The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal government

  • Fuel Price Hike: Don’t test our resolve, NLC warns FG

    Fuel Price Hike: Don’t test our resolve, NLC warns FG

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the federal government against testing the resolve of Nigerians by contemplating an increase in the prices of petroleum product when Nigerians were yet to overcome the earlier increase.

    The congress also backtracked on its earlier support for the plan that the Buhari administration to borrow about $29 billion, saying the government should instead pursue and recover government funds stashed away and use same to fund infrastructural development

    Speaking at the opening of its National Executive Council meeting in Sokoto, President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba expressed concern over ongoing media campaign and contradictory statements from the NNPC and government official on the rumoured price increase of petrol.

    He said the congress was totally opposed to any form of increase in prices of petrol as such an act will further increase the suffering of Nigerians, adding that congress will mobilise Nigerians to resist any such increase.

    Wabba said: “While Nigerians are still struggling to cope with the severe hardship imposed on them by the last increase in the price of petroleum products, there are ongoing media campaigns and contradictory statements by the NNPC and government officials on yet another plan to review the template for the pricing of petroleum products.

    “We are totally opposed to any further increases as we are yet to seeing the benefits of the last increase even as the current Minimum Wage Act has not been reviewed. It would amount to unleashing further hardship on workers and the poor if any further price increase is allowed.

    “The government must not take us for granted; indeed the patience and perseverance of the entire populace must not be taken for granted as we will sure mobilise the entire citizenry for mass protests in addition to other legitimate actions to resist any further increase.

    “What is urgently required of government is not another increase but a downward review of the current pump price of petroleum products.

    “The current National Minimum Wage Act has long elapsed and as you are already aware, we have long submitted our proposal for a review but Government seems not in a haste to recognise the urgency in attending to our demands.

    “Nigerian workers and pensioners are as important to the growth of the economy and must not be allowed to continue to suffer further hardships. We therefore reiterate our call on government to treat the review of the minimum wage and pension with the utmost urgency they deserve.”
    While commending the Federal Government in its sustained battle against corruption and determination to ensure good governance in our country, Wabba said the battle should be more systemic and institutionalised with strong laws and institutions strengthened enough to sustain the battle, adding that “our country has been seriously harmed both in image and resources by the impunity with which public funds were looted for decades such that what we need is beyond a flash in the pan approach.

    “We will support government in all areas that will promote good governance at all levels and all facets of the Nigerian society as long as it sustains its commitment to delivering people driven governance that will promote decency and growth in all spheres of our socio economic and political endeavour.

    “But we will not support the plan by the Federal Government to borrow more money from anywhere as we obviously have enough to attend to our immediate needs.

    “For instance, if the government vigorously pursues those in possession of our collective wealth, especially multinationals who have refused to remit funds meant for corporate Nigeria, we would have enough to rejuvenate the economy and the quality of the lives of our people.

    “NEITI has already been quoted to have discovered that $22billion (Twenty two billion dollars) has not been remitted by multinational firms to the federation account. This amount alone can take care of some of the areas any new loan is expected to be expended on.

    “If we must borrow, perhaps such borrowings, on terms strictly not against our collective interests and in particular not designed to deepen our debt burden, it should be directed towards revitalising rail transportation and roads and not for servicing remunerations or tastes of public office holders. Loans must have specific targets in public interest and strictly directed to their original uses; that is if we must take any at all.

    “We are also opposed to the idea of giving public funds to bail out commercial banks or interests, especially the recent proposal to give out $7 billion as bailout funds to commercial banks without any repayment schedule whatsoever.

    “While we also support the need for budget reform, we urge the government to ensure that the process is all inclusive, transparent, accountable and in line with the principle of good governance.

    “Once more, we urge government to be very careful with the process of economic reforms and development as it has become clearer around the world that neo liberal prescriptions handed troubled economies has not been of any help but rather further unleashed mass poverty and infrastructural decay on recipient countries and their citizens.

    “The prescriptions only generate massive wealth for the tiny few rich while devastating the quality of lives of the citizens. Indeed, a prominent report by Forbes has alarmed that “unless it changes, capitalism will starve humanity by 2050”.

    “We should not be seen to be accepting alien economic recovery policies that have been proven to be responsible for our problems in the first instance as all previous prescriptions from the Breton Woods institutions have only ended up destroying our economy and impoverishing our people.

    “We have enough intellectual capacity in our country that can develop people driven policies that is truly rooted in our specific circumstance for the recovery of our economy.”

     

  • FG committed to food security, says Minister

    FG committed to food security, says Minister

    The Federal Government on Thursday said it was determined to embrace technology that would ensure safe and adequate food for all Nigerians as part of its zero hunger initiative.

    ‎Minister of Environment, ‎Hajia Amina Muhammed, stated this in Abuja during the second National Biosafety conference with the theme: “Biosafety‎, Food Security and Economic Development in Nigeria.”

    The event was organised by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in collaboration with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMDRC).

    ‎She stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to ensuring food security for all Nigerians; hence the reason government is making urgent effort to use agriculture as part of its diversification agenda for our economy.

    The minister stressed that for Nigeria to be food sufficient, there was need to look to the scale of the challenge, underscoring the need for modern agricultural practices, and the need   to increase investment to enhance international cooperation

    She said: “What is clear to me today, there is still insufficient clarity as to how we are going to address as a country, the major concern of ‎Genetically Modified Organisms‎ (GMOs).

    “In furtherance to its commitment to zero hunger, the government will ‎embrace technology that will provide safe and adequate food for Nigerians, hence, the government established NMBA to enable Nigerians benefit maximally from the practice of safe modern biotechnology.

    ‎”Before the end of the year the ministry together with NBMA will produce a policy document that ‎will give that charity so that you can see and get pass those  concerns for us to actually get on to the business of regulating and making everything.”

    In his remarks, the Director General, NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba said ‎biosafety regulation of modern biotechnology and GMOs was very crucial for safety assurance and confidence building

    He said: “Science and technology are some of the drivers of change and Nigeria as a country cannot continue to look backward for obsolete technologies to drive her socio-economic survival.

    “The opportunities in the adoption of safe technologies are endless and their borders seamless. However strong regulation is required for safety. The presence of National Biosafety Management Act and the National Biosafety Management Agency are assuring enough.

    “This is therefore not the time to get bogged down with fears, or inconsistencies or lethargy. Nigeria cannot afford to stand aloof or left behind in this fast growing world.”

    The DG assured Nigerians to be rest assured of the protection of their health and the environment by the agency on matters concerning GMOs.

  • Court grants FG’s request to produce Supreme Court’s officials 

    …Fixes Nov 17 for arraignment

     

    Justice A. B. Mohammed of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has acceded to request by the Federal Government to be allowed to produce for arraignment, officials of Supreme Court charged with diversion of N2.2billion.

    The Fed Govt had, on November 3 filed a nine-count charge marked: FCT/HC/CR/13/2016 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Maitama against Saleh, Muhammed Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal.

    They are charged with conspiracy and criminal breach of trust for allegedly diverting N2.2bn belonging to the apex court and receiving gratification as public officers.

    The three officials of the Supreme Court are also accused of receiving N74.4m gratification from contractors between 2009 and 2016.

    The contractors from which they allegedly received the gratification are Willysdave Ltd., Welcon Nig. Ltd., Dean Musa Nig. Ltd., Ababia Ventures Ltd. and MBR Computers Ltd.

    When the case was called yesterday before Justice Mohammed, it was only the prosecution lawyer that announcer appearance.

    Mrs. Hajara Yusuf, who announced appearance for the prosecution, told that court that the charge was only served on the defendants the previous day.

    She noted that although a name was written on the court’s cause list for the defendant, she was not sure why the lawyer refused to be identufued.

    Mrs. Yusuf prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable the prosecution produce the defendants for arraignment.

    “My lord, we learnt from the court’s registrt that the defendants were served the previous day. Sine they are not in court today, we seek a short adjournment to enable us produce them in court for the purpose of arraignment.”

    Based on the information by the prosecution lawyer that a lawyer had written his name on the cause list for the defence, Justice Mohammed sought to know who Adetayo Adeyemi (the name on the list) was.

    Upon the judge’s announcement, a male lawyer stood up from the last seat at the bar, identified himself as Adetayo Adeyemi.

    He told the court that he mistakenly wrote his name in the position meant for defendant’s lawyers in the cause list.

    “I am sorry my lord I wrote my name on the list for the defence in this case in error. I am sorry,” Adeyemi said.

    Before announcing that he accepted Adeyemi’s apology, Justice Mohammed wondered why a lawyer would write his name in a case he is not appearing in.

    He consequently adjourned to November 17 for arraignment.

  • $30 billion loan: Reps’ South-East Caucus gives Buhari conditions

    $30 billion loan: Reps’ South-East Caucus gives Buhari conditions

    …Vow vigilance over Sharia Bill

    …Protest killing of Igbos in FCT

    The South East Caucus in the House of Representatives Thursday said they were unclear as to the intent of the Federal Government concerning the $29.9 billion foreign loan for which it seeks approval from the National Assembly.

    The Caucus also said the controversial Sharia Bill is a Constitutional matter that cannot be sneaked through without the knowledge of lawmakers and vowed that the Caucus will be on high alert for the piece of legislation.

    While addressing the press on matters relating to the economy, the Caucus leader, Chukwumah Onyeama, Deputy Minority Leader, said the information concerning the loan needs to meet the threshold of transparency.

    “Details of the terms of the loans- duration cost, and application are unclear. Details of the loan utilization must be made available, to us to ensure geographical spread and relevance to current economic outlook with a view to Jon creation and inclusive growth for all sectors/ sections  if the country.

    “We therefore insist that as part of this country, the South East infrastructural deficit must be captured to ensure uniform development and inclusive growth.

    Recall that the Senate had earlier in the week rejected the request of the Federal Government to borrow $29.9 billion foreign loan while the House is yet to debate the loan.

    The Caucus while speaking on the economic situation downturn in the country said: “”We recognize that as our country goes through an economic recession which has resulted in the loss of jobs, decreased spending, more valence of hunger and uncertainty in the polity, we stand with our fellow Nigerians in this difficult period

    “We urge the Executive Arm of Government to speedily formulate Fiscal and Economic Policies that will see an end to the present economic downturn.”

    The lawmakers said that there is need for the President to brief the Legislature on the true state of the economy and his road map to economic recovery. “The urgency cannot be overstated at this time,” they said.

    On the controversial Sharia Bill, they said: “the passage of the Sharia bill passing second reading. You all know gentlemen of the press that any matter that concerns the constitution will, must, in fact, let me use the word “shall”, pass second reading. Then it goes into committee where we are going to debate it.

    “Now be rest assured that the people you see here (the caucus members) I’m sure you recognize all of them on the floor. They cannot sit there and… We’re waiting for it to come on the floor for debate that is when we can discuss this issue.”

    The Caucus also condemned the killing of prominent Ndigbo in the FCT. “Arinze Vhikwem was brutally murdered in Kabusa with over 72 knife stabs. He hails from Mbieri Mbatoli LGA of Imo State.

    “David Nkwazema was stabbed to death in Kuchigoro, he hails from Amakohia Ikeduru LGA of Imo State and Ikechukwu from Enugu State was beheaded at Apo by an Okada rider.

    “We strongly condemn the gruesome murders of the three prominent Mdigbo in the FCT. We call on all relevant authorities including the Nigeria Police Force and the Judiciary to expedite action in bringing the culprits to book,” The lawmakers said.

  • Don urges FG to revisit power sector privatisation

    Prof. Park Idisi, a lecturer, Department of Agriculture, University of Abuja, has urged the Federal Government to revisit all sectors privatised to local and foreign companies.

    Idisi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that this should be done to ensure that companies that bought the sectors provided adequate services and employment to the youth.

    He said the government should revisit all sectors privatised, especially the power sector.

    He said the sector was bought by investors that lacked competitive philosophy and intention to improve or develop the industry.

    He said no reason should stop government to revisit the power sector, as the companies that bought the industry had failed to provide citizens energy needed.

    ” They keep bringing bills every months without power supply; they only want to make quick money with the collaboration of some top Nigerians,” he said.

    He commended the current administration on its giant stride to revisit Ajaokuta Steel Industry, adding that such effort should be applied in the power sector.

    Idisi said there were models to be used if government wanted to revisit the sector and make it functional, adding that experts would be able to proffer such solutions.

    He said if not for corruption, Nigeria would not necessarily need to privatise its assets to provide jobs and grow the economy.

    According to him, Lagos State is developing faster because the government is handling its responsibilities by providing employment to youths and creating enabling environment.

    NAN reports that recently, business mogul, Aliko Dangote, suggested to the Federal Government to reverse power sector privatisation, as it was done wrongly.

    Dangote said the buyers lacked understanding of the complexities of the sector.

    The privatisation was conducted in 2013 to 18 companies, 11 distribution companies, six power generation companies and one transmission company.

     

  • FG moves against use of chemical weapon

    The Federal Government is taking steps to prevent use of chemical weapons for insurgency and militancy in the country.

    Apart from banning unneeded dangerous chemicals from coming into the country, the government is also monitoring the use of dangerous chemicals needed for other legitimate use in Nigeria.

    The Acting Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oni and the Permanent Secretary of Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the NAC/BWC Office, Ambassador Olukunle Bamgbose, disclosed the new move in Abuja on Monday.

    They spoke during an international workshop on Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons” organised by the National Authority on Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Oni said: “You are aware NAFDAC is not solely meant for food and drugs alone, we also control chemicals. In a bit to do what is expected of us in ensuring the chemicals are used for the purpose for which they are meant, NAFDAC restructured and we established the chemical evaluation and research directorate. The onus is on this directorate to ensure that whoever is bringing in the chemicals is given a checklist.”

    According to her, there is increasing evidences that chemical can contribute to health, environmental and security problems at various stages during their life-cycle from production, import and disposal.

    Bamgbose said that the event seek to identify and bridge the gaps in the implementation of the Chemical Weapon Control and proffer improvement.

    The workshop, he said, is also to evolve a National Action Plan to guide and regulate the use and threat to the use of chemical weapons in Nigeria among others threats.

    The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Halima Ahmed warned the Federal Government against ignoring the possibility of the Boko Haram and Niger-Delta militants using biological and chemical weapons for terrorism.

    She said: “ECOWAS is committed to ensuring that chemical and biological weapons threats are not allowed with the consequences of their usage in Syria and other parts of Middle Eat. On no account should Boko Haram insurgents and Niger Delta militants be allowed to have access to chemical and biological weapons in Nigeria or other terror groups in Africa.”

    The Director General, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) represented by the Project Officer, Assistance and Protection of the organisation Esmel Oscar Meless urged the domestication of all legal instruments to prohibit usage of chemical and biological weapons  in West Africa and Africa.

  • ‎FG clears former PTAD DG of wrong doing

    ‎FG clears former PTAD DG of wrong doing

    The Federal Government has exonerated a former Director General of Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) Mrs. Nellie Mayshak over allegations of misappropriation of funds under her watch.

    This was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr Babachir David Lawal.

    The letter dated September 26, 2016 with a reference no: SGF.12/S.11/C.1/VI/564, reads: “While conveying Mr President’s appreciation to you for your service to the nation during your tenure, may we wish you God’s guidance and best of luck in your future endeavors.”

    Several groups, stakeholders, and even pensioners have called on Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to publish the report of the investigative panel for Nigerians to know the true position of what actually transpired.

    The stakeholders, who criticised the action of the government, insisted that issues of national importance be treated with justice, transparency and accountability as her case had lingered since February 2016.

    According to a source from the federal Ministry of Finance the committee that was setup by the minister to investigate the allegations that were leveled against the pioneer DG absolved her of all the accusations.

    “What we expected from the minister of finance was to issue a letter of apology to Mrs. Mayshak for the wrongful suspension that led to her loss of job,” the source said.

     

  • Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade yielding results – Danish envoy

    The ongoing anti-corruption agenda of the Federal Government is yielding positive results, the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Torben Gettermann, has said.

    Gettermann told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the anti-corruption crusade was vital to attracting foreign investment into the country.

    “The government has started out on a very high profile anti-corruption drive and it seems to be yielding results. It is something Nigerians needed for a long time.

    “Fighting corruption is something that the world outside Nigeria wanted to happen.

    “The more you can do to reduce or eliminate corruption in Nigeria, if possible, the better it will be for prospects to be able to invest in Nigeria.”

    “Of course, they (Danish investors) have to look at this and they look closely at it. The results we can see from the anti-corruption drive are promising,” he said.

    Gettermann regretted the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, but commended the resolve of the government and military, which he said, had weakened the insurgency.

    “The fight against Boko Haram and insecurity in the Northeast, from what I can see, is yielding positive results.

    “The government and the armed forces are trying to oust Boko Haram from the areas they occupied a year ago and they have been very successful.

    “We still see attacks, unfortunately, but not on the scale that we have seen previously. So this shows that they are under pressure, which is very important,” said the Danish envoy.

    He called on the Federal Government to find amicable solutions to the insecurity in the Niger-Delta region for the quick economic recovery of the country.

    “The issues of the South-South have to be handled in a way that will ensure that this lifeline (crude oil) continues to flow.

    “This is because, for the time being, that (crude oil) is the major source of income,” he said.

    On education, Gettermann said quite a number of Nigerians were studying in Denmark with the aim of coming back to use their knowledge for the benefit of Nigeria.

    “That is what we want we want to see – go out, learn something new, get some new ideas, come back and then implement them in Nigeria.

    “That’s the future and that way, you help us to build your country, being in Nigeria, learning from the outside but also learning in the Nigerian context.
    “We come as foreigners and want to do many things but we always have to remember to do it in Nigeria’s context to benefit the people and not only for commercial gains or purposes.

  • FG begs foreign airlines over planned withdrawal of operation

    FG begs foreign airlines over planned withdrawal of operation

    The Federal Government has urged Emirate airline and other foreign airlines operating in Nigeria not to withdraw their services.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who made the plea in Abuja during a visit by West African Regional manager for Emirates Airlines, Manoj Gopi Nair noted that the challenges confronting the aviation sector would be resolved soon.

    Emirate however attributed its decision to scale down operation to poor access to Foreign Exchange for its operations, high cost of aviation fuel and the state of the Abuja Airport runway.

    The Minister however urged the airlines to consider the adverse effect the decision would have on their customers.

    According to a statement in Abuja yesterday by the Deputy Director of Press of the Ministry, James Odaudu: “the minister has appealed to the Management of Emirates and other airlines to reconsider their decisions to either suspend their operations or scale them down, considering the adverse effects on their long-standing costumers and the benefits they had reaped in the past.

    According to statement: “Government is not unaware of the issues that have created operational difficulties for both domestic and foreign airlines, such as Foreign Exchange, Aviation fuel and infrastructural deficiencies and the government has been up and doing to ensure the creation of an environment that is both enabling and profitable for all airlines to operate.

    On infrastructural deficiencies which include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, runway, the Minister said the government was already handling the issue, noting that the long-term solution was to concession the major airports.

    On the issue of aviation fuel which had earlier threatened to cripple the industry in the recent past, Sirika said the situation is almost normalized as a result of government intervention that has made it easier for importers to bring in the product.

    Earlier, Nair told the Minister that he was in his office to brief him on the decision of the Emirates Management to scale down its operations in Nigeria, with the suspension of operations from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Giving reason for the decision, Nair explained that it was because of its inability to make ends meet in view of the difficulties in accessing Foreign Exchange for its operations, high cost of aviation fuel and the state of the Abuja Airport runway.

    Reacting to the minister’s plea, he promised to relay the appeal and official commitment to address the issues to the Emirates Management for a possible reconsideration of the decision.

     

  • NUPENG gives 21-day ultimatum to FG on worsening Economy

    NUPENG gives 21-day ultimatum to FG on worsening Economy

    The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) say it would impose an industrial strike if the federal government fails to sort out ongoing mass sack in the oil industry in the next 21 days.

    This was contained in a communiqué presented to journalists by the National President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, after a meeting of the union’s Central Working Committee (CWC), held in Warri, Delta state.

    The communique, which revealed that more than 3000 oil workers had lost their jobs as a result of the effect of the economic recession on the oil industry, blamed the worsening economic situation on federal government’s misplacement of the nation’s economic priorities.

    It also reprimanded FG for aggravating the crisis in the oil industry by its failure to meet its Joint Venture cash calls and called on government to fast track the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    “As I address you, Chevron has wound up its Eastern operations and their offices closed. A total of 1,500 workers were sacked without their entitlements and nobody is saying anything. As we speak, many companies have left, others are winding up.

    “ExxonMobil has asked its contract staffs to go, that it can no longer pay them.nPan Ocean, Sapiem, Grand Petroleum, Hercules Offshore, all around Warri have closed shops. About 3000 workers have already been sacked by various oil companies.

    “FG should act fast to avert further loss of jobs. There is too much redundancy in the oil industry. NUPENG will take all necessary action to drive home its demands if government fails to act in 21 days. We are 100% in support in the fight against anti-corruption, but there must be respite for Nigerians.

    “Right now, our members and even those in other sectors are no longer able to pay school fees for their children and even afford rents. Worse still, those being sacked now are so treated without commitment to proper terminal benefits”, the union lamented.

    He said, “The CWC in session notes that it is a shame that Ghana which recently discovered oil has passed its PIB into law. We frown at the politics that becloud passage of the PIB the past eight years when it was first sent to National Assembly.

    “CWC frowns at the refusal of and delay in payment of JV cash calls to the multinationals which has created serious liquidity challenges resulting in negotiating redundancies almost on daily basis.

    “We x-rayed state of the economy and believe a lot needs to be done to put it on track. FG should urgently address the challenges posed by inflation which has risen to 17.9 % and the nonpayment of workers’ salaries at local and state levels”, he said.