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Tag: NEC

  • Senate postpones deliberation on FG’s plan to withdraw $1bn

    Senate postpones deliberation on FG’s plan to withdraw $1bn

    The Senate on Thursday, postponed deliberation on the proposed withdrawal of one billion dollars from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) by the Federal Government, to fight insurgency and other security concerns across the country.

    The action followed an observation by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu on the floor of the senate on the matter.

    Ekweremadu had observed that deliberation on the matter was slated for Thursday and expressed surprise that it was not listed on the Order Paper.

    The senate thereafter moved the matter to the next legislative day, after its recess, following the absence of Sen. Sam Anyanwu who was meant to present the motion on the floor.

    In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki, assured the lawmakers that the matter would be treated as a matter of priority upon resumption, adding that it would be listed as first item for consideration.

    Read also: Senate  to Fed Govt: don’t sell National Theatre, TBS

    He said, “The issue would have come up today but Sen. Sam Anyanwu could not present the motion today.

    “He pleaded for more time and I agree that we move it to another legislative day, which is when we resume. It will be the first item on the Order Paper.

    “It is an important motion that we cannot take if the person that moved it is not here. It cannot be delegated. I assure you that we will take it.

    “Our party will not spend money that did not follow due process. I am assuring you that the money will not be spent until we come here and debate on it,’’ he said.

    The National Economic Council( NEC ) had last week in its meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, agreed to withdraw one billion dollars from the ECA to be used in tackling insecurity in the country.

    NAN

  • Federal and states partnership crucial to national development – Osinbajo

    Federal and states partnership crucial to national development – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the collaboration of the Federal and state government is crucial to achieving development plans of the country.

    He stated this on Tuesday at the retreat of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with Secretaries to the State Governments held in Abuja.

    He noted that the business of governing needs innovations to tackle complex challenges, adding that the two tiers of government were in a better situation to resolve them through partnership.

    “But despite the important initiatives and decisions of fg we will achieve little if we do not have relevant state government agencies actively working with the federal government to implement them.

    “So, the role of the SGFs is clearly central to cascading the action points and conclusions to the relevant MDAs in their states.

    “And this is so, whether we are implementing the federal government’s fertilizer policy or the anchor borrowers scheme in the states.’’

    He said that one of the challenges of federalism is that while the federal and state governments enjoy individual autonomy, they must still operate as one government.

    He noted that the objective was for the government of the federation to serve the best economic and social interest of the people.

    “So when we speak of the Nigerian economy it is the sum of the economies of the federal government and the states.

    “Yet each government determines its own priorities, draws its own budget and implements its own programmes and projects.
    “So a meeting such as this, where the agenda and modalities for collaboration may be set is in my view an eminently sensible idea and requires the support of all of us if we are to meet the expectations of our people,’’ he said.

    The Vice President stated that one of the crucial concerns of the federal government’s economic development agenda was to improve local and foreign investments in the country.

    Osinbajo remarked that the SGFs office coordinates the Ecological fund and NEMA that frequently intervened in the states.

    He said it was the responsibility of the SGFs office to interface with the states to ensure that such interventions were improved.

  • Governors approved $1bn insurgency fund – Osinbajo

    Governors approved $1bn insurgency fund – Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said on Tuesday that state governors approved the removal of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to fight the Boko Haram insurgents after a national security summit organised by the National Economic Council.

    Osinbajo, who chairs the NEC, stated this at the opening of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Secretaries to State Governments’ retreat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “It was after a national security summit of the National Economic Council that governors at their forum decided to approve some money for national security.”

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other Nigerians have condemned the decision of the Federal Government to approach the NEC for withdraw of the fund to fight insurgency.

    Read Also: Osinbajo: Buhari and I poorly paid

    The PDP in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan described the move as alarming.

    The party asked the federal government to explain the rationale behind such decision after claiming in the past that the Boko Haram sect has been defeated by the military.

  • Examination Malpractice: Committee lauds WAEC, ministries over sanctions

    Examination Malpractice: Committee lauds WAEC, ministries over sanctions

    The National Examination Committee ( NEC ) on Thursday in Lagos lauded West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for networking with state ministries of education nationwide in to stem examination malpractice.

    The committee after its 64th meeting, particularly commended the collaborative efforts to identify and carry out disciplinary actions against perpetrators of examination malpractice.

    NEC said such disciplinary actions were also carried out on supervisors and invigilators who aided and abetted examination malpractice during the 2017 West African Senior School Certificate Examination ( WASSCE ) for School Candidates.

    “The council noted the recurring cases of returned certificates, where candidates willingly made confessional statements to the effect that they were impersonated,’’ it said its communique made available to our souce.

    The communique by Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, Head of Public Affairs of WAEC, said the committee received a report on irregularity, special and clemency cases arising from the conduct of the 2016 WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2016.

    It that in the course of considering the various reported cases of malpractice, the committee, after diligent deliberations, approved appropriate sanctions in all established cases of malpractice.

    This, it said, will be carried out as prescribed by the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the council’s examinations.

    “ It approved that the entire results of candidates involved in proven cases, which attract Cancellation of Entire Results (CER) be cancelled, while subject results of those involved in proven cases, which attracts Cancellation of Subject Results (CSR) be similarly cancelled.

    “Some candidates will also suffer other sanctions such as barring them from sitting for the council’s examinations for a certain number of years, while some schools will have WAEC recognition withdrawn or de-recognised for a specified number of years.

    “The decisions of the committee will be implemented without delay and the affected candidates and schools duly informed by the council.

    “However, the results of candidates who were exonerated by the committee will be released,’’ the communique said.

    “Council agreed that apart from the National Universities Commission ( NUC ), details of such candidates such as examination numbers, certificate numbers and years of examination, should be made available to the National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE ).

    “It should also be made available to the National Commission for Colleges of Education ( NCCE ) and posted on the council’s corporate website as well as published in national dailies twice a year.

    “The committee, therefore, commended WAEC for liaising with the Ministries of Education in the states of the federation to identify and carry out disciplinary actions against such Supervisors and Invigilators for their roles in such shameful acts.’’

    On the issue of appointment and deployment of supervisors during the conduct of the WASSCE, the committee advised that WAEC should continue with the practice of swapping supervisors during its examinations.

    It added that such swapping should be monitored to ensure that supervisors do not connive with school authorities and staff of WAEC to compromise the process.

    The committee is the highest decision-making organ of WAEC on examination-related matters in Nigeria.

    It meets twice a year to consider matters relating to the conduct of the WASSCE for both the school and private candidates.

    NAN

  • You’ve done well, APC Caucus, NEC tell Buhari

    You’ve done well, APC Caucus, NEC tell Buhari

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari won a major backing yesterday.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC)of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its national caucus passed a vote of confidence in him .

    Also given a clean bill was the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun- led National Working Committee (NWC).

    The caucus met till late on Monday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The NEC met at the party secretariat yesterday.

    The NEC meeting, which started at about 2:20pm, ended at 4:40 pm.

    It declined to debate a “motion” seeking an automatic return ticket for President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu  Dogara, who addressed reporters on the outcome of the meeting, said the “motion” seeking to adopt the President for a second term was not treated “because that is not why we are here”.

    National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the only motion taken was to pass a vote of confidence on the President, adding that there was none on his adoption for a second term in office.

    Abdullahi said an unidentified NEC member shouted from the back of the hall that a motion be taken to adopt the President for second term, but that the motion was not taken.

    Dogara said the meeting reviewed a paper on the line of activities that the party would embark upon in the coming months, pointing out that there was no definitive and conclusive date for its convention.

    The Speaker said: “The meeting was for stock taking and to remind ourselves of the covenant we made with the people of Nigeria, review how well we have done and what we need to do in order to deliver on the promises we made during campaign.

    “I can tell you that after a very illuminating address by the party chairman, the President took turn to address the NEC members and he was very clear in his vision about where we are taking Nigeria to.

    “We reminded ourselves about the achievement we have recorded in terms of combating terrorism in the Northeast, the fight against corruption, which is one area where we are doing very well and the exiting from recession as the achievement the party has recorded.

    “While we can say we have done quite a lot, there is still much to be done. The resolve is that we should rededicate ourselves as a party to the service of our people and the only thing that will guarantee our place in this country is the service we render to our people.”

    On amendment to the party’s constitution, he said: “Obviously, we had that on the agenda and there were other items in the agenda which just passed as information. The proposal for the review of the constitution is being sent to our emails and it is when we have reviewed this that we will be able to take a binding decision on them. But as it is now, it was just noted for information.”

    Dogara added: “Today’s meeting was not about 2019 elections. When we talk about 2019 in the context of the agenda you saw, we are talking about membership registration, the drive for membership and others. We are not talking about elections.

    “Even though there was a motion on the floor that called for a vote of confidence on the President, some of us felt it was not necessary because there is nowhere that his confidence is shaking. But the motion was taken and passed.. But there was a second leg to that motion, which calls for the adoption of the candidacy of the President, but it was deffered for now and no decision was taken because that is not the major reason why we are here.”

    Speaking on aggrieved members, Dogara said: “I don’t think that you can find any family that is as large as the APC family without some squabbles. No such family exists in the whole world and if there are disagreements, they are okay because without disagreements, you cannot even move forward.

    “Progress comes when people refuse to agree with the status quo and they put forward their positions. If their positions are good enough, they are adopted and we move forward. So, for us, I don’t think we are having a situation or run into a situation whereby we have crisis that the party cannot overcome.

    “What I will advocate is that we should be the ones as the APC family to define what type of crisis and not allow crisis define us. So, we will do everything possible to reach out to whoever is aggrieved. We are not like other parties that will say ‘to hell with you’ because we value every member of this family.”

    Abdullahi added: “The motion that was put was after the Minister of Agriculture had briefed the NEC about the activities and achievements of his Ministry. One of the NEC members said we should move a motion passing a vote of confidence on Mr. President. There was no formal motion moved on the issue of second term for Mr. President.

    “Somebody in the crowd shouted that we should move a motion and we don’t even know that member. But the motion that was formally moved was that NEC should pass a vote of confidence on Mr. President and that was after the brief given by the Minister of Agriculture, especially when he said that by 2018, Nigeria will have no need to import a single grain of rice. That is the context and I need you to understand that very well.

    “The only discussion or conversation on 2019 was the activity of the party in 2018, especially the issue of convention. It was agreed that since we have all these activities lined up, including the mini convention, congresses and elective convention, a small team be set up to put dates to these party activities up to 2018.

    “There was no discussion about election of 2019 or who will be the party flag bearer. The committee will decide when all these activities will take place. The NEC passed absolute vote of confidence on Oyegun and the NEC.”

    Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari said the Caucus meeting “shows our unity in the party, shows our strength and our commitment to the party and to Nigerians,’’.

    Senator. Bukar Abba-Ibrahim said the outcome of the meeting dismissed the speculation that it was convened to remove the leadership of the APC.

    ”It is a big family reunion and we are all happy and this party is going to dominate the Nigerian political space for a very long time to come. I don’t want to predict any number of years.’’

    Oyegun described the caucus as “very fantastic”, adding that the party would be stronger after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

     

  • Great expectations in APC over National Caucus, NEC meetings

    Great expectations in APC over National Caucus, NEC meetings

    As the All Progressives Congress leaders prepare for this week’s National Caucus and the NEC meetings, there is increased expectation ahead the proposed National Convention, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu 

    Before the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his last leave in the United Kingdom, where he had gone to attend to his medical condition, the inability of the ruling political party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), to hold its National Convention was a subject of intense controversy. While critics and the opposition parties described the development as concrete evidence that the ruling party had “serious cracks,” others said the party cannot hold its convention until Buhari returns to the country.

    So, since the president finally returned, informed observers have wondered why the party had further delayed crucial meetings like the National Caucus and National Executive Council (NEC) meetings that should precede the convention.

    Even when the party leadership, last week, announced that it has finally fixed its National Caucus meeting for October 30 and the NEC meeting for October 31, some observers expressed doubts if it would hold.

    Their doubt, The Nation learnt was because of previous postponements of the convention date. It would be recalled that the APC postponed the convention earlier fixed for April 29, 2017.

    But to assure concerned stakeholders that the party is ready now, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, had freely confirmed that the two very important preparatory meetings will hold.

    For example, when he was asked whether the party had fixed a date for its NEC meeting, he said, “Yes, we are looking at October the 31st.”

    The party’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, Edegbe Odewingie, not only corroborated what Abdullahi said, but also, according to a report, confirmed the venue of the two meetings. The National Caucus, according to him, will hold at the Presidential Villa, while the National Working Committee, NEC, will hold at the party’s national secretariat.

    Fresh confusion however set in early this week, when it was reported that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will be postponed by two days.

    The report, according to a source, came as a rude shock to many APC leaders who wondered what could be responsible for such a sudden postponement.

    But as stakeholders were considering the implication of such a development, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, however denied the report on Thursday. He was quoted as saying, “I am really surprised because there is no such thing. The caucus meeting is still holding on the 30th and NEC on the 31st.”

    Commenting on the development and the resultant apprehension within and outside APC, Dr. Ismaila Kadiri said, “The uneasiness is because of the numerous postponements of the same meetings and the fact that so many critical issues must be resolved in the proposed National Convention of the party.” Kadiri also alleged that “some forces in the party may be afraid of a successful convention and as such are determined to frustrate attempts to hold the crucial meetings that will set the stage for a convention.

    “Is it not worrisome to you that APC, a party that won presidential election with such an overwhelming support, has failed to hold another NEC meeting since 2015 when it held it last. Apart from this, the party has failed to properly constitute its Board of Trustees since its 2015 victory. I agree with some of our people who attribute this to division within the party’s ranks,” he said.

    Another respondent, Chief Ndubuisi Onuoha, a community leader said the ripples over the doubts raised concerning APC’s crucial national meetings “could be traced to the current tension growing within the party’s rank and file over the management of the party’s affairs.”

    As he puts it: “Any careful observer will understand why all stakeholders in APC are reacting the way they are reacting over the party’s convention. You know that a National Convention means a change of leadership in the ruling party. Coming before the 2019 Presidential, National Assembly and governorship elections, no one is ready to joke with it. Also, utterances and signals from the leaders of the party, suggest that this convention will serve as the defining moment for the control of the party ahead 2019. We have seen most of the leaders, including Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, openly voicing out, at one time or the other, their misgivings on the way the party was run in recent time.”

    Besides the issue of leadership of the party, sources said the outcome of the week’s meetings and the convention will go a long way to determine the fortunes of APC in the 2019 presidential election. It would be recalled that there was murmuring recently when APC’s former Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, was quoted as saying that the party’s presidential ticket for the 2019 poll was open to all who wish to contest.

    Considering the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari will still be eligible to contest the plum seat in 2019, the party’s current leadership dismissed the pronouncement as a personal opinion.

    A stakeholder, who pleaded not to be named, said on Friday that such confusion could be blamed on the fact that the party had not held such important meetings for a long time. “I believe our leaders will speak as one after this week’s meetings,” the source said.

    Issues that may be resolved at the meetings

    Our correspondent learnt that among the major issues that would be discussed at the National Caucus meeting and at the NEC meeting is the party’s inaugural bi-annual national convention. This, said our source, “will most likely top the agenda of the NEC meeting.”

    He also informed that the leaders may use the opportunity to discuss the report of the different fact-finding and reconciliation committees in states where crises exist. Since the party came to power, her critics have always made references to the state chapters, where some leaders have not been able to work together.

    Other important issues that may be discussed at the caucus meeting, according to a source, is the report of Dr. Muiz Banire Constitution Review Committee, which is expected to be presented by the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC.

    Besides these, we gathered that the nature and constitution of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) may be presented for discussion at the National Caucus meeting.

    Explaining the hopes of most APC stakeholders, Kadiri said, “The anxiety within the party over the proposed meetings next week is because of the people’s expectations. We believe that most of the minor issues that have tended to separate and divide our leaders would be resolved in these meetings so that by the time we go for the convention, we would go there as a more united family. That is why we do not want to hear about any more postponement or problem.”

  • States to get fresh Paris Club bailout after NEC meeting

    States to get fresh Paris Club bailout after NEC meeting

    It is only a matter of time before the governors of the 36 states receive the third tranche of the Paris Club loan refunds.

    The National Economic Council (NEC) is expected to give the go-ahead for the release of the refunds at its next meeting, The Nation gathered on Friday.

    When the meeting comes up, was unknown last night.

    Much of the money, like the earlier refunds, is expected to be spent in settling accumulated salaries and pensions/gratuities.

    The NEC is headed by the Vice President and has state governors, the Central Bank Governor and other key economic players as members.

    Ahead of the meeting, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wants President Muhammadu Buhari to go beyond lamenting the plight of workers in the various states following the non-payment of salaries in some of the states despite the release of the two earlier Paris Club loan refunds.

    Congress President Ayuba Wabara said Buhari should order the law enforcement agencies to probe the use to which the governors put the funds to.

    Buhari, meeting with a delegation of the governors earlier in the week, wondered how some of them were able to sleep at a time they could not pay their workers who end up unable to meet their financial obligations to their families.

    The governors’ delegation, at the meeting, asked for the release of the balance of the refunds.

    Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State said on Wednesday that the fact that the governors met Buhari to ask for the money did not mean they were begging for anything.

    “Don’t forget, this is money that belongs to us,” he told reporters in Abuja.

    He added: “We are not begging for anything, but demanding what belongs to us and that it should be paid to us.”

    Sources told The Nation on Friday that the release of the next tranche of the refunds is likely to come with conditions to ensure that workers’ plight is reduced.

    One source said the states “have to show commitment to use the funds for the purposes they are meant.”

    There are allegations that some of the state governors diverted the money to other areas.

    The result is that some states are still owing salaries and pensions/gratuities.

    Speaking to The Nation in Abuja on the issue, NLC President Ayuba Wabba said the states should give an account of how they disbursed the previous releases to them.

    Wabba said the non-payment of salaries by some governors was not because of the lack of funds, but an indication of lack of good governance, accountability and transparency.

    He said: “It is unfortunate that despite the Paris Club refunds given to the states, some of them have not justified the utilization of the funds.

    “Before the last tranche was given, there was a template and a commitment by the governors to utilize the money to try and defray these liabilities.

    “ Going forward, I think the Federal Ministry of Finance should look at whether those commitments that were made have been fulfilled.

    “Part of the way forward also is to try and institute good governance, transparency and accountability at all levels.

    “Once we have that, those problems can be addressed because it has proven very clearly that the non-payment of salaries, pension and liabilities of workers is not specifically about lack of resources. It is also about priority and commitment to doing what is obvious.

    “From our analogy, we have seen states with little resources paying as and when due and they don’t have problems. Yet, there are states that are receiving as much as possible and have liabilities.

    “You can situate this within the context of what is happening in the country where our political elites spend fortunes on birthday alone and yet cannot lay salaries in their states.

    “Therefore, I think that despite being a different tier of government, there is a way we can try and get those records because it is about transparency, accountability and getting your priorities right. We should try and do a process of verification to know whether or not, the commitment that was made earlier has been followed to the later and that should be the basis on which those funds can be released.

    “Although strictly speaking, when you look at the present situation, there is the tendency for them to argue that it is their money and we must give them their money.

    “But in the context of good governance, the Presidency has an overall responsibility to uphold the primary purpose of governance which is the security and welfare of the people.

    “It is a constitutional provision that the primary purpose of governance is security and welfare of the people and once you cannot take care of the security and welfare of the people, there will be social instability and a lot of other things can follow, such as extreme poverty which we are now trying to address.

    However, Odilim Enwegbara, a development economist and financial expert has a different view of the situation.

    He said: “the states are the federating units so they are quasi-independent of the federal government.

    “For this reason, they are never accountable to the federal government or to federal lawmakers, but rather to their  houses of assembly.”

    Continuing, he said: “since what they’re requesting from the president isn’t a federal loan, I can’t understand why they should have the federal government dictate to them how they should spend their money.

    “Let their own state lawmakers with such mandate to scrutinize them be the ones coming up with how the governors should and on what the money should be spent on.”

  • Doctors shut down hospitals, reject settlement terms

    Doctors shut down hospitals, reject settlement terms

    Doctors in Federal Government owned hospitals across the country on Monday morning embarked on an indefinite strike action to force the government to yield to their demand, three days after their leadership signed. Memorandum of terms of the settlement with the government.

    Rising from their National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the Doctors said they were rejecting the terms of settlement signed with the government which would have seen the strike being suspended and therefore proceeded on strike.

    In a notice of strike sent to Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of government owned hospitals and signed by the President and Secretary General, Dr. Onyebueze John and Dr. Aneke Emmanuel respectively, the Resident Doctors said they decided to reject the terms, but did not give reason for rejecting the offer.

    The letter reads: “The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, rising from her extra ordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held on Sunday, 3rd September 2017 at Parkview Hotels, Abuja rejected the Memorandum of terms of settlement from government on the items of her demand for strike action and resolved to proceed on the proposed national total and indefinite strike with effect from 8am Monday, 4th September 2017.”

    A WhatsApp message from the President of the Resident Doctors also reads: “Rising from our NEC meeting which started by 7pm on Sunday and ended 3am on Monday, NARD has resolved to has resolved to reject the promissory offer from government and proceed on total and indefinite strike action until all items in her demand list for strike action are resolved by government”.

    Although the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige could be reached at the time of this report, an official of the Federal Ministry of Labour who would not want his name in print expressed shocked about the decision of the doctors to embark on the strike.

    He said “we are very surprised that they decided to go ahead with the strike. During our meeting with them last week, all the issues they raised were addressed and they showed signs that they were impressed and both parties were to monitor the terms of implementation and report back on November 2 which was the agreed date for the next meeting.

    “So, we are taken aback that they have decided to embark on the strike. I can not tell you the next step right now until I hear from the Minister”.

    The doctors are contesting what they described as: 

     *Failure to pay our salary shortfall of 2016 and January to May 2017;

     *Failure to rectify the salary shortfall from August 2017;

     *Failure to circularize House Officers’ entry point;

     *Failure to correct the stagnation of promotion of our members and properly place them on their appropriate grade level;

     *Failure to enroll and capture our members on the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS) and 

    *Failure to budget, deduct and remit both the employer and employees’ contributions our pension to our retirement savings account since 2013.”

    However, after a meeting between government representatives and officials of the Resident doctors and the Nigeria Medical Association on Thursday, both parties signed a memorandum of terms of the agreement, pointing out that some of the issues being complained about by the association were already being addressed by the government.

    The memorandum was signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Health,  Prof. Isaac Adewole. Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, National President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. Mike O. Ogirima, President of National Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Onyebueze John and Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule.

    Other signatories to the memorandum were representatives of Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Budget Office of the Federation.

    A memorandum reads in part: “The meeting noted that some Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FHTI) have paid a percentage of salaries to Resident Doctors and are consequently in arrears of salary payments to members of NARD and Honorary Consultants. 

    “It was also noted that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) had started the process of paying the shortfall of salaries owed in batches. It was therefore concluded that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) should forward the list of the recipient FHTI to the Honourable Minister of Health to ensure that the released fund was used for its intended purpose. The payment for other FHTI not captured to be implemented before the end of October 2017.”

    On the issue of shortfall in salaries, it was also agreed that “the Director Hospital Services is to address a circular/letter to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and state therein that the released funds should be used solely for salaries and shortfalls. The Federal Ministry of Finance should ensure that monthly salaries are paid in full.

    “Reference was made to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached at the 7th Senate in 2014, and House of Representatives with the Speaker presiding in 2016, where Parties agreed to use the quantum of monies contained in CONHESS 9:4 for CONMESS 1:1. 

    “It was concluded that effect should be given to previous Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) reached on this issue so that CONHESS 9:4 would be in parity with CONMESS 1:1. The Chairman NSIWC to get this circularized, after getting the quantum from FmoH. All matters on this issue should be finalised before the preparation of 2018 Budget is concluded.

    “Issues of skipping and matters ancillary thereto were discussed. The meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Health had appealed against the ruling of the National Industrial court of Nigeria (NICN) on skipping and that a date has been given by the Court of Appeal for Hearing in March, 2018. 

    “It was further noted that a major issue is the improper placements on appropriate Salary Grade Levels. It was concluded that a proper guideline should be provided by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and that Item 4 of the MoU of December 16, 2013 should be adopted. 

    “The Item 4 states that ‘the FMoH, NSIWC, NMA should urgently review the NMA’s proposal on skipping of CONTISS 10/CONHESS10/COMESS 2 in the new Scheme of Service with a view to amending it to reflect the suspension of the circular on unauthorized skipping of equivalent of CONMESS 2 for Medical Doctors in the Public Service. 

    “The amended proposal shall be forwarded to the HCSF through the FMoH for an onward presentation to the forthcoming National Council on Establishment (NCE) on 24th January, 2014 in Ilorin.” In view of this earlier position, it was concluded that the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH) should drive this issue and that no circular should be issued on the matter until it is concluded by the HMoH. 

    “In view of the expected meeting of the Council of Establishment, the end of October was given as the tentative time limit to conclude the assignment by the FMoH and Office of the HCSF. Hospitals that are yet to implement skipping for doctors are to commence and henceforth, promotions should be in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

    “Based on the information given by the members of NARD, it was noted that only 18 Federal Tertiary Health Institutions had so far submitted their Nominal Roll. The meeting concluded that NARD members should be on the IPPIS platform and that the CMDs as well as the MDs should be requested by the FMoH to submit their Nominal Roll to the Office of the Accountant General of The Federation (OAGF) and copy to the FMoH and FML&E on or before September 15, 2017. It was agreed that all Resident Doctors should be captured on IPPIS platform by the end of October 2017.

    “It was concluded that NARD members are on Pensionable appointment and as such the FMoH in conjunction with OAGF and Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) should take necessary steps to ensure that adequate budgetary allocations are made to cover the Pension requirements of NARD members. 

    “Furthermore, FMoH should issue a letter in that regard to the Head Civil Service of the Federation who would correspond with the Budget Office of the Federation for necessary action, as the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) had in a letter of February 12, 2015, Ref.PENCOM/INSP/C&E/CCPA/66/15/1167 to the Honourable Minister of Health affirmed that members of NARD are “Employees”. The letter went further to define an employee as any person employed in the service of the Federation, the FCT, a Government of a State of Nigeria, Local Government Council or private company or organization or firm.

    “In view of the foregoing terms of the settlement, NARD agreed to meet in an Emergency Session before Monday, September 4, 2017, for the presentation of this Memorandum to her National Executive Council with a view to averting the scheduled strike.”

  • NEC harmonises telecoms right of way charges

    NEC harmonises telecoms right of way charges

    The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday  approved a policy to harmonise right of way charges payable by telecommunications companies and related public utility infrastructure on Local Governments, States and Federal Highways.

    Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu briefed State House correspondents at the end of the NEC chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    With him were Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Minister of Trade and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah and Minister of State (Budget and National Planning) Zainab Ahmed.

    Shittu said the new policy would encourage co-location of the companies’ fibre optic cables.

    Just like the telecommunication masts, which were harmonised after long years of defacing the environment, he said, the government wants to do the same for the laying of fibre optic cables, which is becoming a burden on roads.

    According to him, the trend is causing high cost tariffs due to multiple taxes charged telecommunication companies  by the Federal,  states and local governments.

    The new policy, he said, would minimise the spaces occupied, burden on the roads and reduce taxes payable by the telecommunications firms.

    He said: “The memo spelt out roles/responsibilities of LGCs, states and telecommunications operators in the management of Right of Way (RoW) issues.

    “Most states are still charging different and higher rates, despite NEC’s resolution that mandate states to adopt and implement Federal Ministry of Works guidelines for grant of Right of Way to ICT service on highways.

    “Current practice in Nigeria where various telecommunication operators design, survey, dig, deploy and manage their individual fibers networks amounts to duplication of efforts, multiple earthworks and treaches as well as increased administrative and licensing costs.

    “The memo invited all stakeholders to consider, adopt and approve the use of shared duct strategy, managed by a designated agency in all tiers of government for the deployment of public utility infrastructure for effective and efficient service delivery and accelerated socio economic development of the country, particularly the transformation of our various cities, towns and villages to a smart status.

    “Council asked the Ministry of Communication to liaise with the states and relevant stakeholders for the smooth implementation of the Right of Way project,” he said

    Enelamah said that he made a presentation to Council on reforming Nigeria at the Subnational level, emphasising the need to bring Enabling Business Environment Reforms to all tiers of government and all Nigeria.

    He informed the Council that there was a strong correlation between Ease of Doing Businesses Ranking and Economic prosperity.

    According to him, the Businesses Enabling Environment Agenda being coordinated by the Presidential Enabling Businesses Council is at the heart of Government Agenda, and has the following mandate:

    “Removed critical bottlenecks and bureaucratic constraints to doing businesses in Nigeria, aimed at moving the country upwards in global businesses ranking.

    “Areas of focus in removing the bottlenecks include: starting a business, entry and exit of people, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, paying taxes, trading across borders and the ease of getting construction permits.”

    The minister also informed the Council that the 4th subnational Doing Business rankings for Nigeria is scheduled for 2018, with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd having taken place in 2008, 2010 and 2014.

    He said that appropriate templates were already being drawn up to prepare States for the exercise.

    Ikpeazu said the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, briefed Council on the balances in the following accounts as at 19th July.

    “Excess Crude Account (ECA) $2.303 billion, Ecological Fund Account – N27.466 billion, Stabilisation Account – N2.553 billion, and Development of Natural Resources Account – N77.922 billion.

    The Gombe State Governor presented a report to the Council on Forensic Audit of Revenue Accrued from Revenue Generating Agencies (RGAs) into Federation Account (FA), Excess Crude Account (ECA) and Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF)

    “The Acting President welcomed the Interim Report and noted that Council will await the outcome of the final report and then discuss the Report.”

    “The EL-Rufai led AD-Hoc committee of the Council on Ecological Fund set up by the NEC April, submitted its report to Council, recommending, among other things, a robust governance structure and a stringent disbursement criteria to sanitise the management of the fund.

    “The committee made the following recommendations: That disbursement of the fund should be based on the following criteria;

    “Physical visitation by the Ecological office team and on the spot assessment and verification of the ecological disaster.

    “Technical evaluation of the disaster by experts, community involvement; prior to the disaster, there must be evidence of Advocacy, evidence of existing prompt, emergency response mechanism in place before the disaster, monitoring and evaluation framework must be built into the application of Ecological fund as a road map for measuring performance of the fund.

    “A feedback team that will review the reports of the disbursement must be in place, adequate publicity of ecological disaster to create awareness and consciousness in the citizenry to avoid future occurrence is necessary, evidence of cost estimate must be attached to application; adequate justification for the project must be given.

    “Due process in vendor engagement must be followed; at all times 50% of the FG share or N20 billion must be reserved for emergencies at the discretion of Mr President.”

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, informed the Council of the overriding need to return the budget cycle to the January – December calendar year.

    “That the 2018 – 2020 MTEF is anchored on the ERGP. The current Global Economic outlook posited that the country is expecting growth, though there are still some challenges that may impact negatively on growth from now till 2020.

    “He listed policy changes in the US and Britain’s exit from EU, the climate change issue, oil price fluctuations as some of the uncertainties. Assured that the country is already getting out of recession even as oil prices are still sliding. The non-oil sector is growing.

    “Recoveries being recorded in Manufacturing, Agriculture and Services. Efforts aimed at achieving peace in Niger Delta yielding fruits.

    “ERGP key objectives and the execution priorities will get country back to growth.” it stated

  • NEC okays rehabilitation of prisons by states

    NEC okays rehabilitation of prisons by states

    To decongest prisons in the country, state governments that are capable have been authorised to rehabilitate the prisons in theie domain.

    Governors tok the decision at yesterday’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. It was its 78th session.

    The Council had expressed worries over the appalling conditions of structures and logistics in the prisons after a presentation by Minister of Interior Abdulraman Danbazzu and the Comptroller General of Prisons.

    Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi told reporters after he meting that the governors were unanimous on the need to rehabilitate the prisons.

    He said: “The situation they painted was quite pathetic. I visited the prisons in my state for the first time recently and what l saw was terrible. So, it was agreed that governors should on their own develop initiatives to manage the prisons. For instance, some have transferred prisons from urban centres.

    “NEC agreed that governors should support the federal government on prison matters. States that have the capacity to build prisons should go ahead and do so. The private sector can also participate.

    “The minister said 70 per cent of inmates are awaiting trial. Some of them can be converted to labour use. Ten per cent of them are condemned, meaning 20 per cent are true prisoners. Some of the prisoners should be engaged in agricultural programme.

    “Governors should do a number of things to decongest prisons. Chief Judges of states should frequently visit prisons. Governors should either sign death sentences of those condemned or commit them because it is risky leaving them after their trial had been concluded. NEC resolved that there should be emergency situations on prisons.” he said

    Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo gave an update on the Excess Crude Account (ECA) put at $2.3billion as well as Stabilization, Natural Resources Development and Ecological Funds.

    He said: “Council was briefed on budget support to states because of dwindling revenue and budget implementation. The programme was meant for a year but because of recession, the acting president said the facility should continue pending when other claims of states and local governments will be settled.”

    The Budget Support Loan Facility is an initiation of the Buhari administration to help states boost their funding in the light of the dwindling Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

    According to Dankwambo, the Committee of NEC set up to review forensic audit of the ECA and FAC submitted an interim report to the Council.

    He said “As at today, 10 of 18 ministries, departments and agencies have been audited; audit of five are still ongoing; three are yet to start.

    “Council agreed that we should submit a full report at next NEC meeting.”

    According him, NEC was informed that Stabilization Balance is N28.5 billion as at 28/6/17; Natural Resources Development Fund, N87.6 billion and Ecological Fund N28.9 billion.

    NEC also received briefing on HIV update in the country, noting that an estimated three million were living with the virus in the country.

    The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Sani Aliyu, who spoke on the subject at the briefing, said some states have budget allocation for HIV programmes but not released.