The Nation Newspaper

Tag: safe?

  • ‘PenCom working to keep pension funds safe, profitable’

    The pension fund has hit N8.5 trillion and it keeps rising. What should be done with this huge cash reserve? National Pension Commission (NPC) Acting Director-General Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar urges caution in investing the fund, as she speaks on its status, backlogs of pension payments, Retirement Savings Account and access to residential mortgage. OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO met her.

    Contrary to the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2004, retirees have not received their pensions for over five years. What caused this and what are you doing to clear the backlog?

    Section 39 (2) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 mandates the Federal Government to pay into the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund Account, not less than five per cent of the monthly wage bill paid to employees in the Public Service of the Federation to redeem the accrued pension right of Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) retirees. However, in the last five years, budgetary funding and releases have not been regular and adequate for the payment of outstanding accrued pension rights over this period as a result of the decline in government revenue.

    Also, in 2017, only 44.4 per cent of the total amount requested by the Commission was approved and released by the Federal Government for paying accrued pension. This shortfall has been responsible for the accumulation of several months and backlog of unpaid accrued pension rights. However, with the full release of the total amount approved in the 2018 FGN budget by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Commission has paid Federal Government employees who retired up to last February as at January 23, 2019. We are also processing the payment of employees who retired up to last May and 1,079 employees who retired but missed the previous general enrolment. In essence, by the end of last month, retirement benefits of the Federal Government employees who retired between June 2018 and January 2019 will be outstanding due to shortfall in budgetary provisions in 2017 by the Federal Government.The Commission has been engaging the relevant authorities to ensure funding of the outstanding accrued right liabilities, especially the shortfall in 2017 budget. A submission has been made to the Federal Government during the Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting in 2017 to consider the issuance of Bond through the Debt Management Office (DMO) to fund these arrears as aa alternative to budgetary allocations.

    The commission started the Multi-Fund Structure last July. How successful is it?

    The Retirement Savings Account (RSA) Multi-Fund Structure was conceived by the commission to align with contributors’risk appetite with their investment horizon, at each stage of their life cycle. The main objectives of the RSA Multi-Fund Structure are to achieve optimum returns for contributors by aligning their pension savings with their individual risk/return profiles, provide investment portfolio choices to Contributors, and enhance safety of pension assets through adequate portfolio diversification, through increased investment in equities and alternative assets, such as infrastructure and private equity. We have recorded some successes so far. As at December 31, 2018, the RSA Fund had been successfully split into four funds, while the sensitisation of RSA contributors is still ongoing to create awareness on the features of the RSA Multi-Fund Structure. At present, RSA contributors  now have the opportunity to choose a Fund that best suits their risk-return profile. I would say the challenges so far have been low public education and awareness. There is low public awareness of the workings and benefits of the  Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). There are also limited Investible Securities. The Bond Market is dominated by FGN Bonds, which offer relatively high yields, and thus crowding out non-government bonds.

    Similarly, there is a dearth of alternative assets, such as infrastructure funds, private equity and real estate that meet the investment requirements of pension funds. However, the RSA Multi-Fund Structure is still at the very early stage of implementation,with just six months of commencement.

    Investment of pension fund seems to be going more into FGN securities, by about 70 per cent. Why? Why has it not been  put into other projects?

    The regulation on investment of pension fund assets prescribes allowable asset classes and investment limits for pension fund assets. Accordingly, pension funds may be invested in securities, such as Quoted Ordinary Shares; FGN Securities (FGN Bonds, Treasury Bills, Agency Bonds, Sukuk Bonds, Green Bonds); State Government Securities; Corporate Debt Securities (Corporate Bonds, Corporate Infrastructure Bonds); Money Market Securities (Commercial Papers, Bank Deposit/Placements etc.); Mutual Funds (Open-Close End Funds, REITs, etc.); Private Equity Funds; and Infrastructure Funds. Meanwhile, the major objectives of pension fund investment are “safety” and “fair returns”. FGN Securities are viewed as “risk-free” securities, and over the last couple of years, the fixed income market had been dominated by FGN Securities, which offer relatively high yields. The high yields and low risks offered by FGN Securities, as well as the volatility of the stock market in recent years, influenced the “flight-to-safety” approach adopted by pension fund managers to safeguard the value of pension assets and minimise losses to contributors.

    What are the trends in the market that will make good impact in the next five years?

    The commission recently embarked on a number of initiatives, which would impact positively on the financial market and economic development in the mid- to long-term. These initiatives include the introduction of micro pension and non-interest funds and access to RSA for residential mortgage. The Commission is in the final stages of preparation for the launch of the micro pension scheme, which aims to provide pensions for Nigerians in the informal sector not covered under the CPS. Similarly, the introduction of the non-interest fund is aimed at enhancing financial inclusion by targeting pension contributors who would prefer access to non-interest financial services. These initiatives are expected to impact the workers and the economy as follows: expand the coverage of the CPS; increase financial inclusion; additional membership/contributor in the Contributory Pension Scheme; increase the pool of pension funds, available for investment and economic development; and increased financial market development, for non-interest products.

    Also, the commission is working assiduously to ensure that contributors can have access to their RSA for residential mortgage.The main objective of Section 89 (2) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 is to facilitate access by RSA holders to residential mortgages as well as stimulate the housing and mortgage finance sector. The Commission is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and stakeholders in the mortgage sector to develop appropriate “Guidelines on Accessing Retirement Savings Accounts towards Payment of Equity Contribution for Residential Mortgage by Holders of Retirement Savings Accounts”. The guidelines are expected to be issued in the year.

    Many firms are not remitting pension after deducting from their employee’s salaries. What are you doing about this?

    The commission, in line with the provision of the PRA 2014, has developed a Framework for Recovery of Outstanding Pension Contributions with penalty for defaulting employers.  Based on the Framework, the commission has engaged recovery agents for continuous enrolment into the CPS and recovery of unremitted pension contributions plus penalty from defaulting employers. The recovery, which has been largely successful,has boosted the confidence of contributors and by extension encouraged non-participating employees and employers to embrace the Scheme. Through the initiative of recovery agent,  N15.31 billion representing a principal contribution of N7.85 billion and penalty of N7.46 billion have been recovered from defaulting employers. Both the principal contributions and penalty have been credited into the workers’ RSA accounts. The penalty is meant to compensate for the income that would have been earned if the contributions were remitted as and when due. The commission is also prosecuting recalcitrant employers who fail to remit their employees’ pension contributions into their RSAs.  As at today, the commission has instituted legal actions against 167 recalcitrant employers. Of that number, 78 have opted to settle out of court, 34 judgments have been obtained and 23 are at different stages in the courts.

    Meanwhile, the commission has a fully functional Complaints Monitoring and Resolution Team, which attends to complaints on non/late/under-remittance of pension contributions into employees RSAs.

    Your commission has been trying to capture the informal sector through the Micro Pension Scheme. Please give us an update on the scheme?

    The Micro Pension Plan is fallout of the Commission’s corporate strategy of inclusive and expanded coverage of the CPS. The micro pension initiative started in accordance with Section 2(3) of the PRA 2014, which provides that employees of organisations with less than three employees as well as self-employed persons shall be entitled to participate under the scheme in accordance with the guidelines issued by the commission. This gave rise to the creation of the Micro Pension Plan with the attendant formulation and development of the framework and guidelines for the plan. The guidelines have been approved by the Federal Government and issued to the operators. The guidelines have also been hosted on the commission’s website for public use. The department has been involved in reaching out to prospective stakeholders as well as collaborating with relevant institutions to create awareness about Micro Pension Plan. Enlightenment materials on the plan are being put together by the commission and both the commission and the operators are working on payment platform for flexible contributions and withdrawals on the plan. The guidelines on the investment of micro pension fund will soon be issued. Also, structures are being put in place to ensure effective monitoring and regulation of the plan. PenCom and operators are collaborating to come up with modalities for a hitch-free launch and eventual implementation of the Micro Pension Plan. It is expected that the launch of the Micro Pension plan will take place in the first quarter of the year.

    Does the commission have adequate capacity to monitor fund operators?

    The Commission has sufficient capacity to monitor the activities of all licensed pension fund operators as its key objective is to ensure that every person who worked in the public service of the federation, state government or the private sector receives his/her retirement benefits as and when due. In that regard, the commission issued a regulation for the administration of retirement and terminal benefits, which clearly specified period within which operators are to contact intending retirees and notify them on documentation needed, mode of retirement and time frame for the processing and crediting of the RSA of the beneficiaries. In addition, operators are mandated to render monthly pension payment returns to the commission as well as benefit payments made within the period, which include the details of the retiree, RSA number, date of payment and amount paid, among others. Furthermore, the commission conducts on-site routine examination of licensed operators to review the benefits administration of the PFAs, including timeliness for benefit payments. However, sometimes the delay in payment of benefits by some operators could be attributed to incomplete documentation from retirees, incorrect bank details; and delayed payments or remittance of accrued rights for employees of Treasury Funded Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of FGN prior to 2004.

    What assurances do you have for retirees awaiting their pension?

    We thank them for their patience and assure them that everything is been done to settle all arrears. The government is also putting structures in place to ensure it remains in payments moving forward. In other words, paying in arrears will soon be a thing of the past.

  • Abuja-Kaduna-Abuja train service is safe, NRC

    Abuja-Kaduna-Abuja train service is safe, NRC

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has assured passengers on her Abuja-Kaduna-Abuja speed train service of uncompromised safety while onboard the trains or at any of its railway stations.

    The assurance came on the heels of “unfounded fears,” of the safety of her passengers after the reported incidence of some miscreants stoning passenger trains on Tuesday, and the unsubstantiated media reports of attacks on same train by gunmen.

    A statement signed by the Corporation’s Deputy Director Public Relations Yakub Mahmood on Friday said the Corporation has reinforced its security architecture with additional security equipment and had deployed more personnel to provide adequate security to all her esteemed passengers.

  • How safe is Anambra State?

    To walk successfully from Bridge Head, Onitsha, to Upper Iweka, in the same Onitsha, any time in the night is to achieve a feat. This is especially so if the person is carrying personal belongings or money. Not many are able to achieve that these days, no thanks to the marauding gangs of criminals, both petty and big time, who have rendered the once safe axis very unsafe for everybody.

    Two weeks ago, a business man and his apprentice had just come down from a vehicle around 10 pm at the Bridge Head area. There were four young men huddled together a little distance from where the business man got down from the bus. Ordinarily, the scenario would not have raised eyebrows as the young men might just have been cooling off and savouring the cool night air. But no sooner than the business man and his boy got down from the bus than the four young men surrounded them with guns.

    The incident I just related is just one of many that have become the lot of those residing or doing business in Anambra State’s biggest commercial enclave. Crime has simply overtaken the city, while the police and other security agencies keep quiet, either as a result of incapability to deal with the situation, or because of complicity (who knows?)

    Besides the incident, the entire city of Onitsha has been ravaged by crime. From Bridge Head to Okpoko and to Fegge, men of the underworld appear to have overwhelmed the security agencies. This has resulted in the killing of five police men in the city within the past one year. There was even this story of a policeman whose gun was snatched from him as he got down to eat.

    To use the pedestrian bridges at night is equally dangerous as the bad boys are usually on the prowl there. A reporter with a newspaper in Awka, lost her phone thrice in Onitsha to these hoodlums. The third occasion was in front of her house when two men on a bike pulled up in front of her and her daughter in broad day light and brandished a gun before taking their phones.

    There are notorious areas in the Onitsha metropolis. They include Okpoko, Fegge and Obosi. Obosi’s case beats imagination as this has been a known dangerous area for many years now, yet the police have allowed things to continue to degenerate there. It was in that place that popular presenter with the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, and deejay, Magic Fingers, was shot late one evening. He managed to escape with his life and ran straight to the Borromeo Hospital where he was promptly admitted.

    And then penultimate Monday, the circulation manager of the Sun newspapers, Fabian Obi, was murdered in cold blood after a gunman entered his office at Old Market Road and pumped him with bullets three times before taking his money. The killer then got down and entered a waiting tricycle or okada.

    Reacting to this, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, South-east Zone, led by Comrade Chris Isiguzo, Vice President, and Ken Ofoma, Secretary, had this to say: ‘We received with shock the news of the killing of a Sun newspaper agent in Onitsha, Fabian Obi, by unknown gunmen. This is indeed very tragic. For such to happen at a time the military operation code-named “Python Dance 11”, aimed at checking the rising wave of armed robberies, kidnapping and other forms of crimes, is still on, with soldiers virtually at every nook and cranny of the five South-east states, made it more troubling.

    ‘We also want to remind the Anambra State government that the primary responsibility of a responsible government is the protection of life and property. Abandoning this responsibility, especially at this critical time when the state is preparing for a major election, resulting in the rising wave of insecurity in the state, indeed speaks volumes of the government’s commitment to security of life. Let the needful be done as quickly as possible because a stitch in time saves nine.’

    Indeed, we join the NUJ in calling on the appropriate authorities, including the security agencies and the Anambra State government, to sit up and tackle the security situation, not just in Onitsha, but in other places, including Awka.

    In Awka, the state capital, criminality in the Okpuno area is well documented. One dares not walk the streets in the night with personal effects. To do that is to invite a slashed arm or a broken head as a member of staff of this writer experienced. She was returning home around after seven in the evening with her camera when she was attacked on a lonely stretch near her house. Her camera was taken while she was hit on the head with a bottle and one of her wrists slashed with a bottle.

    I recall that when I had a session with the immediate past police commissioner in Anambra State on the menace of criminals in these areas, he had taken offence at the question. But this is not an issue to be parried by feigned annoyance. The danger to citizens of the state in these areas is real and needs to be tackled.

    Onitsha is central to Anambra’s economy and allowing hoodlums to overrun the place will hurt the state economically. The failure of government and the security agencies to check the spate of crimes in Onitsha may be counter-productive and this is why everything should be done to check the trend.

    The Anambra State government has done well by investing heavily in security. The police and other agencies should reciprocate by living up to their responsibilities.

    Anambra may be among the safest states in the country, but Onitsha is turning out to be the unsafest city. And if the crime indices in this city continue to rise unabated, the safest state may not be very safe after all.

     

    • Atupulazi, a journalist writes from Awka, Anambra State.

  • Climate change: Why no one is safe

    SIR: Even with the greatest attempts to deny the reality of climate change quandary, one area we cannot fail to see climate change negatively impacting society is in the adverse health effects on communities. The direct effects span vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Others include West Nile virus, cholera, Lyme disease and asthma resulting from air pollution. Even Ebola is not left out of this conversation. According to Kris Murray, senior research scientist at EcoHealth Alliance, an organization that researches and educates about the relationships between wildlife, ecosystems and human health, climate change has strong potential to play a role in increasing the risk for Ebola. Meningitis too, famous for its epidemic in the earlier part of this year had its outbreak peaked by extremely low humidity and severe heat waves in the northern part of Nigeria.

    The major public health organizations of the world have said that climate change is a critical public health problem. Climate change makes many existing diseases and conditions worse, but it may also help introduce new pests and pathogens into new regions or communities. Dengue fever for instance infects about 400 million people each year, and is one of the primary causes of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics.

    Only a few weeks back, we witnessed the sad incident of flooding in Makurdi, an occurrence that was reported by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to have claimed several lives and put 110, 000 people at the risk of contracting diseases. There is also the mental effect of climate disaster displacements. Stress resulting from it jeopardizes immune systems, and it is difficult to maintain food hygiene in disaster zones.

    The health industry in Nigeria clearly has little or insufficient knowledge of climate change, and needs some irradiation to enable them grasp the connection it has with health and quantify the specific effects climate change has on the overall disease burden and on opportunities and effectiveness in the public health. This will help them better mitigate their adverse effects.

    The health sector can also use climate information effectively in epidemic early warning systems as useful indicators to support early detection of disease outbreaks and prepare ahead of time for epidemics that are likely to occur. This synergy should importantly include the emergency response agencies to enable them also be prepared for these disasters and obliterate the rate of climate-related illnesses.

    Essentially, climate change is not a game of hide and seek where one can play into the safe zones and eclipse their corner of the world from its balefully warm hands. The health effects of climate change are enormous, and we must first understand and accept that in order to prepare ourselves for solutions. We must also be reminded, however subtly, that with each activity we do to hurt the environment, we hurt our health, individually and collectively.

     

    • Caleb Adebayo,

    <calebadebayoc@gmail.com>

  • ‘IDPs to remain in camp till communities are safe’

    The Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) has said Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are still in camps because some of the communities they should return to are not safe.

    The IDPs will remain in camps until their communities become safe and habitable, the committee added.

    The committee’s Vice Chairman Tijjani Tumsah, spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He said the committee will allow IDPs return to their communities “only when it has been certified safe for return”.

    His words: “Efforts are on to rebuild and restore homes of the IDPs, and they can only return when all those places are safe; the number of people returning to their communities is of course increasing.

    “As we have more military successes, people now move back to their homes. We have to continuously prepare to ensure that once they get back home, they are safe and can resume their livelihood.

    “Most of the people are farmers and farming resumption requires that you are safe. When you go to the farm, a lot of these areas are still not safe for that to happen; so they continue to stay in camps.”

    Tumsah hinted that the committee was considering creating new settlements in secured areas since the number of people returning to liberated communities was increasing.

  • Southeast governors, IG: Igbo are safe in the North

    Southeast governors, IG: Igbo are safe in the North

    APC: rein in separatists

    The dust raised by the ultimatum issued by some groups for the Igbo to leave the North was yet to settle yesterday.

    But Southeast governors told their citizens not to panic, stressing that they are free to live anywhere in Nigeria.

    Besides, the police assured the Igbo living in the North of their safety.

    Police chief Ibrahim Idris ordered top officers to keep the peace nationwide after a meeting of the top brass in Abuja.

    The House of Representatives also urged the police and other security agencies to ensure that everybody is safe.

    The youths, who issued an October deadline for the Igbo to quit the North, claimed that their action was due to the unchecked agitation for secession by Southeast groups, led by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    But the Federal Government, North’s governors, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and others have condemned the quit order as “provocative” and “uncalled for”.   The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) vowed that members of such groups would be stopped.

    Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi called on northern leaders to take actions would counter the intended plot of the youths to ensure that the grim history of the past is not repeated.

    He said: “We must call on all serious-minded patriots, particularly the religious leadership in Nothern Nigeria; the leadership of other socio-cultural groups in Nothern Nigeria; the Nigerian Governors Forum; and all the service branches to rise up with voices of peace and wisdom to counteract the mischievousness and exuberant excesses of the northern youth.

    “The ugly lessons of history are too grim to be stoked with carelessness. As leaders, we must exert the full measure of our powers and influence to forestall a repetition.

    “We call on all Igbo sons and daughters resident in Nothern Nigeria to go about their lawful daily activities without fear of intimidation, hindrance or molestation.”

    Umahi reiterated the governors’ commitment to “the existence of a virile, united prosperous and progressive Federal Republic of Nigeria where justice, fairness, equity, mutual respect and equality of opportunity to all citizens, regardless of creed, ethnicity or gender, will reign supreme under the inflexible rule of law”.

    The governor also denied insinuations that a meeting resolved to send buses to evacuate Igbo in the North.

    “The rumours being peddled on conventional and social media platforms that we, the governors of the Southeast have met and agreed to mobilise vehicles and cash for repatriation of Ndigbo resident in Northern Nigeria must be disregarded, as they are nothing but tissues of lies.

    ”No amount of provocation would lead us to such precipitate and irresponsible action at this time. Those exploiting such vacuous tittle-tattle as a basis for divisive rhetoric in public spaces are simply playing juvenile politics and we urge them to cease and desist.”

     

    In Abuja, the IGP ordered Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners and other senior officers to ensure peace nationwide.

    He told them that “the issue that is becoming a concern is the issue of threat by some tribal and regional groups”.

    “Yesterday, a group issued threat to some groups in this country and, like I observed, no individual has authority to stop any Nigerian from pursuing his daily bread in any part of this country because these are rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution.

    “We are not going to allow the groups to carry out the threat,” Idris said, adding:

    ”I want us all to be alert and stop anybody, group or individual that attempts to prevent any Nigerian from carrying out his daily activities; we have responsibility to ensure that those groups are stopped by all means. Being a Nigerian, no group has the right to prevent anybody from his rights either movement, association or whatever.

    He added: “The Nigeria Police Force has the right to stop such groups. The group called themselves northern youth group; nobody has that authority to stop any Nigerian from participating or residing in any part of this country; it is a constitutional right and I believe it is illegal to prevent people.

    “When the IPOB came out last month, we adopted a procedure and we are adopting the same procedure with this new group. We are trying to ensure that no individual or group causes confusion in this country because the threats constitute a subversive activity against the security of the state and we cannot allow that to happen.

    “We are going to conduct investigation into it and the state government has issued a directive of arrest to security agencies and you are aware that the State Security Council includes the Commissioner of Police; so definitely under that cover, CPs are to ensure that the directive given by the state governor is carried out as far as there is an impediment in the law of this country.

    “It is a directive and an authority on them to ensure that where these groups are seen, we have the responsibility to arrest them. The groups mentioned some dates, so we have to be very conscious of the date and ensure that no individual or group goes round this country to actualise the threats made. We will not allow them to carry out their threat.”

    On whether any arrest has been made, Idris said: “So far, I am not aware of any arrest that has been made but I want us to be mindful of the fact that to conduct an arrest is very easy, but there are so many factors that have to be taken into consideration.

    “There is no arrest yet but we as Force men have to make sure that no individual or group is seen physically either on our street or inside towns or villages trying to disturb any Nigerian from carrying out his activities on those dates mentioned”.

  • Chinese journalists: Nigeria safe, peaceful

    Some Chinese journalists visiting Nigeria yesterday described the country as safe and peaceful with hospitable people.

    The journalists under the aegis of the All China Journalists Association are in Nigeria on the invitation of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    One of them, Miss Zhang Lu, Editor, China Watch, told journalists in Lagos that contrary to popular perception, Nigeria is safe and peaceful.

    “Previously, what I learnt about Nigeria and Africa is from the television stations and books. But this trip has helped me to know a little bit more about the people, their hospitality and culture.

    “Contrary to what I read in books and newspapers, I think that Lagos and Abuja are nice cities, safer than what I thought previously,” she said.

    She said she enjoyed pounded yam, adding that only the media can truly report the real situation in both Nigeria and China.

    Also, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Zhang Mingxin, said the visit had opened his eyes to fresh opportunities in Nigeria, which would further strengthen the friendship between Nigeria and China.

    Zhang, who is also the Vice Chief Editor, China News Service, said media professionals and information communication were important for cultural exchange between people.

    “The media communication will also help economic development and the MoU we signed with the NUJ will further cement relationship between our countries in the future.

    “Lagos is a beautiful prosperous state,” he said.

    President of the NUJ Abdulwaheed Odusile told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the visit would strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and China.

    That is why the NUJ is hosting their colleagues from China.

    The NUJ national president led the delegation on tour of important and historic places in Lagos in company with some executive members of the Lagos State Council of the union.

    Odusile also told NAN that the visit would improve economic, social and cultural relations between both countries.

    He said the union represented about one million journalists in China, adding that the partnership with the Chinese journalists became necessary to tell the right story about Nigeria.

    He explained that stories about Nigeria were usually told by the western media in negative ways and were not usually fair to Nigeria or Africa in their reportage.

    Odusile said the visit would also help the Chinese journalists form the right impression about Nigeria.

    He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between the two unions in Abuja before visiting Lagos.

  • Productivity: Safe, decent working environment vital

    Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Alhaji Kashim Akor has identified safe and decent working environment as a vital ingredient for productivity enhancement of workers.

    Speaking at a three – day National Workshop on Productivity Improvement Techniques, Workplace Safety, and Health Practices for Enhancing Organisational Performance Akor said safety in work places was key to promoting organisational effectiveness.

    He said Occupational Health and Safety practices should therefore be given a pride of place by all employers of labour in both the public and private sector of the nation’s economy.

    He said the workshop was primarily designed to highlight ways  and means of enhancing productivity in the workplace through the provision of adequate occupational safety measures.

    It was also aimed at teaching participants the concept and application of productivity; expose participants to basic productivity improvement techniques; equip the, with basic knowledge of workplace risks and implications on health and expose them to strategies for preventing workplace accidents and injuries.

    It also include to assist them towards developing a mindset of supporting the management in the promotion of preventive safety and health culture and assist them to develop Implementable work Plan/Performance Chart.

    In a communique at the end of the workshop, participants agreed that Occupational Health and Safety should be given its due priority as only a safe workplace can guaranty productivity.

    They also agreed that team building should be encouraged in all organizations, while the organizations should move with modern trends in all areas of ergonomics.

    They also recommend that there should be an effective and efficient utilization of human and material resources for enhanced productivity, while working tools should be provided for optimal employee performance, consider and encourage productivity gain sharing, while ensuring that staff performance assessment is evidence based.

     

  • How safe is that meat?

    How safe is that meat?

    The beef processing industry is important to the economy. A forum has highlighted the need for beef system that would create more value for farmers and consumers, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Abattoirs are important to the economy. They ensure that the population have access to processed whole- some meat. But what they offer have direct health implications on the population. Nationwide, consumers have expressed misgivings over their poor sanitary conditions. This is compounded by the unhygienic approach in preparing the meats. According to consumers, operators are not following safety rules enough, with the biggest  challenge coming from butchers, who process meats on slaughter slabs located in barracks and other places outside the watch of the government.

    Addressing a workshop on food safety in the  meat industry with the theme: “Meat Quality and Safety in Nigeria: Past, Present and Future”, the President, Animal Science Association of Nigeria(ASAN), Pastor Taiwo Adeoye, said the meat industry is far from desirable and below minimum global best practices, majorly because the industry lacks proper monitoring and control by professionals.

    He said: “The poor handling of meat at slaughter houses (abattoirs) in Nigeria attests to lack of adherence to minimum operating procedures and standards, even as the movement of meats and meat products from the slaughter houses enroute market/stores without adherence to safety guidelines are clear food safety threats to unsuspecting consumers.”

    Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) President, Prof Folorunso Adu, lamented the unwholesome practices going on in many of the abattoirs and slaughter slabs in the country.

    He said: “It is on record that Lagos State government recently closed many unlicensed and illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs that are not in compliance with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the state.

    “ Many states in the country are also guilty of this offence. Pre-slaughter care of animals without consideration for their welfare and post–slaughter handling are subjects of concern to animal scientist in the country. In this regard, livestock farmers need to be educated on the effects of handling and transportation of animals on meat quality. “

    He commended the plan of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) to partner the Nigeria Railways to begin transportation of cattle from Kano to Lagos. This type of intervention, he noted, would minimise transportation stress, thereby, improving the quality of beef produced.

    The Managing Director, Master Meats, Deon Johamm Conradie, observed that Nigeria is a place where people buy their meat from poorly maintained open-air markets. But he wants that to change with his company’s chain of over-the-counter butchers.

    According to him, his company  operates a standard  beef processing  outfit with  a farm and a processing unit, saying that  the business has acquired loading bays, cold rooms and freezer storages and a training facility.

    Also, the company has trained competent people in specific skills, providing opportunities for employees to move up the ranks.

    The training opportunities, he added, is supported by continuous enforcement and training in hygiene and other vital health and safety practices.

    Conradie explained that running a beef processing  business requires  the implementation of the strictest quality standards and safety regulations.

    He  added that food-processing companies needed to trace batches throughout the production process. This not only optimises efficiency, cost-effectiveness and client satisfaction, but also helps ensure public safety.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Suarau Isiaka Oluwatoyin  said  the state is tightening food safety and hygiene control in the slaughterhouses to ensure safety of meat  for consumption.

    Oluwatoyin, who spoke through Director of Veterinary Services, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr  Olalekan Allison said most slaughter houses and packing plants have  on-site inspectors.

    He said Lagos has one approved abattoir, eight approved slaughter slabs and more than 15 illegal slaughtering slabs including slaughtering facilities located within the military barracks.

    Daily, he said over 6000 cattle, 10,000 sheep and goats are slaughtered.

    The chaotic situation has caused serious problems related to food hygiene and safety.

    He said small slaughter houses were scattered among the residential areas and often failed to meet food hygiene and safety requirements.

    Besides this, wastewater from these slaughterhouses also pollutes the environment, affecting the living conditions of surrounding households.

    Despite having investing modern slaughterhouses, he  said the state is still struggling to compete with illegal abattoirs.

    Oluwatoyin said Oko-Oba has to take advantage of market trends in order to remain competitive. The  latest plan, according to him,  is to build  biogas to power its facilities  and assist efficient waste recycling and environmental practices.

    Consequently, new abattoirs may have biogas producing facilities to be  able to disseminate cheap and relatively clean energy. This is expected to improve waste management at the  abattoir.

    He  highlighted the challenge of managing waste, stressed that the government is taking steps to improve sanitary control in slaughtering, processing and commercialisation of meat at Oko Oba Abattoir in Agege to prevent food safety risks.

    The Secretary, Lagos State Butchers Stakeholders Forum, Alhaji Aminu Tanko Sadig noted that abattoirs are an important part of the economy and would  need to be supported in order to maintain and improve their efficiency.

    According to him, abattoirs need to keep up with evolving demand and capacity to change.

    To achieve this, he  said the  operators required  the support of the  government and other actors  across  the value chain  to maintain   quality management from farm to fork food production chain, including  farms, holdings, slaughterhouses, laboratories among  others.

    Sadiq said running slaughter housing facilities require large quantities of water.

    The Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the workshop, Prof Samuel Sola Abiola noted: “ The rise in demand for meat and meat products in Nigeria is mainly due to the high rate of urbanisation and proliferation of fast food restaurants with over 800 outlets. However, many consumers want healthier meat from slaughter houses.”

    “ At the moment, some industrial meat companies are now segmenting the market, selling frozen meat packaged in individual portions. The question that is now agitating the mind of an average consumer is how safe is the meat we eat in Nigeria?”

  • ‘How to guarantee safe, healthy environment’

    ‘How to guarantee safe, healthy environment’

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has said the best way to guarantee safe and healthy environment is through planting of trees.

    Governor Ambode stated this during this year’s tree planting campaign held at Oriade Local Council Development Area. The event held at Ijegun-Egba Primary School, Satellite Town Lagos.

    He noted that the annual event was one of the cheapest ways of combating the effects of global warming and climate change, hence the state’s commitment to plant 10 million trees by 2020.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Housing who spoke through Mr. O. Atitebi, Governor Ambode said “planting of trees is very important for our environment because trees provide oxygen, cool the atmosphere, help conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save our children from ultra-violet rays, provide food and brings diverse groups together as we are doing today. The state government is solidly behind this year’s theme which is ‘Lend a hand to Save Trees.’”

    He urged the people to plant trees to replace those removed from vast acres of land so that we would be able to reduce the rate of ocean surge and erosion which has the tendency of displacing home and communities.

    Noting that Lagos State has become a reference point in the country in terms of creating a green environment, he pledged his administration’s commitment to pursue the state’s greening policy of total regeneration of degraded sites.

    He pleaded with all stakeholders to support government’s efforts at making the environment safe and clean as it cannot do it alone, even as he appreciated supporters of the programme such as Ecobank Plc and Reliance Towers Limited.

    In his remarks, the Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Samuel Adejare said the tree planting programme is to further help in propagating the Green Revolution Campaign geared towards climate change mitigation and adaptation, adding that besides beautifying the environment, the trees help in converting criminal hideouts and open spaces into orchards and woodlands.

    Represented by Mr Adeola O. S., Adejare regretted that human activities are threatening the survival of trees.

    The Commissioner revealed that “the government has embarked on several campaigns that aimed at sensitising the residents to the importance of supporting government so that we can jointly solve some environmental challenges that we created such as dumping waste indiscriminately into drainage system and canals that result in flooding. We are calling on Lagosians to preserve trees and promote landscaping and greening of our homes. It is important to plant trees always and protect existing ones in order to remain healthy and live in beautiful, safe and healthy environment.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, the Sole Administrator of Oriade LCDA, Mr Abeeb Aileru said as a result of the effects of global warming, trees could help communities to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation.

    He said: “The oxygen that we breathe in is emitted from trees for our survival. Trees are so important because they beautify the environment. They help in health-related issues in terms of the cooling effects on our body system. Though we use trees in different ways such as cooking, to do furniture and other things, there is the need to plant trees.”

    The council chief said people’s attitude to trees is becoming worrisome, adding that they do not see the correlation between government planting trees when the people are hungry. What our people need is re-orientation. Let the people see the importance of planting trees, not only to beautify our surroundings, but also to get some health benefits derivable from trees which are so crucial to our survival.