The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Labour: we have won the first leg

    Labour yesterday hailed the signing of the Minimum Wage Bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as the first stage of victory for workers.

    It said strict implementation of the new salary regime should begin immediately.

    The workers leaders – Bobboi Kaigama of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joe Ajaero of the United Labour Congress (ULC) – said the signing was the first stage of the battle to ensure a living wage for their members.

    They called for strict implementation of the wage to ensure that all the states and the private sector comply.

    The Labour leaders plan to sanction any employer that refused to comply with the new minimum wage.

    Read also: Buhari signs N30,000 Minimum Wage Bill

    Speaking with The Nation, Ajaero said one leg of the battle has been won, adding “Labour is ready for the second battle”.

    He said the level of enforcement by the states, government agencies and the private sector would be look into.

    He said: “Experience has showed that some states, government agencies, private sector may not want to comply. So, we have to enforce strictly on this.

    “Also, the insinuation that N27,000 is what will be approved has been laid to rest. I want use this opportunity to congratulates the Nigerian workers.”

    Kaigama said: “It’s a victory for the Nigerian workers.

    The TUC President said further: “What is needed now is strict follow up, saying that the minimum wage is long over due.

    “We are happy that it has been finally signed. However, strict monitoring is necessary so that every employers will comply. I congratulates the Nigerian workers.”

  • Senate passes bills rejected by Buhari

    SEVEN of the bills rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari were yesterday reconsidered and passed by the Senate.

    The development came as the upper chamber initiated moves to override of the President on the Fourth Alteration Bill No.28.

    The Senate said the bills were reconsidered and passed in line with legislative procedures.

    President Buhari, in his letter of rejection, raised concerns about the constitutionality of the bills if passed into law.

    The President requested the Senate in the letters to consider the issues raised for their rejection and reconsider the bills.

    Passed are the re-drafted version of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2019; Petroleum Industry Governance, Bill, 2019 and five others.

    Also passed are: National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Bill; National Research and Innovation Council Bill; Stamp Duties Act (Amendment) Bill; National Agricultural Seed Council Bill and Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (Amendment) Bill.

    Following the President’s refusal to assent to the afore-listed Bills, the Senate set-up a seven-member technical committee, headed by Senator David Umaru, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, to look into the constitutional and legal implications of withholding of assent to the bills by the President and to make appropriate recommendations on the way forward.

    The committee reviewed six constitutional amendment bills and 11 private member bills.

    In its 34-page report, the committee recommended that the Senate should re-consider and pass again 11 bills, including the five Constitutional Amendment bills; it should override the President’s veto on a Constitutional Amendment Bill, and the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Amendment Bill, 2018; and that the Senate should entirely withdraw four other Bills.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki directed the Senate secretariat to take note of the observations and corrections made by senators and ensure that they were reflected in the bills before transmitting them to the President for assent.

    On Tuesday, the Senate included in its Order Paper, two bills earmarked for override.

    The two bills were not considered at the end of plenary. No explanation was given by Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan, on why they were not considered.

    The two affected bills slated for override, but not considered are: Fourth Alteration Bill No. 28, and the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Amendment Bill.

    The upper chamber relisted the Fourth Alteration Bill No. 28 and the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Amendment Bill yesterday. Both passed second reading.

    The second reading of the bills was the second stage of the override process.

    Read also: Senate, House reconvene next week to consider Budget 2019

    If the bills pass the third reading with the required two-third majority (73 senators) and secure the concurrence of the House of Representatives, the two bills will become a law.

    The Forth Alteration No. 28 Bill is a constitution amendment, which seeks to provide for the time within which the President or Governor shall lay the Appropriation Bill before the National or State Assembly.

    The bill also seeks to encourage early presentation and passage of Appropriation Bills.

    President Buhari declined assent to the bill on the grounds that it did not take cognisance of the provisions of Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    On the other hand, Industrial Development Amendment Bill, if passed, will enable companies to expand their operations in pioneer industry or product to apply for a new pioneer status.

    President Buhari declined assent to the bill on the grounds that ongoing inter-ministerial consultations would be affected if the bill was signed into law.

  • LCCI praises Buhari for declining assent to NHF Bill

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for not signing the National Housing Fund (NHF) Bill.

    The chamber said the bill would have caused more problems for citizens.

    LCCI Director-General Muda Yusuf gave the commendation in an interview with The Nation in Lagos.

    President Buhari, had on April 2, declined assent to the National Housing Fund Bill alongside seven others passed by the National Assembly.

    Yusuf said the bill would have increased cost of building materials thus widening the country’s infrastructural deficit, led to increase in cost of doing business and inflict hardship on workers.

    He said  what the government should do was to evolve a mechanism that would reduce the cost of building materials to enable more Nigerians become empowered to construct buildings.

    “The government should be more concerned on how to bring down the cost of steel, cement and make land easily accessible and affordable, and also promote the use of local materials for construction,” he said.

    He urged the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) to evolve more innovative alternative and sustainable building materials for housing development.

    The LCCI chief said the use of local building materials would reduce the cost of construction, boost productivity in the building industry, and reduce environmental impact.

    Yusuf urged the research institute to publicise and commercialise its prototypes for more acceptability by Nigerians and to bridge the nation’s housing deficits

  • Second term: Fed Govt orders MDAs to submit handover notes

    A head of the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, ministers have ordered agencies and corporations under them to turn in their handover notes on or before April 23.

    A circular issued to heads of 14 agencies and corporations under the Federal ministry of Finance said the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, ordered the agencies and corporations to prepare their handover notes in soft copies and hard copies.

    She also asked them to list all the files in their custody and submit them to the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, Dr Mohammed Dikwa, on or before April 23.

    The circular reads: “Following the recently concluded presidential elections, preparations are in place to successfully conclude the current administration on May 29. As part of the process of transition, all agencies and departments under the Federal Ministry of Finance are directed to prepare their handover notes.”

    Read also: Buhari challenges Atiku to present his credentials

    The circular, dated April 8, was sent to the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Debt Management Office (DMO), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Investment and Security Tribunal (IST), Nigeria Customs Service, National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), Nigeria Import Export Bank (NEXIM), Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

    The circular urged the heads of these agencies to use a template designed for the purpose to “prepare the handover notes of your department and all the divisions/units under you.” The circular also advised the aforementioned agencies to contact Dr. Isreal Igwe and Dr. Essien Akparawa for further enquiry.

    From the circular which was delivered to the Nigeria Customs Service, on the 9th of April, 2019, all Deputy Comptrollers General (DCGs) and Assistant Comptroller Generals (ACGs) were ordered to turn in their notes on the 15th of April, 2019 and to treat the circular as very urgent.

  • Buhari approves appointment of NSITF board

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of members of the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), a parastatal agency of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    Mrs. Rhoda Iliya, Assistant Director Press in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to Iliya, the board will be headed by Mr. Austin Enajemo-Isire, a Chartered Accountant, professional Insurance Executive and Banker with Mrs. Ijeoma Okoronkwo as Secretary.

    “The names of other board members include Mr. Olawale, Osuolale Timothy, Dr. Mohammed Yinusa, Mr. Waheed Adeyanju, Mr. Ibrahim Khaleel, Dr. Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, Mrs. Dutse Aminu, “she said.

    She also said others members are Mr. Jasper Azutalam, Executive Director, Finance, Mr. Tijani Suleiman, Executive Admin, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Executive Director, Operations and Mr. Ade Bayo Somefun, Managing Director & Chief Executive.

    She said the board would be inaugurated on Thursday, April 18, by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, in the Minister’s Conference Room, at 11: 00am.

    She also said that President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Comrade Ovie Kokori as the Chairman of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Kwara State.

    She added that the appointment is with immediate effect. (NAN)

  • Senate to reconvene April 24 for 2019 budget

    The much awaited report of the 2019 Appropriation bill was laid in the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday.

    The Appropriation Committees of the two chambers submitted a harmonized budget report for the consideration and adoption.

    In the Senate Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje submitted the report while the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mustapha Dawaki did the same.

    Both chambers did not consider the report of the N8.83 trillion budget proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 fiscal year.

    READ ALSO: Senate aborts bill to phase out petrol vehicles in 2035

    Findings showed that the lawmakers who have proceeded on the Easter break would reconvene on April Wednesday 24, 2019 to pass the budget.

    The House also adjourned plenary to enable members observe the Easter celebration, would reconvene on Tuesday April 23, 2019 to pass the budget.

    It is not clear whether there were major changes and additions made in the money bill as proposed by President Buhari.

     had mandated sub-committees to adopt the Executive submission of the budget in place of any ministry, department or agency that failed to turn up to defend their budgets.

  • Reps condemn Presidency for starving first line charge agencies of funds

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday condemned the Presidency in strong terms for implementing the 2018 Appropriation Act in breach with regards to agencies of government on first line charge.

    The lawmakers took exception to the failure of the Executive to respect the provisions of the Constitution on first line charge for the Independent Natuonal Electoral Commission (INEC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Universal Basic Education (UBEC), the Public Complaints Commission (PCM)  and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

    As a result, the House urged President Muhammadu Buhari  to direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) to immediately fully implement the 2018 Appropriation Act with regards to statutory transfers to organizations that are on first line.

    To emphasise the importance of the  issue, the leadership of the National Assembly and the relevant Committees on Appropriation, Finance and Legislative Compliance have been directed to ensure compliance and report back to the House within two weeks.

    This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by Edward Pwajok (PDP, Plateau), who noted that the 1999 Constitution as amended created and allocated separate powers to the three arms of Government.

    He said the  three arms of Government are co-equal and meant to operate  independently to guarantee the smooth working of the government under the Presidential Constitution.

    He however noted that the executive breached the Constitution  despite being aware that it was amended by the first Alteration Act, 2010 Act No 1 by altering Section 81(3) to place INEC, the National Assembly and the Judiciary on first line charge by stipulating that the amount standing to the credit of those agencies or arms of Government be paid directly to such bodies.

    “These bodies are captured in the annual appropriation Acts under Statutory Transfers.

    “It is worrisome that the Executive arm of Government is currently in breach of the Constitution by refusing or neglecting to implement the mandatory provisions of the Constitution regarding statutory transfers and first line charge requirements, by not releasing the funds to these bodies in line with the Appropriation Act 2013 and the Constitution.

    “In spite of a previous resolution of the House passed in 2018 on the above subject and the appearance of the Minister of Finance before an Ad hoc Committee, the matter has remained unresolved.

    “By the implication of the brazen flouting of the Appropriation Act 2018 and the Constitution, which may make the Legislature and the Judiciary to become subservient to the Executive thereby negating the letters and spirit of the Constitution and the law with dire consequences on the practice of Democracy in Nigeria,” he noted.

    The motion was unanimous adopted after a voice vote, while  the resolution is expected to be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.

  • 9th NASS leadership: Buhari host reps elect to dinner

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday hosted All Progressives Congress (APC) members of House of Representatives-elect to a dinner at Statehouse Conference Center.

    The dinner according to a source is meant to ensure unity among the newly elected members of the National Assembly as they look forward towards electing leadership of the 9th National Assembly.

    The 9th Assembly commences in June 2019.

    Already, the leadership of the party had maintained that the party’s candidate must emerge as leadership of the National Assembly.

    The National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and the National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, at different occasion had warned their party men and women that as the party with majority, they must produce the leadership of both houses.

    The party nominated Senator Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila for the position of Senate President and Speakership respectively.

    This, however, did not go down well with Former Senate leader, Ali Ndume who also declared his intention to run for the Senate Presidency despite the endorsement of the current Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan for position by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    While House spokesman Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa), Ahmed Wase (APC, Plateau) and Umar Bago (APC, Niger) are challenging the party nominated candidate, Gbajabiamila for the speakership position.

    The other challenger, Muhammad Monguno who is the current Chairman Committee on Agricultural Productions and Services, Hon. Muhammad Monguno last week withdrew from the race for Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

    Monguno, who represents Marte/Monguno/Nganzai Federal Constituency of Borno State, said Gbajabiamila was the most qualified among all contenders.

     

  • Buhari condoles with France, Christendom over Notre Dame fire

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with President Emmanuel Macron of France and all citizens over the tragic fire incident that gutted parts of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

    A statement by the President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Tuesday, said Buhari extended his sympathy to Christians in Nigeria and all over the world following the partial destruction of the historical Cathedral.

    Read also: Notre Dame Cathedral ‘saved from total destruction’

    ”President Buhari and Nigerians joined the world in shock and disbelief as the highly revered and historical church building went up in flames on Monday, praying that the almighty God will provide resources and capacity for full restoration.

    ”As one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, a central place of worship for Christians and symbol of France, the President urges joint faith in prayers for the country and its citizens,” the statement added.(NAN)

  • Civil servants will be paid promotion arrears, says AGF

    Civil servants in the Country have been assured that their promotion arrears will be paid as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Civil servants have been clamouring for the payment of their promotion arrears some of which has lingered on for years.

    The assurance was given by the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris when he played host to the National Executive of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria in his office in Abuja.

    Ahmed Idris revealed that “following Mr. President’s directive that N10 billion be set aside monthly, commencing from May 2017 to offset backlog of Promotion Arrears, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has inaugurated an in-house committee to verify MDAs’ claims and submissions.”

    READ ALSO: ICPC recovers N594b from civil servants

    According to a statement issued by the OAGF and signed by Oise D. Johnson, Head of Press and Publicity OAGF, the AGF noted “the Committee has saved over N37 billion from misapplications, paddings, mistakes and non-compliance by MDAs to the agreed template” with regards to promotion matters

    Also, “the committee has paid out the sum of N42 billion, out of the N55 billion released leaving an outstanding of N13 billion in cash while a total of N35 billion is yet to be released to the office,” he said.

    Furthermore, the AGF promised that he will bring the concerns of the Association to the notice of the Minister of Finance and will also dialogue with the Director General Budget Office, to ensure that Government continues to keep its part of the agreement reached with Association in order to ensure industrial harmony.