The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Industrial

  • Labour seeks industrial harmony

    Labour seeks industrial harmony

    Industrial harmony in the workplace would be enhanced if the management and workers put the interest of the organisation first, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), has said.

    The Secretary-General of the Union, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, made the declaration in a lecture he delivered at the ‘2016 Annual Seminar of the Ministry of Defence unit of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)’ in Lagos, during the week.

    He emphasised that managements and workers have their respective interests to protect during negotiations and must always be guided by the knowledge that the survival of the organisation in question is a primary prerequisite for their continued existence as management and workers.

    “This is precisely why industrial relations experts always recommend that employers and the employees must learn to moderate their demands on each other and accord the corporate interest of the organisation a priority while pursuing their separate goals,” Lawal said.

    The ASCSN scribe, who addressed the theme: “Understanding the Principles of Negotiation, Collective Bargaining and Social Partnership in the Workplace,” posited that collective bargaining is governed by Convention 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the right to organise and collective bargain.

    He advised the managements in various organisations to avoid unfair labour practices, which engender industrial conflicts in the workplace.

  • Oke promises industrial rebirth

    Oke promises industrial rebirth

    The governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Olusola Oke, has promised to revive moribund industries and complete abandoned ones.

    He blamed the unemployment rate on the comatose state of industries in the state.

    The AD candidate spoke at Idanre during his campaign tour of the rocky town at the weekend.

    He, however, promised to reverse the economic situation by creating the enabling environment to attract investors and encourage farmers with necessary implements and aids.

    The AD candidate told the people that his administration would complete reticulation work on the Owena Multi-Purpose Dam and the Golf Course began by the Olusegun Agagu administration and other necessary amenities.

    Oke visited the Owa of Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye; the Aladeokun of Alade Kingdom, Oba Olusegun Akinbola; the Awosunye of Atosin-Idanre, Oba Gilbert Ogunlowo; and the Alajowa of Ajowaland, Idanre, Oba Sunday Akinbo, and their chiefs.

  • Industrial action looms in AAUA

    Another industrial action may be looming at the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State over an allegation that management imposes Deans and Head of Departments (HODs) on lecturers.

    The institution had resumed on Monday following a three-month strike which was eventually suspended by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over non-payment of salaries.

    In view of the latest development however, ASUU said it would not mind embarking on another strike if the management fails to reverse its decision.

    It alleged that Vice-Chancellor Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun handpicked those he believes would be loyal to him as Deans and HODS rather than conducting elections for the position.

    A statement signed by ASUU chairman, Dr Sola Fayose reads: “The local ASUU in AAUA, at the point it was suspending the strike, called the attention of the vice chancellor to this infraction through a resolution of congress which also demanded that the process be reversed within seven working days, starting from the day the resolution was taken.

    “However, the total disregard of this resolution by the vice chancellor by reason of summoning the Senate of the university, which would have in attendance these irregularly appointed Deans and HODs, shows his preparedness to take on the union, notwithstanding the good reasons that are needed to protect the university.

    “Apparently, the revulsion Prof. Ajibefun has for rules and regulations is deep-seated  as he has also continued to employ academic staff that are over 70 years in total disregard to the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement and ondo State government white paper and official gazette.

    “We call on well meaning Nigerians, particularly Ondo State indigenes, to prevail on the vice chancellor to allow good reasons to subsist as members of the union are ready to resume effective teaching immediately, not minding that three months of their salary and eight months of deductions are still outstanding.

    “It should be made abundantly clear that AAUA should not be run based on the whims and caprices of an individual or an ambitious clique, but on established rules and regulations.

    The union is committed to performing its function and responsibility of a better AAUA, and will not succumb to any blackmail or pressure in the discharge of this onerous assignment.

    All efforts to speak with the institution Public Relations Officer (PRO) proved abortive as he did not pick his call as at the time of filing this report.

  • NSCDC wades into industrial crisis in Bayelsa

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC), Bayelsa State Command,  recently, organised a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the protracted crisis among producers of table and sachet water in the state.

    Prior to the meeting, the was a dispute between producers of the product whose factories were located within the state and others who were bringing similar products from outside the state. The vans of persons bringing in the products were constantly ambushed and harassed by aggrieved youths raising security concerns especially in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The meeting was attended by the Special Adviser to Bayelsa Governor on Security, Boma Sparo-Jack,  representatives of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and  executive members of  Association of Table  Water Producers of Nigeria(ATWAP) from Bayelsa,  Delta, Imo, and Rivers states, among others. ATWAP National President, Mr. Ubina Ubi also attended the programme.

    In fact, ATWAP,  Bayelsa State chapter, has been at loggerheads with their counterparts from the neighbouring states who bring packaged water into the state, a development that generated security concerns.

    To avert possible bloodshed, the State Commandant,  NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, decided to call all the stakeholders to discuss their disagreements and find lasting solutions to the problems. Agu said the event was organised to avoid crisis in Bayelsa State.

    He said there were situations people blocked the supply of packaged water coming into the state from Delta,  Imo, Rivers and other places.

    He said such a development if not promptly tackled could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.

    He said: “To avoid such problems,  that is why we organised this stakeholders meeting for all ofnthem them to come for dialogue to resolve the problems. We are optimistic that today, we are going to iron out all the issues for a long lasting solution.

    “As you are all aware, the NSCDC by virtue of the Act 2003 as amended in 2007, section 3, subsection 1 (4) (6), the corps is saddled with the responsibility “to arrange,  mediate in settlement of disputes among willing members of the public’ which your association is part of.

    “In view of this, the corps has convened this stakeholders meeting to fashion,  harmonise all members of ATWAP doing business in Bayelsa and also to proffer a lasting solution to the lingering  crisis existing among you.”

    In his speech, Sparo-Jack eulogized Agu for being proactive in managing crisis in the state. He appealed to other security agencies to imitate the zeal and commitment of NCDC in nipping problems in the bud. He asked producers of water to put their acts together to grow the industry and contribute to peace in the state.

    The Chairman,  ATWAP, Bayelsa State,  Capt. C.K. Emiemokumo (retd.),  lamented the problems facing packaged water producers in Bayelsa over the years.

    He said that some of their counterparts from neighbouring states turned the state into a dumping ground for all sort of contaminated water.

    He commended the meeting, saying it would put a stop to the unbridled influx of all sorts of water into the state.

    He said suppliers of substandard water refused to register with ATWAP Bayelsa State so that their activities would continue without any check or control.

    He said: “ NAFDAC conducts annual recertification tests on all water producing companies every year. But regrettably,  we have no way of knowing which companies were tested or which were not since ATWAP has no record or control over the water that comes into Bayelsa.”

    He, therefore,  called on the state government  security agencies and all other stakeholders to cooperate with ATWAP in Bayelsa to be able to have control on the companies bringing water into the state.

  • ‘Mimiko’s industrial revolution, a fallacy’

    ‘Mimiko’s industrial revolution, a fallacy’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State Mr. Odunayo Akinrinsola has said that Governor Olusegun Mimiko does not have an agenda for the industrialisation of the state.

    Akinrinsola said the governor has not revived or created more industries since the inception of his administration in 2009.

    The aspirant, who spoke to reporters at his campaign office in Akure, the state capital, said the assurances by Mimiko were fake.

    Akinrinsola said he knew what transpired between a foreign company and the state government on the resuscitation of the Oluwa Glass industry, Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje local government.

    He said despite the company’s readiness to revive the industry, change the old machines without collecting money from the state, pay their tax and also create jobs for over 3000 people, the government never considered the proposal.

    He said that, on several occasions, the foreign company held meetings with the government, but it refused to give reasons why the company should take over the moribund industry.

    The aspirant said if Mimiko had industrialised the state, he would not be sweating to pay salaries.

    Akinrinsola, however, said his vision is to industrialise the state, thereby creating jobs.

    But, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chief Ayo Abiola, said the intention to revive the moribund industries before the end of the year, is to improve the economy.

  • ‘Quality managerial skill key to industrial growth’

    For a nation to achieve a progressive industrial sector, then there is the need to restructure ingenious managerial competence in organisations.  This was the submission of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Management School of Excellence (MSE), Mr. Leke Olufade, in a chat with The Nation.

    “Organisations need to put the right people in the right position and ensure that they are constantly trained and retrained. Besides, capable hands should be the ones to manage companies in other to keep the workplace on the right track,” Olufade stressed, adding that businesses in the country are not doing well as a result of not having the right hands as managers at work places.

    And with the influx of expatriate managers, Olufade said the country needs to promote capable hands so has to enable them compete with foreigner managers. This is why he insists that there is an urgent need for top executive officers to acquire and exhibit good quality managerial skills that would spur productivity.

    For instance, he explained that to remain a quality manager, there is the need to continuously develop one’s skills and applying it to add value for the organisation and for personal career development.

    “Developing your skills begins with assessing which skills are important for your desired career development.  However, different skills that must be possessed by good mangers include managerial skills, technical skills, human skills, and conceptual skills. These skills are the combination of formal education, training, and on-the-job experience,” Olufade noted, pointing out that managerial skills are what the manager uses to assist his organisation in accomplishing its goals.

  • Artisans hold key to industrial revolution

    The Executive President, Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans, Chief Bola Sanusi   says manpower development is crucial to industrialising the economy and creating employment.

    Speaking with The Nation, on the sidelines of recycling day organised by United Waste Recycling and Suppliers Association in Lagos, Sanusi said artisans are an integral component of the economy, and are recognised as drivers of economic growth as well as major contributors to sustainable livelihoods and the wellness of women and families.

    For this reason, he maintained that artisanal development is critical for both industrialisation, boosting employment and ensuring the availability of  services are available across the economy.

    He called for further support to enable to members create jobs, improve income generation for families.

    He reiterated the commitment of the council to elevate the power and potential of the artisan sector to create jobs.

    According to him, Nigeria is still far from exhausting the growth possibilities that accompany having a citizenry that is at least functionally skilled with specific technical capabilities.

    He noted that the nation needs better skilled leather workers, beauticians, loom operators, plumbers, machine operators and factory workers trained in a standardized set of industry-linked capabilities.

    Currently, he noted that the Lagos artisan sector is composed of hundreds of thousands of artisans’ organisations, buyers, and market intermediaries.

    He however, praised the Lagos State government for taking steps to boost vocational skills development and to encourage entrepreneurship.

    He urged schools to help youngsters make a successful transition from education to self employment.

    With youth unemployment increasing, he  believe schools need to do more to help young people transition into self employment by ensuring that their students have the preparation that businesses truly value.

  • NCDMB, Shell, OEMs begin work on industrial park

    The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) have begun work on a mini-industrial park, a major step towards the attainment of Nigerian Content goals.

    It took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, and it featured three original equipment manufacturers (OEMS) – Alcon, Fiddil, and Prime Atlantic – utilised by Shell for its operations. Each got 1,800 square metres within Shell’s industrial area to build facilities and domesticate some of their services.

    The Shell-promoted industrial park is in furtherance of the NCDMB’s Equipment Components Manufacturing Initiative (ECMI) introduced in 2011, to encourage OEMs and their representatives to set up facilities for manufacturing of spare parts and accessories of equipment for oil and gas operations.

    NCDMB Executive Secretary Denzil Kentebe said the event re-affirmed government’s vision of using Nigerian Content as an instrument for the industrialisation of the economy. He listed the targets of the initiative to include transformation of representatives of OEMs from “marketers to manufacturers and maximize retention of industry spend within the economy, on procurement of equipment, manufacturing, supply, installation and after sales services.”

    Kentebe identified other targets to include reversing the trend of equipment rentals by encouraging Nigerians to acquire equipment for activities, such as drilling and construction.

    He said: “To achieve the ECMI policy thrust, the board introduced the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) as a Local Content Requirement (LCR) for participation in bids connected to the supply or utilisation of equipment in the oil and gas industry. This is to ensure that the full capacities of local manufacturers or owners of equipment are exhausted before any equipment can be imported.”

    He praised  Shell for embracing the ECMI, having obtained approval from the NCDMB in 2012 for OEM domestication scheme. He enjoined others to embrace such collaborative efforts to develop the local supply chain.

    Kentebe said domestication of local manufacturing was key to Nigerian content growth and the platform for value-adding activities, such as research and innovation, processing of local raw materials and establishment of ancillary services; all of which create employment and empowerment for youths and contributes to the gross domestic product.

    SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair Osagie Okunbor described the initiative as a key intervention of Shell Companies in Nigeria to support Nigerian Content development, adding that it would improve cycle time, enhance service delivery and engender long-term economic benefits, including employment for Nigerians.

    He listed key objectives to include increase in control, simplicity and potential for long-term cost saving.

    Okunbor, represented by the Project Director, Mr. Toyin Olagunju, said the OEMs and their Nigerian local partners were issued the NCEC by the NCDMB in 2012.  He said Shell Companies in Nigeria were committed to supporting Nigerian Content and other strategies aimed at increasing the participation of businesses in the oil and gas industry.

    “SPDC supported a Nigerian manufacturer, Egba Split Clamp Nigeria Limited, to refine their products with hydro and pressure tests. Egba clamps are now approved for use in SPDC operations and we are working towards the deployment of the clamps in our operation. We will also continue to support other manufacturing initiatives including pipe mill development, development of drilling fluids and production chemicals,” Okunbor added.

  • Ekiti gets industrial court

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria will soon commence sitting in Ekiti State. The state has provided temporary site for the court and accommodation for the Judge.

    Besides, government is expected to provide land to  serve as the court’s permanent site within the next three months.

    Before now, those who have cases at the court used to travel to Akure, the Ondo State capital but the latest development is expected to give them relief.

    Governor Ayo Fayose has pledged to do everything possible to support the court to function well and bring justice nearer to the people.

    He spoke while receiving the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who visited him.

    Fayose said: “When I got the wind of your court coming to Ekiti, I did not waste time to take advantage of the visit.

    “Everybody can manage infrastructural development, but not all can manage human resources. We are saving a lot of resources by bringing the court here.

    “We will look for land for permanent site for your court within three months and we have shown you the accommodation for the Judge that will be here.”

    Responding, Adejumo expressed satisfaction with the temporary site provided for the court and the judge’s residence.

    Adejumo said: “Lawyers and litigants having matters relating with us have been going to Akure but that is not tidy and safe enough. Thank you for the quick approval of our requests.

    “We will be asking for a land for us to build our court complex. Within the next two months, we will start operating. We will do justice to all manner of people. We are to ensure industrial harmony in the country.”

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi, said the court already had divisions in 26 states of the federation.

     

     

     

  • Expert attributes industrial accidents to negligence

    African labour experts have attributed industrial accidents, injuries and diseases in work places to negligence by industrial entrepreneurs who often compromise safety standards and regulations.

    Director at the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC), Mr. Daniel E. Neburagho stated in Harare, Zimbabwe at a workshop on Employment Injury Compensation Schemes.

    Neburagho said the workshop was a collaboration of ARLAC and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to strengthen labour administration systems in 19-member countries.

    According to him, ILO statistics reveals that only 33 per cent  of the global labour force is covered by the law on employment injury through mandatory social insurance, adding that the statistics also indicates that even when voluntary social insurance coverage and employer liability provisions are included, only 39.4 per cent of the labour force is covered by the law.

    He observed that, in practice, actual access to employment injury protection is even lower, largely because of poor enforcement of legislation in many countries, the majority of which are in Africa and Asia.

    He stressed that, often times, industrial accidents, injuries and diseases occur because safety standards and regulations are compromised by industrial enterprises.

    He said: “As the popular saying goes, prevention is better than cure and once adequate preventive measures are in place, it obviously reduces the incidence and liability of catering for injuries and diseases during work.”

    While emphasising the need to enhance working conditions in respect of occupational safety and health, he expressed optimism that as more countries move from employer liability as the basis for employment injury protection to a mechanism based on social insurance, levels of protection for workers are likely to improve.

    Participants at the workshop were drawn from Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, Nigeria, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.