The Nation Newspaper

Tag: minister

  • Reps invite minister, ASUU over impending strike

    The House of Representatives yesterday moved to stop the impending strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as it invited the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai and officials of ASUU in an effort to broker peace.

    The Federal Government has been put on notice by ASUU as it has given an ultimatum that would expire in nine days because of the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil an agreement it entered with the body in 2009.

    The resolution to intervene in the impasse and prevent the impending crisis followed the adoption of the prayer of a motion brought before the House by a member, Bashir Babale (PDP, Kano), under Matters of Urgent Public Importance in which he canvassed support of his colleagues to forestall the looming strike.

    Presenting the lead debate on the motion, the lawmaker expressed regret that it was a thing of concern that university lecturers had to embark on a strike to force government to attend to their legitimate demands, particularly on issues that had been agreed upon by both parties.

    A member, Osai Osai (PDP Delta), while supporting the motion, noted that the survival of the nation’s democracy was hinged on proper education of the people.

    According to him, if university education collapsed, it would affect other sectors of the economy.

    The lawmaker said it would be a thing of regret for the government to allow the 2009 strike, which was called off due to a consensus reached between ASUU and the Federal Government, adding that the proposed strike would be an indication that the 2009 agreement had failed.

     

     

  • Minister opposes closure of embassies

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, yesterday opposed the closure of some Nigerian embassies.

    But those behind the plan to shut some embassies claimed that such measure would create room and free money to fund existing ones.

    Ashiru who appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs insisted that the closure of embassies would not be favourable to Nigeria ‘s foreign policy objectives.

    The Matthew Nwagwu led committee raised the issue of poor funding facing most of the country’s foreign missions.

    The committee suggested that some less viable embassies could be closed to free more funds to service others

    Members of the committee also raised the issue of poor state of the embassies including alleged inadequate consular services to Nigerians living abroad.

    Ashiru said that as a global player, Nigeria could not afford the mistake of shutting embassies.

    He said, “Don’t let anybody turn around and talk about closure missions.

    “It is a waste of funds. If I want to close down a mission, I will need money to do that.

    “We can close an embassy today and another regime comes and wants it reopened and that also cost money.”

    The Minister suggested that the way out of the funding problem is to reduce the size of the embassies by shrinking the staff strength.

    He also suggested the use of local employees who would be on contract.

    He added that the ministry is also considering “Smart Missions” that would be created in countries where more consular services would be needed.

    He said that the funds for setting up the “Smart Missions” were captured in the 2013 Budget.

    The Smart Missions, he said, would be established as soon as the budget is signed into law.

     

  • Attention IGP, Police Affairs minister

    Attention IGP, Police Affairs minister

    SIR: The uproar generated by the recent judgment of Justice Mohammed Talba on the pilfering of the Nigeria Police Pension funds will continue to form part of our discourse for as long as we will continue to witness the suffering of police pensioners. This was recently brought to the fore by the admission of the Minister of Police Affairs, Capt Caleb Olubolade that more than 4000 retirees are still waiting to be verified for the payment of what ordinarily is their entitlement. This statement is an indictment on a government that is pursuing transformation agenda.

    I wish to highlight the story of a gentleman who had served this country diligently but is still waiting for his gratuity and pension from the Nigerian Police force since retirement in 2006 after putting into service the mandatory 35 years in service.

    On a recent trip to Abuja, I met this man Richard Atanda Ogundare,ASP (rtd) who related his ordeal in the quest to get his entitlement.

    He said he was enlisted into the Nigeria Army in 1969 during the Nigeria Civil war and later in 1976 demobilized into the Nigeria Police Force. In 2006 that he retired, all the demobilised soldiers were asked to write voluntarily retirement application. The most shocking and embarrassing news according to him was when he was told by the Salary Department of the Nigeria Police that three years salaries would be deducted from his long-awaited and yet to be paid money.

    Despite writing through his D.P.O. at Owutu Police station in 2002 to the A.I.G Zone 2 informing the police management that he would be 35 years in service by 2004, his application was disapproved despite his willingness to leave then. He said since 2006 that he left the Nigeria Police to this moment, neither his gratuity nor pension has been paid even though all his documents have been submitted to the Police Pension office.

    I really do not know which side to be on in the present imbroglio between the Senate and Presidential Task Force on Pension for the resolution of the pension problem in this country. Must people that serve this country be made to suffer like this? We really don’t know how many Ogundares we have still struggling for what belongs to them, or those that had died or even those that may be facing some health challenges who may be confined to a location.

    I call on President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Police Affairs Capt Caleb Olubolade and Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to look into the case of Richard Ogudare ASP (rtd) and others (the 4000 mentioned by the minister). Please lets remember that the society owe them this much.

     

    • Adedeji Badejo

    Lagos

  • Minister seeks efficiency at port

    The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has urged stakeholders in the maritime industry to collaborate with the Federal Government in its quest to ensure sanity and efficiency to the ports.

    Speaking at the launch of an Integrated Port Community Information System in Port Community Information System (IPCIS), he said, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is determined to make the ports attractive for business and urged the stakeholders to embrace the IPCI system.

    The benefits of the new system include ship reporting; on-line automated notice of arrival and departure of vessels, tracking; automatic identification system, weather current and tide information, port community system, cargo tracking, smart port technology, unattended asset sensor, and also useful in operation of inland container deport.

    The system could also provide solutions to various aspects of challenges in port operation; reduce cost, offers steady profits to stakeholders and act as trade facilitator centre.

    In his own remark, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authirity (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi said the system was launched as part of the efforts of NPA to promote efficiency at ports.

     

  • Minister seeks efficiency at port

    The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has urged stakeholders in the maritime industry to collaborate with the Federal Government in its quest to ensure sanity and efficiency to the ports.

    Speaking at the launch of an Integrated Port Community Information System in Port Community Information System (IPCIS), he said, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is determined to make the ports attractive for business and urged the stakeholders to embrace the IPCI system.

    The benefits of the new system include ship reporting; on-line automated notice of arrival and departure of vessels, tracking; automatic identification system, weather current and tide information, port community system, cargo tracking, smart port technology, unattended asset sensor, and also useful in operation of inland container deport.

    The system could also provide solutions to various aspects of challenges in port operation; reduce cost, offers steady profits to stakeholders and act as trade facilitator centre.

    In his own remark, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authirity (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi said the system was launched as part of the efforts of NPA to promote efficiency at ports.

     

  • Minister, FIRS disagree over new property tax for Abuja

    Minister, FIRS disagree over new property tax for Abuja

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Senator Bala Mohammed and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday disagreed over a proposed property tax law for the FCT.

    The is coming even as the FIRS said it remitted N131.5 billion to FCT in the last eight years as Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) share of taxes it collected in the zone.

    The disagreement came into the open at a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on FCT and Finance public hearing on Bills for an Act to establish FCT Board of Internal Revenue Service and FCT Property Tax.

    The Minister supported the establishment of the revenue board, but the FIRS vehemently opposed the creation of a parallel revenue body in the FCT.

    The FIRS specifically said the introduction of new tax laws in the FCT will encroach on its mandate to collect taxes for the territoty.

    The agency called for the suspension of the proposed property tax in the FCT.

    Coordinating Director Support Services Group of FIRS, Osy Chuke, who represented the Acting Executive Chairman of the Agency at the session, said: “Our view is that the Constitution does not envisage the creation of two revenue collecting agencies of the Federal Government overseeing the FCT, given that the FCT is an agency of the Federal Government, just like the FIRS.

    “It should also be noted that there will be need for several legislative amendments to accommodate an FCT Internal Revenue Service.

    “The legislation to be amended will include: FIRS Act, Taxes and Levis Approved List of Collection Act; Personal Income Tax Act; the Stamp Duties Act and Capital Gains Tax Act.”

    He added that the proposed FCT IRS would encroach on the mandate of the FIRS in many ways, by providing for the collection of taxes that already are being collected by the FIRS.

    He said:“The creation of the two agencies to administer taxes in the FCT may not be efficient especially if the current efforts of government to streamline agencies and reduce duplication of duties are considered.

    “It should be noted that the FCT presently collects ground rent and tenement rates on properties through the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).”

    Chuke pointed out that it is the wish of the FIRS that its current status as the collecting agency of the FCT should be maintained, saying the agency has been collecting taxes for the FCT over the years.

    It was also his view that the introduction of the proposed property tax be suspended until such a time that the Nigerian tax system can support the introduction of the new tax.

  • Minister seeks efficiency at port

    The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has urged stakeholders in the maritime industry to collaborate with the Federal Government in its quest to ensure sanity and efficiency to the ports.

    Speaking at the launch of an Integrated Port Community Information System in Port Community Information System (IPCIS), he said, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is determined to make the ports attractive for business and urged the stakeholders to embrace the IPCI system.

    The benefits of the new system include ship reporting; on-line automated notice of arrival and departure of vessels, tracking; automatic identification system, weather current and tide information, port community system, cargo tracking, smart port technology, unattended asset sensor, and also useful in operation of inland container deport.

    The system could also provide solutions to various aspects of challenges in port operation; reduce cost, offers steady profits to stakeholders and act as trade facilitator centre.

    In his own remark, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authirity (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi said the system was launched as part of the efforts of NPA to promote efficiency at ports.

     

  • Minister: challenges of providing qualitative education enormous

    Minister: challenges of providing qualitative education enormous

    •Agency hands over 317  classrooms worth over N2b to govt 

    Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike has said the Federal Government is facing challenges in providing sustainable qualitative education to all.

    The challenges, which are quite enormous, Wike said, require concerted efforts and commitment of all stakeholders to surmount.

    Wike said this in Abuja at the handing-over of 317 classrooms to the Federal Government, constructed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for 33 schools in Kano State to advance basic education.

    Despite the challenges, Wike said the present administration under President Goodluck Jonathan, has invested huge resources to tackle the twin problems of access and quality in the education system.

    Government’s aim, he said, is to ensure that quality education becomes one important luxury that Nigerians from all background can take for granted.

    The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) coordinated the building project for JICA in collaboration with the Kano State government through the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board to ensure the project is delivered without drawbacks.

    His words: “The present administration under President Goodluck Jonathan genuinely recognises the importance of education as the most potent instrument for achieving a rapid socio-economic transformation of the country. It is for this reason that the Federal Government has invested enormous resources to tackle the twin problems of access and quality in the country’s education system. Our goal in this direction is to ensure that quality education becomes one important thing that Nigerians from all backgrounds can take for granted.

    “However, the challenges of providing sustainable qualitative education to Nigerians are quite enormous and require the concerted efforts and commitment of all stakeholders to overcome. It is for this reason that the Federal Ministry of Education most heartily welcomes any positive intervention from our international development partners which is directed at improving the course of education in our beloved country.

    “It is, therefore, pertinent to acknowledge the fact that JICA has demonstrated more than a passing commitment to the provision of educational development assistance and support to Nigeria. Today we are here to witness yet again the handing-over of 317 classrooms built, furnished and donated by JICA for 33 basic education schools in Kano State.”

    The minister said the Federal Ministry of Education will do all that is necessary to ensure that classrooms and facilities provided are put into effective use to achieve the purpose for which they have been provided.

    Wike directed the UBEC to liaise with the Kano State Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Board to ensure that quality teaching and learning take off in the classrooms: “without further delay as well as ensure that the facilities provided are adequately and sustainably maintained.”

    Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, said the project was signed in June 2010 and was granted up to 1 billion 132 million Japanese Yen which is equivalent to N2.31 billion at the current exchange rate.

    Although Shoji said some security threats erupted in the state during the project implementation, he nonetheless added that all the works were securely done.

    He said: “At present, there are about 800 million illiterates in the world, about one-quarter of who are in Africa. The situation is unacceptable. Therefore, Japan is giving a high priority to the education sector and providing development assistance to Africa and Nigeria.”

    The minister later handed over the key of the classrooms to the representative of the Kano State governor.

  • We will address the rot in police colleges – Minister

    We will address the rot in police colleges – Minister

    The Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (Rtd) has said his ministry and the police management team will address the rot in police colleges in the country without delay.

    Answering questions from journalists after a meeting with the Inspector -General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar at the Force Headquarters on Wednesday, the minister said the matter is of priority to the government.

    Olubolade said the meeting with the IGP centred on how to fix the decay in police colleges and how to tackle the rising wave of terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the land.

    The minister stated: “We looked at the training of policemen and the training institutions not only on police colleges because solving the problem of police colleges alone is not enough.

    “We will solve the problem of police colleges and that of other training institutions including the Police Academy in Kano as well as the Staff College in Jos.

    “Once we address those issues, we will be making better progress. So, if you ask me, this meeting was aimed at repositioning the police to attend to training matters. To attend to operational matters so that this year, we will see a better policing in Nigeria.”

    “Nigerians should expect a highly professional police force that will stand up and face the challenges that are confronting our nation. And to do that, I have to constantly meet with the management team headed by the IGP who is here with me as many times as possible.

    “This is to ensure that we are on course with our plan, to ensure that whatever we asked for to make the police force more efficient is given to us. It is also to ensure that we are making progress in fighting crime, criminality and terrorism.

    “Like I said, I am here to follow up on what I have just spoken about; to interact with the IGP and his management team, to look at lapses that may exist and how we will surmount them because it is a joint effort and I think it is critical to do that.

    “The IGP is making some progress in certain areas and I will also have to look at them.”

     

  • Memo to Interior Minister

    Memo to Interior Minister

    SIR: I thank The Nation for permitting me the use of its medium to air my views in respect of some national issues especially the Immigration service. The recent sacking of the Comptroller of Immigration Service (CGIS) on Tuesday, January 15 and the subsequent setting up of a committee of inquiry to probe the activities of the erstwhile CGIS as carried by some national dailies including this paper on Saturday, January 20, is a vindication of my earlier write up of January 7, in The Nation. The said article was a tip of the iceberg of the horrendous happenings in the service. I have tried to exercise some restraints so as not to expose the service to public odium and ridicule. My intervention therefore is to help the service, the committee set up to probe to ministry and the minister himself.

    Even without the probe committee, the minister knows everything that is happening in the service. The minister himself has his own blames and weakness. It’s not his place to supervise the day to day running and activities of the service. Postings and deployments of officers from certain ranks should not be his concern either. Certainly, the CGIS is the accounting officer of the service and not the minister. This is the only way to obviate areas of conflict between the CGIS and the minister. Of course, the minister’s undue interference in the daily routine matters of the service did not start from the present one; it began from the time of his immediate predecessor in office. Because the former was her kinsman, the erstwhile CGIS didn’t raise an eyebrow then. It was therefore difficult for her now to wean the present minister away from the honey pot, so to say.

    The Federal Government should not stop at the sack of the CGIS; her activities in the past two years she held sway must be probed. There is the need to know how many young Nigerians were recruited into the service; it should uncover what she dubbed recruitment through “replacement “. Not only this, we should know the placements of those recruited on the basis of federal character and quota. It won’t be a bad thing if a searchlight is beamed on how the recruitment exercise of 2011 was carried out too.

    The veil on foreign postings must be removed so as to know those who are benefiting. Also related to this is the need to know how foreign postings on ad hoc duties are being carried out and how many officers have benefitted so far on federal character basis. The immigration board itself doesn’t live above board!

    As for the so called promotion exercise that was done last year, the less said about it the better. It was a big sham and a fraud. It was done without due regard for seniority and merit. The minister knows this and he did confirm that his office had been inundated with petitions from aggrieved officers who were affected. He should expect more. In many instances, the promotions were bought. It was learnt that the original promotion instrument approved by the board of immigration was jettisoned by the sacked CGIS and replaced with a doctored one. All the minister need do is to call for the promotion list as approved by the board. It’s as simple as that. Fortunately, the minister is the chairman of the board. I wish to counsel that this is done before rushing to conduct another phantom promotion interview for fairness, equity and justice to reign supreme.

    • Ogidi Martin,

    Asokoro, Abuja.