All Posts in "Day: June 6, 2023"

Subsidy: Edo Govt Cuts Work Days To Thrice For Civil Servants, Moves Minimum Wage To N40,000

Mohammed Shosanya

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reduced the number of work days to three for civil and public servants in the state on account of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

Obaseki announced this and other measures his government would take to ameliorate the plights of public servants who commute to their workplaces five days a week.

The statement said: “In the wake of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government, fuel prices have increased astronomically leading to rise in prices of goods and services and overall cost of living.

“The Edo State Government shares the pains of our people and wants to assure everyone that we are standing with them in these very challenging times.

“We want to reassure our people that we will do all within our powers as a subnational government to reduce the pains and ameliorate the sufferings our people are currently facing due to the current realities.”

“As a proactive government, we have since taken the step to increase the minimum wage paid to workers in Edo State from the approved N30,000 to N40,000, the highest in the country today.

“We want to assure you that we will continue to pay this amount, while we hope to increase it even further, if more allocation accrues to our State from the Federal Government in view of the expected savings occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“We know the hardship that has been caused by this policy which has radically increased the cost of transportation, eating deep into the wages of workers in the State. Therefore, the Edo State Government is hereby reducing the number of work days that civil and public servants will have to commute to their workplaces from five days a week to three days a week till further notice. Workers will now work from home two days every week.

“Similarly, for teachers and parents, their commuting to school will be reduced as government is working on deepening the EdoBEST@Home initiative to create more virtual classrooms, thereby reducing the cost of commuting on parents, teachers and pupils. The Edo SUBEB will provide details on this initiative in the coming days.”

To lower the rising cost of energy on the people, Obaseki said his administration will continue to work with the electricity companies in the state to improve power supply to homes and businesses.

He said, fibre optic connections are being made available to help our people work remotely, thereby reducing their cost of transportation.

He added:While government intensifies these efforts to alleviate the burden of the fuel price increase on the people during this very challenging period, we want to call on everyone to remain calm and go about their daily businesses lawfully.”

admin by — June 6, 2023 in Labour/Human Resources 0
Reps Seek Suspension Of Air Nigeria Project

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian House of Representatives, Tuesday directed the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its partners in the Nigeria Air project to immediately suspend flights operations and every other actions with respect to the Nigeria Air;

It also urged the new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to urgently constitute a Presidential Committee to undertake a holistic review of the processes of the Nigeria Air project, and advice the government on the way forward.

The committee said it was alarmed by the launching of Nigeria Air despite an existing court order restraining such action
The Chairman House Committee on Aviation, Hon Nnoli Nnaji, expressed disappointment at the action of the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

He said that the committee was disturbed by the action of the Ethiopian airline in the unveiling project.

The committee on Aviation made the following resolutions.

“The Committee after careful evaluation of the issues on deliberation is totally dissatisfied with the actions of the former Minister of Aviation, Sen, Hadi Sirka in going ahead to flag off the opcrations of Nigeria Air despite a standing Court injunction against such, and without any provision for sustaining the operations of the airline. We are equally irked by the role played by Ethiopian Airline in this whole process. It does not speak well of the excellent brotherly relationship existing between our two nations.

“A careful review of the process indicates the exercise to be highly opaque, shrouded in secrecy, shoddy and capable of ridiculing and tarnishing the image of Nigeria before the international community. We want to put on record, that the Committee and indeed the National Assembly had no role in the purported launch of Nigeria Air or anything related thereof.

While the Committee and indeed the parliament is not opposed to Nigeria having a National Carrier, as a matter of fact having a National Carrier is highly desirable to us as a people and Nigeria, as a nation. However, such a process should be transparent and all embracing. We as a Committee would not accept any attempt by any individual or group of individuals or organization to hide under the project and siphon our commonwealths.

The committee resolves to ensure that all individuals, or groups, or organization involved in the controversial shenanigan named “Nigeria Air Take-Off” are brought to book, prosecuted and sanctioned

It also resolves to advise that the Federal Ministry of Aviation with its agency, the NCAA to designatcs some Nigcrian Indigenous Airlines as Flag Carriers, to take advantage of Bi-lateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) entered into by Nigeria, pending when a viable National Carrier comes on board.

It added:” In conclusion, looking at the total amount required to fully starts the airline which is put at $250,000,000, the Nigerian government and its citizenry can raise these funds without necessarily subjecting itself to the ridicule we have been exposed to by this episode”

Nnoli also said: ” Let it be put on record that the House of Representatives and the committee has no part you play in the unveiling of Nigeria air”.

The committee urged President Tinubu to as a matter of urgency constitute a committee to review the Nigeria Air project and bring all perpetrators to book.

He said that the emergency meeting was summoned to make sure that Nigerians were not shortchanged.

Hon Nnaji said that it was not proper for Air Nigeria you have been unveiled without all the necessary documents being available and the stakeholders being carried along.

“There is no growth without sacrifice. The committee leadership and Nigerians woke up to the rude shock of the launching of a national carrier. Before you unveil an airline, you must put some things in order. Hon Nnaji said.

He commended the local airlines industry I’m Nigeria and urged them to keep up the good work.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, said that Nigeria Air was not launched but unveiled.

He also said that Ministry followed due processes in the unveiling,adding that no resources was approved for the launching of Air Nigeria.

He reminded the meeting that Airline Operators are in court on the project and the matter should not be discussed

On this the chairman countered saying that it was funny that he just remembered that the issue was in court.

Representatives of Airline Operators of Nigeria said that nobody is against the coming up of Nigeria Air ,but were dissatisfied about the process.

The Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC,
Mr. Joe Aniku Michael Ohiani, said that Nigeria Air project was not ready as the three most important documents are not ready

“We were not consulted. There’s no shareholders agreement. It is a naming ceremony without a birth.”. Ohiani said.

A former Director General of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Captain Roland Iyayi said that the Nigeria Air project would not benefit the Nigerian public.

He noted that the award of a majority stake in Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines was not transparent and would bring about unfair competition in the Nigeria airline industry.

“The dealings are not entirely transparent. There are undue privileges given to this new carrier which domestic operators aren’t enjoying. For instance, the government proposes a 15-year tax moratorium for the national carrier. Again let us be very clear, this is not a national carrier in the context in which it is being presented.

“This is a flag carrier. This is because if you are bringing strategic investors at 49% and it has other institutional investors, one of which is 60% owned by a foreign entity. In the long term, what you are putting together is a foreign airline being allowed to operate in the Nigerian space in variant with Article 7. This is not in the interest of the Nigerian public” Dr. Iyayi said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema described the Air Nigeria Project as a “ruse”.

He said that the idea of national carrier was outdated and countries no longer get involved in it.He said that it was a lie that Nigerians want national carrier.

admin by — June 6, 2023 in Aviation 0
Guber Poll: INEC Publishes Final Candidate List For Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

Mohammed Shosanya

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released final list of candidates for the off-cycle governorship elections scheduled for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States in November 11 ,2023.

It approved the final list at its regular meeting today in Abuja saying the decision is in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires the publication of the list not later than 150 days to election day.

In a statement by Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner in charge of information and Voter Education said th
final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

“Same will be published in our State and Local Government offices in the the affected States on Thursday 8th June 2023 ahead of the statutory deadline of 9th June 2023”,he said.

He noted that the list shows that all 18 political parties are fielding candidates in Kogi State, 17 in Imo State and 16 in Bayelsa State.

He said:”The list also shows that two political parties are fielding female candidates in Bayelsa State, one in Kogi State and none in Imo state.

“The commission wishes to remind political parties and candidates that in line with Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the three elections, campaign in public officially commences on Wednesday 14th June 2023 in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and ends on 9th November 2023 i.e. 24 hours prior to election day”.

The commission expressed regrets over last week’s ugly incident in Kogi State involving the convoys of two political actors in Kogi state resulting in the destruction of vehicles and other properties ahead of the commencement of campaign.

” We urge parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum as peaceful electioneering heralds a peaceful election. Political parties and candidates have a responsibility to de-escalate tension ahead of the elections,” the commission said.

admin by — June 6, 2023 in Politics 0
Court Sentences Pastor To Death For Killing Choir Mistress, Others

A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers,Monday  sentenced a pastor, Chidiebere Okoroafor, to death by hanging for murder.
Okoroafor,the General Overseer of a new generation church based in Oyigbo area of the State was tried for killing his choir mistress, Orlunma Nwagba, who he allegedly impregnated.
He also faced murder charges for the killing of Nwagba’s friend, Chigozie Ezenwa, and her eleven-month-old daughter, Cresabel, on December 11, 2017, in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
In his verdict,Justice S O Benson, said the evidence and confessional statement by Pastor Okoroafor proved he murdered his Church’s choir mistress after getting her pregnant and also killed her friend, Chigozie Ezenwa with her daughter, Christabel Ezenwa.
He maintained that the prosecution proved the case of murder against Pastor Okoroafor, ordering that the Pastor be killed by hanging on his neck until he is dead or be injected with a lethal injection which also kills faster.
admin by — June 6, 2023 in Crime/Metro 0
Court Fines Lawyer N20m For Action Against Tinubu’s Inauguration

Mohammed Shosanya

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja,Tuesday, dismissed a suit filed by five residents of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking to stop the May 29, swearing in of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023, was filed by Chucks Nwachukwu, on behalf of the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs are: Anyaegbunam Ubaka Okoye, David Aondover Adzer; Jeffrey Oheobeh Uche; Usang Paul and Chibuike Nwachukwu, who sued for themselves and as representing other residents and registered voters of the FCT.

Delivering verdict on the suit, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Chucks Nwachukwu to pay a fine of N10 million each to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, for constituting an abuse of court process.

He held that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit because the issue for determination was predicated on election matter, which only the presidential election petition court can hear.

admin by — June 6, 2023 in Law/Human Rights 0
Egbin Power Advocates Increased Action On Sustainable Environment

Mohammed Shosanya

Egbin Power Plc,has advocated the need for concerted global efforts among governments, businesses, and individuals towards building a more sustainable world.

The power company gave the suggestion in a statement to mark World Environment Day 2023.

It also emphasized deliberate actions designed to further reduce environmental pollution in line with the global agenda for sustainability has be

Speaking during the activities outlined to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day, Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power Plc, Mokhtar Bounour noted that deliberate actions are being taken by people, organizations and governments that are forward-thinking, especially those who are concerned about posterity and sustainability of people and the environment.

He said:“Egbin Power Plc is a big stakeholder in the global conversation around the environment. In response to the global call for environmental sustainability, we display due diligence in air quality management, water oil separation, analysis of physiochemical parameters and actions taken based on findings from analysis. We also engage in emission monitoring, discharge of water temperature control prior to reinjection as well as proper and detailed waste management practices among many others”.

He noted that as part of commemoration of this year’s theme which is focused on beating plastic pollution, carrying out seashore cleaning activities to remove plastic waste, in addition to enlightenment sessions by seasoned environmentalists on the impact of plastic pollution on our environment.

“At Egbin Power, Plc we are building a culture to help team members take environmental due diligence as an individual responsibility to contribute limitlessly to the attainment of group environmental objectives”, he said.

“In furtherance to our sustainability drive, our kids at the Powerfield Group of Schools, Egbin, Ikorodu, have been fully trained to be able to imbibe recycling as a way of life. This makes them utilize cartons, plastic bottles, and other materials to build artworks and artefacts which will be put on display as soon as the recycling museum is commissioned by Egbin Power Plc. There are also plans in place to build a compost garden and recycle hub for plastics and other recyclables.” Bounour explained.

According to the United Nations (UN) environment programme, the 2023 World Environment Day campaign #BeatPlasticPollution calls for global solutions to combat plastic pollution.

This year, the United Nations considers the rising impact of plastics, especially single use plastic in the overall pollution of the environment from oceans to beaches and other water bodies and in land pollution. Plastic pollution is explained as hazards posed to Earth’s ecosystems by the accumulation of waste plastic products and particles.

According to a recent report, more plastic waste is produced per person in developing countries with poor garbage collection systems. Due to this, most of the plastic that pollutes the ocean originates in the rivers of developing and middle-income nations. However, developed nations, particularly those with low recycling rates, also struggle with plastic waste collection.

Egbin Power Plc has been on the forefront of promoting environmental sustainability and other zero emission campaigns. It aims to drastically reduce carbon emissions for environmental sustainability, healthier lifestyle, and productivity.

admin by — June 6, 2023 in Power 0
We’re Committed To Eco-Friendly Environment -Chevron

Mohammed Shosanya

Chevron Nigeria Limited ,operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and CNL, identifies with this global action to address the impact of plastic pollution as it aligns with our commitment to protecting the environment while providing affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy.

The company affirmed this in commemoration of this year’s World Environment Day in the world.

The company says it conducts its business in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner, in compliance with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements, stakeholder expectations and best industry practices, and has made environmental stewardship part of its social investment programmes.

Rick Kennedy, CNL’s Chairman and Managing Director, explains that the company’s approach to sustainability is highlighted by its commitment to protecting the environment, empowering its people, and always getting results the right way.

“Environmental protection is a key Operational Excellence focus that is integrated into our project planning and life cycle of our assets. We implement a robust process for management of wastes, including solid wastes like plastics of various densities through reduction, reuse, and recycling options.

“We continue to assess and implement reduction of single-use plastic water bottles by providing water dispensers. We have also invested in waste management equipment to shred, crush, and compact for recycling and re-use of waste by third party service providers. These actions have prevented our used plastics from leaking into our immediate natural environment,” he stated.

According to Rick, CNL’s Operational Excellence Management System delivers industry-leading performance in process safety, personal safety and health, environment, reliability, and efficiency.

“Our focus on the environment during decision making lays the foundation for sound environmental management. The company protects the environment through the entire lifecycle from responsible design, development, operations, and asset retirement,” he stated.

CNL recognizes the importance of minimizing its environmental footprints by promoting ecosystem restoration. The company continually aims to achieve world class environmental excellence through implementation of its Environment Risk Management process to identify, assess, mitigate against, and manage environmental risks, environmentally related community health risks, and environmentally related social risks.

It is also advancing its lower carbon strategy by focusing on lowering the carbon intensity of its operations and by implementing methane detection and reduction capabilities. CNL utilizes high tech Optical Gas Imaging (“OGI”) cameras for detecting fugitive emissions and in the past 10 years has reduced routine gas flaring by over 97% in its operations.

The company, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (“NCF”), established the Lekki Conservation Centre in 1992. This 78-hectare facility, a center of excellence in environmental research and education, is reserved as a sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula.

In 2005, the company commenced support for a yearly postgraduate research scholarship for PhD students in environment and conservation, instituted by the NCF.

Besides, the company hosts the annual S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture to promote environmental management awareness and partners with the Lagos State Government and NCF to sponsor the annual Walk for Nature event, a programme aimed at creating awareness for nature conservation and sustainable environmental management.

The theme of the 2019 edition was “Plastic Pollution, the enemy of our development agenda.” Esimaje Brikinn, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs notes that CNL recognizes the importance of protecting and conserving biodiversity.

“We have a long history of working in collaboration with communities, industry groups, regulators, and conservation groups to identify and protect biodiversity in parts of the world where we operate. For over 60 years, the company has remained an active agent of sustainable development and strong advocate of partnerships in support of the environment. We will continue to partner with stakeholders in raising public awareness to create the transformative environmental change we need to advance to a more sustainable world that Beats plastic pollution for ourselves and for future generations,” he said.

admin by — June 6, 2023 in Environment 0
Blocked Funds:FG Should Consider Crude Oil Swap Arrangement With Foreign Airlines -Olowo

Mohammed Shosanya

Dr. Gabriel Olowo, the President of Aviation Round Table (ART) has advocated the need for the federal government to consider barter arrangement with foreign airlines over the controversy surrounding the 818.2m blocked funds.

He said,the Central Bank of Nigeria, could engage the governments of the individual foreign airlines and work out the modalities for crude oil exchange if it was legitimate.

According to him,the federal government in 1985 under the regime of Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, exploited the same option with Brazil and a few other countries when the country was facing foreign exchange challenges.

He said: “This ever growing airline home remittance and its attendant embarrassment on Nigeria by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), will it be out of place to think of barter?

“Engage the individual governments of these airlines if they will pay the airlines in exchange for our crude oil if it is legitimate. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at his first coming did barter trade with Brazil and others.”

IATA had earlier in the week, raised the alarm that foreign airlines blocked funds in Nigeria had increased to $818.2 million from $744 million as at the end of March.

It said the figure made Nigeria the country with the most trapped funds in the world.

A statement by Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General put the total trapped funds in the world at $2.27 billion as at April, 2023.

Apart from Nigeria, other four countries also mentioned in the trapped funds saga are Bangladesh; $214.1 million, Algeria; $196.3 million, Pakistan; $188.2 million and Lebanon; $141.2 million.

IATA maintained that the top five countries account for 68 per cent of blocked funds worldwide.

He warned that rapidly rising levels of blocked funds are a threat to airline connectivity in the affected markets.

He emphasized that the industry’s blocked funds have increased by 47 per cent to $2.27 billion in April 2023 from $1.55 billion in April 2022.

He declared that airlines could not continue to offer flight services in countries where they have found it difficult to repatriate their funds and called for quick action to address the situation.

admin by — June 6, 2023 in Aviation 0
Power: REA Considers Cheap Electric Appliances To Boost Access

Mohammed Shosanya

The Rural and Electrification Agency (REA) is implementing the productive use of equipment and appliances (PUE) in line with its efforts to ensure that rural and underserved communities have unhindered access to energy efficient and electric productive equipment in Nigeria.

The PUE will encourage the use of low-cost productive appliances in unserved and underserved communities to improve rural productivity, economic growth and also rural development,the agency said in a statement in Tuesday.

According to the statement,REA, through its Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), aims to provide 24,500 Micro, Smal and Medium Enterprises (MSME) with energy efficient productive use appliances, while ensuring that 1,050,000 people have improved access to energy services.

Managing Director of the REA, Mr. Anmad Salihijo Ahmad,who spoke during the grant agreement signing of the productive use equipment and appliances,said that with support from the African Development Bank Group, the PUE will drive the Sustainability of off grid energy infrastructure across communities in the country.

He said:“We are here for the Grant Agreement Signing for the Productive Use Appliances Component of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) under the African Development Bank funding stream.

“At REA, our mandate is to provide access to electricity to unserved and underserved households and MSMEs in rural communities of Nigeria. The Agency from inception, has continued to collaborate and support private-sector participation in our dedication and commitment to achieve this mandate.

“Beyond keeping the lights on, we are very deliberate about the optimization of productive use equipment and appliances to catalyze socio-economic development in off-grid communities. We understand how important it is for beneficiaries of off grid technologies to appreciate the windows of possibilities sustainable energy presents. This is why this component is very important.

“Through the REA, the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) which is funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank was established to increase access to electricity services to unserved and underserved households, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the rural communities as well as Federal Universities and Teaching Hospitals throughout Nigeria.”

admin by — June 6, 2023 in Power 0