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Tag: State Government

  • ‘Anambra reiterates promise to pay N30,000 new minimum wage’

    The Anambra Head of Service, Mr Harry Udu, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment toward implementing the new minimum wage as promised.

    The head of service made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Friday.

    He said the implementation would help motivate civil servants in the state to performing their duties optimally.

    Udu said Gov Willie Obiano had given matching orders to the Internally Generated Revenue agencies to redouble efforts in raising extra N1.4 billion that would ensure that the promise was kept.

    He said that Obiano’s pledge in his address to civil servants during the electioneering period to be the first to pay the wage once approved was not a political statement.

    Read also: New Minimum Wage Bill passes first reading in Senate

    “Gov Obiano remains irrevocably committed to fulfilling the promise of being the first governor that will pay the new wage once approved,” he said.

    Udu said that the governor had read the riot act to all its revenue agencies and pointed out the importance of maintaining its standards.

    “Government is focused on making arrangements to move to the new minimum wage without having challenges in the legacy of the governor.

    “Efforts are being made to get additional revenue to sustain the practice of workers receiving salaries on 25th of every month.” Udu said

    The head of service said the directive on the financial implication of the N30,000 minimum wage and other options being considered were being handled, so as to have a seamless transition.

    Udu said that since the Nigerian Senate had approved the wage increase, efforts are on top gear to ensure that the promise was actualised, once President Muhammadu Buhari gave assent to the bill.

    He said that the Salary and Wages Commission would issue a circular on its implementation indication chart, the grading.

    “Once all those processes were done, then the promise will be achieved after due calculations,” he said.

    The head of service disclosed that the government also had a program for the housing scheme for its civil servants adding that the area had been mapped out.

    He urged civil servants in the state to be more committed to their work and ensured that they discharged their duties professionally at all times so as to assist in making the state great. (NAN)

  • Ebola: FG, Lagos seek sanction for Kenya airways 

    Ebola: FG, Lagos seek sanction for Kenya airways 

    The Federal and Lagos State Governments are seeking sanction for Kenya Airways for conveying a dead body from Ebola infested Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, without approval from the necessary bodies.

    This was disclosed Thursday at a joint press conference held in Lagos.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said the Kenya airline conveyed the deceased to Nigeria against the extant regulation.

    He said though the corpse tested negative to the deadly Ebola virus, but it was necessary for proper documentation to have been carried out.

    According to him, “The airline brought the remains of this Nigerian without all necessary documentations that are required to process its clearance by the Department of Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health. The Federal Government of Nigeria and relevant agencies condemn this deliberate breach.

    “In line with industry practice, a report has been made to the Nigerian Civil Aviation, the regulatory agency of the Nigerian aviation industry on the occurrence.

    “Necessary steps are being taken by the regulatory authority to sanction the airline in a bid to prevent future occurrence. We have commenced detailed investigation by all relevant agencies of government to determine the immediate and remote intentions of this unfortunate behaviour,” he said.

    Idris emphasized that the Federal Government instituted a ban on the repatriation of human remains into the country in all points of entry as a precautionary measure to avoid importation of any infectious disease, saying that the ban was one of the interventions the nation undertook during the Ebola outbreak.

    He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Port Health Division issued guidelines to all airlines on the procedures to be followed to obtain a waiver before repatriating any human remains into the country.

    “The government will like to reiterate again that the ban is still in force and any attempt to contravene this ban will attract serious sanction. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari takes the health of her citizens seriously and will not shy away from wielding a big stick on any errant individuals or organisation,” Idris said.

    However, the commissioner said as soon as the dead body was brought in from DRC, the officials of Port Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC and the Lagos State Ministry of Health investigated the cause of death of the remains and took samples for laboratory investigation.

    Idris said the laboratory report showed that there was no evidence of Ebola infection or any other contagious infections on the corpse, while assuring everyone to go about their normal business without any anxiety.

    “Government will want everyone to be vigilant and encourage all our officials at land, sea and air borders to continue screening of international passengers.

    “Government will want to appeal to all our international passengers to cooperate with our officials who are conducting screening at all our borders. This surveillance shall continue until further notice. All international carriers are also enjoined to cooperate with all relevant agencies of government to ensure unhindered surveillance,” he stated.

    A representative of the Minister of Health, Dr. Joshua Obasanya also said a letter of investigation had been forwarded to Kenya Airline to establish why the airline flew a dead body from DRC into Nigeria without the necessary approval.

    He said if it was found that the airline breached the necessary protocols, it would be sanctioned appropriately, saying that the government was waiting for the airline’s response to the letter.

    Also speaking, Dr. Biodun Ogunniyi, Consultant Epidemiologist, NCDC said there is no fresh outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria, saying that government had the wherewithal to deal with any emergent outbreak.

     

     

  • Edo to domesticate National Health Act

    Edo to domesticate National Health Act

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo says his administration will domesticate the National Health Act in order to boost health care delivery in the state.

    Obaseki spoke on Monday night in Benin, after a two-day workshop organised by the state government with the theme: `Remodeling Health Care Delivery in Edo State: New Vision, New Horizon.’

    Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, chaired the workshop.

    The governor said that the state house of assembly should be able to examine the provisions of the Act and got it domesticated within 90 days.

    The governor also disclosed that a health master plan would be finalised for the state based on the recommendations of the workshop.

    He said a team would be drawn from the participants at the workshop to help formulate the health master for the state.

    Obaseki stressed the commitment of his administration to remodel the state’s health sector.

    ’’We must begin to see our health system as an ecosystem where resources can easily flow between the public and private health sectors.

    ‘’We are ready to have consultations on how to collaborate private providers into our state’s health plan.

    “I am prepared to open up the reconstructed Central Hospital and give it to whoever will be able to manage the facility”, he said

    The governor also called on health practitioners to explore the potentials of traditional medicine as a way of complementing conventional medicine.

    In his remarks, Ehanire said providing affordable basic primary health care was necessary in order to reduce preventable deaths in the state.

    He also stressed the need to make health care services more affordable, especially at the rural communities, and appealed to the state to implement a health insurance scheme.

  • Wheat farmers in Kano secure N50m loan

    The Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN) in Kano State, has secured a N50 million loan from the State Government, its Chairman, Alhaji Faruk Rabi’u, said on Wednesday.

    Rabi’u said that the loan would be used to assist the farmers warehouse their produce after harvest.

    The chairman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Kano that the association had introduced the ‘ Warehousing Finance Receipt Programme’, to ensure safety of produce at the end of the season.

    Rabi’u said farmers who need money during the period would be given interest-free loan from the N50 million.

    “The idea is to discourage farmers from selling their produce at a give away prices after harvest.

    “When there is bumper harvest, middlemen buy and hoard the product and later sell it at exorbitant prices which is to the detriment of farmers.”

    He believed that the introduction of the warehousing receipt programme, farmers would keep their products safely until when the commodity appreciated.

    According to him, if any member requires money during the period his product is warehoused, the association would offer them the interest-free loan, to repay after selling the produce.

    Rabi’u said under the programme, farmers would get 30 per cent value of their products as loan and would be made to pay a token for warehousing their commodity.

    The chairman disclosed that the association had set up a committee to recover the loan disbursed to its members under the CBN anchor borrower programme.

    “Harvesting has commenced and we have set up a committee for loan recovery which will soon commence its assignment.”

    He called on farmers to ensure prompt payment of the loan, to avoid any embarrassment.

  • CodeLagos: Lagos to set up 500 training centres

    CodeLagos: Lagos to set up 500 training centres

    …Partners with private sector

     

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday revealed plans to set up 500 Coding Centres in public and private schools across the State ahead of the launch of the CodeLagos Initiative in April, 2017.

    The CodeLagos project is an initiative of the State Government targeted at equipping at least one million Lagosians with the skills of computer programming aimed at making the State the technology frontier in Africa.

    Addressing a news conference in Alausa on Tuesday, Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh said the target of government is to set up 500 coding centres in schools, public libraries and community centres across the State in the course of the year.

    He said modalities are already in place to set up 300 centres by April in partnership with private organisations, adding that an agreement has been concluded with one of the leading financial service providers in the country, ARM.

    According to Bank-Olemoh, “ARM will be setting up 15 centres and these centres will be established in Low Income Schools in line with His Excellency, Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s commitment to promoting inclusive governance and qualitative education for all citizens.

    “This, we intend to achieve by providing equal access to knowledge for all Lagosians regardless of their socio-economic status and location.”

    Bank-Olemoh said the partnership with ARM demonstrates the commitment of Governor Ambode’s administration to equip citizens with the necessary skills to create sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting the State.

    In her remarks, Managing Director of ARM, Jumoke Ogundare said the organization was excited about the partnership with Lagos State on the CodeLagos initiative, saying that the project was in line with the commitment of the firm to improve continued access to education for all.

    It will be recalled that the registration and screening of facilitators for CodeLagos started last week and is ongoing.

    At the end of the process, 1,500 facilitators would be selected and deployed to centres across the State.

  • Ambode promises review of retired Perm Secs pension

    Ambode promises review of retired Perm Secs pension

    …To Commence training of civil servants in 2017

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said his administration would initiate a process of an upward review of pension of retired Permanent Secretaries in the State, just as he expressed the readiness of the State Government to commence massive training of civil servants starting from 2017.

     

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja when he received the report of the 2016 Summit of Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, said the decision to review the pension was borne out of the need to reward appropriately those who have served the State meritoriously for several years.

     

    While alluding to the years of experience of the retired Permanent Secretaries, the Governor said his administration would tap into the wealth of experience of the members of the association and use it to help the civil service and also develop the State.

     

    He said: “We will collaborate together more vigorously and tap into your wealth of knowledge. We want to start this with our massive plan starting from next year for capacity building for the largest civil service in Nigeria, the Lagos Civil service. We will also use it as part of our own development plan and imbibe this knowledge into the existing public service.” 

     

    Speaking on the review of pension of members of the association, Governor Ambode said the struggle for dignity of labour for civil servants had been on for a while, but that it was time for it to be actualized.

     

    According to the Governor, “We are going to look at the pension of Permanent Secretaries positively because the whole essence is that if people retire at that level, and those coming behind us, there must be dignity in labour and then there must be some sense of fulfillment.

     

    “That is why we must reward glowingly those who have served the State meritoriously. When we go out and see all the beautiful things in Lagos, we must realize that some people actually built those things and this is the time to celebrate and reward them,” he said.

     

    He said over the past fifty years, Lagos had distinguished itself as the only State that has continually progressed in a manner that anybody would be proud of, adding that the progress was largely attributable to civil servants both retired and the present ones, who he described as the best in the country.

     

    “What people don’t understand is that there is a culture of excellence in the civil service; there is a culture of resilience; there is a culture of capacity building which cannot be seen in the textbooks.

     

    “There is also a culture of tenacity in which you have all that it takes to bring out your competences, your capacities and characters. That is what this association personifies and today, whatever it is that we have done in terms of public sector reforms is never enough because the whole essence of governance is to give back to the people the real quality service delivery that the civil service stands for,” he said.

    Besides, Governor Ambode said it was a thing of pride that a member of the association is now the Governor of the State, which is a also a pride to the civil service, adding that all necessary support would be given to the association to further contribute to the development of the State.

     

    Earlier, leader of the delegation and first Vice President of the association, Alhaji Mohammed Ajibola Olagbeyi commended Governor Ambode for his various developmental initiatives in the State, and support for the association.

     

    While reeling out some of the recommendations in the report of the 2016 Summit of the association, Olagbeyi said the group was satisfied with the utilization of the Security Trust Fund, while it was recommended that Bi-annual security summit should be held at the Local Government level.

     

    He said the association recommended the Inspectorate Department at Ministry of Local Government to ensure proper monitoring of Local Government to achieve targets, as well as the re-establishment of the Teaching Service Commission.

     

    The association further recommended the reintroduction of primary health care activities and establishment of blood banks in all hospitals; strengthening of intermodal transport system, and review and harmonization of all environmental laws.

     

  • Lagos rolls out impact campaign in community media

    Lagos rolls out impact campaign in community media

    …Partners 33 Grassroots Media Organisations

    In its determination to consolidate on the achievements of the first year of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration, the State Government has concluded plans to roll out a massive, multi-channel impact campaign in the print, electronic and online media focusing on communities in the state this month.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan in a statement on Tuesday said the administration was partnering with over 33 grassroots media organisations including 21 print media, 10 electronic stations and two online media.

    “This novel campaign is a strategic communications initiative inspired by need to give vent to Governor Akinwumi Ambode’s ideology of inclusive governance. It is the result of scientific segmentation of the media that recognizes the niche that community media occupies and drives messages meant for the people at the grassroots through them.”

    Noting that the Ambode administration will revive the community media as part of the institutions that shaped the fate of Lagos since pre-independence days, Bamigbetan said history shows that there were more than 35 community newspapers active on the Lagos media as late as 1940’s.

    “As Lagos prepares to turn 50, it is only proper that she brings on board the current successors of the defunct Lagos Express, Lagos Echo, Lagos Weekly Record among others which provided the platforms for the nationalists to struggle for independence and enriched the electoral politics put in place by the Clifford Constitution of 1922,” he said.

    Bamigbetan noted that community media form a thriving business and social institution in all the megacities of the world today. London, United Kingdom has 2000 registered newspapers, New York, 23, Tokyo 34, Cairo, 34, Johannesburg 34.

    According to the Special Adviser: “As population increases, the pattern of settlement and nature of the residents become more complex. Disseminating information and receiving feedback on what the government is doing to address the concerns of each group requires more innovative communications strategy and tactics.”

    While the campaign involves a four-page pull-out on the achievement of the administration in energy, business environment, security and civic engagement in the print media, it will be in spotlights on electronic and broken down as tweets, clips and banner ads on the electronic platforms.

    Community newspapers involved include Oriwu Sun, Ikorodu News, Townwatch, The Impact, Ilupeju Today, Our Community, Ifako-Ijaiye Post, Echonews, Isolo Voice, The Harbinger, Pivot Extra, The Lagosian, Surulere Now, Surulere Watch, Lagos Panorama, Epe-Lekki Times, Badagry Prime, Grassroots, Kosofe Insideout, The Commoners and  Mushine.

    The electronic media include radio stations running community programming and reportage such as Wazobia FM, Eko FM,City FM, Inspiration FM, Radio Continental, Naija FM, Unilag FM, SMA FM and Radio Lagos. Insidemainlandonline, Lagos State Today and Agegetvonline form the online segment of the campaign’s outlets.

  • NLC Strike: Oyo Workers goes on seven days fasting, prayers

    NLC Strike: Oyo Workers goes on seven days fasting, prayers

    …Govt says it’s a welcome devt   

     

    Workers in Oyo State have sought divine intervention to end the industrial impasse between them and the state government by going on a three days fasting and prayers.

    This, the workers said they hope will spur government to their plight and meet all their demands.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Waheed Olojede who spoke in Ibadan yesterday said:”We have began a seven days marathon fasting and prayer since Monday, because we have come to realise that this is a critical time that we need to seek God’s intervention for the government to meet our demands and to sustain us in this struggle”

    Olojede said the union is still open for negotiation with the state government anytime, anywhere.

    Speaking on the support rally that was held by trade associations for the state government on Monday, the NLC boss described it as’ misguided and uncalled for solidarity rally’.

    “We believed that those who did the solidarity rally might have done it in error and ignorance. Shortly after the rally the comment of the general public have condemned it. Many of them who attended the rally regretted their action and claimed that they were deceived to go there and they would not have attended the rally if they were told that the rally was in support of sale of secondary schools in the state.

    “How will a trader go and attend a rally that was organised by a state government that has failed to pay six months salaries, bearing in mind that they cannot sell without the payment of the salaries of the workers. Workers and labour leaders in this state remain committed, undaunted and we shall not resume without government meeting our demands.”

    Olojede noted that the state government has accepted to withdraw a case that was instituted again them at the magistrate court but noted that they are waiting to confirm their sincerity on Friday when the case will be coming up.

    On the issue of the six outstanding salaries, the labour leader said:” At our last meeting with the state government, they promise to set up a committee to look into how to solve the issue. We have since sent our own nominees but we are still expecting the state government to inaugurate the committee”

    In a swift reaction, the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Toye Arulogun described the workers fasting and prayer as a welcome development that will bring solutions to the crisis rocking the state.

    “We need God to deliver this state from economic meltdown and if the workers are praying I believe it will assist us more. We are sensitive to their welfare and government is looking for ways to meet their demands. Government will meet labour Leaders shortly to dialogue and reach a consensus.” he said

    Arulogun assured the members of the public to be patient with the state government and support them to move the state forward.

  • Oshiomhole has priced education away from the poor – Labour

    Oshiomhole has priced education away from the poor – Labour

     

    The National Secretary of Labour Party, barrister (Comrade) Julius Abure has lamented over the astronomical hikes in the fees paid at the tertiary institutions in the state.

    In a press statement made available to news men in Edo State capital Benin City, the labour leader advised Governor Oshiomhole to revert back to the initial school fees as the current economic situation in the country doesn’t support the hikes.

    “A Society desirous of growth and development must be knowledge driven and founded on quality education. Such society must make deliberate efforts to make education at all levels not just accessible but affordable.

    “The efforts of the State Government aimed at renovating schools (Primary and Secondary) across the state is commendable. These are efforts tailored in the right direction. It is difficult to find any Local Government Area in Edo State without the presence of the “red roof.

    “Prior to the emergence of the current Administration in the State led by Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, School Fees in the state owned University (Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma) was between Fifteen to Eighteen Thousand Naira. Students in colleges of Education paid N7,500 Seven Thousand  Five Hundred Naira.

    “Presently, fresh students in Ambrose Alli University pay as much as Two Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira while school fees for the other sessions is as much as One Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand Naira.”

    The breakdown  are as follows:”Acceptance fee for professional courses is N70,000.00 Tuition fee is N123,000.00,concessional fee N10,000.00 and matriculation gown is N7,000.00 bringing it to a sum total of Two Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira. In Edo University which is claimed to be another government.

    University situated in the Governors home town (Iyamoh)  Fees was initially put at seven Hundred Thousand Naira which school fees was later reduced to Four Hundred Thousand Naira after several criticism.

    At college of Education Ekiadolor now upgraded to the status of a University, new students pay as much as Sixty Thousand Naira Only.

    “Clearly the regimes of school fees in our tertiary institutions has inevitably removed education from the reach of the common people who are having tough times coping with issues of poverty, unemployment, hunger, inflation, fuel scarcity and insecurity.

    “Taking education out of the reach of the common people have grave implications for the future of our State, Education is an equalizer, the current regime of school  fees in Edo State, no doubt have widened the gap between the rich and the poor. In other words Edo State Government have only succeeded in promoting and enhancing the high level of inequality in our society. Beyond this education has a way of helping the individual to develop his innate qualities which he deploys to the development of society. It is for this and many more reasons societies anxious of growth survival and development must ensure unrestricted access to education.

    “This is particularly worrison coming from Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole who is a product of free education. Besides, he has led our movement where we fought against inequality, and exploitation of the poor.  His current behavior, no doubt, a paradox.

    “Edo people must therefore be very vigilant of deceitful politicians who make promises during elections and go to sleep after wining.

    “I therefore appeal to Edo State Government to review the current regimes of school fees paid by parents before the comencement of the new session”, Comrade Abure said.

  • Railway Deaths: FG orders authority to stop people hanging on train

    Railway Deaths: FG orders authority to stop people hanging on train

    The Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has ordered railway authority to partner with security agencies and stop people hanging on train across the country.

    Amaechi  who gave the charge yesterday at the first Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series held in Lagos said he was terrified by the number of people he saw hanging on a moving train in Lagos.

    The minister said it is the responsibility of the government to protect lives of its citizenry, saying it will be better to allow passengers who cannot afford the transport fare to sit in the train than for them to lose their lives.

    He noted that the process of migrating workforce and people who commute from one location, area, state to another for the purpose of engaging in employment is still very difficult in the country, saying the present government is making frantic effort to make transportation easy in the country.

    According to him, “In fact, as families migrate due to employment purposes, they are compelled to move with children who require transportation to attend schools. Where transportation is lacking, the level of distress for the working parents and children becomes increased.

    “Studies of the travel behaviour of the migrating workforce in the UK and US10   for example show that   Migrants are concentrated in metropolitan areas where public transport provision is high.

    “In the UK in particular, 40 percent of the non-EEA migrant population live in London compared to UK nationals. Researchers in the US on the other hand reveal that migrants’ would prefer residential locations that are well served by public transport. The research further reveals that In developing countries, Migrants’ travel is strongly associated with the use of non-car-driving modes of travel (including public transport including buses, trains, underground/light rail, walking, cycling and car sharing. )

    “Therefore, availability of efficient and affordable transportation in a location   is a major consideration for  the  choice  migrants make   to  look for employment  and places of residence.

    According to him, as far as mass transportation is concerned, there is evidence to show that inadequacy in transport infrastructure and services has contributed significantly to the prevalence of poverty across various Nigerian communities in both urban and rural areas.

    The minster explained that the problems of Nigerian transport system have varied across various sub-sectors including air, water, rail and road transport.

    He urged Lagos State government to make its policy on water transportation known to the Federal Government before it considers numerous proposals from the private sector operators.

    The minister also said the Lagos –Ibadan railway line which is part of the Lagos- Kano railway line will be completed with two and half years, saying the Lagos –Port Harcourt Calabar railway line will be ready within two and half years

    Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola in his paper title ‘Exploring Transportation Beyond Roads’, said the strategic transport master plan conceived by Lagos State Government to address the various issues within the sector proposes to push the share of rail transportation to 21 percent adding that the last three years efforts have been directed at establishing a bus route network that will service the state.

    According to him, Lagos needs 450 bus routes 20, 000 buses to service 10 million passenger trips happening daily.

    The Commissioner, while explaining the strategic Transport Master Plan said the aim was to develop a fully integrated mass rapid transit system to cover the activity centers within the megacity region.

    He said six rail lines, 1 mono rail line 14 BRT routes, 3 cable car projects and over 20 water routes are to be developed with implementation strategies being traffic management, ensuring an efficient public transport and transport integration.

    Mobereola, who further stressed the benefit of the plan to include carbon emission reduction of 8 million tons per annum, also noted that 80% of transport journeys (less than 25km) will be completed within 60 minutes when plan comes fully on stream.

    He also stated that the State Government will continue to promote water transportation by undertaking the dredging of waterways along the 26 water routes that have been identified.