to confirm it after he propped up expelled officials to cause disunity in the union.

    The union also alleged that Mohammed was determined to kill the negotiated conditions of service hence, the violation with impunity.

    “Since his appointment, he has cleared over 600 no.40 ft containers of equipment from seaports without record of receipts in TCN stores and has also hijacked procurement and accounts departments using them without transparent processes and hiding documents on transactions,” Okonkwo said.

    On the issue of estimated billing by distribution companies (DisCos), Okonkwo said it was a way Discos fraudulently made profits from the sweats of Nigerians as it was unjust and an economic crime on Nigerians.

    He said the problem with the power sector was due to the lack of sincerity and political will by government to obey the clauses in the privatisation agreement signed by those who bought PHCN.

    He said: “ Before the privatisation of PHCN, it was 70 per cent efficient but four years later after being privatised, the sector is between 30 to 40 per cent efficient and we ascribed to the view that due process was not followed in the process.”

  • Fed Govt orders varsities to move to permanent sites

    All universities on temporary campuses are to move to their permanent sites, Federal Government has directed.

    The government also warned Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts of various institutions against under-the-table deals on 2018/2019 admissions.

    It said no admission to any tertiary institution should be announced before the Policy meeting.

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is to reactivate the practice of the production and publication of National Matriculation List.

    These decisions were conveyed by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, to stakeholders at the 2018 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) at Bola Babalakin Auditorium in Gbongan, Osun State.

    He said: “I enjoin Nigerians to go round the country and independently visit our institutions to see the level and volume of transformation and development that have been recorded within the last three years.

    “We have ensured that abandoned projects have either been fully completed or are currently being completed. We have also started new projects in the various institutions. We have continued to license more tertiary institutions in order to expand access while the regulatory bodies have been empowered and supported to accredit more relevant programmes. Focus has been on programmes that would add value to the nation’s development.

    “All Universities on temporary campuses have been directed to develop and move to their permanent sites with a lot of support from the Federal Government. We have achieved relative peace and harmony on most of the campuses. Our Universities are regaining their glories and the institutions are attracting international interest all over again.

    Adamu urged universities to ensure transparency in the admission process for 2018/2019 Academic Year.”

    He said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, please let these qualities of cardinal pillars to include transparency, honesty, sincerity, equity, loyalty, integrity and commitment to nation building be our guiding principles.

    “Therefore, we should be dissuaded from doing any official business under the table. Heads of Tertiary Institutions are encouraged to institutionalise the enumerated qualities.

    “Some of you carry out your duties with full understanding and knowledge that some of your actions cannot stand the test of integrity, as some of the infractions you endorse and approve are irregular.

    “A lot of revelations laced with observed lapses with documentary evidence had been brought to my attention. We have extensively consulted and I urge each institution to abide by all regulations you have agreed to put in to reality.”

    The Minister also announced cessation of irregular admission into varsities and other institutions.

    He said: “Pursuant to the spirit and letter of the enabling law of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, all applications for admissions to First Degree, National Diploma, National Innovative Diploma and the Nigeria Certificate in Education must be processed only through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). These include Full Time, Distance Learning, Part Time, Outreach, Sandwich, etc.

    “Applications for programmes for the listed certification by individual institutions should stop while institutions can and should screen candidates duplication of applications form is not allowed.

    “I have directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) to fully ensure compliance with this policy directive and to issue clear guidelines to all concerned.

    “The duration of all non-Full Time studies must be maintained as approved by the regulatory agencies, and this is generally not less than one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the equivalence of Full Time.”

    He pleaded with VCs, Rectors and Provosts to adhere to the decisions of the Policy Meeting on admission into higher institutions.

    He added: “Therefore, no admission to any Tertiary Institutions should be announced before the Policy Meeting. It is appreciated that the meeting is being held early enough for the commencement of the new session.

    “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board should ensure that the Policy Meeting is now held not later than June every year.

    “At the 2017 Policy Meeting, I endorsed that any institution which was interested in conducting any form of Post-UTME screening could do so, but that the gross charge for the screening should not be more than N2,000. Once again, let me caution Heads of Tertiary Institutions that it would not be tolerated for any institution to charge any fee beyond the approved N2,000. Firmer sanctions than those of last session shall be applied to cases of violation.”

    The Minister directed JAMB to reactivate National Matriculation List for proper data of enrolment into higher institutions.

    He said: “In furtherance of the mandate of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on matriculation and in order to improve the quality and authenticity of the Tertiary Education data of the Nation, every institution should work with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the regulatory bodies to ensure proper scrutiny and confirmation of the institution’s matriculation list.

    “It is mandatory to keep proper valid register of all matriculated students in the Nation’s Tertiary Institutions. Therefore, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Regulatory Agencies should resume their joint monitoring of the Matriculation and Admissions Exercises.

    “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board is to reactivate the practice of the production and publication of National Matriculation List.

    “All successful candidates whose admissions are processed appropriately through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) should be listed and the list made available publicly to all stakeholders.

    “Anyone whose name is not on the National Matriculation List would be considered not to have been admitted. The consequence is clear to all.

    JAMB Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Ndukwe, said the agency will sustain its transparency and probity.

    He said: Let me acknowledge here the sincerity, honesty and dedication of the current Registrar, the management and staff members of the Board. The unprecedented returns of billions of Naira to the Public Treasury further testifies to the ability of Mr. President not only to be honest but also to fish out and entrust honest persons with strategic public office.

    “The Governing Board under my leadership with the support of our upright and unassuming Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, will further add rigour to transparent and honest services of the Board.”