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  • NLC advises FG’s committee on minimum wage

    NLC advises FG’s committee on minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) has called on the Tripartite Committee for the new National Minimum Wage to consider the plight of workers and pensioners during its deliberations and initiate decisions that will improve the lives of the generality of Nigerians.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, made the call in an interview on Friday in Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, appointed a 30-member Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of the New National Minimum Wage for workers in the country.

    The committee has its members across both federal, state and the private sector and would be inaugurated on Nov. 27.

    While commending the President for the appointment of the committee, Wabba said it was timely and long overdue.

    “We hope that after the inauguration, the committee can commence work immediately so that we can cover some mileage and also cover the times that have been lost.

    “This is something that workers have long anticipated and our expectation is that we want a speedy process and that the fact that the issues are very obvious.

    “If you look at the exchange rate, the N18,000 Minimum Wage of 2011 when we signed the agreement, it was almost equivalent to N110 dollars; today, the N18,000 is less than 46 dollars.

    “So, this is the reality and with the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerian worker, with the high cost of transaction, our expectation is that the committee should look at the conditions of the Nigeria workers and pensioners.’’

    He, however, expressed dismay that there were places where pensioners were still receiving less than N4000 and that this called for an urgent consideration.

    The NLC president said that the consideration was imperative to address the issue of social imbalance, inequality and the wide gap of poverty in the country.

    “As you are aware, there is lack of employment in the country, therefore, workers have a lot of burden like taking care of their children and other dependents.

    “So, there is no worker today that does not cater for dependents.

    “Therefore, our expectation is that the process must be driven with all commitment and above all, they should take into consideration, the condition of workers and pensioners,” he added.

    NAN

  • CAN, Muslim council condemn Adamawa killings

    CAN, Muslim council condemn Adamawa killings

    The Adamawa Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) and Muslim Council have condemned the perpetrators of the Mubi Mosque suicide attack and the killings in Numan that led to loss of many lives and properties in the state.

    The groups, in separate news conferences in Yola, presided by the Chairman of CAN, Most Rev. Stephen Mamza, and his counterpart of Muslim Council, Alhaji Abubakar Sahabo, called for the fishing out of the perpetrators to face justice.

    While calling for panel of inquiry to fish out the perpetrators of the killings, the faith organizations called on their members to be extra vigilant and check persons and vehicles entering places of worship to curtail suicide attacks.

    “We are deeply distressed over the killings of women and children in some villages of Numan LGA on Monday. CAN condemns in strong terms, the killings of unarmed civilians especially little children and women.

    “This is by all standard of war, condemnable and unacceptable. We call on the government to bring to book the perpetrators of this wicked act to forestall any future occurrence,” Mamza said.

    He reiterated CAN’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with all individual and groups.

    “We call on all to embrace peace, shun hate speech and anything that will incite the general public to breach of public order.”

    Sahabo on his part, called on the state government to take full responsibility of injured victims including compensation for the dead, and tasked security agencies to provide adequate security cover in all vulnerable places.

    “The Muslim Council wishes to reiterate its commitment to help in the maintenance of peace and peaceful coexistence among diverse people of the state.

    “However, we urge the state government and security agencies to always take decisive and necessary lawful measures on those elements and agents who provoke state of fear and destruction in the state,” Sahabo said.

    The many people died in Monday’s Numan attack and Tuesday Mubi mosque bomb blast suspected to be perpetrated by Boko Haram and a militia group.

    NAN

  • Enugu approves N1.5b for rehabilitation of 14 rural, urban roads

    Enugu approves N1.5b for rehabilitation of 14 rural, urban roads

    The Enugu State Executive Council has approved N1.5 billion for the reconstruction of 14 critical roads in Enugu metropolis and some rural communities.

    The Commissioner for Works, Mr Greg Nnaji, made the disclosure in Enugu on Friday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the council meeting held at the government House.

    Nnaji said that the approval was given after an extensive deliberation on various issues affecting the state, especially with regard to infrastructure, security and human capacity development.

    He said that contracts for the urban roads were awarded with the aim of rehabilitating feeder roads to ease traffic on major city roads.

    According to him, the focus on rural roads is consistent with the current administration’s vision to improve the living standards of rural dwellers and build new cities.

    The commissioner said that the council decided to decongest the Nike Lake Road as part of government’s urban renewal strategy.

    “The council approved the linking of Ezike-Mgbowo-Nike Lake Road extension in Enugu East Local Government Area.

    “This is a popular road, and once this road is linked, people coming into Enugu from other states can drive through it to access the airport or continue their journey to destinations such as Anambra State,” he said.

    Nnaji noted that all the roads were strategic, adding that some would serve as necessary bypass to decongest the ever -busy Nike Lake Road.

    The commissioner said that some of the rural roads including the Ogrute-Umuogbo Ulo-Isiugwu-Umuokpu-Ette Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA, linking neighbouring Benue State, had for years not experienced any form of construction.

    He gave the breakdown of the contract to include reconstruction of Ohom-Orba-Amajioka-Umuikeoha-Agu Orba Road and Okpu-Agu Orba Road in Udenu Local Government Area at the cost of N377 million.

    Also approved is the reconstruction/rehabilitation of Ngenevu Road and Broderick Street in Coal Camp, in Enugu North council area at the cost of N117 million.

    Others include the rehabilitation of Njemanze Entrance, Bonny Lane, Asata Chemist Lane and New Market Roundabout-Civil Defence Headquarters-Works Road, all in Enugu North Local Government Area.

    Equally approved are procurement of an incidence response vehicle for the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) and the establishment of the Enugu State Multi-Door Court House for connected purposes in the state Ministry of Justice.

    The state executive council also approved fumigation of 425 primary, secondary, science and technical schools to ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

    NAN

  • Security guard in court for theft of phones, laptops

    Security guard in court for theft of phones, laptops

    A 31-year old security man, Jimmy Ushie, who allegedly stole laptops, mobile phones and money from his company, on Friday appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, whose address is unknown, is being tried for burglary, stealing and causing damages.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah, told the court that the offences were committed on Oct. 19 at 7, Seinde Calisto St., Oshodi, a suburb of Lagos.

    Unah alleged that the accused burgled Tee By Link Security Company, where he worked.

    ‘‘The accused stole two laptops valued at N350,000, three mobile phones valued at N27,000, an MTN modem and N21,500 cash.

    ‘‘The accused also damaged keys valued at N29,500, CCTV cameras valued at N178,000 and POP ceiling valued at N25,500, property of Tee By Link Security company,’’ he told the court.

    Unah also said that the accused was captured on the CCTV camera and handed over to the police.

    The offences contravened the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Gbajumo, admitted him to bail for N200,000 with two sureties.

    Gbajumo adjourned the case until Dec. 4 for mention.

    NAN

    Read Also: Court remands man for alleged theft

  • INEC fixes Anambra Central senatorial district election for Jan 13, 2018

    INEC fixes Anambra Central senatorial district election for Jan 13, 2018

    The Independent National EIectoral Commission ( INEC ) has fixed Jan. 13, 2018 for the conduct of the rerun Anambra Central Senatorial District election.

    The seat became vacant following the nullification of the 2015 election for the position by an election tribunal.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja  on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct re-run election within 90 days of the judgment.

    Mr Haruna Mohammed, INEC National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee ( IVEC ),  made the development known in a statement on Friday.

    Mohammed the commission  met on Thursday and discussed the case of the outstanding election to fill the seat for the Anambra Central Senatorial District among other issues.

    “Following the determination of this case, lNEC has decided that all encumbrances to the conduct of the rerun election have now been removed.

    “There is presently no court order restraining lNEC from conducting the election.

    “The Commission has considered all the circumstances surrounding the election particularly the 90-day time-frame ordered by the Court of Appeal.

    “It also considered the demands for preparing adequately for the election as well as the coming Yuletide and decided that the rerun election shall take place on Saturday Jan. 13, 2018,” Mohammed said.

    The Commission commended all stakeholders, particularly the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District for their patience.

    “We hope that the delay has served to clarify some grey areas in our electoral process to make it stronger, freer, fairer and more credible,” Mohammed said.

    NAN

  • Mnangagwa sworn in as Zimbabwe’s new president

    Mnangagwa sworn in as Zimbabwe’s new president

    Former vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as Zimbabwe’s president in the country’s capital, Harare.

    This is after the rather dramatic exit of Robert Mugabe after 37 years of ‘draconian’ rule.

    Mnangagwa’s dismissal few weeks ago led the ruling Zanu-PF party and the army to intervene and force Mugabe to quit.

    It can be recalled that he fled the country in the wake of the political upheaval, only return on Wednesday.

    Mnangagwa who was accompanied by his wife Auxilia took the oath of office and was led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba.

    Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia arrive at the presidential inauguration ceremony in the capital Harare
    Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia arrive at the presidential inauguration ceremony in the capital Harare on Friday. Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP

    Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans gathered at a stadium in Harare, jubilating and congratulating one another amidst singing and dancing.

    Raised banners with writings such as “Dawn of a new era” and “No to retribution” brandished the atmosphere.

    “I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear that as the president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe and obey, uphold and defend the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe,”

    Read also: Mugabe’s disGraceful end

    Details soon…

     

  • N-Power begins physical verification of 300,000 volunteers on Dec. 4

    N-Power begins physical verification of 300,000 volunteers on Dec. 4

    The 300,000 successful candidates pre-selected under the Federal Government’s N-Power Scheme will undergo its physical verification phase from Dec. 4 to Dec. 14 in the 774 local government areas of the country.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation/Youth Employment, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede said the verification would be done with the N-Power stakeholders in the states such as the National Orientation Agency, N-Power State team, National Assembly Monitors and Observers.

    Imoukhuede explained that pre-selection could not be equated to final recruitment as those who fell short of the verification criteria and made faulty declarations in their applications would still be disqualified.

    Accordingly, the presidential aide noted that after the compilation of successfully verified candidates, the final selection would be done followed by the deployment of the volunteers in the Agro, Teach, and Health categories across the country.

    He noted that out of 2.54 million applicants, 2.25 million had their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) validated prior to the assessment test phase while only 1.75 million responded to invitations to write tests.

    In the State-by-State application breakdown, the North West geo-political zone had 33,039 applicants from Jigawa; 113,960 from Kaduna; 97,748 from Kano; 40,742 from Katsina; 30,975 from Kebbi; 22,501 from Sokoto and 32,186 from Zamfara.

    From the North East, 50,552 applications came from Adamawa; Bauchi had 51,920; Borno had 55,264; Gombe had 27,980; Taraba had 36,987 while Yobe had 32,201.

    In North Central, FCT led with 120,198 applications followed by Benue with 89,734 and Kwara with 77,338 while Niger had 73,236 applications; Nasarawa with 72,732; Plateau with 68,955 and Kogi with 61,789.

    Enugu State led the applications in the South East with 81,891 followed by Anambra with 61,075 and Imo with 60,283; while Abia had 54,216 and Ebonyi with 39,030 applications.

    In the South West, Lagos had 174,994 applications; Oyo had 133,281; Osun had 87,281; Ekiti had 37,594; Ogun had 74,940 while Ondo had 69,224 applications.

    The highest applications from the South South came from Rivers with 145,773 followed by Delta with 106,509 and Edo with 63,507. Others are Akwa Ibom with 56,143; Bayelsa with 23,659 and Cross River with 49,596.

    From the statistics, states with highest applications were Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, FCT and Kaduna in while states with the lowest were Sokoto, Bayelsa, Gombe, Kebbi and Zamfara.

    Imoukhuede observed that the selection process was transparent with the first priority being the full validation of BVN to payment account details of applicants, to avoid a repeat of inability to pay any of the new volunteers as a result of unmatched payment details.

    He further stated that other factors considered were equity and fairness by linking selection to population, using federal constituencies and addressing demand distribution of unemployed graduates across the country.

    He added that the process considered correcting the deployment/utilization challenges arising from the 2016 edition as well as rural-urban distribution balance where priority was given to rural areas especially N-Agro applicants.

    The first batch of 200,000 graduates will, in December 2017, begin their second year of the two-year paid volunteer scheme, while the process of mobilising and deploying non-graduate programme began about a month ago.

    NAN

  • FG approves N800m as budget support loan facility for states

    FG approves N800m as budget support loan facility for states

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of N800 million for each of the 36 states of the federation as part of the Budget Support Loan Facility.

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo udoma, stated this when he briefed State House correspondents, alongside Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, on the outcome of the meeting of the National Economic Council ( NEC ) in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

    Udoma said the Accountant General of the Federation reported to the Council that approval for the payment of the amount had been received by his office and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been directed to pay the money to the states.

    “Governors expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the restoration of the Budget Support Loan Facility for July and August 2017,’’ he said.

    He said the Accountant General also informed the Council that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at Nov. 17 stood at $2,309,693,583.35

    He said the Council was also updated on the balance of the Stabilisation Fund Account (SFA), which, as at Nov. 17 stood at N6,689,072,836.11

    The minister said the balance of the Natural Resources Development Fund Account stood at N100, 314, 169, 190,23 as at Nov. 17.

    Akeredolu told the correspondents that the Council received the Report of the NEC hoc Committee on Export Promotion.

    The committee was set up in September.

    “The report dwelt extensively on an export promotion plan geared towards achieving governments’ policy on the “zero oil Plan.

    “The Committee recommended, among other things, the establishment of a National Committee on Export Promotion, chaired at the Presidency level.

    “It also recommended the setting up of a  Technical Committee involving federal and states MDAs to help provide technical information and direction to the proposed committee.

    “The Ad-hoc Committee further  recommended that Export procedures and documentation be streamlined with  the identification of existing domestic investors and engagement plan for output expansion.

    He said the committee also recommended the establishment of more laboratories and testing centres to help improve quality and standard of export and the domestication of the Office of Technical Regulation (OTR) as recommended by UNIDO.

    On market for Nigeria’s products, he said the committee recommended the deepening of commercial diplomacy, one-stop shops for export and a National Export Portal to generate global orders to link suppliers to buyers

    “On Value Chain Development, the Committee recommended the development of clusters along product value chain, market driven research and development and the provision of seeds and seedlings.

    “The committee recommended the recapitalization of NEXlM Bank, the provision of Export Development Fund in line with NEPC Act, a five-year financial window on export expansion grant and funding scheme for exporters similar to the CBN Anchor Borrowers programme.

    NAN

  • FG begins training of 182 officers, enumerators in Delta

    FG begins training of 182 officers, enumerators in Delta

    The Federal Government ( FG ) on Thursday in Asaba commenced the training of 182 officers and enumerators chosen from nine local government areas of Delta on identification of poor and vulnerable in the state.

    The four-day training programme organised by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office ( NASSCO ) of the Vice President’s office, is under the National Social Safety Net Programme.

    The National Coordinator, NASSCO, Mr Peter Papka, said that .the prrogramme was to enable the trainees understand the concept of Community Based Target (CBT) and develop CBT plans for their areas.

    He said that the World Bank-assisted programme was aimed at having a social register of the poor and vulnerable with a view to reducing extreme poverty in the country.

    Papka said that the programme was designed to allow communities define in their own context what poverty was to them.

    The coordinator said that after the training, the participants would commence sensitisation of the various communities in their area on the registration of the poor and the vulnerable in the various LGAs.

    Papka said that the chosen nine local government areas represented 30 per cent of the 25 local government areas of the state.

    He listed the benefiting localgovernment areas as Aniocha South, Aniocha North, Burutu, Ethiope East, Ika North East, Warri South West, Warri North, Okpe and Ughelli South..

    Meanwhile, some of the participants commended the federal government for the initiative, adding that if well implemented it would go a long way in reducing poverty in the country.

    Mr Godwin Aroture form Burutu Local Government Area, said, “I must commend the Federal and the state government for this initiative and expect that it will be implemented.’’

    Also, Mrs Kate Okocha from Aniocha South Local government Area, said “I am happy with this programme like this, but my prayer is let it be implemented as promised.”

    NAN

  • AEDC denies issuing “Force Majeure” on direct purchase of electricity

    AEDC denies issuing “Force Majeure” on direct purchase of electricity

    Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc ( AEDC ) has denied declaring any “Force Majeure” over the new Eligible Customer Policy in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry ( NESI ).

    “Force Majeure “ is a contractual and legal announcement, which is used to declare the inability of a party to meet up with a contractual obligation with another party in business.

    The Minister of Power, Works, Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, had on May 15, declared four categories of customers that could purchase power direct (eligible customers) from the generation companies in the NESI.

    The declaration, which permits electricity customers to buy power directly from the generation companies, is in line with the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC ) had also on Nov 6, presented  the  regulations to guide the implementation of the customer eligibility in the NESI.

    AEDC in a statement by its Head,  Corporate Communications, Mr Oyebode Fadipe, said the information in the media on declaration of force majeur came to AEDC  as a  shock.

    Fadipe said AEDC was surprised, when its name was listed in some media as one of the DisCos that declared force majeure on  eligible customer policy of the Federal Government.

    “We have neither declared any force majeure nor have we conveyed such intention to either the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) nor Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    “AEDC did not discuss   with   any other stakeholder in the Nigerian electricity supply industry nor do we intend to do so anytime soon”.

    Fadipe urged AEDC’s  customers and stakeholders to disregard the story as it had nothing to do with  the company  as a player in the NESI.

    NAN