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Category: News

  • Raising Minimum Wage Above N62,000 Will Lead to Job Losses, NECA Warns

    Raising Minimum Wage Above N62,000 Will Lead to Job Losses, NECA Warns

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has warned that approving a minimum wage above N62,000 could result in significant job losses.

    NECA’s Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, voiced this concern during a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja. His comments came during the third edition of the Nigeria Employers Summit, which focused on “Economic Renaissance: Harnessing Government Reforms and Private Sector Agility.”

    Oyerinde emphasized that the organized private sector cannot afford a minimum wage higher than N62,000, a figure agreed upon during tripartite committee negotiation meetings. He cautioned that exceeding this amount could lead to non-compliance and subsequent legal battles.

    “Setting a national minimum wage that businesses cannot sustain will inevitably result in litigation and crises,” Oyerinde stated.

    In response to allegations of delays in the wage review process, Oyerinde clarified that there have been no unnecessary delays and that the process is actively progressing.

    “There is no waiting game, and I think we must put all this into context. It is misinformation,” he said.

    He explained that after the tripartite committee submits its recommendations to the president, a bill will be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislation. He also mentioned that labor groups can advocate for an expedited process.

  • Federal Govt commences toll collection on Keffi- Makurdi Highway

    Federal Govt commences toll collection on Keffi- Makurdi Highway

    The federal government has commenced the collection of toll on the newly reconstructed Keffi-Makurdi highway.

    The rates as announced by the operator indicate that trucks shall pay a toll of N1,600 while commercial buses and light vehicles shall pay N500.
    Regular cars and SUV/Jeeps shall pay a toll of N500 and N800, respectively.

    Motorists who spoke to Nigerian Anchor expressed support for the collection of the toll, so long as the money shall be ploughed into maintenance of the road.

    Even though road statistics are not really up to date, estimates indicate that Nigeria has a total network of about 36,000 kilometres of federal highways.

    Most of the federal highways are in a very deplorable state. The current decision to toll some of the recently upgraded roads is to enable the government to derive revenue for maintenance and to extend repair work on other roads.

    Experts suggest that private funding should be harnessed through various concessional arrangements for the construction of the roads.

  • FEC Steps Down Minimum Wage Memo For Consultation

    FEC Steps Down Minimum Wage Memo For Consultation

    The federal Executive Council (FEC) has stepped down the memo on the new minimum wage.

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told State House Correspondents that 39 items were on the agenda and all were taken.

    On the Minimum wage, he said there was a report by the Tripartite committee which comprises of local government, States , NLC/ TUC and the federal government.

    He said the Tripartite Committee submitted its report and there was a memo to that effect.

    He, however, said Council could not take a decision on it because it involves Local Government, states, FG, Organized Private Sector and Labour unions.

    He therefore said the memo on the new minimum wage was stepped down so that President Bola Tinubu could consult widely before a final submission is made to the National Assembly.

  • Senate Commiserates with Customs over Death of Deputy Comptroller in NASS

    Senate Commiserates with Customs over Death of Deputy Comptroller in NASS

    The Senate through its committee on Customs and Excise Duties, has commiserated with men and officers of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over demise of Deputy Comptroller Etop Andrew Essien at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    DC Essien’s death happened while making presentation before the House Committee on Public Accounts.

    In a personally signed message of condolence, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Duties, Senator Isah Jibrin (APC Kogi East) , said the death of DC Essien was shocking, more so, while performing national duty at the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly .

    “That the deceased died while carrying out important assignment before the House Committee on Public Accounts, shows that he gave his all, to Nigeria generally and the Nigeria Customs in particular .

    “The service of such a dedicated public officer , must definitely not be allowed to go in vain .

    “On behalf of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Duties, Icommiserate with the Comptroller – General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, entire officers and men of customs and most importantly, the family of the deceased .

    “I pray God to grant the soul of the deceased , eternal rest and his family , the fortitude to bear the sudden and irreparable loss “, he said .

  • Customs Officer Dies During Public Hearing

    Customs Officer Dies During Public Hearing

    A senior officer from the Nigerian Customs Service has collapsed and died during a session with the Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives.

    The identity of the deceased, remains unknown as of the time of this report.

    According to a statement issued by Honourable Akin Rotimi, spokesman for the House of Representatives, the officer experienced sudden health complications while fielding questions from committee members around 1:00 pm.

    Efforts to stabilize him were made swiftly by first responders and medical staff at the National Assembly clinic, but unfortunately, they were unable to revive him.

    “It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm the passing of an esteemed official of the Nigeria Customs Service who was at the National Assembly for an engagement with a House Committee,” the statement read.

    The House of Representatives expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Customs Service and the nation as a whole.

    “We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of a dedicated public servant. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time,” Speaker Tajudeen Abbas remarked.

    The incident occurred during ongoing investigations into revenue-generating agencies and government parastatals.

    The House assured full cooperation with relevant authorities to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death and to ensure all necessary protocols are followed.

    Further updates on the matter are expected as investigations continue, while the family of the deceased has been urged to be given privacy to mourn their loss.

  • Senate Never Proposed New Aircraft For Tinubu, Shettima – Akpabio

    Senate Never Proposed New Aircraft For Tinubu, Shettima – Akpabio

    The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has dismissed the report that the 10th Senate is proposing that the Federal Government should procure new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima.

    Speaking to newsmen in Maiduguri shortly after leading a delegation to pay a condolence visit to Senator Tahir Monguno over the death of his father, Akpabio noted that the report is not true.

    Last week, reports filtered in the media that the Senate President made a comment that the Senate would approve the purchase of new aircraft for the President and Vice President irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are hungry.

    The Senate President said the report was from propagandists and fifth columnists, stressing that the Senate was focused on delivering legislation that would support the actualisation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Akpabio, who expressed satisfaction with the present security situation of Borno State, urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the present administration.

    The Chairman of the National Assembly stated that, “I want to dispell the rumour that you are hearing that the Senate President said he will buy a new plane for the President and his Vice, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are hungry or whatever.

    “I never said that. I was actually in Zanzibar, Tanzania, It is the handiwork of propagandists and fifth columnists, who never see anything good in what we are doing. Be rest assured, pray for the government, have patience and be assured that the combination of Tinubu and Shettima will bring wealth and prosperity to all.

    “I am happy to see that peace has returned to Borno, as a result of the hardwork of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want to tell the good of people of Borno to continue to support the administration.”

  • NLC Committee Storms Headquarters, Demands Abure’s Resignation

    NLC Committee Storms Headquarters, Demands Abure’s Resignation

    Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress national transition committee, on Tuesday, stormed the headquarters of the Labour Party in Abuja, demanding the immediate resignation of the National Chairman, Julius Abure.

    The Acting Chairman of the transition committee, Aduwaheed Omar, led members of the labour union to the secretariat, chanting solidarity songs and calling for the resignation of Abure on grounds that his tenure as the chairman of the party had expired.

    Our correspondent at the scene of the protest noted, that when the officials arrived at the Party’s headquarters, the gates were immediately shut by security officials.

    However, in an attempt to force their way into the premises, the police fired teargas to dispatch the protesters.

    Protesters were later heard shouting endlessly at the security men to “open the gate”.

  • Explosion rocks Port Harcourt

    Explosion rocks Port Harcourt

    There was pandemonium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday as a middle-aged protester carrying dynamite got killed while trying to discharge an explosive.

    The incident happened in front of Hotel Presidential at about 9.45am on Tuesday. 

    According to an eyewitness account, the corpse of the victim was taken away hurriedly as security agents trooped to the location where the incident occured. 
     
    Another eyewitness, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said that the protesters caused heavy traffic while on procession to their destination.

  • Minimum Wage: Presidency Sends Message To Organised Labour, Nigerians

    Minimum Wage: Presidency Sends Message To Organised Labour, Nigerians

    The Presidency has pleaded with Nigerians not to mount unnecessary pressure on President Bola Tinubu over the new minimum wage demand.

    The government assured that Tinubu would transmit the proposed bill to the National Assembly once it is ready.

    Speaking to Punch, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga wondered what the rush for the transmission of the bill was all about.

    Onanuga’s position is coming barely 24 hours after the Organised Labour asked the President to consult with them before transmitting the bill to the National Assembly.

    The Union had complained that the National Executive Committee which will accommodate about 300 Labour leaders, is being stalled by Tinubu’s delay to transmit the wage bill.

    The President, during his Democracy Day broadcast, disclosed that a consensus had been reached between the Federal Government and Labour on the new wage, a development which the Organised Labour debunked.

    However, Onanuga, while admitting that he had no idea when the bill would be submitted, called for patience.

    “People should be patient,” he stated.

    His appeal comes one week after he reiterated that the ₦250,000 wage being demanded by the workers’ union is unsustainable, warning that the Federal Government cannot channel all its resources to meet such demand.

  • Protest Breaks Out In Rivers Amid Crisis, Airport Blocked

    Protest Breaks Out In Rivers Amid Crisis, Airport Blocked

    Women from the IPO community in Rivers State have staged a blockade at Port Harcourt airport, leading to significant disruptions and leaving passengers stranded amidst the state’s escalating political tensions.

    As of Tuesday morning, the women were actively preventing vehicles from entering the airport, causing a long queue of cars carrying passengers. Some of the women were seen at the entrance with cooking utensils, firewood, and ingredients, engaging in food preparation activities.

    While the women had not communicated with the media at the time of this report, they were heard engaging in loud discussions among themselves.

    Earlier, the Rivers State Police Command had issued a warning regarding a planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko stated, “The Rivers State Police Command has been informed about the scheduled protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on June 24, 2024. While we respect the right to peaceful assembly, we have credible information suggesting potential infiltration by troublemakers aiming to cause disruption and chaos within the state.”

    She added, “Therefore, we strongly advise organizers to postpone the protest to prevent any potential breach of peace. The police will take all necessary lawful actions to safeguard lives and property in Rivers State. Any individual or group attempting to disrupt peace will be apprehended and prosecuted.”

    In response to the security concerns raised by the police, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has deployed officers to the headquarters of all 23 Local Government Areas in the state. “These officers will remain stationed there until the threat to peace is deemed to have subsided,” the statement concluded.

    Following the police advisory, NULGE subsequently called off their planned protest.