The Nation Newspaper

Tag: implement

  • Fed Govt to implement accident reports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • MDAs to implement ‘no cash payment’

    Lagos  State Accountant General/ Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, Mrs Abimbola Umar, has directed ministries departments and agencies (MDA) start implementing the ‘’no cash payment’’ policy.

    She spoke at a forum to sensitise directors of finance and accounts (DFA) across the state on the new payment regime at the seat of power in Alausa, Ikeja.

    She said the abolition would plug  loopholes in revenue generation and eliminate incidences of loss of government revenue.

    “The governor’s directive will ensure all revenue collections go through the government designated banks and multi-payment channels such as web-pay, pay-point, USSD and the conventional online payments”.

    Umar said no MDA was exempted under the scheme.

    “All cash payments for revenue collection should be stopped henceforth,” she said.

    According to her, the move will strengthen ease of doing business in the state especially in the area of transaction with the government, and also prevent fraudulent transactions.

    She urged accountants to begin to sensitise  tax payers on the ‘‘No Cash Payment’’ policy and the various payment channels available.

  • Implement Minimum Pension Guarantee, group urges PenCom

    The Centre for Pension Right Advocacy (CPRA), has called on the National Pension Commission (PenCom), to put in place modalities for the full implementation of the Minimum Pension Guarantee in the Pension Enhancement Framework, which PenCom introduced recently.

    The group said the introduction of the Pension Framework by PenCom aimed at enhancing pension of those who are on Programmed Withdrawal under the Contributory Pension Scheme(CPS) might not meet the expectations of pensioners.

    The Group’s Executive Director, Ivor Takor, in a statement made available to reporters, however,  applauded the commission’s initiative to enhance pension.

    He noted that what had been introduced through the Framework was a palliative.

    Eaelier, PenCom said the move was to provide uniform modalities for the implementation of periodic pension enhancement for the affected pensioners, using the surpluses generated from the return on investment, and the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) balance as at December 31, 2016 as the basis of the enhancement.

    However, Takor said the initiation resolves around Programmed Withdrawal, arising from misinformation.

  • Ikechukwu: let’s implement 2014 Conference report

    Ikechukwu: let’s implement 2014 Conference report

    Ex-Foreign Minister and senator Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu has re-echoed the need for the Federal Government to implement the 2014 National Conference report, saying it addressed issues of restructuring in the country.

    He spoke at the retreat of Southern Senators’ Forum in Calabar on Saturday.

    Nwachukwu said it would be injustice to Nigeria not to have recommendations of the report implemented in view of its relevance to the call for restructuring.

    “I had the privilege in 2005 of serving as a member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Political Reform Conference and it rolled into 2014 National Conference.

    “I will dare to say that the amount of work put into the 2014 conference, of course, building on the outcome of the 2005 conference, produced a fantastic report.

    “It will be total injustice to Nigeria if the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference are jettisoned.

    “Most of what we are talking about today were raised there, and after several weeks of grinding discussions, the report was drafted.

    “I recommend it to the Nigerian legislature to take a look at and use it in finding solution to our present problems,’’

    Nwachukwu urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make history by heeding to the call of the people to implement the report.

    “I want to say to my senior colleague, President Muhammadu Buhari, that he has a fantastic opportunity in history.

    “He has the privilege to call a meeting of well-meaning Nigerians to take a look at the report to be able to set our country on a new path of unity, trust and better understanding,” he said.

    “We have a country with less ethnicism, less religiousity and we can build a country we all will want to live in.

    “I often wonder that if I get called by God, what I would say that I have bequeathed to Nigeria.

    “Here is the opportunity to bequeath to the generation coming after us a country on the path of unity, better understanding and love for one another,’’ he said.

     

  • PWC urges govt to implement mining roadmap

    PWC urges govt to implement mining roadmap

    The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has expressed doubt over the implementation of the mining sector roadmap. According to the audit firm, nothing  has happened since the blueprint was unveiled about a year ago.

    Available records, it said, have  shown that the mining sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had remained far below expectation, accounting for only about 0.33 per cent in 2015, which was before the inauguration of blueprint.

    A multi-stakeholder committee was set up by the government to develop a roadmap for the transformation of the sector to boost its growth. The deliberate outline included building a world class minerals and mining ecosystem designed to serve targeted domestic and export markets for minerals and ores.

    The blueprint was also expected to rebuild the nation’s minerals, mining and related processing industry, rebuild market confidence in minerals and mining sector and win over domestic users of industrial minerals that are currently imported.

    PwC advised that the government should focus on expanding domestic ore and mineral processing industry and make the sector competitive.

    A PwC Director, Cyril Azobu, who spoke with The Nation said for government  to develop the sector, it needs to implement the strategic actions that were contained in the roadmap.

    According to Azobu,  the PwC was in touch with the mining strategic team, assuring the firm’s support  to the Ministry of Solid Minerals to ensure that strategic actions contained in the roadmap were implemented.

    He said: “Execution is a critical thing, that is where we are interested in and we are working with the government and the private sector to see how that works. We are really much interested in getting this to work. However, there are other stakeholders that are involved, everyone needs to be committed to making this work.”

    He said efforts being made are geared towards encouraging development of certain strategic minerals such as bitumen and iron ore as well as legal matters.

    He said: “It is expected that there would be a resumption of activities within the iron ore space such that we could have complete integration from iron ore mines to steel production and other processing companies to develop iron ore.

    “I have not seen much activities, given the great expectations we had.. The truth is that this is one area the government needs to give attention in terms of funding, and very recently the mining development fund was inaugurated, but it is yet to pick up.

    “I think much of the activity had been a bit of institution building, and addressing existing legal matters has slowed down the industry. We are concerned because in a couple of months the year will come to an end without achieving the expected goals of the roadmap.

    “I am aware the mining development fund board has been constituted, but I think they will need to step up efforts in terms of how they stimulate the industry from funding perspective. I hope they will have the cooperation and get to work. I hope the issues around legal matters will be ironed out. I also hope that bitumen, which seems to be one of the strategic minerals will also pick up and there will be activities to bring investments into the country.”

    On funding, the PwC boss said exploration funding was not attractive to funding institutions because its high risk, adding that except those who have the licences are able to get private funding. “If you ask anyone in the mining sector today, the real issue for them is funding,” he said.

    Azobu said part of what the government has done is the provision of minerals data. This, according to him, has helped in carrying out appropriate exploration.  “There is a bit of work going on in respect of funding from the government. Nonetheless, one also needs to be sure of what exactly one is funding and how it will provide the expected outcome in addressing the funding gaps,”he said.

     

  • Implement 2014 national conference reports, says Oshun

    Implement 2014 national conference reports, says Oshun

    Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) Mr. Olawale Oshun, has urged the government to implement the report of the 2014 National Conference. He called for true federalism and regional government.
    Speaking during a lecture series organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences University of Lagos on the topic; Politics and Government: A Nigerian Contradistinction, Oshun said government must review its policies to meet the yearnings of the people.
    Oshun explained that governance was sacrificed on the altar of politics, noting that the country was in a fix because of misplaced priorities.
    He added that the fight against corruption and other good intensions would not be achieved except something was done about the constitution.
    He said: “The 2014 conference reports is retrieved from the archives which the present government consigned it and implementation is worked upon or the government canvasses a Sovereign National Conference”
    “My recommendations are predicated on a number of factors, the most of which is that my generation was availed of the dividends of good governance, free, compulsory primary education, heavily subsidized secondary and university education.
    “All these dividends were made possible because the question of nationhood was then reasonably settled with the Federal system complemented by strong virile regional government established by their respective constitutions.”
    He said the country was going through one of its most difficult period since independence in 1960, adding that researchers and academics must assist by giving insights on how the country could overcome the perilous moments.
    ”I have asked myself what really are we doing right and what really are we doing wrong, that we came to be where we find ourselves. The Faculty of Social Sciences must help therefore in refocusing our society.
    “The leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and particularly Chief Obafemi Awolowo politics focused on development without denigrating society and cultural values.
    “I intend to suggest that in Nigeria, there could be a contradistinction between the meaning and practice of politics and of governance that while one is opaque, the other is transparent, while one sacrifices truth, the other sought to uphold it.”
    Oshun noted that as long as country failed to devolve powers in a way that is recognized and managed in the diversity of the component units, so long would the problem of the country persist.
    He said the Federal Government since 1975 had behaved like a drunken sailor, noting that Nigerians tolerated the excesses of government particularly under military dictatorship.
    The ARG chieftain said Nigerian started resisting the prolongation of military leadership in 1991, when it was obvious that former head of state; General Ibrahim Babangida was working toward life dictatorship.
    ”The quest for restructuring of the country and for devolution of power from the central government to the federating components commenced in 1991 was led by a range of civil activists, the clamour continues today more than before.”
    Gen Alani Akinrinade, who chaired the event said the younger generation must look for solution to the issues that are confronting the country.
    He explained that it was unfortunate that things took they shape they were in the country today, adding that the lecture by Oshun put everybody on its toes to save the country.
    “The lecture to my understanding is how deal with the concept of politics, politicking and how it can lead to good governance. It is to you to decide because I am not sure that in my life time we are going to get to place we were coming from; it is therefore to you to decide.”

  • JUTH gets 30-day ultimatum to implement court ruling

    The National Industrial Court (NIC) has given the management of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) a 30-day ultimatum to implement the ruling specifying a separate department for Medical Laboratory Scientists.

    Justice Nkechi Esewe, at the weekend, ordered JUTH’s management to see the medical laboratory scientists as distinct professionals.

    She also ordered government hospitals to create a separate department for medical laboratory scientists and give them free hand to practice.

    This followed failure of JUTH’s top management staff to appear in court while the case lasted.

    Justice Esewe noted that the court could have ordered that JUTH’s management be jailed but it considered its status in the society and how the action will affect the public.

    She, however, warned that the court will be forced to send JUTH’s management to prison if it, at the expiration of the 30 days, fails to implement the court’s pronouncement.

    In the ruling between laboratory scientists and five hospitals, Justice Esewe reiterated that the laboratory scientists be allowed to discharge their duties freely as a distinct department without being directed by a doctor.

    The Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozala; Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, National Othodepedic Hospital, Enugu and Parklin Hospital, Enugu, are listed as respondents.

    Counsel to the hospitals, Oguchukwu Nwogu, said: “In 2013, the court made several orders which borders on the right of the applicants, that they be accorded their respect as a separate profession in the health sector. But some hospitals were non-chalant about the ruling.

    “That prompted us to approach the court to interpret its judgment. The court has affirmed its position once more that the 2013 judgment cuts across the entire health sector and affects all Federal Government-owned hospitals.

    “We will wait to see what the respondents will do. If they do not do what is expected of them, we will know the next step to take.”

  • Implement AU’s recommendation on health, agric, govts told

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has urged governments to implement the African Union (AU) recommended 15 per cent budgetary allocation to health and agriculture sectors.

    Its Senior Programme Officer, Mr. Okeke Anya, spoke in Keffi, the Nasarawa State capital, during a Northcentral Media Roundtable.

    He said if governments complied with the AU standard in allocation of funds to the two sectors, it would not only boost the health status of the people but also reduce unemployment and food shortages.

    “Our mission is to strengthen the link between civil society and the legislature through advocacy and capacity building for civil society groups and policy makers on legislative processes and governance issues to ensure good governance.

    “The aim of this parley was to engage the media on the need to sensitise governments at all levels and Nigerians at large to comply and implement African Union standard of 15 per cent total budget allocation of funds to health and agriculture sectors in the interest of development,” Anya explained.

    He said it was unfortunate that from 2012 to last year, the allocation of funds to the sectors had nosedived.

    “For example, in 2012 budget, N280 billion was allocated to the health sector, while in 2013, 2014 and 2015 budget only N278 billion, N260 billion and N255 billion, was allocated to the health sector, and this show a decrease in allocation of funds to the health sector every year in Nigeria,” he said.

    The Programme Officer of the Centre, Austin Erameh said: “The forum was intended to stimulate citizens’ interaction and awareness on key performance of government against democratic principles that include economic, social, civil and political policy standard.”

  • Aisha Buhari vows to implement Child’s Right Act

    Aisha Buhari vows to implement Child’s Right Act

    • Islamic scholars to criminalise wife battery, says Sanusi

    Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has promised  to advocate for passage of the Child’s Right Act in states yet to do so.

    She said she would also campaign for better implementation of the Acts in states where it has been passed into law.

    Mrs. Buhari spoke in Abuja at the opening of the national conference on the social protection of the Girl Child with the theme: “Strategies to improve protection of the rights of the girl child in Nigeria.”

    She said although government has key legislations dealing with child marriage, they have not been fully domesticated or yielding the desired results.

    Mrs. Buhari pointed out that child marriage affects the health, education and economic condition of the victims while fuelling domestic violence against girls and preventing them from achieving their full potentials.

    Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, who represented Mrs. Buhari at the occasion, stated she has seen the wife of the president weep when the negative issues of the girl child came up.

    Mrs. Buhari said: “All my life as an adult, I have been an advocate of quality education and the protection of the girl child.

    “I stand with you today as an advocate towards the social protection of the girl child. I commit to support ActionAid  and other Civil Society Organisations to advocate for the passage of the Child’s Right Act in the remaining Nigerian States and also for a better implementation in those states that have passed it.”

    The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido, confirmed Islamic scholars in the  country will soon agree on guidelines of Islamic family laws.

    The proposed laws, he said, will prohibit fathers from forcing their daughters into marriage and criminalise wife battery.

    Sanusi said it will also address spousal support for men that divorce their wives and send them packing with their children, without making provision for them.

    The Emir said: “ We need to understand what the local problem is before coming up with a theoretical solution.

    “It is often important to understand why people marry their children off at an early age. We will need to deal with how people understand religion and culture.

    “The idea of religion being used for the justification of certain practices, the solution is not to condemn or attack the religion but to understand that perhaps it is not really the religion but a way that favours those who have power in the society.”

    He added: “We want to take away the right of the father to marry off his daughter without her consent because that right does not exist.

    “There are parts of the world where when you have a first wife and want to marry a second wife, you must prove to a court that you can take care of the second wife and your first wife is not going to suffer financially as a result of your decision and neither will her privileges be taken away.”

    “There is an Islamic law that says that it is your responsibility to maintain your family and we want to ensure that it is documented.

    “So, if you divorce your wife, you will be made to know how much you will have to give to her monthly for food, clothing, education and the court should be able to seize your assets if you refuse to meet up.”

  • Govt urged to implement Vision 2020 SMEs’ report

    Govt urged to implement Vision 2020 SMEs’ report

    The Federal Government has been urged to ensure seamless implementation of the Vision 20: 2020 National Technical Working Group report on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    Heritage Bank Managing Director, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said this would lead to an efficient strategy for curtailing unemployment.

    He urged SMEs owners to join hands in sustaining an active SMEs revitalisation drive through the establishment of a framework supported by articulated government policy.

    “The high rate of unemployment in the country requires all stakeholders to work together in ensuring the quick revitalisation of the SME sector as the primary source of creating jobs and fostering entrepreneurship among the youths. The Vision 2020 National Technical Working Group on SMEs has developed a blueprint for boosting SMEs and the government needs to do all within its power to bring up the fine ideas in the blueprint for implementation,” he said.

    Sekibo noted that though SMEs are a vital national economic growth engine contributing to vital economic indicators, such as Employment Generation and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with about 70 per cent of the rural population being active in formal and informal SME sectors, a study of the sector has shown that growth possibilities are hampered as significantly low number of start ups who apply for medium-longer term financing actually succeed.

    He attributed the main challenge facing SMEs’ promoters to limited access to appropriate capacity building opportunities and education which, in turn, lead to other growth-limiting impediments such as inadequate financial record keeping, poor managerial skills, lack of access to international markets, inability to provide collateral and poor access to infrastructure.

    He advised SMEs’ owners to focus more on restructuring and innovation to access the unfolding opportunities for growth and development of the economy.

    According to him, “The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Fund which provides an exit window for the MSME schemes and programmes currently implemented by the Central Bank is one of the new opportunities for SMEs in the country to access wholesale funding requirements. It offers a relatively more sustainable approach to the provision of credit and guaranteed advisory services to the specialised needs of the MSME sector”.