The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FG

  • Severance package: FG, PHCN union hold talks Tuesday

    Severance package: FG, PHCN union hold talks Tuesday

    The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies in Power Holding Company of Nigeria on Monday said the Federal Government had invited the union for talks over the severance package.

    The President General of the association, Mr. Bede Opara, told News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the talks would hold in Abuja on Tuesday, March19.

    According to Opara, the invitation is to harmonise the report of implementation committee on the payment of the entitlement.

    He expressed optimism that the meeting would put an end to the lingering crisis between the PHCN workers and the Federal Government.

    NAN recalled that the workers had turned down the N45 billion earmarked by the government to pay the workers in phases beginning from May.

    The workers refused the government’s mode of payment and insisted on the outright payment of the entitlement amounting to N384 billion.

    This disagreement led the workers to hold a national prayer to seek God’s intervention in the matter on last Friday.

     

  • FG urged to invest in mass transit system

    The Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF) on Friday advised the Federal Government to promote a shift from individualised transport mode to mass transit in the country.

    The Urban Transport Coordinator for the organisation, Mr. Kayode Khalidson, gave the advice in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Khalidson observed that Nigeria’s rapid urbanisation had increased transport activities, resulting in an increase in petroleum dependence, congestion, air pollution, and traffic fatalities.

    “The sector‘s over reliance on a single fossil resource (petroleum) is responsible for at least 25 per cent of the world’s energy-related Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, ‘’ he said.

    Khalidson explained that as economies grows, especially in the developing world, the demand for personal vehicles also rises, which in turn would continue to put pressure on the environment as emission levels rise.

    “The use of mass transit buses is declining in industrialised nations but increasing in developing countries.

    “But we know that decentralisation of congested urban areas has created a new demand for transport services not easily served by public transport,’’ the coordinator told NAN.

    He said that the way out of the problem was to increase the efficiency of the fuel energy by improving train efficiency and recapturing energy losses.

  • We Will Engage FG on security, others – PFN

    We Will Engage FG on security, others – PFN

    The new leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) on Friday said it would engage the Federal Government and other religious and interest groups to find lasting solutions to Nigeria’s security, political and socio-economic challenges.

    The recently elected President of PFN, Rev. Felix Omobude, stated this during an interactive session journalists in Benin City, Edo State.

    Omobude said he would meet with the leadership of independent churches in the country to work out a plan for peace in the association.

    “The PFN will engage every stakeholder particularly the government with the aim of bringing peace to the nation.

    “We must learn to live together, be you Christian or Muslim. If God wanted us to live in our separate enclaves, he would have done so. We want peace and we will work with peace loving people. We will also pursue justice. The PFN believes in Nigeria, we will engage everybody because religious war is an ill-wind that will do nobody any good. We pursue peace as our faith tells us but no one should take it as a weakness.

    “I need to assure everyone that the PFN will strive to ensure peace. When necessary we will consult the government. Where it is necessary to speak we will speak and we will also encourage the government where it is necessary. When it is necessary to take our destiny into our hands, we will also do that, “he said.

    He, however, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that justice is done to whoever has been aggrieved in any part of the country, warning that peace cannot thrive in atmosphere of injustice.

     

  • FG empowers bulk electricity trader with $1b

    FG empowers bulk electricity trader with $1b

    The Federal Government has empowered the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader with the sum $1billion, the minister of power said on Thursday.

    Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who disclosed this while receiving a delegation of USAID in Abuja, said the empowerment was approved in form of bond.

    According to a statement signed by the ministry’s Deputy Director/Head of Press, Timothy Oyedeji, the minister said the fund would enable the trader purchase electricity from the generating companies.

    Prof. Nebo restated the Federal Government commitment to the privatization of the power sector by affirming that there is no going back on contents and details of the approved roadmap.

    He stated that in order to strengthen and take care of the gaps that have been identified, the government would soon approve Road Map II for the sector.

    “We must hit the ground running. We do appreciate the enormous work you have done in the past, especially in the area of capacity building. We need more help now even in the area of strengthening of institutions that will implement our plan.

    “We are calling for more investment, we want genuine investors to take advantage of the revolution that is about to happen in the sector,” the minister said.

     

  • PHCN workers reject N45b severance package

    PHCN workers reject N45b severance package

    … Boycott meeting with FG

    Workers in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria have asked the Federal Government to explain the reasons it now decided to pay N45 billion as their severance package against the N384 billion it earlier promised.

    The President General, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Mr. Bede Opara, made the demand in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

    Opara said the workers recently received a letter to that effect from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

    He said the salary scale used in computing their gratuity was not the salary scale agreed with the Technical and Negotiation Team under the leadership of the Secretary to Government of the Federation.

    The SSAEAC president told NAN that the unions had nothing to negotiate with the government any more.

    He advised the Ministry of Power to ensure that all labour issues were addressed to enable the workers to get their entitlements in time.

    NAN reports that the unions, on Tuesday, boycotted the meeting of a committee set up by the ministry on the payment of severance benefits.

    The Minister, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, had announced that the committee would be inaugurated on Tuesday.

    “There is nothing to negotiate with the government again because we have finished negotiation since December 12, 2012.

    “What we think we are here for is the implementation of the agreement reached with the government’s representatives,” Opara stressed.

    He contended that the technical committee earlier set up on the matter should be allowed to continue its work.

    “The technical committee comprising Alexander Forbes, Bureau of Public Enterprises, PHCN and the in-house unions should be allowed to continue with their responsibility.

    “This committee will ensure that accurate amount is given to each PHCN worker at the end of the day,” he said.

     

  • FG, striking judicial workers meet Tuesday

    FG, striking judicial workers meet Tuesday

    …Judgment in Salami’s suit stalled

    The Federal Government and the striking Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) will meet on Tuesday to forge a way forward.

    Members of the union in federal courts and all FCT courts on Monday began an indefinite nationwide strike.

    The strike paralyzed activities at all the courts in Abuja including the Magistrate courts, Shariah court, area courts, the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

    Workers in the courts were not allowed entry into the court premises by the union leaders.

    Since they could not gain access, staff of the Federal High Court, Abuja, were dismissed around 10am by a senior official.

    The union is aggrieved over the non-implementation of the Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure (CONJUSS) since it was agreed in 2009.

    It accused the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation of foot-dragging on a supposed circular from the office of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission seeking implementation of the CONJUSS.

    In a telephone interview with The Nation, the JUSUN President, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu said the union had exhausted all avenues to get the attention of government with no result.

    He said the 21 day-ultimatum issued had elapsed about 11 days ago with no response from government.

    A source however confirmed to our Correspondent that the Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu has invited the union to a meeting on Tuesday.

    The minister is passionate about seeking a lasting solution to the impasse so he has invited the union for discussions.

    Confirming the invitation, Adamu said “it is true we received an invitation from the minister.”

    Asked who and who would be at the meeting, he replied “I don’t know; the minister is in better position because we are only invited.”

    Meanwhile, the judgment in the suit seeking reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami, could not be delivered on Monday due to the strike.

     

  • FG begins distribution of free textbooks

    President Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend declared that his administration will continue to give priority to education to ensure that the social challenges facing the nation are addressed.

    Jonathan, who spoke in Uyo during the nationwide start of the distribution of instructional materials to basic education schools, said that different interventions by the federal government in the basic education sub-sector are geared towards giving all Nigerian children access to education.

    Represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, he informed that since 2009 when the free distribution of books was introduced, the federal government has distributed over 96.32million books in English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science, Social Science and Library resource materials.

    According to President Jonathan, the target of the administration is to reach a one- to one pupil to book ratio in all subjects. He pointed out that with sustained efforts, the administration has attained one- to one pupil to book ratio in Mathematics and English Language.

    He said: “Investment in education has remained a top priority despite other competing demands.”

    The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquyyatu Ahmed Rufai, said that the federal government remains committed to creating access to quality education.

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr Godswill Akpabio, commended President Jonathan for investing in the future of the Nigerian child through the free distribution of books.

    He said the functional education as being promoted by the Jonathan administration will address security challenges facing the nation.

    Also, Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, said steps have been taken to ensure that the books get to the children across the country.

    He said: “Access to relevant textbooks and library resource materials is one of the fundamentals of effective teaching and learning in the school system.”

  • Attack on country’s chancery in Dakar: FG receives report

    Attack on country’s chancery in Dakar: FG receives report

    The Federal Government has received a report on the recent attack on the country’s chancery in Dakar, Senegal.

    The report, which was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga A. Ashiru, noted that rioters smashed the mission’s windows and cars, including the ambassador’s representational car.

    The mimister learnt that persons suspected to be Nigerians, at about 11:10 a.m on Monday, March 4, attacked the chancery in Senegal.

    They also caused bodily injuries to some officers of the mission who are currently receiving medical attention.

    The attackers, who numbered in their hundreds, gained entrance through the main gate. At the end of it all, they left behind an empty casket.

    The mission, in keeping with tradition, has informed the host foreign ministry accordingly.

    Though the report noted that no life was lost, it, however, stated that the damage to the embassy was extensive.

    According to the report, the police arrived after the attackers had left.

    The investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the attack is ongoing, though no arrest has been made at the time of this report.

  • Severance allowance: PHCN workers allege harassment from criminals

    Severance allowance: PHCN workers allege harassment from criminals

    Workers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Nnewi, Anambra, have alleged that criminals are harassing them following the Federal Government’s announcement of N384 billion for their disengagement.

    The workers on Wednesday embarked on a peaceful demonstration under the auspices of Anambra State Council of National Union of Electricity Employees (ASCNUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company in Nnewi.

    The State Chairman of ASCNUEE, Mr. Steve Ezenwa, urged government to take steps to secure the immediate release of the kidnapped members of the union.

    According to him, members of the union have become targets and victims of hoodlums following the announcement by the government.

    He said, “PHCN workers are already apprehensive of the situation on ground after two female staff of PHCN, Nnewi were recently kidnapped and are still held in captivity.

    “It was unfortunate that the technical committee and financial consultants contracted to evaluate the exit package of PHCN workers have not completed the assignment before the announcement was made.’’

    He said the government should retract its statement on the matter and inform the public better on the state of affairs in the power sector.

    The News agency of Nigeria recalls that the federal government on February 22 announced the release of N384 billion for the settlement of PHCN workers disengagement allowance nationwide.

     

  • FG goes tough on satellite campuses

    FG goes tough on satellite campuses

    The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, said in Kaduna on Monday that the government will no longer condone activities of some unscrupulous Nigerians who indulge in illegal activities of operating unlicensed schools in the name of satellite campuses and outreach centres.

    The minister, who spoke at a consultative meeting between the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Rectors of Polytechnics and Provosts Colleges of Technology in the country, was furious that such activities are often aided by some heads of government institutions.

    She said that henceforth, nobody will be allowed to brazenly compromise the future of Nigerians and mortgage the nation’s development, adding that government will continue to protect the integrity of the education system in the country from the activities of these undesirable elements at all time.

    She said further that the government will remain steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that standard of education is not compromised, saying “why we desire to open access, we shall not compromise the future of Nigerians and mortgage our national development. Quality will be jealously guarded.”

    The minister said further that as part of the four- year strategy for the development of the education sector, the government has planned a new approach for Technical and Vocational Education Training, making it a key area in the efforts to enhance skills.

    This, she said explain the huge investment by the government in equipment, laboratories and infrastructural facilities in 51 states and federal government owned Polytechnics, adding that an additional N2 billion has been approved for the second phase of the project.

    In addition, she disclosed that the government is planning to invest about N6 billion as special intervention in the science and technical colleges across the country, adding that government is not only providing equipment, rehabilitating laboratories and infrastructures, it has taken some steps to ensure that members of staff are motivated to continue to play a pivotal role in driving the transformation agenda of the present administration.

    She asked the Rectors to adopt global best practices in the management of their institutions, stressing that transparency and accountability must be their watch word while eschewing the culture of impunity that forced government into doing away with the services of two Rectors recently.