Category: Economy

Seaport
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Chairman, Mercury Maritime Concession Company (MMCC), Rear Adm. Andrew Okoja (rtd), said the Delta Government had revalidated the approval of Escravos $27.2 billion Seaport project, while waiting for Federal Government’s validation.

Okoja, the Developer and Lead Promoter of the Escravos Port project made this known at a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said that the Delta Government had granted the approval of the revalidation of the project to the developer of the proposed $27.29 billion Escravos Industrial Complex (ESIC) project in Delta.

He said the developer had received assurance from the Federal Government that the revalidation of the earlier granted provisional approval would soon be granted.

“We have received a revalidation from Delta State Government, which was communicated to us early this week.

“We are also in touch with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the supervisory ministry for this project and they have assured us that the revalidation of the Federal Government would be granted before the expiration of the June deadline that the project financier gave us.

“The project will run across eight ministries including the Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Ministry of Power,’’ Okoja said.

According to him, the port developer and its partners are bringing a development fund of $27.2 billion to support the present administration in its drive to attract foreign direct investments, develop the economy and create jobs.

He called on stakeholders as well as state governments at different levels to join hands to build Nigerian economy by creating an enabling environment for the port project to thrive for the growth of the nation’s economy.

Okoja said the developer had also secured both financial and developmental partners.

“The EDIB International of Hong Kong had expressed willingness to invest in the project as the financial partner for the port project that will be located on 31,000 hectares of land in Escravos (Gbaramatu Island/Omadino) Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The port project will open up Delta State and seven other states including FCT Abuja to international investors in the area of trade, commerce and industry.

“The project also involves building seven inland dry ports in Bayelsa, Imo, Delta, Edo, Kogi and Abuja and that all the deliverables would be achieved within five years of commencing construction,” he said.

The Port Project Director of MMCC, Mr Ausbet Udebu, said the project involved one deep seaport, inland ports in seven states, such as Bayelsa (Nun river), Imo (Oguta lake), Delta (Okegbele), Edo (Inyele), Delta (Ebu), Kogi (Idah) and FCT Abuja.

Udebu said the project involved building an intermodal transport system for cargo evacuation including 45km coastal roads, 150km rail line that would connect existing Warri-Ajaokuta-Itakpe railway and 600km of marine network.

He said there would be an independent power infrastructure that involved 2,000 megawatts of Independent Power Project (IPP), two 500 megawatts of IPP in two inland ports and five 250 megawatts of IPP in five inland ports.

Udebu said that there would be a Free Trade Zone, an industrial park and a Central Business District.

He explained that Anambra and Niger would have equity ownership in the ESIC project.

He said the project would be executed through a Joint Venture Partnership with a Nigerian firm, Mercury Maritime Concession Company Ltd. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AIC/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Collaboration

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for more collaboration with enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders to stop drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The Apapa Commander, NDLEA, Mr Noah Ndutong, made the call on Wednesday in Apapa during the Grand Finale of the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that June 26 is observed as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The theme for the year is “The evidence is clear, invest in prevention”.

Ndutong emphasised that joint efforts from stakeholders would ease the work of the NDLEA as the agency was determined to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the international goal of freeing society from drug abuse.

He noted that nearly every family had been affected by drug abuse in some way and warned that the chances of overcoming drug abuse were slim.

“The menace keeps depleting our workforce. Nigerians should invest more in preventing drug abuse.

“Preventing drug abuse entails public enlightenment and sensitisation, among other measures. Our agency will drive drug dealers out of business faster with more synergy from other sister agencies.

“Drug dealers won’t enjoy their businesses as they will all spend their time in jail. Drugs are a major contributor to crimes and criminality in the country,” Ndutong said.

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, represented by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Uchenna Agomuo, said that drug abuse hinders national development.

According to him, Apapa Command aligns with NDLEA in the fight against drug abuse.

“Drug abuse fuels insecurity, among other crimes and together, we can fight it. So, I urge all hands to be on deck to achieve our target of zero tolerance for drug trafficking,” Olomu said.

The 23rd Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Commodore Rafiu Oladeji, urged everyone to support the fight against drug abuse, calling it a global menace.

He commended the NDLEA for involving more youths and students in the awareness campaign, which he added would help reduce the rate of drug abuse in society.

The Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, NDLEA, Mrs Florence Ezeonye, urged youths to prevent themselves from engaging in drug abuse rather than seeking cures after addiction.

In his closing remarks, the Area Commander of Tincan Island Ports, NDLEA, Mr Muhammed Abubakar, commended the sister agencies and other stakeholders for their participation.

He said that their collective efforts had contributed to a massive turnout of stakeholders and youths in the sensitisation campaign against drug trafficking.

Abubakar urged Nigerians to join hands with the government to stop drug abuse and drug trafficking in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews ng)

AIC/AWA
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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Desk

By Constance Athekame /Khadijat Ahmed

Abuja, June 26, 2024(NAN) Rep Joshua Obika, representing Abuja Municipal (AMAC)/Bwari Area Councils in the House of Representative says he plans to establish a legislative complaint desk to address electricity issues in his constituency.

Obika said this on Wednesday at the AMAC/Bwari Legislative Intervention Workshop on Electricity Consumer Protection in Abuja.

The theme of the workshop titled “Applying Legislative Instrument to Enhance Implementation of Electricity Consumer Protection Provisions of Electricity Act 2023 in AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency.

“It is my duty as a representative of the people to channel people’s complaints to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to do the needful as we can no longer accept disservice to the people.

He said that the complaint desk would enable his office to have all complaints and make sure the issues are taken up with AEDC whose responsibility is to solve the problems.

“There is a signed contract that gives AEDC the powers, so AEDC has to meet up its obligation to the people and that is why I am here to make sure it happens.

“All the laws are already in place and in this country; our problem most times is not the law but the implementation. So, the people saddled with the job to ensure proper implementation must do it.

“I am giving the AMAC and Bwari constituency the opportunity to come up with their complaints in time pass, maybe their complaints were not attended to but this time around it will be different, ‘’ he said

Obika urged all community leaders to encourage their people that have electricity challenges to submit written complaints to the office for proper handling of the issues.

He said that legislative representation was better achieved through regular consultation with constituents.

According to him, this will enable the lawmaker to understand details of the matter by hearing from the institutions whose responsibilities are to carry out oversight and investigation.

“And to also hear from his constituents who are on the demand side of the governance curve. This process will enable the lawmaker to make informed decisions on the right legislative action to follow.’’

The lawmaker said he received numerous complaints concerning electricity billing, metering, disconnection, handling safety standards and absence of electricity in some rural communities due to infrastructural challenges, amongst others.

Obika said that he had consulted with stakeholders in the power sector to find a way of resolving these complaints.

In his keynote address, Prof Sherif Ibrahim, Head of Department, Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja, emphasised the need to protect the rights of consumers.

Ibrahim said, “that is why there is the need for perpetual monitoring and evaluation of laws to ensure they are checked and implemented.

“Members of the legislature can synergise with the members of the executive as well as the institutions of judiciary in making sure that these legislations are implemented.

“They should also ensure punitive measures or penalties are imposed on those who fail in their responsibilities.’’

Ibrahim said that it was good that the members of the legislature have an obligation in terms of oversight function to ensure the protection of right of consumers as it relates to power consumption.

He said that areas through which the consumers should maintain and fulfill all their obligations had also been identified.

“Especially at protecting the power installations as well as payment of their monthly or quarterly bills.

“As well as cordiality in their relationship with their officials who come to supervise or inspect power facilities and installations, ‘’ he said.

On his part, Mr Dalahatu Musa, the Commissioner, FCT  Public Complaint Commission, said that his office was partnering with the legislature to ensure that the right thing was done.

Musa said that the era of government and private agencies going away without doing the right thing was gone.

“We are joining hands with Rep Obika and other government agencies to check some of these abnormalities.

` I have told him that my office is ready to partner with his office to make sure people get the services they paid for. The worst is that these services are not free. We paid for these services, so they must be rendered,’’ he said.

Mr Princewill Okorie, Special Adviser, Consumer Affairs and Public Complaints to Rep Obika, said that the workshop was a pilot one.

According to him,   it is expected that members of the House of Representatives going by the section 88 of the constitution that gave them the power of oversight and investigation function would be able to carry out consumer engagement in their constituencies.

He said that this would enable the lawmakers to know the way consumers are served in their various constituencies.

“By so doing, legislative activities that will improve the sector based on consumer information,’’ he said.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

COA/ADA

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Training

By Sani Idris

Kaduna, June 26, 2024(NAN) The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the Joint Tax Board (JTB), has begun a three-day training for tax officers drawn from the North-West region on tax audit, compliance and enforcement.

Speaking at its opening on Wednesday in Kaduna, the Executive Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Mr Jerry Adams, said tax audit and investigation were critical components of an effective tax administration system.

He said that they ensure compliance, promote transparency, and deter tax evasion, thereby safeguarding the revenue that is vital for the development of the state and nation in general.

Adams, therefore, said,”The training programme has been designed to equip
tThe tax officers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to carry out the
functions with utmost efficiency and integrity.”

He described tax officers as the custodians of the public trust, responsible for ensuring that all taxable entities fulfill their obligations.

Adams added that their work directly impacts the government’s ability to provide essential services, build infrastructure, and foster economic growth.

The executive chairman said the complexities of tax administration demand continuous update of skills and adapt to new challenges.

He, therefore, said the training provided an excellent opportunity
to learn from experts, share experiences, and adopt best practices in tax audit and investigation.

“This training is a testament to our commitment to professional
development and excellence.

”By investing in our human capital, we are not only enhancing our capacity to perform our duties but also reinforcing the foundation of trust and accountability that is crucial for a robust tax system,” Adams added.

The executive chairman emphasised the importance of collaboration and synergy among tax authorities in the North West region.

He stressed, “By working together, sharing Information and supporting each other, we can overcome common challenges and achieve our collective goals more effectively”.

Adams urged all the stakeholders to remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and transparency.

“The knowledge and skills you acquire during this training will not only enhance your personal competence but also contribute significantly to the overall efficiency and
effectiveness of our tax administration,”he said.

Adams thanked  JTB for its dedication to improving tax administration through continuous learning and capacity building.

Speaking to newsmen after the opening, the Secretary of JTB, Mr Olusegun Adesokan, said they conducted a need assessment of some sub-national revenue authorities.

He said that they have realized that their first skills-gaps were tax audit, investigations, compliance and enforcement.

Adesokan, therefore, said the training was a response to the identified gaps, which would ensure the tax officers from the zone acquired the knowledge and skills in the identified tax operations.

He stated that scaling up the knowledge and skills of the tax officers would translate to more revenue to their respective states.

Adesokan added that JTB had organised the training all over the country, where they started with the South-South zone, North-Central and would also cover the North-East, South-West and South-East.

Speaking on tax evasion, the secretary said it was caused by lack of data by the revenue authorities.

“One of the things we do at the JTB is to mobilize data for the revenue authorities. We are working on drawing data which we will share with revenue authorities so they can see the economic activities of taxpayers.

“Tax payers will no longer be able to hide their incomes and activities from the authorities.

”This training will equip the tax officers on engagement on the field to pick information they require to access tax payers,”he said.

Earlier declaring the training workshop open, the Deputy Governor of the state, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe, urged all the participants to remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and transparency.

She said the knowledge and skills they would acquire during the training would contribute significantly to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of tax administration in the region.

Balarabe restated Gov. Uba Sani’s commitment to the development of the state and improving the lives of the citizens.

She, therefore, urged the people of the state and the NorthWest in general to ensure voluntary tax compliance so as to energise the government to do more for the development of the people.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

SA/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Wage

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Some civil servants have decried the delay in payment of approved salary adjustments for civil servants on the consolidated salary structure, as well as the prolonged minimum wage negotiations.

The civil servants spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Dr Uche Anunne commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the increase of between 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase for civil servants on the six consolidated salary structures.

He urged the government to expedite action on its implementation to help the workers ameliorate the present economic hardship.

“It is a good thing the president appreciates that there is the need to provide some palliatives by way of adjustment and harmonisation of salaries of public sector workers at the federal level.

“However, I wish the president could expedite action in that regard because, as it is now, many Federal Government workers are passing through difficult times arising from certain policy adjustments.

“I know that it is usually not very easy to negotiate and agree on sensitive issues like the minimum wage, the two parties, the Federal Government and the labour unions, have sound arguments.’’

According to him, the president can consider the implications of salary adjustment and its sustainability, as well as the ability of state governments to pay.

“It is good that they are driving an inclusive approach to the negotiation process.

“But salary adjustment for workers is long overdue; I call on the president to take urgent steps to ensure that the minimum wage impasse is resolved as quickly as possible.

“While workers continue to wait for salary adjustment, issues bothering on family expenses are not waiting; they are daily requirements.

“The long wait for a living wage in the midst of rising cost of goods and services is actually affecting the productivity of workers,” Anune said.

He said that the N250, 000 minimum wage figure of the labour unions should be acceptable to all workers since the unions represented the workers.

Another civil servant, Mr Joseph Edeh, said that the delay in implementation of the salary adjustment and the prolonged minimum wage negotiations were unfortunate.

According to Edeh, what Nigerians are going through presently does not warrant such delay.

“And the communication gap is fuelling a lot of suspicion; nobody knows the reason for the delay.

“There is the need for better communication so as not to put Nigerians in the dark.

“The labour unions have done well and they need to be encouraged as they try to negotiate a decent wage for the workers,” he said.

Mrs Dorcas Jonah appealed to the Federal Government to “try and do the needful” by effecting payment of the salary adjustment.

According to her, the prevailing economic hardship is taking its toll on civil servants and their families.

“A lot of civil servants would have planned on the money and it would have gone a long way to help those who have children going back to school.

“So many civil servants now survive on loans; delaying the payment is not helpful at all,” she said.

She urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) not to relent in their struggle for a decent living wage for the Nigerian worker.

“There is a plethora of things to agitate for; the price of everything has skyrocketed; the labour unions should not relent,” she said.

Angela Atabo, another civil servant, said that the delay in implementation of the various increases in salaries was counterproductive to the workers.

“On workers’ day, we had hoped that a new minimum wage would be announced but our hopes were dashed because the issue was not even mentioned.

“The 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary adjustment was announced, and civil servants have been planning on it

“We can only urge the government to expedite action on implementation,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Press, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Bawa Mokwa, said that the wage adjustment had been approved.

Mokwa said that its implementation was awaiting a directive and cash backing by the Federal Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

He urged civil servants to exercise a little more patience as all issues relating to salary adjustment and minimum wage would soon be resolved.

NAN reports that aside from negotiations for a new minimum wage, the Federal Government had approved between 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase for civil servants on the six consolidated salary structures.

The salary increase, announced on April 30, the eve of the workers’ day celebration, was contained in a statement issued by Emmanuel Njoku, head of press, at the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

The statement said the increase would take effect from Jan. 1.

The six consolidated salary structures affected are consolidated public service salary structure (CONPSS); consolidated research and allied institutions salary structure (CONRAISS), and consolidated police salary structure (CONPOSS).

Others are consolidated para-military salary structure (CONPASS); consolidated intelligence community salary structure (CONICCS); and consolidated armed forces salary structure .

The Federal Government also approved an increase in pension of between 20 per cent and 28 per cent for pensioners, on the defined benefits scheme with respect to the six consolidated salary structures.

Health workers, academic and non-academic staff working in federal tertiary institutions are not included in this latest salary increase.

In July 2023, the Federal Government approved a 25 per cent salary increase for health workers under the consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS), and consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS).

In September 2023, the Federal Government also announced a percentage increase in salaries for academic and non-academic staff of all tertiary institutions across the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

KAE/CJ/

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

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