Subsidy Removal: Extend palliatives to all industries, NACCIMA appeals to FG

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has appealed to the Federal Government to extend palliatives to all productive industries to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy. Its National President, Otunba Dele Oye, made the appeal at the 3rd Quarterly Council meeting of the association in Abuja. The Federal Government had announced N5 billion palliative for each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory to ameliorate the rise cost of living arising from the removal of the petrol subsidy. Oye said that the removal of petrol subsidy was not only affecting consumers but also the productive industries. According to him, the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the Naira currency have in one way or the other affected industries. “These affected both consumers and industries because every new policy has its own casualties. “So, in the long term, it is good for the country, but in the short term, you have to consider people who are wrongly affected so that the prices do not cause unusual inflation. “It is important that the government ensures that the palliatives also go to the industries,’’ Oye said. He added that it would take time for businesses to adjust to the new policy of Naira floating. “The short term is always a bit difficult for a lot of people, because it takes time to adjust for businesses to get to know the new policy and also to work with it.” NACCIMA boss said that providing loans at a single digit rate could provide certain cushioning effects to industries affected in the short term. “This is because it is from us we generate the money from the tax to sustain the economy. “So, government must focus and find a way to make sure that the palliative goes to every sector,’’ he said. In his remarks, Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said that the business community also needed incentives to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal and the depreciation of the Naira. Abubakar, who was represented by the Director-General of ACCI, Victoria Akai, also emphasised the need for stable power supply and harmonisation of tax to enable businesses thrive. According to him, the business community is in dire need of incentives that will cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal and the depreciation of the Naira. He urged NACCIMA president to liaise with relevant government agencies to press home the association’s demands such as stable power supply and harmonisation of tax among others. “I will like to commend the determination of the NACCIMA President to further deepen the relationship of NACCIMA and policymakers which I believe will go a long way to bring the much-needed relief to the business community,’’ Abubakar said.

ASUU bemoans delay in releasing 8-month salaries, other issues

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns regarding the prolonged withholding of university academics’ salaries for nearly eight months due to the fallout from the 2022 strike action. The President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, highlighted this issue in a statement. The matter was discussed during the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, from August 19th to August 20th, 2023. Osodeke noted that this challenge is just one among several plaguing the Nigerian University System (NUS), as deliberated during the meeting. He emphasized that the application of the ‘No-Work-No-Pay’ policy to academics fails to consider that only the teaching aspect of their work was suspended during the strike action. Moreover, he highlighted the diligent efforts made by academics to make up for lost time under extremely challenging economic conditions, following the suspension of the strike through interventions by key figures including Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now Chief of Staff to the President and Visitor to Federal Universities. The statement acknowledged the resilience of Nigerian academics, commending their unwavering determination and courage in enduring economic, social, and emotional hardships due to the non-payment of their salaries. ASUU attributed past strike actions to successive governments’ failure to honour agreements and memoranda established through the collective bargaining principle endorsed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and adopted in Nigeria’s labour laws. ASUU called upon the government led by President Bola Tinubu to expedite the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement based on the recommendations of the Professor Nimi Briggs Committee. This move is essential to restore the credibility of the NUS. The union recognized ongoing efforts to secure the release of the withheld salaries and urged national leadership, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to actively pursue this matter. ASUU underlined the significance of releasing the withheld salaries in boosting the morale of Nigerian university educators. The statement also lamented the accumulation of promotion arrears owed to members due to disruptions stemming from the enrollment of academics in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Despite numerous attempts by the union and university administrations, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has yet to address this issue. Consequently, ASUU appealed to the OAGF to promptly resolve the backlog of promotion arrears, considering the impact on industrial harmony and peace. The union’s concerns highlight the challenges faced by academics in Nigeria and the urgent need for comprehensive resolutions to safeguard their welfare and the integrity of the education system. The statement further read, “NEC was disturbed by reports of massive employment racketeering perpetuated by operators of the discredited IPPIS, including scandalous revelations at the recent sittings of House of Representatives Probe Panel on IPPIS. “NEC observed that the unsavoury trend has eroded university employment tradition in violation of the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003, and Guidelines for Appointments and Promotions of individual universities. ASUU rejects all illegal appointments sponsored by the IPPIS and its agents in Nigerian public universities. “NEC observed with dismay the Government’s moves to further erode the autonomy of universities as contained in the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act in respect of the dissolution of Councils. ASUU had cause to protest to the immediate past Federal administration over the same matter in 2015, and the decision was accordingly reversed. “Dissolution of Governing Councils of federal and state universities before they serve their full terms does not only violate extant laws on university autonomy, but it also adversely impacts operations of the universities. NEC therefore calls for the reversal of the recent dissolution of councils of federal universities to ensure their smooth operations and stability. “NEC reviewed the strenuous efforts of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to impose the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) on Nigerian universities, despite well-founded criticisms and rejection by members of university senates and academic associations. NEC subsequently directed the leadership of ASUU to pursue the Union’s rejection of CCMAS to its logical conclusion. “Painfully, NEC reviewed reports of mass exit of experienced academics and professionals from Nigeria’s public universities owing to disabling working and living conditions. NEC submits that a salary regime that places the professor- at-bar on four hundred and sixteen thousand Naira (N416,000.00) or less (no thanks to amputation by IPPIS) for more than ten years is disconcerting, debilitating and dehumanizing for scholars. “NEC, therefore, advises governments at the federal and state levels to urgently arrest the growing ‘Japa’ syndrome on university campuses to reposition Nigerian universities for competitiveness in the global knowledge economy. “NEC noted with dismay the continued onslaughts on ASUU members at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Mrs.) Nnenna N. Oti, and her agents over the questionable appointment of Dr. Isa Ibrahim Ali Pantami as a Professor at the University. “NEC reaffirms its earlier position that the promotion of Dr. Isa Ibrahim Ali Pantami as a Professor in FUTO while serving as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was a breach of the University’s Appointments and Promotions Guidelines. “NEC further reaffirms its recognition of the ASUU-FUTO Executive Committee (EXCO) led by Comrade Chinedu Ihejirika, currently being subjected to unwarranted attack and persecution in the University. NEC subsequently resolves that ASUU would hold the FUTO Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Nnenna Oti, liable should any harm come the way of Comrade Ihejirika and other committed members of our Union in FUTO as well as those of their respective families. “NEC was grieved by the deepening crisis of governance occasioned by the mindless acceptance and crude implementation of neo-liberal socio-economic policies of the international money lenders by successive governments since the birth of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. NEC sadly noted the recent anti-people, draconian policies of the government that have brought millions of Nigerians to their knees and crippled businesses. “We note that the expectation of democratic dividends which heralded civilian rule in 1999 has almost evaporated, as more Nigerians are daily gasping for breath under the suffocating grips of

N6.9bn Fraud: FG arraigns Emefiele, allies Thursday

The Federal Government will on Thursday arraign suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and his associates for N6.9 billion procurement fraud at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. Emefiele will be arraigned alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 20 charges of procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates. The embattled apex bank chief, who has been in detention since he was suspended from office on June 9, 2023, was accused of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro, a director in April 1616 Investment Ltd. The offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. The section read, “Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine.’’ In the charges signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar; Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, Mrs Nkiru Jones-Nebo and eight other ministry officials, the three accused persons were alleged to have bought a fleet of over 98 exotic vehicles and armoured buses valued at about N6.9bn. Some of the vehicles bought between 2018 and 2020 included 84 Toyota Hilux vehicles, 10 armoured Mercedes Benz buses, three Toyota Landcruisers and one Toyota Avalon car. Count one read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of N854,700,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which she is a director and thereby committed an offence. “Statement of the offence: Conferring corrupt advantage contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.’’ The Federal Government further accused Emefiele of conspiracy to confer corrupt advantage on the second defendant contrary to sections 26 (c) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under Section 19 of the same Act. “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, female, adult, and April 1616 Investment Ltd, sometime in 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to use the office of Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (No.) Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of N73,800,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd,” the charge stated. Emefiele was said to have also conferred a corrupt advantage on Yaro by awarding a contract for the supply of one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99.9m to her company, April1616 Investment Ltd., in 2019. The suspended governor was also accused of awarding a contract for the supply of another Toyota Landcruiser V8 for N77.050m to the third defendant in 2018. The ex-CBN governor was said to have conspired with Yaro to confer corrupt advantages on the CBN staffer by awarding to her a contract for the supply of two Toyota Hilux Shell specification vehicles at the cost of N44.2m sometime in 2020. Emefiele was further alleged to have awarded another contract to Yaro and her firm for the purchase of one Toyota Landcruiser VXR valued at N96m in 2020. Yaro was similarly accused of fraudulent acquisition of property for getting a contract from the CBN for the supply of 47 Toyota Hilux vehicles at the cost of N1,085, 700,000 and thereby committed a punishable offence. Other counts read, “That you, Sa’adatu Rammala Yaro, female, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being employed at the CBN knowingly held directly a private interest as director in April1616 Investment Ltd., in a contract awarded to the said company, for the supply of 47 Toyota Hilux vehicles at the cost of N1,085, 700,000 and thereby committed an offence.’’ Count 11, “That you, Sa’adatu Rammala Yaro, female, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being employed at the CBN knowingly held directly a private interest as director in April1616 Investment Ltd., in a contract awarded to the said company, emanating from the CBN where you are employed, for the supply of 10 Mercedes Benz armoured buses at the cost of N2,222, 500,00 and thereby committed an offence.’’ Listed as witnesses against the defendants were the CBN Director of Procurement, Stanley Alvan; CBN Head of Procurement, Mike Agboro, Tahir Jafar, David Usman and “any other witnesses to be supplied later in the additional proof of evidence.’’

Protests: FG bows to Organised Labour, withdraws contempt suit

The Federal Government says it has withdrawn the contempt of court proceedings against organised labour for embarking on a nationwide protest. This is contained in a letter addressed to the lead counsel to the NLC, Falana and Falana’s Chambers on Tuesday in Abuja. The letter dated August 7 to Falana’s Chambers was signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs  B.E. Jeddy-Agba. The Federal Ministry of Justice had through the National Industrial Court (NICN) issued the leadership of the organised labour summons on contempt of court for embarking on the protest. The Union had responded by threatening to embark on a nationwide strike from August 14, if the Federal Government failed to withdraw its contempt of court charges. The Labour Congress and it’s affiliate the Tarde Union Congress (TUC) had embarked on a mass protest over anti-poor policies of government, especially the removal of fuel subsidy that had brought untold hardship to Nigerians. The letter reads: “Kindly recall the exchange of correspondence between the ministry and your office on the need for compliance with the extant court orders, restraining industrial action of any kind on the part of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress. “The position of the ministry was informed by the need to safeguard the integrity of the court and prevent avoidable service disruption or damage to public facilities. “In spite of these exchanges/interventions, the labour unions on August 2, proceeded with the industrial action through public pretests”. It also said the protest led to disruption of work and the eventual pulling down of the gate of the National Assembly. “The foregoing, it said, prompted the ministry to initiate contempt proceedings by tiling Form 48 on the same 2nd August 2023 in accordance with Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act and Order 9 Rule 13 oftlwe Judgment (Enforcement) Rules. “It is trite that issuance of Form 48 is just the starting point in contempt proceedings which will only crystalize upon the issuance of Form 49 and the consequential committal order.” It noted that upon the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the decision of the labour unions to call-off their industrial action after meetings with the President and leadership of the National Assembly. “The ministry did not proceed further with the contempt proceedings, which would have required the issuance of Form 49 within two days of the issuance of Form 48. “It is self-evident that the none-issuance of Form 49 as at August 4, renders the contempt proceedings inchoate. “You may therefore wish to advise or guide the labour unions on the practice and procedure of contempt proceedings. “Also,  particularly to the effect that the issues or concerns raised by NLC in its communique on the proceedings, have been overtaken by events,” it said.

Contempt Suit: Withdraw case or face strike action, NLC warns FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the withdrawal of a lawsuit filed against organized labour. According to them, failure to comply with this demand could lead to a nationwide strike on August 14, 2023. The decision was reached during the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. In a statement, signed by the National President, Joe Ajaero, and the National Secretary, Emanuel Ugboaja, the NLC strongly accused the Ministry of Justice and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) of aligning themselves as “anti-democracy” agents. While the NLC temporarily suspended its protest following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, they have made it clear that they will not hesitate to initiate a nationwide total strike if labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN. “The NLC remains resolute in its stance to protect workers’ rights and interests, emphasizing the importance of the government respecting their demands and refraining from legal actions perceived as undermining the democratic process,” the statement said. The statement further highlighted some of the resolutions of the union which include “To commit to maintaining the required vigilance needed to hold government accountable on its assurances and governance in general; to commit to the terminal date of August 19th 2023 within which the issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly. “To go on total strike across the country any day labour leaders are summoned to Court by the government through the NICN; to demand the immediate withdrawal of this litigious terrorism by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the end of work Friday, the 11th of August, 2023. “To embark on a nationwide comprehensive strike beginning Monday 14th of August, 2023 if this contemptuous Court summons is not withdrawn by whosoever initiated it.” Though it commended the national leadership and all the state officers for the effective coordination of the protest, the union urged all affiliates and state councils including its civil society allies to stay further action but to remain focused and eternally vigilant.

Don’t disrupt economy, OPSN urges FG, labour unions

The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has called on the Federal Government and labour unions to work assiduously to avert disruption of socio-economic activities. Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Head, Secretariat, OPSN, gave the advice in a statement in Lagos. The OPSN comprises five business membership organisations, namely: the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture. Others are the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association; the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists. Ajayi-Kadir noted that the OPSN had followed keenly, the developments following the recent call by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria for a nationwide peaceful protest. The protest is scheduled for August 2, 2023, as consultations between the Federal Government and labour unions have not yielded positive results. He urged the government to employ its best endeavours to reengage the leadership of the unions and find an amicable ground to avert the imminent disruption in business activities. “We opine that adequate consideration should be given to the dire state of the economy and the possible unintended social unrest that may result from the protests. “We call on our members to be circumspective in their business operations, as we await the outcome of ongoing consultations between government and unions,” he said.

Labour walks out of meeting with FG over subsidy removal palliatives

In a significant turn of events, representatives of organized labour on Friday walked out of a crucial meeting with the Federal Government’s team on palliatives. The meeting was convened to address the issue of providing relief measures to offset the impact of fuel subsidy removal in the country.The labour team, led by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, left the meeting without addressing the press as they exited the venue.The discussions were meant to continue the deliberations on the palliative measures that could alleviate the burden of the subsidy removal on the general populace.Earlier, the representatives from both the government and labour had met on Wednesday, and the initial reports indicated a positive outcome from those discussions. The expectation was that the government would provide feedback on the demands put forth by the labor representatives when they resumed the meeting on Friday.However, to the disappointment of those present, the meeting could not proceed as planned because the government’s representatives were reportedly absent. This no-show led the labour officials to take the decision to walk out in protest.Adding to the frustrations, members of the labour teams faced delays at the entrance gate of the State House as they awaited clearance before being allowed into the meeting venue.These circumstances only furthered the tensions and impeded progress during the scheduled discussions.The issue of fuel subsidy removal has been a contentious one, with labour advocating for measures to mitigate its impact on the citizens. As the situation stands, the unresolved negotiations between the government and labour have led to a standstill in finding viable palliative solutions.The hope now lies in the willingness of both parties to reconvene and engage in meaningful dialogue, finding common ground to address the concerns of the populace and ensure the smooth implementation of any subsidy removal palliatives in the future.In the meantime, it is presumed that the proposed nationwide strike for August 2 next could still go on.

States now to feed, accommodate inmates – FG

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has said state governments will now be feeding and accommodating inmates in their domains. He said this followed the recent consultation amendment which placed Correctional Services on the concurrent list. Aregbesola gave the insight while speaking at a 2-day High-Level Conference on Decongestion and Corrections Management, on Thursday in Abuja. “This simply means that states are now empowered to establish their own Correctional Services and facilities. “States which do not have correctional facilities would have to pay the Federal Government for the feeding and accommodation of their inmates,” the minister said. According to him, this is a huge relief to the Federal Government which used to shoulder the burden of accommodating and feeding inmates. In 2023, the Federal Government had earmarked N22.44 billion to feed inmates across 244 correctional facilities in the country. The minister lamented that the huge amount was draining the coffers of the Federal Government. “These facilities are being run by the Federal Government. It should be noted that the criminal justice system of Nigeria makes provisions for state and federal offences. “However, until the amendment of the Constitution, only the Federal Government was in charge of custodial centres. “With the amendment of the Constitution, states are now empowered to build correctional centres and facilities to house offenders who are convicted and sentenced for committing state offences. “Where states are unable to build custodial centres, it is believed that they can suggest ways to collaborate with the Federal Government in feeding and housing these state offenders,’’ he added. Aregbesola said that the conference had brought to the fore,  applicable laws to aid the reform of correctional services, including custodial and non-custodial measures . He said that Section 12 (4-12) of the NCoS Act, gave the Service the powers to reject inmates when custodial centres are full. “By the provision of the Act, the Controller-General, NCoS, is mandated to inform the head of the judiciary of when the custodial centres have exceeded their capacity. “This is necessary, so that more offenders are not sent to the centres to serve their sentence. Where his information is not heeded, he is mandated to reject new inmates. “It is hoped that the above measure will curb the dumping tendencies leading to overcrowding of the custodial centres. “This will be by encouraging the payment of fines for simple offences, non-custodial sentencing and also building and construction of new correctional facilities,’’ the minister said. The Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa said that the sad cases of jail breaks had claimed the lives of of officers and inmates, and escape of prisoners. Nababa said that the trend, posed a grave threat to the sovereignty and prosperity of the country. “However, we are not resting on our oars to ensure that we stem the tide. “We have stepped-up security in and around our Custodial Centres by fortification of access controls. “We have increased the capacity of our Armed Squad Personnel through specialized training and deployment of high caliber weapons. “We have up scaled our use of technology for security, with the improvement of the Correctional Information Management System for inmates’ biometric capturing to cover more formations. “In like manner, a Situation Room has been established at the National Headquarters to enable real-time monitoring of Custodial Centres in phases. “Similarly, we have continued to improve collaboration with sister security agencies at strategic, tactical and operational levels,’’ Nababa said.