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Tag: WINIFRED OYO-ITA

  • National grid to hit 20, 000MW in three years – Oyo-Ita

    The Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita on Monday said the Federal Government through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP) is expected to expand the national grid to 20, 000 megawatts (MW) in the next three to four years.

    Oyo-Ita made this known while commissioning a 60MVA, 132/33KV power transformer, as well as three 33KV feeders at the Calabar Transmission Substation of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    Oyo-Ita said the development was in line with the policy of the administration on incremental power.

    “The Implementation of TREP is on course. TREP has received significant support from International donors and is expected to not only stabilize, but expand the Grid to 20,000MW in the next three to four years. A component of the program supported World Bank in the sum of $486 million was approved in February 2018. The Abuja Transmission Scheme financed by Agence Francaise De Development, who procurement has reached near final stage is expected to construct five additional substations and provide the third 330kv power supply route to Abuja in addition to Shiroro-Abuja and Ajaokuta-Abuja 330kn Transmission Line.

    “TCN is implementing the TREP which seeks to strengthen grid infrastructure for enhanced wheeling capacity that offers redundancy, consistent with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion. It would provide the necessary operational flexibility and as such ensure stable and reliable power to the distribution companies and other class of customers connected directly to the National Grid.

    “As part of the programme, another milestone has been achieved here at the ancient city of Calabar the capital of Cross River State with the installation of an additional 1X60MVA Transformer at Calabar Transmission Substation. The capacity of the substation at 132/33kv prior this was 180MVA. Therefore with this installation, the capacity has been raised to 240MWA.

    With the commissioning, she said the communities who are customers of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company are expected to experience remarkable improvement in power supply. She listed some of the communities to include Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, Odukpani, Bakassi, Ogoja, Ikom, Yakurr, Itigidi, Ugep, Obudu and environs.

    “The installation of the power transformer will also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN, which was last simulated in the December 2017 to be slightly above 7, 000 MW. TCN is in the process of taking over Aloaji-Ikot Ekpene-Odukpani-Calabar Transmission line from NIPP. This will lead to better maintenance of the line and improvement in service delivery,” Oyo-Ita said.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Usman Mohammed, said the Calabar substation began as a work centre under Aba sub-region with only 2x30MVA transformer capacity.

    Mohammed, who was represented by Engr Victor Adewumi, said this was later upgraded with one 60MVA power transformer in 2000 and another in 2010 to cater for the need of the growing population of electricity consumers talking supply through Port Harcourt DisCo from the substation.

    “In 2014 a third 60MVA capacity power transformer was also installed, bring the stations capacity to 180MVA with 9No 33Kv feeders. Today TCN is commissioning yet another 60MVA power transformer in this substation, this would enable PHEDC take more electricity for its consumers,” he said.

  • Imo monarch implores civil servants to fight corruption

    The Eze Imo, Eze Samuel Ohiri, on Thursday appealed to civil servants to show full commitment to the anti-corruption fight of the current administration to ensure sustained development.

    The monarch made the appeal in Owerri while receiving a delegation of the National Council on Establishment led by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

    Ohiri said that support and cooperation of all Nigerians were necessary for the success of the fight.

    “Pay close attention to the fight against corruption, discipline, loyalty and dedication to duty. If you put in your best, our country will be the best in the world.

    “In spite of the challenges you are facing in terms of low salary, do not relent in your efforts.

    “Rest assured that the traditional institution recognises your sacrifices and contributions for our nation,’’ the monarch said.

    Read Also:  ‘Don Waney’s men not in Imo’

    He described civil servants as the engine room of the country’s governance, and thanked them for efforts in moving Nigeria forward.

    Earlier, Oyo-Ita said that the council was deliberating on issues that would guide state governments on ways to enhance civil service.

    Oyo-Ita said that it was important for the council to meet regularly to ensure that the tenets of civil service were maintained.

    She said that the council was determined to move the country forward.

    “As a royal father, you play a very important role in the governance of your state, and as civil servants, we will ensure that work of governance must go on.

    “We need to work together as one council and speak with one voice with regard to what we need to improve the service,’’ she said.

    NAN

  • FG has employed father of quintuplets – Oyo-Ita

    FG has employed father of quintuplets – Oyo-Ita

    Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), on Tuesday, said the Federal Government had employed Mr Imudia Uduehi, the father of the quintuplets born April, 2017 in Abuja.

    Oyo-Ita, who made this disclosure in Abuja on Tuesday while briefing newsmen, said that the appointment letter was given to him last week.

    “Imudia, whose wife delivered five baby girls, was given a three bedroom bungalow in one of the estates under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Scheme.

    “We also promised him a job and I am happy to tell you that Imudia got his appointment letter last week.

    “He is living in his house and he has got a job with one of the Federal Government agencies,’’ she said.

    Uduehi, in an interview confirmed the appointment, stating that he was given an appointment letter to work with the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute ( NBRRI ), Abuja.

    He said that he was on his way to the organisation for his documentation as at the time of this interview.

    The father of the quintuplets, who is a Computer Science graduate from the University of Ilorin, said the job would allow him to play his fatherly role effectively.

    “I am glad that I have been finally given the job that the Head of Service promised me when she visited my children in the hospital.

    “This job will enable me play my role as a father to my children because it is not an easy task to train five children at once.

    “I sincerely appreciate the Head of Service for the favour she did to me and I pray God to bless her abundantly,’’ Uduehi said.

    It can be recalled that a set of quintuplets was born to the family of the couple in April, 2017 at the National Hospital, Abuja.

    Oyo-Ita promised to employ and provide accommodation for Mrs. Oluwakemi Uduehi, a civil servant and her husband Imudia Udehi, who were living in a one bedroom apartment without any job at the time of her visit.

  • Oyo-Ita tasks federal civil servants on higher productivity in 2018

    Oyo-Ita tasks federal civil servants on higher productivity in 2018

    Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, on Tuesday urged civil servants to consolidate the achievements recorded in 2017 by redoubling their efforts toward performing duties.

    Oyo-Ita, who made the call in Abuja while addressing some civil servants in her office after the New Year holiday, commended the civil servants for their commitment and perseverance in 2017.

    She said the Federal Government expected its civil servants to show more commitment and ensure higher productivity in 2018.

    “I am happy to come around this morning to see that quite a number of you are already in the office and this is what we want to see this year.

    “We want to see more commitment and dedication to work.

    “I must congratulate you civil servants that you stood with this administration through thick and thin even in the face of the fuel crisis that ended before the New Year,” she said.

    Read also: Kyari, Oyo-Ita reconcile

    Oyo-Ita said 2018 would be a good year for civil servants, adding that there were a lot of positive signs from the performance of civil servants in 2017.

    She commended President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping his promise of paying salaries and promotion arrears despite the challenges faced by the country in the previous year.

    “Also we were able to achieve the final resolution on the case involving some deputy directors who sat for promotion examination in 2014.

    “The matter has been favorably withdrawn from the court and the injunction has been lifted for deputy directors due for promotion.

    “The affected civil servants for 2015, 2016 and 2017 are to seat for their examinations in the next two weeks,” she added.

    About 400 Deputy Directors had in February petitioned the presidency over their stagnation in service.

    Some of the aggrieved workers went further to challenge their stagnation before the National Industrial Court, seeking redress.

    NAN

  • Kyari, Oyo-Ita reconcile, hug at FEC 

    Kyari, Oyo-Ita reconcile, hug at FEC 

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita on Wednesday mended fences.

    The duo had hugged while greeting each other just before the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari and commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    When Oyo-Ita arrived at the Council chamber before Kyari, she had also approached Vice President Yemi Osinbajo smiling as she greeted him.

    It was reported last Wednesday that hot argument ensued between Oyo-Ita and Kyari at FEC in the presence of Osinbajo before the commencement of last week meeting.

    It was suspected that the argument had to do with accusation and counter-accusation over who leaked Oyo-Ita’s report to the President on the reinstatement of the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    The video of their encounter had hit the social media last Wednesday.

    The newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha was absent at FEC on Wednesday.

    It was gathered that Mustapha traveled out of Abuja.

    The immediate acting SGF, Dr. Habiba Lawal, stood in for him.

    Read Also: Maina: Buhari didn’t summon Kyari, Oyo-Ita – Presidency

     

  • Maina: Buhari didn’t summon Kyari, Oyo-Ita – Presidency

    Maina: Buhari didn’t summon Kyari, Oyo-Ita – Presidency

    The Presidency has dismissed media reports that there was a fight between the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and Head Of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita at the Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council’s meeting.

    It also denied the report claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari summoned Kyari and Oyo-Ita over the alleged fight.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, made the denial in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

    Shehu described the newspaper reports of the alleged fight between top government officials as fabrications that could only have been conjured by correspondents who would probably make better fiction writers than journalists.

    “By tradition, the media organiSations send their best reporters to the State House; this should reflect, at all times on the quality of reporting.

    “I am a journalist myself, and in journalism, you are not supposed to report anything other than the facts of what you heard or observed directly, or what you were told by a firsthand or authoritative eyewitness.

    “You cannot add two and two to make twenty-two and present it to the public as news.”

    The presidential aide insisted that it was impossible for the conversation between the Kyari and Oyo Ita to have been heard by any journalist.

    He said this was because the distance between the State House correspondents and the two government officials as they addressed the Vice President at Wednesday’s FEC meeting, would have made their conversation completely inaudible to the journalists.

    “People can debate and argue over issues, but to suggest that there was a feud, a fight or a clash was to take matters beyond what they were,’’ he added.

    Shehu also dismissed as false the suggestion that the two government officials were summoned by President Buhari over the alleged skirmish, referring to that conclusion as yet another example of conjecture.

    He said: “Top government officials of that calibre see the President on a regular basis.

    “To suggest that they were summoned to see him as a result of a so-called feud is just a fabrication, a conclusion that is below the level of responsible journalism that we expect from our State House correspondents.”

  • Oyo-Ita angry ‘over leaked memo’

    Oyo-Ita angry ‘over leaked memo’

    Head of Service of the Federation Winifred Oyo-Ita was angry yesterday.

    It was not immediately clear why Mrs Oyo-Ita was in a foul mood at the Council Chambers, but the popular thinking was that it was  over her leaked memo to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    This happened before the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting began at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Her angry reaction was witnessed by all those who were in the Council Chambers for the swearing-in of the new Secretary to the Government or the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the launch of the 2018 Armed Forces emblem.

    Many Council members were also in the hall.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari were seen discussing with Mrs Oyo-Ita, shortly before the event, which started at 10:55am.

    Mrs. Oyo-Ita, who has never lost her cool in public, was seen angrily gesticulating while trying to make her point in what was obviously a heated argument with Kyari.

    The Head of Service went back to her seat and then rose and headed straight to Osinbajo, who also engaged her in a tête-a-tete over the issue.

    National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno joined the conversation after which the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was seen calming  Mrs. Oyo-Ita.

    Deputy Chief of Staff Ade Ipaye asked her to return to her seat when it was obvious that all eyes were on them.

    The drama, which lasted about 10 minutes, was witnessed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, Adamawa State Governor Jibrila Bindu, All Progressives Congress  (APC) National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and heads of paramilitary service among others.

    A national daily had quoted Mrs. Oyo-Ita, in the leaked memo, as saying she warned the President against the recall of Abdullahi Abdulrasheed Maina. The President sacked Maina last week.

    Maina was in 2013 recommended for dismissal by the Federal Civil Service Commission following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.

    In 2012, he was accused of leading a massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion.

    He was drafted by the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2010 to sanitise the pension system.

  • Angry Oyo-Ita confronts Kyari in FEC over leaked memo 

    Angry Oyo-Ita confronts Kyari in FEC over leaked memo 

    The Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, showed her anger on Wednesday when she reacted in a very unusual manner at the Council Chambers apparently over her leaked memo to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    This happened before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Her angry reaction was witnessed by all those who were in the Council Chambers for the swearing-in of the new Secretary to the Government or the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the launch of the 2018 armed forces emblem.

     Many Council members were also in the hall for the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari were seen questioning Oyo-Ita, shortly before the commencement of the event which started at 10:55am.

    Oyo-Ita, who has never lost her cool in the public, was seen angrily gesticulating while trying to make her point in what was obviously a heated argument with Kyari.

    The Head of Service went back to her seat and then rose again and headed straight to Osinbajo, who also engaged her in a tête-a-tete over the issue.

    The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, later joined the conversation after which the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation was seen calming the Head of Service.

    She was later asked to return to her seat by the Deputy Chief of Staff Femi Ipaye, when it was now obvious all eyes were fixed on them.

    The drama, which lasted about 10 minutes, was witnessed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Chief of justice of the federation, Walter Onnoghen, the Governor of Adamawa, Jibrila Bindu, All Progressives Congress National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, chief of defence staff, service chiefs, Inspector General of Police and other heads of paramilitary service among others.

    A national daily had quoted Oyo-Ita, in the leaked memo, as saying that Buhari was aware of the reinstatement of the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Oyo-Ita was also quoted to have stated that she had warned the president against the controversial recall of the embattled former pension boss.

    President Buhari had ordered last week the immediate disengagement of former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdullahi Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Maina was in 2013 recommended for dismissal by the Federal Civil Service Commission following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.

    In 2012, Maina was accused of leading a massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion.

    He was drafted by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2010 to sanitize a corrupt pension system.

  • Maina has case to answer with ex-HoS Oronsaye, two others – EFCC

    Maina has case to answer with ex-HoS Oronsaye, two others – EFCC

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday directed that controversial civil servant Abdulrasheed Maina be fired.

    Maina, former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team was restored and made director after being on the run for an alleged N2b scam, among others.

    Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami directed the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to reinstate Maina, The Nation learnt.

    It was also learnt that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, did not make any input into Maina’s reinstatement. In fact, sources said, Mrs. Oyo-Ita advised against Maina’s  recall, but she was overruled.

    Instead of allowing Mrs. Oyo-Ita to determine Maina’s fate, some top officials of the Ministry of Interior were made members of a committee which recommended his reinstatement.

    The officials were members of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior.

    Also yesterday, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives stormed Maina’s Abuja home ahead of the legal battle for the interim forfeiture of the $2million house.

    The agency said Maina still had a case to answer with a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye and two others.

    The details of who authorised Maina’s return were contained in a letter of reinstatement sent to the wanted officer by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

    Those in Maina’s camp allegedly released the letter to prove that the Federal Government followed “due process” in recalling him to duty.

    The September 18 letter was also sent to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

    Related: Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    The letter, signed by Mustapha L. Sulaiman for the FCSC chairman, indicated that the AGF advised the FCSC that Maina should be reinstated.

    The letter said: “Kindly refer to the Attorney-General of the Federation/ Honourable Minister of Justice letter Ref. No. HAGF/FCSC/2017/ VOL. 1/3 dated 27th April 2017 requesting Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to give consequential effect to the judgment that voided the warrant of arrest issued against A.A. Maina which formed the basis for the query and his eventual dismissal.

    “Further to the aforementioned letter, the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) at its meeting held on 14th June, 2017 deliberated on the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF’s) letter and requested the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) vide letter FC.4029/82/VOL.III/160 of 21st June 2017 to advise the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior to consider the AGF’s letter, the Officer’s case and make appropriate recommendation to the Commission.

    Maina recall

    “The OHCSF accordingly advised the Ministry of Interior to consider the matter. The Ministry of Interior at its Senior Staff Committee (SSC)’s meeting held on 22nd  June, 2017 considered the disciplinary case against the Officer and the letter by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice seeking the reinstatement of the Officer as a Director (Administration), SGL. 17 in the Federal Civil Service.

    “The Ministry of Interior’s Senior Staff Committee (SSC) deliberated on the case and recommended that Mr. Maina be reinstated into the service as Deputy Director. SGL. 16. The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) vide letter Ref. No. HCSF/LU/ COR/ FCSC/749/III/ 135 dated 14th August 2017 forwarded the recommendations of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior to the FCSC for further necessary action.

    “The FCSC at its meeting held on Wednesday, 16th August, 2017 considered the letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the recommendations of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior on the disciplinary case against Alhaji Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, Deputy Director (Administration), Salary Grade Level 16.

    “The FCSC, thereafter, approved the reinstatement of the Officer into the Service with effect from 21st February, 2013(being the date he was earlier dismissed from Service).

    “The FCSC also approved for the Officer to sit for the next promotion examination to the Post of Director (Administration), SGL. 17.”

    Trending: Revealed: AGF Malami ordered Maina’s recall

     

    In the letter, which was sent also to Mrs Oyo-Ita, the FCSC only added a clause as follows: “You are kindly requested to deliver the attached original letter to the Officer, please.”

    Giving insights into how Maina was reinstated, some top government sources said the “deal” was executed by the AGF, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and the officials of the Ministry of Interior.

    One of the government officials said: “The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation insisted that the reinstatement of Maina was absurd and illegal. She did not play any role in the entire process which led to the recall of the dismissed officer.

    “In fact, she refused to add a sentence or a line to a memo routed through her office to the so-called Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior. It is not within the mandate of the SSC to determine a grievous disciplinary case involving Maina.”

    Another official said: “When some forces were determined to bring Maina back, the Head of the Civil Service took precautionary measures and warned that the process will fail.

    “Instead, what the FCSC did was to compel the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to forward the recommendations of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) of the Ministry of Interior to it for further necessary action.

    “All the documents are intact and they will be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari. I am sure more heads will roll. All the SSC members have no business being in office again.”

    As at press time, detectives from the EFCC have stormed the residence of Maina ahead of the legal proceeding for the interim forfeiture of the $2million house.

    “We have deployed our detectives to Maina’s posh $2million residence at 10 Amisi Musa Street, Jabi Lake Area to effect his arrest and mark the mansion afresh as still under investigation. We had marked the residence but he had the audacity to clean up the marks.

    “Although the suspect has gone underground, we will fish him out at all costs.”

    The agency stressed that Maina and Oronsaye had a case to answer before the Federal High Court Abuja on alleged N2billion Pension funds allegedly mismanaged for biometric contracts.

    The EFCC source added the case “Maina and three others tagged FHC/ABJ/ CR/97/ 2015 dated July 10, 2015 is still ongoing”. The others are Oronsaye, Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited.

    “The suspects are facing a 24-count charge bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence. Neither Maina nor Oronsaye has been discharged.

    “Oronsaye and two others pleaded not guilty to the charge, Maina has been on the run.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “Steve Oronsaye was only discharged by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on a separate N190 million corruption charges levelled against him. The alleged fraud was committed when Oronsaye was the chairman, Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan

    “Following a no-case submission, the trial judge ruled that the prosecution failed to establish its case against him.”

  • Head of Civil Service denies reinstating Maina

    Head of Civil Service denies reinstating Maina

    Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) has debunked some media reports alleging that her office approved the reinstatement of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina and posted him to the Ministry of Interior.

    Mr Mohammed Manga, Assistant Director Media Relations, OHCSF, refuted the reports in a statement he signed on Monday in Abuja.

    “The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation wishes to inform the public that the reinstatement and posting of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina never emanated from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    “Consequently, the purported reinstatement and posting by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is totally erroneous and misleading.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the immediate dismissal of Abdulrasheed Maina, a civil servant, who went missing for years after being declared, wanted for corruption.

    The president said the circumstances of Maina’s return to the civil service must be investigated asking Oyo-Ita to submit the report of her investigation before the close of work on Monday.

    The embattled Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, had fled the country to escape arrest by the police and other security agents on his trail but was allegedly reinstated to a higher post.