All Posts in "Day: June 26, 2024"

Minimum Wage: Tinubu Seeks More Time For Consultation

Mohammed Shosanya

President Bola Tinubu has asked for more time to consult further and widely with all relevant stakeholders concerning his decision on the national minimum waon the subject matter.

Tinubu stepped down the memo when it came up for deliberations at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, pleading that there was a need to consult more, especially with the Local Government Areas, States before the Federal Government can come up with appropriate figures.

The government and organised Labour had been engulfed in a battle of wit over what should be paid as minimum wage across workers in the country.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris revealed this on Tuesday, while briefing State House Correspondents on some of the outcomes from the meeting.

He said the memo on new minimum wage was stepped down because the Federal Government thought it wise to consult with other stakeholders, especially as the new wage proposals affects the Local Government Areas, States and the Federal Government.

According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, “a lot of people have been asking me questions pertaining to whether the New Minimum Wage would come up for deliberations today at FEC, especially whether government was going to have a position on the new wage.

“Recall that there was a report from the tripartite committee, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, the Organised Private Sector and the government representatives, these three make up the tripartite committee that discussed on the new minimum wage. They have forwarded a report to the President which he has gone through.

“But consistent with the way it should be done, I want to inform Nigerians that FEC deliberated on that because the new national minimum wage is not just the decision of the Federal government.

“That memo was stepped down to enable Mr President consult further so that he can have an informed position on what to do. This decision was taken because it affects the States, LG and the Federal Government”

admin by — June 26, 2024 in News 0
Cholera:Death Toll Hits 53

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that death from cholera outbreak has risen to 54 and spread to 31 states.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja,Director General, Jide Idris, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, disclosed that as at June 24, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths had been recorded across 107 local government areas with a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of the year.

“These fatalities are not just statistics but a significant loss of a loved family member, a spouse, a parent, and often a seasoned healthcare worker and team member. This situation might be compounded as the rainy season intensifies.”

It has declared cholera a public health emergency after its risk assessment showed the country is now at ‘High Risk’ of increased risk of cholera transmission and impact.

“This demands immediate and coordinated actions, and, therefore, necessitated the recent activation of the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) which underscored the gravity of the situation and the unwavering commitment of the stakeholders to protect the health and well-being of every Nigerian,” he said.

He explained that the EOC would serve as the nerve centre for the coordination of response across the country, and will also support affected states to facilitate rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making processes, mobilise resources, expertise, and support from across the NCDC, partners, and stakeholders at all levels of government.

“It will ensure efficient deployment of needed resources, strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity and capabilities, enhance case management, training and intensify public awareness and community engagement activities.”

He implored all stakeholders, to stem the tide of the outbreak and redouble their efforts to contain the spread and prevent further loss of lives.

He also reminded health workers of the need to always practice standard safety precautions, particularly the practice of wearing gloves while handling patients or providing care to an ill patient/relative, and also intensify surveillance efforts to promptly report suspected cholera cases.

admin by — June 26, 2024 in Health 0
We’ll Use Conventional Methods To Stop Inflation,CBN Insists

Mohammed Shosanya

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso,has reiterated the determination of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to tame inflation through conventional methods.

He stated this in an interview with Bloomberg in London on Tuesday,while sharing key insights on the current state of the market, mainly focusing on the stability of the Naira and inflation rates.

He noted a deceleration in the month-on-month inflation rates, highlighting it as a positive development. He assured that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members remained vigilant in monitoring inflation trends and ensuring a moderation of inflation numbers.

“MPC members will continue to monitor the trajectory and are determined to ensure that they put inflation under control,” he said.

Highlighting a period of stability following previous volatility in the foreign exchange market, he expressed optimism about the recent improvements in liquidity and return of confidence to the market.

He attributed the new development to increased liquidity and a calmer approach from market participants on both the buy and sell sides.

“In the past, people were panicking and front-loading their requests,” he explained, stressing that “Now, a lot of that has calmed down. There’s no inclination to do that because liquidity has returned to the market.”

He also highlighted the significant achievement of merging disparate exchange rates into a more unified system.

“We had two different rates; right now, we more or less have one rate. And we believe that this is good. It allows companies to plan,” he stated, emphasising the importance of a predictable exchange rate for economic planning and investment.

Besides, he expressed confidence in the current market dynamics, where willing buyers and sellers operate freely, noting that it had contributed to the stability of the Naira. He, however, stressed the importance of continuous observation and management to ensure the market benefits all participants.

He highlighted the crucial role of coordinated monetary and fiscal policies in achieving economic stability, adding that the collaboration was essential for managing the macroeconomic fundamentals that influence the market, aiming to provide the best value for the Naira.

admin by — June 26, 2024 in Banking&Finance 0
Negotiation On New Minimum Wage Should End Next Month- TUC President

Mohammed Shosanya

President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, on Tuesday, advised state governments to be ready to pay whatever would be arrived at as new minimum wage as all negotiations would be rounded up by July 2024.

According to him,organised labour expects the President to assent to the new wage onced passed by the National Assembly before the end of July 2024.

if assented to, he said it will ameliorate the harsh living conditions Nigerians were currently struggling with.

Osifo who made the disclosure when the Special Adviser on Labour matter to the Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka led a delegation to his office on Tuesday in Abuja, said there was need for the national tripartite negotiation committee made up of government, labour and organised labour, to find a common ground so that the Bill would receive prompt attention by the President as well as the National Assembly.

He said: “What we are working on from both labour centres is that before the end of July, we should have a new minimum wage that must have passed through the processes, that must have been assented to by the President so that the plight of the workers will improve much more.

“So that the current economic challenges that we are facing as a country will be improved upon, so that an average worker will be able to go to market and buy one or two things to take care of his or her family because of this skyrocketing inflation that we have today in our country.

“As you are aware, Labour we have submitted 250,000 Naira, the government and organized private sector 62,000 Naira. Let both parties, let all parties come together, we resolve and have a common front so that the President will be able to send the bill to National Assembly and at the end of the day, we will have a new national minimum wage. This is key, this is a topic that is germane for all Labour unions today in Nigeria.”

Commending the current Kogi state government for clearing the backlog of payment of N30,000 minimum wage to workers in the state, said, ” State governments should begin fashion out ways they can easily implement the new wage once it is signed into law.

“We are not at this moment even dwelling on the N30,000 again. I was listening to a state, I think Nasarawa State, that said they started setting aside some money to meet the new obligations when the new minimum wage is passed. So I wish to also appeal that in Kogi, let that be the top priority amidst this scarcity of income, amidst this scarcity of revenue.

“I wish to also use this opportunity to speak to all other states as well that they should be putting plans in place to implement the new minimum wage because in Labour today, we are totally ready because when the new minimum wage Act is passed, we are going to follow it state by state to ensure that it is implemented.

“So let the workers have a sigh of relief and we have the trust and the belief that with the high Labour representation in Kogi state government today, we believe that Kogi state government will do the needful. Let the state pay the new minimum wage when it is implemented and also manage the consequential adjustment so that at the end of the day, the workers will be better off for it.”

The Special Adviser on Labour matter to the Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka, noted that the current administration of Governor Ahmed Ododo has corrected all the shortcomings of the immediate past administration as far as workers welfare in the state was concerned.

Noting that the current Governor has put some labour friendly interventions in place,the aide added that it was seeking the support of the TUC to ensure Kogi State comes back into good light, away from the negative narrative in the past.

“We are coming from where we were carrying placards before saying we no go gree on issues of labour but today this government has drawn us closer to see how we can add value to his government and see how we can speak for those workers we were fighting for before.

“Contrary to what NBS and ministry of finance have said, we are here to set the record straight that Kogi State is paying the minimum wage of N30,000 as it ought to be. We genuinely call on you and all the headquarters of the congresses to see that Kogi State is no longer put in the light of bad image.

“Kogi State was battered in news in the previous administration but this government has come into office and has corrected it fully because it is a government of continuity and consolidation. Ododo is doing genuinely well, very better and the workers are happy for it. All of us are giving him kudos for that and we are praying that the government will continue in that manner.”

admin by — June 26, 2024 in Labour/Human Resources 0
Customs Officer Dies During Reps Session

Mohammed Shosanya

Senior Officer of the Nigerian Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Essien Etop Andrew, responsible for Finance Administration and Technical Service, Tuesday died at the National Assembly Clinic in Abuja.

He had appeared as a guest of the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives on Tuesday for questioning, as part of the ongoing probe into revenue-generating agencies and government parastatals.

Addressing the committee on the remittance of levies into designated government accounts, Mr. Andrew paused and said, “Sir, I need to drink of water.

The Committee Chairman, Hon. Bamidele Salam responded, “Do you need some water, sir? Yes, go ahead! Or perhaps you’d prefer tea? Do you need tea?”

“The customs boss again said, ‘I may need to take some water,’ and then collapsed.”

A statement signed by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, reads in part: “It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm the passing of a distinguished official from the Nigeria Customs Service, who was present at the National Assembly for an engagement with a House Committee.”

“During an engagement around 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the official suddenly developed health complications. Despite the immediate and diligent efforts of first responders and medical personnel at the National Assembly Clinic, he unfortunately passed away.

“Out of respect for the family, we will not disclose the official’s name at this time.”

“The House of Representatives expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased during this challenging time. We acknowledge his substantial contributions to the Nigeria Customs Service and to our nation.

“The House of Representatives is fully committed to understanding the circumstances surrounding the incident and is cooperating with all relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary protocols are followed.

“The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, expressed his heartfelt condolences, stating, ‘We are profoundly saddened by the sudden loss of such a dedicated public servant. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

“Additional details will be shared as they become accessible. We kindly request patience and understanding for the family’s privacy as they mourn.”

admin by — June 26, 2024 in News 0
There’s No Dirty Fuel In Nigeria, NMDPRA Tells Dangote

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),Tuesday reacted to allegations of importing dirty fuel being imported into the country,saying that no such thing ever occured.

The Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the NMDPRA, Ogbugo Ukoha,disclosed that there is no dirty fuel the Authority would encourage to come into Nigeria.

He told journalists shortly after a meeting with the oil marketers and local refiners at the headquarters of the NMDPRA in Abuja.

“There is no dirty fuel that we would encourage to come into Nigeria. And there is no dirty fuel being brought in,” Mr Ukoha said.

The Vice President, Oil and Gas, at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin, had weekend accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria of doing everything to frustrate the survival of Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals.

Edwin,who spoke to a group of energy editors at a one-day training programme organised by the Dangote Group,also lamented the activity of the NMDPRA in granting licences indiscriminately to marketers to import dirty refined products into the country.

But, NMDPRA said it takes seriously its statutory mandate to ensure that only quality petroleum products are supplied and consumed in Nigeria.

He explained that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of state in 2020 endorsed a declaration adopting the Afri-5 fuel roadmap that requires that certain products have minimum 50 parts per million (ppm) litres of sulphur.

“Whilst it encouraged almost an immediate enforcement against imports to comply with that standard, the same treaty deferred enforcement for local refineries up to 31 December 2024.”

He said section 317 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 also captured and upheld this ECOWAS treaty.

“So as an authority, what have we done since we came into being? We started by engendering compliance. We saw a downward trend up to December 2023. In December and in January of this year, we noticed a spike in the sulphur contents of products being imported. And we again now began strong enforcement from 1 February.

“I am happy to tell Nigerians that up until as we speak in June, the average sulphur content in every Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) that is brought into Nigeria is far below, the average is far below what the 50 ppm provision is in the law.

“With the local refineries, remember that declaration deferred it and so they continue to produce at a higher level. But we are not very anxious about that because even the new refineries that are coming in have within their design of the plant desulphurisation units that will see in the nearest future that sulphur going down as low as 10 ppm,” he said.

He assured that this is a mandate that the authority takes very seriously and that it is determined to guarantee the well-being and health of Nigerians.

“There is no dirty fuel that we would encourage to come into Nigeria. I said there is no dirty fuel being brought in and I have given you the statistics for June. What we have on the average from imports have continued to go down from 200 on the average ppm and now we have it far below the 50 ppm that is in the law, provided under the law.

“And then with the refineries, there is no need to enforce that until the end of this year. But they themselves are already taking steps to see that is also guaranteed,” he said.

On the outcome of the meeting, Mr Ukoha said the meeting was aimed at promoting collaboration in a manner that ensures and guarantees energy security within the country.

“Our discussions covered considerable issues, very significant and profound. Issues of pricing, competition have been raised and we will continue to engage with every operator to see that we land at a place that is ultimately beneficial to Nigeria and Nigerians,” he added.

admin by — June 26, 2024 in Oil&Gas 0