Controversial Information: Procurement Agency Apologizes To Sanwo-Olu, Deputy
The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency has formally apologized to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in light of the controversy caused by information published on its website. Recently, the agency released details regarding government expenditures during the current administration, sparking considerable discussions on various social media platforms. In a statement attributed to the director-general, Fatai Onafowote, the agency reiterated its unwavering commitment to upholding transparency, accuracy, and accountability in all governmental transactions. Onafowote underscored the agency’s strict adherence to the provisions laid out in the Lagos State Public Procurement Law. Acknowledging the confusion that arose from the information on the website, Onafowote clarified that the lack of descriptive clarity in certain details led to misunderstandings and unintended reactions. “We deeply regret any confusion stemming from the insufficient descriptive information in our project disclosures, impacting both governmental bodies and our corporate partners,” the statement mentioned. Expressing empathy for public concerns, the agency extended heartfelt apologies for any distress caused. They emphasized that their intent was never to sow doubt or create misunderstandings that could harm the reputation of esteemed individuals or organizations involved in these transactions.
NLC President Alleges Police Assault, Hospitalization in Imo State Protests
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, was allegedly subjected to a violent encounter with the police and subsequently hospitalized, according to the union spokesperson. Ajaero was apprehended in Imo State during an NLC-led protest and strike aimed at addressing workers’ grievances, including unpaid salaries and pensions. After his arrest, Ajaero claimed he was physically assaulted, blindfolded, and taken to an undisclosed location where he endured further brutal treatment, including attacks with bottles. His personal belongings, including phones and money, were seized and not returned to him. Ajaero was taken into custody at the NLC secretariat in Owerri, Imo State’s capital, during the course of the protest. The Imo State Police Command contested these claims, stating that Ajaero’s arrest was intended to ensure his safety. The police explained that there were scuffles and disagreements arising from the proposed lockdown of essential facilities during the protest, leading to an attack on Ajaero by a mob. As a result, he was placed under protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to prevent harm. The police contended that an injunction from the National Industrial Court on October 27, 2023, prohibited the NLC from holding the planned rally. The NLC, however, insists that Ajaero was brutalized after his arrest, not before. Meanwhile, the Imo State Government has distanced itself from Ajaero’s arrest, with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, describing those alleging government involvement as “perennial mischief makers.” He stated that the court injunction rendered the planned strike illegal, and the Imo State NLC chapter had announced its withdrawal from the strike. The government claimed that Ajaero may have clashed with lawful workers from Imo State and intruders from Abuja, necessitating police intervention to maintain peace.
I didn’t purchase N300m bullet proof SUV -Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has refuted claims of purchasing a N300 million Armoured Lexus LX600 SUV on assumption to office. Wike made the rebuttal shortly after a visit to Metro Train Station, Abuja on Wednesday to inspect ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja Rail Mass Transport System. Some sections of the media had published a picture of an Armored Lexus SUV model LX 600, fitted with ‘FCT – 01’ plate. The reports claimed that the SUV, which cost more than N300 million, belonged to the new FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. But Wike refuted the claim, describing it as mere “mischief”, stressing that he was sworn in on Monday and had not even sat down to work yet. He said that all he did was interact with staff and today (Wednesday), went to the Metro Train Station, Abuja with the Minister of State for FCT to see things for themselves. “We are now going back to the office to interact with each of the departments in the Federal Capital Territory Administration. “But I have seen what is going on in the social media, how the FCTA Permanent Secretary bought a bullet proof car of N300 million that I am using. “So, I want you people to go hit your hand there (on the car) and see whether it is a treated car. “With all due respect, people should be careful not to destroy other people,” he said. He explained that when he resumed, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola Olusade had told him that the FCTA has cars that the ministers would use. “And the car we use is this (pointing at a regular Lexus SUV). “I have never approved for any car to be bought and I have not used any official bullet proof car. “I am not using a bullet proof car as FCT Minister, so we should report the right thing, and not destroy ourselves. “I want you to take a look at the car I came with, the one with the flag and see whether it is a bullet proof car”, he asked the journalists at the scene. In a related development, the Director Press, Office of the Minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, dismissed claims by some media outfits that Wike plans to demolish 6,000 houses across 30 settlements in Abuja, including Wadata Plaza. “We would like to categorically state that these stories are entirely false and without any basis,” Ogunleye said. He explained that the story on the demolition of 6,000 houses was reported by a national daily newspaper on Aug. 22, with the caption “Abuja land: FG may revoke land allocations, demolish 6000 buildings, slums”. He added that another mainstream newspaper also published what he described as an “irritating story”, with a caption, “Wadata Plaza will go down, Reactions trail Wike’s demolition threat”. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Minister did not in any of his pronouncements list the areas or the number of illegal houses to be removed. “Rather, his emphasis has always been that illegal settlements and structures would be removed for the greater good of the public. “Equally vexing” is the headline from a reputable broadcast station saying, “I will fix Abuja in 6 days” and attributed the same to the FCT Minister. “We wish to state quite clearly that at no time did the Honourable Minister say this or allude to this phrase in any way. This headline, therefore, is borne purely out of mischief,” he said. The director press pointed out that such sensational reporting not only misleads the public but also undermines the vital role that accurate and well-researched journalism plays in society.
Scandal rocks FCTA Park & Pay investment project
*Original owners seek justice from Tinubu, Wike Trouble appears to be brewing in the Federal Capital Territory as an ongoing scandal involving the Park & Pay investment has sent shockwaves through Abuja, raising concerns about transparency and justice. Otumba Olusegun Olarewanju, CEO of Platinum Parking Management, and Iliyasu Abdu, MD/CEO of Integrated Parking Managers, who claim to be the pioneers behind the recently reintroduced Abuja Park and Pay project, are demanding fair treatment from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the newly appointed FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. To attract investments from Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially in the Capital Territory, Olarewanju and Abdu assert that President Tinubu and Minister Wike should investigate the activities of top officials within the Federal Capital Territory. The duo allege that they were unjustly sidelined by the Adesola Olusade-led leadership of the FCT, despite having initiated the Abuja Park and Pay project. It’s reported that the former Minister of the FCT, Bello Mohammed, had upon leaving office, advised the Permanent Secretary to prioritize the pioneer companies’ right of refusal to ensure fairness and prevent the perpetuation of impunity. However, the Permanent Secretary and his colleagues allegedly disregarded this advice, moving swiftly to bring in their proxies and seized the concept developed by the original initiators. The situation is complicated further by an existing court judgment requiring the FCTA to pay damages for the abrupt disengagement of the two companies, causing significant financial losses. Olarewanju and Abdu detailed their journey, explaining that they returned to Nigeria as a response to then-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for Diaspora investments. They designed an “On-Street Parking Management” solution for Abuja, aiming to generate revenue and provide employment opportunities. “At the onset of democracy in 1999, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo invited people in Diaspora when we tried to romance with his government. He said we should come back home, bring all our ideas, and come and invest in the country. “This gingered us to come back home, and looking at the esthetics, the design, and the road network of Abuja, we came on board that we could do ‘On street Parking management’ on the streets of Abuja in other to generate revenue for the FCT and also to create massive employment for the teaming youths of Nigeria. “And we also had it in mind that one day the influx of vehicular movement in Abuja city will be uncontrollable. So, in other to have a plan in place was what necessitated us coming up with ‘On street parking’ project in the street of Abuja. “And we came with everything, we came with all our technical partners, we set it up, we did everything, and we tendered for the project. The FCT Minister later set up a technical committee to look into the proposal and here we are, we signed an agreement with them in 2010. “When we started, we put the entire infrastructure in place, synergies or what have you. We did all the line markings in all the roads of Abuja. I and my PPMS went back abroad and brought technical partners to set up all the infrastructure. We engaged thousands of Nigerians. “My company engaged over four hundred and fifty direct and indirect labour to start the project, same with my friend. We brought the state-of-the-art applications to manage the projects and start setting everything up, until one day we saw two companies that took over the street of Abuja saying the Minister said they should drive us away from the streets. “And then these people took over the streets, and then mayhem started; chaos, and pandemonium on the streets of Abuja. This was what led to Justice Peter Afe to place a suspension on the project because people sued us, they sued one of the illegal operators in court. And when they suspended us they told FCT to go and get a proper traffic law to support the project,” Otumba Olarewanju explained. However, their vision was derailed by the actions of FCT officials, who allegedly favored their own interests over the original initiators’ rights. The two entrepreneurs stressed their demands: a return of their original zones for operation, compensation for incurred losses due to disengagement, and adherence to the arbitration judiciary award. “This is because as pioneers, and in the agreement we had with FCDA we have the right of first refusal. It’s in the agreement, and that agreement has been certified by a court of competent jurisdiction, so our agreement is valid and subsisting and anything contrary to that is against the law. And number two, the arbitrary award is a legal thing that nobody can wish away except the court of competent jurisdiction. Since they have gone to the High Court, the high court could not set it aside; the Court of Appeal court did not set it aside, and even the Supreme Court will not set it aside because arbitration has a time limit. If you cannot do anything within those ninety days that means it’s only God that can intervene,” he stated. Their plea hinges on their agreement’s legal validity, their certified rights of first refusal, and the binding nature of the arbitration award.
Group slams military for burning vessels with stolen crude
*Says action destroys the ecosystem The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has decried the burning and destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil, describing it as a worrisome and environmentally unfriendly way of curbing oil theft. ERA/FoEN’s Executive Director, Barr. Chima Williams, in a statement signed by Communication Officer, Elvira Jordan, recently stated that the burning of crude oil-laden vessels disposes a high level of chemical content into the water bodies that destroys eco lives and aquatic organisms that humans need to survive. “Destroying such vessels with their crude contents produces high-level chemical debris that follows tidal movement to other parts of the country. This kind of devastation destroys the aquatic organisms needed to satisfy man’s nutritional and survival needs. “What is discharged includes chemical contents from the crude and the vessels that are harmful to human health. The health implications of such activities may not have immediate effects but will be transferred to the people who inhabit these areas, as the primary occupation of the Riverine people is fishing and farming, which is dependent on the surrounding waters,” he said. He added that the destruction of crude oil laden vessels will also deprive the people of their sources of livelihood, when the chemical waste from the burnt vessels and crude oil comes in contact with the environment, killing aquatic life and poisoning the surrounding soil. The Executive Director stated that destroying and wasting stolen crude, is a disfavor to Nigeria’s economy noting that the product will generate funds that will build infrastructures and better the lives of the people. He said, “Destroying badges of crude that runs into millions is equivalent to denying the nation and its people of the revenue that can be derived from such large amounts of crude. This is a country in dire need of resources to rebuild the economy, to build infrastructures and to better the lives of the people. The country is in heavy dept, yet we are destroying sources of enhancing our economy. The burnt vessels can be transformed into other uses like enhancing the work of seafarers in the country.” On the legal implications, Williams explained that destroying the evidence would not make for the proper prosecution of the case. He stressed that such actions wipe away the key principles of the rule of law, as the chances of conviction or proper acquittal are no longer visible. According to him, this is a denial of justice to the nation, the individuals involved, and the victims of their negative operational conduct and activities. He called on military and security operatives to put an end to the burning of crude oil-laden vessels, as it goes against every tenet of environmental protection and environmental health.
Alleged Fraud: NUPRC staff demand sack of CEO
Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) employees on Wednesday called for the sack of their Chief Executive, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, over alleged fraud and abuse of office. The workers had on Tuesday besieged the offices of the commission in Jabi and Utako, Abuja, where they gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the grievances to be addressed. The workers identified some of the issues as non-remittance of pensions deducted from their salaries, poor working environment, insufficient working tools and unpaid staff claims. Others were staff medicals, seven months outstanding salary payments and the non-payment of the emoluments of outsourced personnel. At the expiration of the ultimatum on Wednesday, the workers stormed the main entrance to NUPRC complex in Jabi, Abuja, dressed in black and red attires. The workers, in their numbers, urged President Bola Tinubu to sack Komolafe or order him to resign. The workers also called for a forensic audit of all contract processes and payments by the commission under Komolafe’s watch. Mr Owan David, the National Treasurer, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), explained during the protest that Komolafe must go for paying deaf ears to employees plight. David warned that if nothing was done to address the situation, the workers would withdraw from their duty posts nationwide. He urged the relevant authorities to take necessary action to save the commission from total collapse. Earlier, Mr Okechukwu Anya, the Branch Chairman of the union, complained that instead of engaging the workers in resolving the lingering issues, the management had resorted to intimidating the union leaders. Anya said that the union leaders were being intimidated for asking for improved working conditions. He accused the embattled chief executive of neglecting staff welfare and gross mismanagement of the commission’s funds. Reacting to the allegations, Komolafe expressed shock over the protest, adding that the management has fulfilled almost all the claims and demands of the workers. He said in a statement that about N1.5 billion upfront deductions had been offset among other commitments. He added that efforts were already in place to address pending issues. On the non-remittance of pension deductions, Komolafe said that the commission has remitted all pension deductions to the various Pension Fund Administrators. He added that the management had also secured additional working space in Abuja, while relevant steps had been taken to fit the necessary facilities in the Port Harcourt and Lagos offices. On medicals, Komolafe explained that full and comprehensive medical care, inclusive of approved overseas treatment, where required, was being provided for all staff. “The commission has also paid all on-call allowances to deserving staff as of July 2023. “Regarding the issue of non-payment of outsourced personnel, all outsourced service providers invoices are currently being processed,” he said. The chief executive said that the commission would not succumb to threats and intimidation from any quarters.
NLC’s planned shutdown of the country illegal, FG insists
The Federal Government has told the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, that its plan to shut down the country on Wednesday, August 2, under the guise of industrial action is illegal. The NLC had threatened to embark on nationwide protest from August 2 following the failure to reach an agreement with the government on the recent increase in the pump price of petrol. The Federal Government had instituted a case at the National Industrial Court, Abuja, seeking to stop the NLC from embarking on the strike action. The court had also made an order stopping the NLC from going ahead with the strike pending the hearing and determination of the suit. But despite the court order, labour unions have insisted on the mass protest. The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, in a letter to the NLC, through their lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, said parties before the court are supposed to maintain the status quo, to respect the pendency of the matter. In the letter with reference number MJ/CIV/ABJ/316/23 and dated July 31, 2023, the solicitor-general said, “Parties are expected to maintain the status quo even in the absence of a restraining order. However, there was no threat of contempt of court in the clarification provided by this Ministry. Undoubtedly, drawing the attention of NLC and the public to the pendency of the order cannot be equated with threats. “The issue of peaceful protests and police permit are also not in contention, however, you may wish to be guided by the contents of the Communique issued by the National Executive Council of NLC at the end of its meeting of 27th July 2023. The decision or projected cause of action by NLC is directed principally in furtherance of issues connected with a hike in fuel price and consequential matters of palliatives and workers’ welfare. We assert that it is grossly inappropriate to lead the public protest in respect of issues relating to or connected with the fuel price increases, which are currently before the court! “From the Communique, it is apparent that the current move by NLC goes beyond peaceful protest by issuing a seven-day ultimatum for government to meet the demands and also embark on a nationwide action to compel the government to reverse alleged anti-worker policies. “Furthermore, uncontroverted media reports have established that NLC is not planning a peaceful protest but intends to ground the government by endangering public peace, instilling fear in the masses, and precipitating a further crisis. To buttress the above, the Assistant General Secretary of NLC, stated thus: ‘Nigerians should be prepared. That’s what we are saying. Being prepared means you have to stock food in your house and be economical with your movement at this particular point in time so as to avoid being stranded…’ “ “In the same vein, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers and National Union of Electricity Employees confirmed that they were working towards grounding the supply of fuel and the national electricity grid. The Ag. General Secretary of NUEE stated thus: ‘The NUEE is an affiliate of the NLC and I’ve told you that we will join the strike action. The issue is that if there’s a deadlock between labour and the government; that means that the mass protest is still going on, and definitely electricity workers, as an affiliate of the NLC, will partake in the mass protest. So, all workers in the power sector will join the mass protest on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. It is binding on every staff member to join the strike action. So, if it results in a blackout, the only option is for the government to listen to us if it wants power to return.” “We reiterate that the interim order clearly restrained NLC from embarking on industrial action of any nature. It is common knowledge that a strike is only a form of industrial action. NLC has expressed the intention to embark on a nationwide action to force the government (employer) to agree to its demands. Furthermore, the participation of workers in the protest will result in restriction, or imitation on, or a delay in the performance of work. The foregoing, inclusive of the purported peaceful protest (in view of its intended aims or purposes), undoubtedly amounts to industrial action. “It is incumbent on your law firm to sensitize the labour unions that peaceful protests are no justification for disrupting or shutting down essential services, which is tantamount to a strike action.”
Kano: Gov Yusuf suspends salaries of 10,800 workers
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has directed the Accountant General of the State to stop the salaries of over 10,800 workers employed by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration, pending investigations. Mr. Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the Accountant General of the state, made this known to newsmen in Kano. Abdulsalam said the affected staff were employed at the twilight of the previous administration. He said that a Committee has been set up to investigate their engagement in the civil service, assuring that the outcome of the finding will play a role in their fate. The accountant general also announced the suspension of transfers made by the previous government within the civil service against existing rules, adding that the status quo ante should be maintained by the affected government officials. Abdulsalam however expressed the readiness of the new administration to pay workers salary by the 25th of every month, as he revealed that pension and gratuity would be paid to retired workers as when due. He also disclosed that the new administration would operate a single account to ensure financial discipline.