The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fed Govt

  • Hajj operations: Fed Govt saves $3m in three years

    The Federal Government has saved over $3 million from hajj operations in the last three years, The Nation has learnt.

    The Executive Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, spoke yesterday at a news conference in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

    He said the Federal Government hitherto sponsored delegations to Mecca yearly to the tune of $1million, but suspended such privileges due to  economic exigencies.

    “The decision to suspend the Federal Government/Amirul Hajj delegation was out of economic concern. The first year the policy was made, spokesman for the Presidency announced the reason,” he recalled.

    Muhammad said: “On the delegation alone, the government needs to spend over $1million on them, and the economic reality of the country, even as at then the government has to look at areas to prune down expenditure.”

    The Federal Government, he stressed, will provide the basic and most needful requirements for hajj, which was medical and consular services.

    Muhammad  said: “In fact, what is their (Amirul Hajj’s) relationship with Saudi authorities? Do they have any official recognition by the Saudi authority? The answer is no. But it’s a matter known to us as Nigerians and recognised by Nigerians as a way of honouring some class of people. But I think the bottom line is that it has not in any way affected the performance of the hajj itself. This is the third hajj we have no such delegates. Is the hajj better or worse? The answer is yes.”

    Speaking on preparation for next year’s hajj, he said arrangements were in top gear to improve on this year’s performance.

    Muhammad said a high-powered committee had been constituted to begin preparations for 2018 hajj.

    The responsibilities of the committee, he noted, cut across major areas of hajj operations, including but not limited to accommodation, transportation, to mention a few.

    Over 25,000 pilgrims have so far been transported home.

     

  • Group to Fed Govt: beam searchlight on anti-state bodies

    The Federal Government has been commended for taking a proactive step in stemming the unrest in the Southeast and urged to extend same treatment to other anti-state groups in other part of the country.

    The Southsouth Reawakening Group (SSRG), which gave the commendation in a statement made available to journalists in Warri yesterday also lambasted the state governments of Igbo states for failing to act on time, saying their inactivity almost cost Nigeria her peace and unity.

    The statement, signed by the Convener of the SSRG, Joseph Ambakederimo, also called on parents in the Southeastern part of the country to rein in their children who might have been participating in

    the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), even as it warned youths not to allow themselves be used.

    Commending the Arewa youth bodies for exercising restraint in the face of provocation by IPOB members in the South-East, the body noted that no group in the country is superior to the others, adding that no ethnic group should be held responsible for the misfortune of others.

    “We support, wholeheartedly, the President for the steps taken so far on the IPOB menace. We are talking of national security here, and when national security is at stake the liberty of any individual or the right of any group of persons takes the back seat.

    “The issue of national security should be devoid of politics, because the issue to safeguarding lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government. In fact, the designation of the IPOB as a terrorist organization is long overdue. We have on record ( tape) where the self professed supreme leader of IPOB in a forum in the United States solicited for arms and ammunition to fight the Nigerian state.

    “We are sure millions of Nigerians have seen even more damning  recordings of the IPOB group, yet nothing was done by his people to denounce or proscribe the group. Nothing is more treasonable than what we have seen and heard as a people from Nnamdi Kanu.

    “In view of the above we urge government to also beam its search light  on other such amorphous groups in all parts of the country and proscribe them or designate them terrorist groups if necessary. Going

    forward the South-South Rea wakening Group is of the opinion that government should begin to crackdown on anti-state actions in order to stem the tide of downward slope to anarchy.

    “For the young men and women who devote a better part of their life span to engage on this meaningless crusade we say have a rethink and contribute your quota to the development of Nigeria rather than

    dissipate your energies to chase a mirage.

    “No one tribe should be seen to be dominating others we are all equal at every given time as all bad people are found in all ethnic groups. For us to hold a section of this country as responsible for all of our problems is to say the least uncharitable.

    “We should not lose cognizance of the resoluteness of the Arewa youths who have shown restraint to accommodate the agents provocateurs so far. We therefore urge the Arewa youths to continue to exercise restraint in the face of deliberate provocations and accommodate all and sundry”, the group said.

  • Why we clamped down on IPOB, Kanu, by Fed Govt

    Why we clamped down on IPOB, Kanu, by Fed Govt

    ‘Looters, opposition behind group’

    IYC urges talks      

    IPOB chief ‘in Southeast’

    The  Federal Government yesterday alleged that the opposition was fuelling the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) rebellion to distract the Buhari administration and destabilise the country.

    Urging Nigerians to be vigilant and resolute, Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said the evil machination of the group and its plan to incite Nigerians against one another had failed.

    Besides, he stated why the government moved against IPOB.

    Mohammed hailed Southeast governors’ decision to proscribe IPOB, stressing that the organisation, which has been labelled a terrorist group by the military, should cease to exist.

    He told reporters in Lagos that IPOB’s activities had reached a crescendo, threatening national unity.

    Mohammed said: “IPOB is nothing but a contraption by those who believe they have lost political power as well as the right to loot our treasury. It is a tool in the hands of the corrupt and disgruntled elements to sabotage the Buhari administration. It fights for no one, but the corrupt and the disgruntled. It seeks to set us apart as a people, exploiting our fault lines. Its modus operandi is to trigger conflagration nationwide through attacks and reprisals.”

    The minister lamented that IPOB had violated Nigeria’s sovereignty by setting up parallel military and para-military organisations, mounting road blocks, confronting the military, openly soliciting for weapons and inciting hatred and violence.

    He noted that the group’s atrocities had been documented by the

    military, including the formation of a Biafra Secret Service, the formation of

    Biafra National Guard, extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks, and

    illegal patrol.

    Mohammed applauded the military for its decisiveness in checking the organisation, adding that Nigeria would have been on fire, if the soldiers have not risen to the occasion.

    The minister stressed: “There is no doubt that the wounds inflicted on the nation’s psyche by

    the activities of IPOB will take some time to heal. But,  while that happens, Nigerians must understand that IPOB was not set up to fight for the right of anyone or group, but as a tool to destabilise the nation, divert attention from the efforts of the Buhari administration and obliterate the laudable achievements of the Administration.

    “IPOB is being sponsored by those I will call the Coalition of the Politically Disgruntled and the Treasury Looters. They believe that by sponsoring this group to destabilise the country and trigger chaos, they will realise their ambition of escaping justice and then be free to dip their hands into the nation’s treasury again.”

    Mohammed wondered why the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who led a protest at the

    Nigeria House in London against Boko Haram insurgency and in support

    of Nigeria’s unity under the Jonathan Administration, suddenly metamorphosed into a monster with an agenda to set the nation ablaze.

    He said IPOB had intensified its nefarious activities to distract the government when it should consolidate on its monumental achievement of taking the country out of recession.

    The minister chided the IPOB agitators for their hate speech, fake news and disinformation, pointing out that these tactics were employed to shift attention from the feat.

    He added: “The self-imposed IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is the master of hate speech. No one, including the same people whose rights he claims to be championing, escaped his vitriolic and

    primitive attacks.

    “We challenge all his sympathisers to scrutinise his incendiary, divisive and inciting speeches, the name calling and the derogatory remarks about the nation’s leaders, and then, tell the

    nation if such do not constitute hate speech. Leaders of thought and commentators who have shown the inclination to accommodate Kanu and his excesses should say if this is what they expect from someone who wants to lead.”

    Mohammed alerted the country to IPOB’s plot to attract sympathy for its propaganda from the Western world by giving the impression that its members are victims of ethno-sectarian violence orchestrated by the government.

    He urged the international community not to jump into any conclusion on the basis of fake videos and other false portrayers in the social media.

    Mohammed appealed to the media to show restraint by objectively reporting the motive behind the deployment of troops to the Southeast for “Operation Python Dance II” to check the group.

    He added: “The military has labelled IPOB a terrorist organisation and the Southeast Governors have proscribed it. It’s time to let IPOB go to where it belongs, the dustbin of history. The tense situation triggered across the country by IPOB’s activities must be brought down. The media has a big role to play in that, and I believe we will all do the needful.”

  • ‘Fed Govt to present budget next month’

    Submission of 2018 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly in October will be sacrosanct, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Senator Ita Enang has said.

    Enang, who gave the assurance when he appeared at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, said the Federal Government was committed to the deadline.

    According to the presidential aide, the government was working assiduously to ensure that the deadline was complied with to take the country back to the annual budget cycle of January to December.

    Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have made their budget inputs and submissions to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, he said.

    His words: “The ministers are already appearing before the ministry and defending their submissions.

    “It is intended that in the next few days they would have completed the exercise and have the total of the budget as well as get ready with the final draft.

    “Everything is being done to ensure that we keep to the date.’’

    He added that in presenting the 2018 proposal in October, “the National Assembly will consider it between October and November and by December, it would have been passed.

    “The current budget will end in 12 months and having been signed on June 12, 2016, the budget is legally to run between June 12, 2017 and June 12, 2018.

    “But the intention of the government is to make sure that the implementation date and assent will be for January 1, 2018 so that we will return the budget to the conventional January.’’

    He said the National Assembly was committed to doing its bit to ensure that the budget is passed in time after presentation by the Executive.

  • Edo Assembly urges Fed Govt to revoke road contract

    •Lawmakers decry slow pace of Benin-Auchi highway

    The  Edo State House of Assembly yesterday called on the Federal Government to revoke  the contract awarded for  the reconstruction of  the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi road.

    Speaker Adjoto Kabiru  made the call at Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area while leading members on a ‘protest inspection’ of the road.

    Kabiru decried the slow pace of work by the contracting firms.

    He said the deplorable state of the road had hampered socio-economic development of the people as well as others plying the road.

    “It is our view as an Assembly that the contract awarded to Dantata and Sawoe, Mother Cat and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) should be revoked. Raji Fashola is a man that we respect. He is doing wonderfully well as a minister but  on this Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella road , there is need to revisit the performance of the contractors. They are not competent.

    “We are dissatisfied with the Federal Controller of Works and we have resolved that the contractors can no longer deceive us.

    “The present condition of the road was unacceptable to residents in the state who now travel through Ondo or Delta states to get to their destination.

    “The protest on the road was to show solidarity and share in the pains experienced by travellers and motorists.

    “Our oversight functions have doubled. We are now together as a team. It is unacceptable for Edo residents to travel through Ondo State when coming from Edo North.

    “We are not satisfied with the pace of work and quality of jobs done. We are moving through that road. We know Edo people are suffering,” the Speaker said.

    He said the road was awarded to four contractors, to be completed in 36 months.

    Kabiru alleged that the level of work done by the firms is below the huge funds released to them  by the Federal Government.

    He said  the people and the Assembly were not satisfied with their performance.

    Responding, Principal Resident Engineer in charge of Ekpoma road, Mr Ishaku Mamri, said he was not in a position to tell lawmakers reasons for  the alleged delay.

    He said Dantata and Sawoe construction firm was mobilised to the Ekpoma axis for palliative works to address traffic challenges on the road.

    Also speaking, Project Site Supervisor for the firm, Malam Suleiman Nasiru, said the initial contract awarded to the firm was from Agbede in Etsako West to Ewu hill in Esan Central.

    Nasiru added that the Ekpoma axis was recently awarded to the company to address the traffic challenges in the area.

  • Fed Govt, NLNG, Julius Berger sign $120m pact on Bonny Bodo road

    The Federal Government has signed N120 billion tripartite agreement with the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to construct Bonny Bodo road in the Niger Delta.

    The contractual agreement will ensure the project is completed and delivered in four years.

    The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing made a commitment of N60 million for the project while NLNG will provide the remaining  N60 million to ensure successful completion of the project.

    Speaking at the agreement signing yesterday in Abuja, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola described the meeting as concluding part of the procurement process for the project execution.

    He said the gesture was in compliance with the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) of the federal government, commitment to develop the Niger Delta as well as the partnership with the private sector as major contributor to national growth.

     Fashola said: “Essentially we will formally sign the agreement today. It concluded the procurement process for starting the constructing process of the Bonny bridge.

    “This is a major statement in partnership with private sector to deliver public use.

    NLNG Managing Director, Tony Attah said the project would open the Niger Delta to new frontiers of development and secure better opportunities for the rural communities.

    “This is a 40 kilometres road that connects Bonny kingdom to Port Harcourt and open up the community to the rest of the world. If you live in Port Harcourt and  you want to visit Bonny, you can only do that through boat but now it will open it for greater opportunities,” he said.

    The Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Wolfgang Goetsch, said  the project would  create jobs for the rural communities.

  • Fed Govt committed to Niger Delta’s grow, says Osinbajo

    Fed Govt committed to Niger Delta’s grow, says Osinbajo

    •VP: N35b injected into amnesty programme
    •’Ogoniland clean-up on course’

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday pledged the determination of the Federal Government to re-invigorate the National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) for the region’s grow.

    Besides, he said N35 billion had been injected into the Niger Delta Amnesty programme for the people’s benefit.

    Osinbajo, who spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital while opening the second NCND meeting, said the clean-up in Ogoniland embarked upon by the President Muhammed Buhari administration was ongoing with the aim of sanitising its environment.

    He noted that the Niger Delta region has greater potentials apart from crude oil, stressing that Ondo State is the second largest producer of Bitumen in globally –  second to Canada.

    The vice president contended that the summit was in fulfilment of the past failed promises to pay prompt attention to the region’s growth.

    He expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to the amnesty programme with a view to ensuring peace in the region. The initiative, he said, has recorded tremendous achievements.

    Osinbajo assured that the Federal Government would continue to invest in the region for overall growth.

    He sought the co-operation of stakeholders in the region for sustenance of peace.

    According to him, “We have started with the clean-up of Ogoniland and we will continue with the exercise, which is still ongoing. We will ensure clean-up of all polluted areas.

    “What we are doing in the area is called hydrocarbon clean-up and this will not be limited to Ogoni land.”

    Osinbajo added that the Buhari administration had set up various inter-ministerial committees on the development of the Niger Delta region, adding resumption of academic programmes at the Maritime University established by the Federal Government will kick off next month.

    According to him, the Federal Government had committed N2 billion to the establishment of the university, which he said would focus on maritime training.

    The vice president expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to diversify the economy, stressing that oil would soon go into extinction.

    He advised the Niger Delta states to diversify into agriculture, culture, tourism and other areas to boost the area’s economy.

    Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu stressed the need for the Federal Government to develop the Niger Delta region.

    He maintained that the people’s welfare should be paramount to the Federal Government.

    “Issues of gross infrastructural deficit, security challenges and the general absence of social amenities expected in a modern society remain intractable.

    “This region presents a cruel paradox; the entire country depends on it almost entirely for sustenance. It, however, lacks evidence of development depicting its status as the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg.”

    Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Usani Uguru Usani noted that the story of Niger Delta outlived imaginations of people who have never visited the creek communities.

    He noted that a vision remains a mind map until it is manifest in its practical implementation.

    Usani said a clear path of action has been defined and roles identified, adding that that the evidence of these are in the current initiatives of the regional agenda.

  • Fed Govt loses trillions as stamp duty fee is unremitted

    Fed Govt loses trillions as stamp duty fee is unremitted

    Stamp Duty charges on bank transactions may have yielded trillions of naira, but the revenue is unremitted to the Federation Account, The Nation has learnt.

    The fate of the revenue, which is believed to have risen to over N7trillion as at 2015, has pitched the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) against the School of Banking Honours (SBH), an institution registered by the Nigerian Copyright Commission. The SBH is spearheading the recovery and remittance of the funds into the Federation Account for sharing by the Federal Government and the 36 states.

    SBH’s Project Consultant/Acting Rector Tola Adekoya said based on findings from the research arm of SBH, he raised a Demand Notice dated 10th March, 2015, entitled, “Stamp Duty On Electronic Transfer Receipts (2013-2014)” on NIBSS for N7.719trillion as accruing and unremitted revenue to the Federal Government and the states.

    He was invited by NIBSS for a discussion, but Adekoya is yet to honour the invitation.

    “That invitation is traceable to the Demand Notice of 10th March 2015 that SBH raised on NIBSS as Stamp Duty of N7.7 Trillion due to 36 states and the Federal Government on electronic cash-less transfers which turned over an aggregate N160 Billion daily in just five states of the federation in early 2013, as reported by Central Bank Nigeria (CBN),” Adekoya said.

    He told The Nation that from all indications, that figure may have risen close to N20trillion. He said: ”Further reports revealed that the Stamp Duty revenue has now increased to N20trillion (in local banks), or $53.3 billion (in foreign banks) in four years to 31st March, 2017, and out of which less than one per cent was later swept into a dedicated account with Central Bank of Nigeria, in 2016.”

    To him, the matter of diverted public fund should be of serious concern to the public in view of the amount that is in contention and the involvement of agencies and persons allegedly denying governments of such huge revenue collected from the unsuspecting banking public and for appropriate disciplinary action to be taken.

    By its Memorandum of Association, the SBH is approved to research into banking operations, and collaborate with banks and government on banking matters. It is empowered to represent government in the suit under its Copyright Certificate No. LW1023 dated 27th September 2012, and titled, “50-Naira Stamp Duty for Government on Electronic Cashless Transfers and Manual Bank Teller Deposits”.

    Adekoya said the alleged diversion of public funds should be of serious concern to the public in view of the amounts involved, and the culpability of agencies and persons that have been denying government of such huge revenue collected from unsuspecting banking public, for appropriate disciplinary action.

    He said the SBH had approached the CBN in 2012 to partner on the research outcomes that would absorb retrenched and ex-bankers to lead its young emerging bankers on practical part-time banking jobs at a lower career level that is branded as “Shadow-Banking”.

    “SBH clarified that Shadow-Banking products would birth other Shadow Industries to absorb the youth in high volume, until vacancies exist in their target career sectors, and for which they could be employed,” Adekoya said, adding that the SBH offer was turned down by the CBN, hence the body later aligned its job creation activities with CBN’s Financial System Strategy (FSS) 2020, but the CBN did not complement this, either, he stated.

    Undeterred, Adekoya said, “the Institute then proceeded with a proposal to Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) on 20th April 2012 to increase its internal revenue by exploring a narrow window provided for affixing adhesive stamp on banking receipts in Stamp Duties Act 2004, and a Master Services Agreement was signed by both parties on 14th September 2012”.

    “The institute then reverted to CBN on its first research work by a letter dated 27th September 2012, titled, “Revenue Collection for Government through Banks”, requesting for approval to engage banks and other financial institutions as collecting agents on the stamping and remittance of Stamp Duty on manual and electronic transfer receipts from N1,000 ( inclusive of all those from below N500,000 that CBN had earlier set as limit for banks) into government coffers,” the report said.

    The SBH got approval letters from the CBN. Its two defined roles were firstly to affix N50 stamp as evidence of Stamp Duty Paid on bank receipts, as covered by the Master Services Agreement with NIPOST, and secondly to sweep Stamp Duty Revenue to government, as duly covered by the Copyright Certificate No. LW1023.

    Based on the CBN approvals, the institute secured written commitments from three banks to lead other banks on manual stamp duty collection for government.

    Adekoya said  since “NIBSS needed no such circular on electronic stamp duty collection for the government, because it runs a central operation, it joined the institute at a press conference on 4th January 2013 to support the government’s revenue project, and was engaged as the ‘official sweeping agent’ for government on 7th January 2013.”

    He said the government directed that the only thing we should not charge stamp duty on is naira currency. “We went to Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), which is the firm maintaining the portal for cash-less policy for all the banks. By January 2013, we were ready to run it. Since 1993, NIBSS has not remitted any stamp duty to the government,” Adekoya, said.

  • Arik Air files N20b suit against Fed Govt, Ethiopian Airlines over ‘takeover bid’

    Arik Air files N20b suit against Fed Govt, Ethiopian Airlines over ‘takeover bid’

    Arik Air Limited has filled a N20 billion suit against the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines over claims in the media that they were negotiating the takeover of the airline.

    The suit was instituted by the airline at the Federal High Court, Lagos against Ethiopian Airlines, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Attorney General of the Federation.

    A copy of the suit, which was filed on September 6 by Arik Air’s counsel, Mr. Babajide Koku (SAN), Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwigwe and Mrs. Ezinne Emedom, was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.

    In its statement of claim supported by a 20-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mr. Chris Ndulue, a director with Arik Air, the plaintiff asked the court to restrain the first and second defendants from further negotiations on the airline takeover.

    The plaintiff noted that the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) had taken over the airline on February 8, which was challenged by its management via two suits already pending before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    According to the plaintiff, the negotiations by the defendants will render the outcome of the suits nugatory.

    “The plaintiff avers that the agreement of the second defendant with the first defendant will be wide ranging and intricately affect every aspect of the plaintiff herein, including but not limited to the day-to-day running technical as well as financial management, which will affect the plaintiff as being the largest domestic and regional airline in Nigeria.

    “The plaintiff further avers that the action taken by the first and second defendants will have a negative effect on the country’s image as the plaintiff being the largest airline will be pawned over to another country for management,” it said.

    The plaintiff also averred that the negotiations had caused undue hardship and irreparable damage to the Arik Air brand and ongoing investment discussions as well as unbearable distress to the airline’s shareholders and directors.

    It, therefore, asked the court to declare the negotiations null and void because the Ministry of Transportation had no power to transfer the management of the airline to Ethiopian Airlines while the suits over the takeover are pending.

    The plaintiff also asked the court for an order directing the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure the investigation of Ethiopian Airlines by the appropriate authorities for inducing and interfering in the administration of justice in the pending suits.

    It added that if found culpable, the airline should be charged to court for criminal contempt, contrary to Section 133 (4) and (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, Cap C17,Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2004.

    The plaintiff also asked the court for an order compelling the Inspector General of Police to investigate the actions of the second defendant.

    It further asked the court for N20 billion being punitive damages against the first defendant for inducing or partaking in the interference of the rights of the plaintiff and the administration of justice.

    The suit is yet to be assigned to any judge and no date has been fixed for hearing.

  • ASUU: Fed Govt to present terms at meeting today

    ASUU: Fed Govt to present terms at meeting today

    Whether the ongoing strike by university lecturers will end soon or later will be known today as negotiators of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) meet today with the the federal government team.

    Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu is expected to present the government’s position on the demands by the teachers.

    ASUU is demanding the release of N1.3trillion revitalization funds to the universities in line with the agreement it reached with the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.ASUU: Fed Govt to present terms at meeting today

    About N220billion of the N1.3trillion was approved by the last administration and disbursed to the universities.

    The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is finding it difficult to make any commitment on the balance of N1.080trillion because of the poor economic situation.

    The lecturers are however adamant on the release of more of the revitalization/ intervention funds. They are also insisting on six other conditions.

    These are: .That the Federal Government  should immediately take over and accept payment of shortfall in salaries of universities; universities to manage their IGR the way they like and exemption from TSA; Exemption of Endowment Funds, JV cash from TSA; payment of University Salary Scale to teachers in primary schools in universities; release/implementation of guidelines for the retirement of Professors in line with 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement; and waiver/ government fiat to set up Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).

    It was learnt that Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba is facilitating the meeting which will be coordinated by Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although the Federal Government has conceded to some demands by the lecturers, ASUU felt the peace terms were not far-reaching.

    The terms  acceptable  to the government border on approval of payment of N23b Earned Allowances; forensic audit of N30b earlier released as Earned Allowances; exemption of Endowment Funds and Joint Ventures cash only from Treasury Single Account; issuance of the right  form by PENCOM for the registration of  Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company  (NUPEMCO);  and FG not  going yet to National Industrial Court or IAP to resolve issues; allowing Wale Babalakin Committee to complete its assignment on FG-ASUU Agreement

    The issues that may dominate talks today are:

    • Reopening of varsities while negotiation continues
    • FG’s take over and accept payment of shortfall in salaries of universities
    • Universities to manage their IGR the way they like and exemption from TSA
    • Payment of University Salary Scale to teachers in primary schools in universities
    • Release/implementation of guidelines for the retirement of Professors in line with 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement
    • Govt fiat to set up Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company(NUPEMCO)
    • Why ASUU should comply with labour laws in declaring strike action

    A source said: “We want to hasten the negotiation in a cordial manner which will lead to the reopening of universities. This is why the government has not referred this matter to the National Industrial Court (NIC) or Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP).

    “The lecturers will have the opportunity of conditions acceptable to the government and those considered unrealistic like the exemption of universities from TSA.

    “Except for Endowment Funds and JV cash, the government will not exempt universities from TSA. The basic aim of TSA is to check corruption in the management of scarce resources. The Ivory Tower should not be opposed to TSA at all. We won’t compromise this policy to please any group or institution.”

    The source added that the government would present the hard facts on the nation’s economy and why there might not be immediate release of more part of the N1.3tr revitalization/ intervention funds for universities.

    “The N1.3 trillion was intervention grant to public universities on the platform of National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) Assessment Programme.

    “The administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013 accepted to make the N1.3trillion available to the universities in six years beginning with the payment of about N200billion. Thereafter the government will provide N220billion in the budget for the remaining five years till 2018.

    “As part of the process of raising funds for the N1.3trillion, it was agreed that ‘a dedicated revitalization account shall be opened at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Funds shall be paid into the account on quarterly basis from which the universities draw. FG shall then ensure that these funds will be ring-fenced.’ This was what Jonathan administration entered into with ASUU.

    “The burden has been passed to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. There is no way this administration can commit about N1trillion or N800billion or N220billion into the universities in the face of the economic situation of the country and competing needs.

    “What the government will do is to put machinery in motion to reach an agreement with ASUU on how to remit these funds without hurting the economy.”

    The top source also said the government will also open mutual discussion with ASUU over the union’s non-compliance with the labour laws in declaring any action.

    “The varsity lecturers did not give notice of industrial action in line with the labour laws and the 1999 Constitution. Section 40 of the constitution creates unions and political parties.”

    Dr. Ngige said yesterday: “We have invited ASUU back to the negotiation table. We are hopeful that the government and varsity lecturers will reach a compromise.

    “We have some challenges in the university system which we will let ASUU appreciate. There are a lot of issues cropping up in the universities bordering financial indiscipline and misapplication of funds. We need the understanding of ASUU in cleaning the Augean Stable.

    “The union is talking of shortfall but the lecturers do not know that the nominal rolls in many varsities have been padded. Some Vice Chancellors with their Registrars and Governing Councils employ through the back door without putting the personnel in the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS). They present different nominal rolls to the government and they now talk of shortfall in salaries.”