The Nation Newspaper

Tag: GOVT

  • ASSBIFI calls for synergy between govt, employers

    ASSBIFI calls for synergy between govt, employers

    The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI, has called on employers to take advantage of government’s industrial policy and partner with workers to ensure fair and sustainable labour practices to promote harmony in the nation’s industrial sector.

    ASSBIFI’s National President, Comrade Sunday Salako, told The Nation that there is need for collaborative effort by stakeholders that should culminate in attracting  new investors into the country.

    He said: “We call on both government and other employers of labour to partner with the workers through transparent implementation of the industrial policy to guarantee the sustainability of fair labour practices for the nation’s industrial sector to thrive.

    “This is because with sustainable industrial policy, Nigeria will be able to witness sustained, fair labour practices.

    “Our call is necessary now because interestingly, governments around the world are increasingly strengthening labour institutions to play a leading role in the promotion of dialogue as an important reflex to help raise the capacity of critical partners in the national development agenda,” adding that stakeholders should embrace dialogue with workers. He said social dialogue is an important element in industrial peace and harmony in workplace.

    Salako, who is the first Deputy President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), gave marching orders to some management of banks and insurance companies to urgently unionise their workers, or they would be forced to close down their business premises.

    He said the era when employers of labour decide whether their members of staff should be unionised is gone, taking cognisance of the fact that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Core Convention 87 and 98, and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are sacrosanct in the roadmap to ASSBIFI’s unionisation pursuit,” he said.

    The union also called on the three tiers of government to reduce poverty by 25 per cent  by 2016, stating that the country has all it takes to be one of the leading economies in the world.

  • Union urges govt to address energy, insecurity

    The Textile Garment and Tailoring Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TGTSSAN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure  adequate supply of energy and subsidise electricity consumption, diesel and black oil in order to revive the sub-sector.

    In a communiqué issued this year’s  industrial relations seminar in Enugu, its National President, Comrade Ambi  Karu,  called on the government to tackle the insecurity in the country.

    According to him, it has hindered investors and stopped the movement of finished goods to the northern part of the country.

    The communiqué read in part: “Government should step up efforts to ensure adequate supply of energy and subsidise electricity consumption, diesel and black oil that are used in the factories.

    “Government should tackle the insecurity in the country that has hindered investors and stopped the movement of finished goods to the northern part of the country.

    “Government should reduce duties on chemicals and dyes-tuff and lift the embargo on the payment claims on Export Expansion Grant (EEG). Government should implement the recommendations of the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment that Nigerian officials and all our Military, Para-Military and Agencies should use made-in-Nigeria textiles”.

    The government through the Ministry of Labour and productivity, Karu said,  should ensure that workers are given free hand to unionise without undue interference from managements, adding that the government should implement its recommendations contained in the team analysis document presented from the office of the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment on ‘How Nigeria can revive her cotton, textiles and garment sub-sector’.

    In a related event, unions have been urged to organise their practices in order defend the rights of workers and the Nigerian masses. The President, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Oladele Hunsu, disclosed this during a three-day capacity building and skills development workshop organised by the union in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    Hunsu tasked members to organise to save the movement from collapse, adding that the “union’s effort should go beyond organising workers in the factory and organise ways to save the industry”.

  • ‘Govt should provide more funds for public schools’

    The Federal Government should increase its funding of public schools, the Proprietress of Dartforte International Schools, Lagos, Mrs Titilade Ijiwole, has said.

    Speaking during a valedictory service of the school, Ijiwole said her position was hinged on her discovery that most parents find it difficult to send their wards to private schools because of financial challenges.

    According to her, many Nigerians still need public schools because the fees charged by private schools may not be easy for some to pay. Private schools, she stressed, try to keep high standard by ensuring school environment and workers are well equipped.

    “Quality education is expensive. Many of the big private schools are not making so much money as people tend to assume. The cost of equipment, infrastructure, staff recruitment, training and development is not as cheap as people presume. In fact, it is not wrong to ask government to support private schools too because it is done in Britain and other places,” she said.

    She said the government should make quality education affordable for all citizens because this is vital for development.

    Ijiwole added that Dartforte International Schools had just installed Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) to monitor movements around the school premises. She attributed the security measure put in place at the event to the security challenges facing the country.

    After, excited pupils performed various cultural dances and songs,  she said: “We want them to see Nigerian nationalities as one, Ijiwole explained. “It is important for the children to love the culture and tradition of people outside their own birth place. At Dartforte  International Schools,  we want our children to know, understand and appreciate our culture and tradition while at the same time we also expose them to latest developments in music, arts, science and technology from Europe and America.”

  • Govt partners Nestlé on energy foods

    Govt partners Nestlé on energy foods

    The Federal Government is   partnering   with Nestlé on the  manufacturing and processing of agricultural raw materials, such as maize, sorghum, millet and soybeans, into high-energy nutritious foods.

    It  aims at tackling high incidence of malnutrition and ensuring healthier children.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nestlé Nigeria, Mr Dharnesh Gordhon, broke the news when the Minister visited the  Nestlé factory in Agbara,Ogun State.

    Adesina probed Nestlé for the state-of-the-art technology in its Agbara factory.

    He was  impressed with the breakthrough technology for processing maize and millet into Nestlé all-family cereal, Golden Morn.

    He said  Nestlé’s commitment to responsible sourcing of agricultural raw materials, which has resulted in purchase of over 32,000 metric tonnes of grains from local Nigerianfarmers in 2013 alone,is a clear example of business supporting farming and promoting it as a livelihood of choice that offers an attractive income.

    Nestlé will collaborate with the government to establish farmers group to grow grains such as maize, millet, sorghum and soybeans for the company at the right volume, price and quality.

    He added that Nestlé was an ideal partner for the Transformative Partnership for High-Energy Nutritious Foods, which was launched at the last World Economic Forum in Abuja.

    In his own remarks, Gordhon lauded the federal government for their agricultural transformation agenda which is aimed at growing the agricultural sector and creating wealth.

    He assured the Minister that the company would support the Transformative Partnership for High-Energy Nutritious Foods project.

    He added that the initiative was in line with Nestlé’s global commitments to help increase consumption of whole grains and to help reduce the risk of under-nutrition through micronutrient fortification. These initiatives are of the company’s approach to business, which it calls ‘Creating Shared Value’. This is based on the belief that for a company to be successful over the long term and create value for shareholders, it must create value for society.

    One of the firm’s strategies to increase consumption of whole grains is by re-formulating and redesigning products based on scientific insights. Nestlé has announced a major pledge to improve the welfare of the farm animals in its supply chain, following the signing  of a partnership agreement with NGO World Animal Protection.

  • Govt blacklists power contractor, directors for abandoning project

    •FEC okays $3.05 trillion National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan

    The Federal Government yesterday black-listed a firm, Messrs Techno Electric and Engineering Company and its directors from executing any government project in the country.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, said the company abandoned electricity project in Ebonyi State for the Engineeering Design, Manufacture, Supply, Installation, Testing and inauguration of 2X60MVA, 132/33KV at Amasiri and 2X132KV Line Bays Extension at Abakaliki after collecting 15 per cent mobilisation fee on December 1, 2010.

    He said FEC has approved the re-award of the contract to Messrs North China Power Engineering limited and NCEP (Nig) Limited.

    The new contract sum, he said, is $5,835,368.47 payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment plus N505,788,083.58 inclusive of N67,211,298.58 for five per cent contingency.

    The project, which has 24- month completion period,  the minister said, was designed to boost power supply to Ebonyi and parts of Cross River states and aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development of the states.

    According to him, the funding for the project would be sourced from Eurobond loan, the budget and the unutilised letter of credit earlier established for the terminated project.

    Speaking during the briefing, the Minister of Transport, also said FEC approved the award of contract for the design and construction of four 60 Ton Bollard Pull Marine Tug Boats in favour of Messrs Depasa Marine International (Nigeria) Limited.

    The contract sum, he said, is Euro 42,968,864.70 equivalent of N8,778,423,042.28 inclusive of all taxes and within 24 months.

    He said the project is expected to generate 97 job opportunities for both professionals and non professionals during its execution and about 112 direct and indirect job opportunities when in full operation.

    The Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Suleiman said the Council also approved the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, which is expected to be executed with $3.05 trillion (N485 trillion) between this year and 2043.

    He said the master plan will be implemented in three phases while the first phase will between 2014 and 2018 will require $166.1billion for implementation.

    The plan, which will cover all the key sectors of the economy, would address infrastructural gaps being experienced in the various sectors.

  • Govt to ban concrete poles import

    The Managing Director, Electricity Management Service Limited (EMSL), Peter Ewesor, has said the Federal Government would ban the importation of some electric equipment, such as concrete poles that can be manufactured locally.

    Speaking with The Nation in Abuja, he said the agency was already monitoring and giving proper guidance to the companies to ensure the production of quality poles for the power sector.

    He said the need to improve the quality of electric concrete poles in the industry was informed by the determination of the EMSL to reduce the down time which is always the consequence of damaged poles.

    He said: “There are equipment that can be manufactured locally. The raw materials are there and we are trying to make it mandatory that those kinds of materials are done locally.

    “For example, electric concrete poles. I do not expect anybody to go and bring electric concrete poles into the country.  But before now, people got electric poles manufactured and bring into the the country. It is not reasonable to say at this time of our development that somebody is manufacturing electric concrete poles outside the country.

    “But what we are doing is that we are giving electric poles manufacturers proper monitoring proper guidance to make sure they are able to produce the right type and the right quality of electric concrete poles that would actually stand the test of time.”

    He said in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria ( SON), the EMSL would soon publish the National Electric Concrete Pole Manufacturers Directory.

    According to him, the directory would be a list of the firms that are qualified to produce electric poles.

    He said: “In collaboration with SON,  we at EMSL, are going to publish very soon National Electric Concrete Pole Manufacturer Directory. “This will give the list of people who are qualified to produce poles. You are qualified as long as you maintain the standard that was approved for you.”

    Ewesor  said  EMSL was also saddled with issuing  workmen in the industry-electricians, technicians, technologists, electric contractors certificate of competence for them to operate.

    Explaining that the operation of the EMSL can save the government a lot of losses, Ewesor recalled that there was a particular supplier, who  was asked to supply a 500KV transformer that supplied a 300KV transformer.

    Had the agency not detected the fraud, he said, the supplier would have shortchanged the consumers and government since the transformer can only carry 300KV load.

  • Govt urged to address dehumanisation

    The Federal Government and international institutions and organisations have been urged to look into the increasing rate of dehumanisation and unlawful detention of Nigerians at the entry point in Egypt.

    A community leader in Lekki-Ajah, Lagos, Chief Taoheed Olakojo Ololade, said in a letter that there was racial discrimination and unjust delay of Nigerians at the entry point in Egypt.

    The letter, dated August 28, was written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and copied the Presidency, Nigeria Ambassador in Egypt, Amnesty International, International Human Right, Egypt Embassy, Egypt Home office, Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Assembly.

  • Firm to partner govt on housing

    A firm, Saniif Property Nigeria Ltd, is to partner Kogi State government in the building of housing estates for its workforce.

    The marketing manager of the firm, Mr. Abdulrahman Dansebe, who spoke yesterday in Lokoja, said the firm decided to partner government because it could not meet the housing needs of the people without support from the private sector.

    He said: “The management of the firm has studied the transformation agenda of the Wada administration and the bill on Public Private Partnership (PPP) signed into law by the governor, which has allowed the private sector to work with the government in achieving its objective of providing the dividends of democracy to the people.”

    Dansebe said the firm’s management workers have met officials from the Ministry of Land to decide where the estate would be located.

  • Don to govt: Invest in agric to reduce unemployment

    The Provost, Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora, Prof. Gbemiga Adewale,  has called on the government to invest in agriculture to reduce unemployment in the country.

    Adewale said more investment and concentration on agricultural development would reduce unemployment to a minimal level.

    According to him, unemployment can only be eradicated in Nigeria if the federal and state governments invest in agriculture.

    “They should provide conducive environment that will entice jobless youths to the sector,” he said.

    He urged the government to enhance the capacity of the youths through support for vocational studies to make them self-reliant, adding that the government should also provide soft loans for young farmers.

    “God has been so kind to this country because we are blessed with fertile land on which we can plant any crop across the nation and you can be sure of good harvest at the end.

    “But I sincerely believe that millions of our unemployed youth will go back to farm if the governments, I mean the federal, state and local governments, can make it a point of duty to provide enabling environment.

    “They should do that by making tractors and other equipment available, provide storage facilities, soft loans and buy the goods from them, possibly for export when necessary,” the provost said.

    He said the institution was ready to provide technical assistance, including consultancy to farmers.

  • Court workers insist on written undertaking from govt

    Court workers insist on written undertaking from govt

    Striking court workers, under the aegis of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), said yesterday they will only end their three-week strike when Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) Jonah Otunla and others write an undertaking in compliance with the judgment that voided the routing of judicial funds through the Executive.

    JUSUN’s President Marwan Adamu told our correspondent in Abuja yesterday that the series of meetings the union held with government’s representatives since the strike started had only resulted in verbal promises from the government.

    The union leader said JUSUN members would not accept any other thing except a written promise by representatives of federal and state governments.

    He said the union would abide by the January 13 judgment delivered by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Adamu said the AGF could be blamed for the lingering strike because of his refusal to comply with the judgment, which had been served on him.

    Justice Ademola, in the judgment, held, among others, that it was unconstitutional for the Executive to withhold or release in piecemeal the funds standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Federation Account and Consolidated Revenue Fund.

    Adamu said: “Our demand is simple. JUSUN will suspend the strike, if we get a cogent, concrete and presentable commitment from the government.

    “We are not saying they should pay the money instantly. If, for example, the representatives of the Federal and state governments agree that there is a court judgment and that they have not complied with it but that they need one week, two weeks, or even one month to comply, that is a commitment. “