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Tag: Chris Ngige

  • FG begs newly-inducted doctors not to partake in strikes

    FG begs newly-inducted doctors not to partake in strikes

    The Federal Government has charged newly-inducted medical graduates to desist from participating in incessant strikes by doctors in the country.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige gave the charge in a statement signed by Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, on Sunday in Abuja.

    Ngige gave the charge while speaking at the induction of six medical graduates of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) into the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

    Ngige whose son, Dr Andrew Ngige, is among the new inductees, urged the medical graduates to be of good behaviour and uphold the highest ethical standards while carrying out their duties.

    He noted that the medical profession is a noble one and hence, they should abstain from any conduct which is capable of bringing their esteemed profession to disrepute.

    “I am a medical doctor. One of you being inducted here is my second son. My first son is also a medical doctor. My daughter is also a medical doctor. By virtue of ethics, our oath as doctors is to save lives. That is our primary duty.

    “If doctors go on strike, people die. That is the truth. Human life is irreplaceable. How do you bring back people who have died as a result of doctors not being at their duty posts?

    “It is unethical for doctors to embark on strike. I have said it so many times in the past and I will continue to say it. Doctors should not go on strike. Therefore, you should desist from going on strike in the interest of humanity and our noble profession,” he said.

    Earlier, the Registrar, MDCN, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, told the inductees that they were ethically bounded to do certain things as medical doctors, warning that anything contrary to that would attract the hammer of the council.

    Other dignitaries at the induction ceremony include Sen. Ngige’s wife and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Evelyn Ngige, and the Dean, College of Medicine, University of Abuja, Prof. Felicia Anumah.

  • Sharing of N22.1 billion tears varsities staff apart

    Sharing of N22.1 billion tears varsities staff apart

    The Leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-teaching Staff Unions of Universities has issued the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reverse the sharing formula of N22.127 billion approved as payment of Earned Allowances for the universities staff.

    The JAC non-teaching staff members are the Non-Academic Staff Unions of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

    The NASU General Secretary, Mr Peters Adeyemi, said this in a letter jointly signed by Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU President, on Wednesday, in Abuja.

    The letter was addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige and titled, ”Refusal of Federal Government to honour Memorandum of Action”.

    Recall that N40 billion Earned Allowances was earlier released by the Federal Government for the four universities based unions where ASUU was also allocated 75 per cent and 25 to the other three unions.

    Also recall that the Federal Government recently assured the payment of N22.127 billion as Earned Allowances for the university staff with the sharing formula.

    Adeyemi, however, described the sharing formula as injustice meted out to them.
    He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to reverse the sharing formula immediately in order not to cause industrial dispute in the university system.

    “The leadership of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU is constrained to write the minister in respect of the total failure of the federal government to positively address all the issues contained in the Memorandum of Action signed on Feb. 25.

    ”The refusal of the Minister of Labour and Employment to finalise action on the subsequent Memorandum of Action reached at the meeting of Aug. 25

    ”It is regrettable to note that the draft of the Memorandum of Action reached Aug. 25, which was handed over to JAC leadership for vetting was effectively returned on August 30, and almost two months after the meeting, no action has been taken.” he said.

    He also noted that some of the contentious issues in the letter were the payment of minimum wage, consequential adjustment arrears, alleged inconsistencies in IPPIS payment, Payment of hazard responsibility allowance to deserving members and the earned allowances.

    According to him, contrary to the content of the Memorandum of Action of Feb. 25, and the decision reached at the subsequent meeting of August 26

    ”The information at our disposal as of the time of writing this letter indicates that the Federal Government has agreed to release another tranche of N22.127 billion for the payment of Earned Allowance to the Universities and Inter-University Center Staff at the ratio 75-25 per cent.

    “We are alarmed at this lack of sensitivity on the part of government when not long ago, Non-teaching staff protested the sharing formula applied by the Federal Government at 75-25 for the disbursement of the last tranche of N40 billion released for payment of earned allowances to both the teaching and non-teaching staff of our universities.

    “To again embark on this provocative and unacceptable sharing formula in the next release will only ignite industrial disquiet in our university system.

    ”We urge the minister to prevail on the federal government not to allow the present peaceful industrial atmosphere in the universities and inter-university centers in our country to be disrupted.

    “We, therefore, request for positive redress of the issues presented above by the Federal Government within the next two weeks, failing which JAC may be forced to ask its members across the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take a position on the need to resume to the suspended strike,” he said.

    The letter refusing the sharing formula was also copied to the Minister of Education and the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission.

  • Stop playing God – Ngige tells Nigerian striking doctors

    Stop playing God – Ngige tells Nigerian striking doctors

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has advised doctors in the country to be humble and carry themselves with dignity, rather than ‘play God or compete with God’.

    Ngige gave the advice while speaking at the 2nd Summit of Medical Elders Forum (MEF) on Thursday, in Abuja.

    The forum, organized by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), in collaboration with 50 forward, had as its theme, “Medical Profession: a Look into the Past, Present and Future.”

    Nigige expressed his concerns over the state of health nationwide and opined that the medical profession was in danger.

    “At no time in the history of NMA and the medical association, was I seeing our association and our profession ever being in danger, as I am seeing them now.

    “Many people will not see it, but from where I am sitting and standing, I can see danger ahead.

    “We are one of the oldest professions on earth, metamorphosing from natural and traditional healers to take away pain from people and consequentially save lives.

    “We don’t create lives, God creates, we only preserve people’s lives through the act of God. In doing so, God has given us some powers and those powers are near his own to create.

    “But, there is something God does not want, God does not want when he gives you powers you use it to try to say that you are like him or you are competing with him.

    “God loves you to do that which he has asked you to do; to use that power with humility.

    “Doctors should ask themselves questions; why is it that it’s when your colleagues are in government that you go on the greatest number of strikes?

    “Some of these colleagues were Presidents, Secretary-Generals of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and even NARD,” Ngige asked?

    According to him, Dr Onyebuchi Chukwu and Dr Isaac Adewole have had to face plenty strikes. And since our government came on board, I have consolidated four strikes; something is wrong.

    “We need to ask ourselves some questions and be straightforward with the answers

    “We must start by telling ourselves the truth. You say they dislike doctors, what did you do for them to dislike you?

    “Yes, there is peer envy; yes, some wanted to study medicine and they couldn’t; we know it and if you know it, you carry yourself with dignity and humility,” he added.

    Earlier, NMA’s President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, had said a good number of people within and outside the health sector were envious of doctors, without appreciating the tedious academic process of becoming a doctor.

    “Everybody is envious of the doctor, what is the problem? What have we done? Is it a sin to be intelligent? By the way, we are the most intelligent,” he stated.

    Ujah, who raised concerns over the release of some circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC), stated that they were contradictory.

    He explained that such contradictions formed part of the reasons behind the disharmony in the nation’s health sector.

    “A circular from the Salaries and Wages Commission is coming out that no more CONMESS for doctors, who are lecturers.

    “But, it is there as a circular, so why is the doctor singled out?

    In Lagos state university, a doctor with fellowship cannot contest the Vice Chancellorship

    “Without a PhD you can’t teach at the clinical level, you can only teach biochemistry or physiology: and you are saying that the best can no longer be a Vice Chancellor.

    “He can become a professor but he can’t become a Vice Chancellor, what kind of contradiction is that?

    “We have written from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to tell them to stop that, if they don’t, we will challenge it, because we cannot take what we are seeing.

    “Some circulars from the NUC are quite contradictory and we need to sort them frontally and you can see the dismemberment.

    “These are the things that cause problems for us. When we try to solve some of these issues other issues crop up.

    “We need support from our elders; people value us but we don’t value ourselves. We should be able to resolve our conflicts and those who are in government should know that they are doctors, you will come back to us,” he said.

    The Executive Director, AHBN, Dr Aminu Magashi, noted that for the health system of any country to deliver quality health care services to the population they serve, there must be strong political leadership commitment and effective health system governance.

    Magashi said others are adequate healthcare financing, human resources for health, effective regulation and legislation, and strong private health sectors.

    He added that the medical and dental profession was critical and key to the socioeconomic and political growth and development of any nation, including Nigeria.

    “The profession, which is driven largely through the Nigerian Medical Association and its affiliate bodies, has been a major pivot for repositioning and advancing the profession.

    He, however, lamented that “the effort of various governments to translate the association’s laudable recommendations for the growth, development and good of the profession, the health system and the Nigerian people, had been less than satisfactory.

    “An association like the NMA, serves as a watchdog of government and through constructive engagement with the government, help to deliver quality and smooth health care delivery to the Nigerian population,” he explained.

    Magashi said both should work as committed partners for progressive developments rather than as antagonists.

  • Minimum Wage/ NLAC: In Praise of Minister Chris Ngige, By Issa Aremu

    Minimum Wage/ NLAC: In Praise of Minister Chris Ngige, By Issa Aremu

    Having related with dozen of Ministers of Labour during my eventful 35 years in the labour movement, I bear witness that Senator Chris Ngige, stands out among the best for his statesmanship in upholding the cherished core values of tripartism, Decent work, defense of workers rights that Nigeria signed into as a long standing member of International Labour Organization ( ILO). ILO Membership is a national heritage. Nigeria has been an ILO member since 1960, on attaining independence. The country has also commendably ratified 40 international labour Conventions compared to United States which has ratified only 14 of 189 ILO Conventions despite being member of the executive body ILO Governing Body. ILO Convention 28, the Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention of 1928 (No.26) and the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention of 1970 (No131) are notable conventions with Nigeria’s signature. The conventions provided international biding framework for the first national Minimum Wage in 1981 as demanded for by NLC’s Chatter of Demands initiated by the founding leadership of NLC led by Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu. Since 1981 there had been significant four reviews of National Minimum Wage: 1990 (N250 per month), 2000 (N5,500 per month, 7,500 for Federal employees, N6000 for Delta and Rivers states), 2011 ( N18,000) and 2018 (N30,000). Thanks to organized Labour’s demand and struggles led by the Nigeria labour Congress! While many enlightened employers in private and public sectors uphold minimum wage principle, regrettably the notable gain of Nigeria’s working class has come under varying attacks in recent times by some few governors who often claim inability to pay negotiated rate. Ironically minimum wage negotiation process is inclusive of governors. I recall that at the height of the negotiation for the latest minimum wage in 2018, Abdulaziz Yari, then chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), reportedly said that governors “are not against the upward review of the minimum wage but they only lack capacity to pay it”.The received wisdom had it that if there is the will, there would always be some ways. Many governors like Abdulaziz Yari feigning inability to pay minimum wage paradoxically exhibited enormous will to seek “ways” and “means” to finance and refinance serial televised primary and indirect political party primaries with some delegates paid in sundry currencies (and certainly more than national minimum wage!). Governors’ Forum under Yari had scandalously proposed N20000. Precisely because yours comradely “was involved” (apology to late Nkemba Chief Emeka Ojukwu), I can disclose that no political party accepts N30000 for local government or house of assembly nomination form, the amount a worker with a wife and four children earns in a month. Former President Goodluck Jonathan also demonstrated uncommon statesmanship and resisted the pressures of Governors Forum under Rotimi Amaechi not to sign N18,000 minimum wage Act of 2011. However the most unhelpful, uninformed and most dangerous controversial attack on the principle of National Minimum Wage lies in the recent private member bill sponsored by Hon. Garba Datti Mohammed representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency in Kaduna State. The bill seeks to move minimum wage from Exclusive list to concurrent legislative of the 1999 constitution. Some Governors have even inexplicably and ingeniously argued that the bill was part of a “national restructuring”, the new buzz word by the political class to escape from the challenge of good governance. The controversial bill had passed second reading at the House of Representatives before thousands of members of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) marched into the National Assembly to protest against move by lawmakers to remove minimum wage matters from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list. Should the bill become law, the federal government will not have exclusive jurisdiction to determine a national minimum wage and states will now have the power to determine their own minimum wages, preferably down wards. It is to the eternal credit of Minister Chris Igige that he rose in defense of the principle of minimum wage which is also enshrined in 1999 constitution. Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, at the inaugural meeting of the newly-constituted National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) in Owerri, Imo State capital, reiterated the government’s position in defense of minimum wage on exclusive list. He said it was based on the need to comply with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 144 to which Nigeria is a signatory. With this singular Honourable intervention, Minister Igige would be credited with the best labour practice legacies, just like some Labour Ministers who had commendably defended Workers’ rights despite political pressures. I recall that Dr Emmanuel Udogu was the Labour Minister under General Abubakar Abdulsalam as the military head of state following the death of the maximum military dictator: Sanni Abacha. Despite political pressures by some anti-labour forces in Abubakar military junta to retain obnoxious decrees promoted by his predecessor Minister Uba Ahmed, Dr Emmanuel Udogu commendably upheld the sanctity of ILO conventions and progressive labour laws Nigeria had signed into. His predecessor, Alhaji Uba Ahmed, the Honourable Labour and Productivity Minister, had enthusiastically promoted obnoxious Decree No. 4 of 1996 which chose to ‘reinvent’ the country’s trade unions by providing legal backing for the restructuring of the hitherto 41 into 29 industrial unions as well as redefining union membership through exclusion of so called “non-card-carrying members”. Uba Ahmed also promoted the notorious decrees 9, 1 0 and 24 which dissolved the Executive councils of the NLC, NUPENG, PEGASSAN, ASSU and NASU (almost in that order). Dr Emmanuel Udogu as the Labour Minister engaged with organized labour to repeal these obnoxious and restore trade union independence in line with ILO conventions. History would credit Minister Igige and minister of state, Festus Kyamo that at times like this when national minimum wage principle is under attack, they acted like statesmen to uphold trade union rights even if not politically correct with some members of the ruling party. The point cannot be overstated that Minimum Wage on Exclusive list is a settled national question. Since the second Republic with the enactment of the inaugural Minimum Wage in 1981, only the Federal government through the Ministries Labour and Finance, Bureau of Statistics, has the data to engage organized labour and private sector before arriving at the national minimum to ensure Decent, not slave work and productivity. 21 years after uninterrupted democratic process, it is unacceptable that some legislators lack sufficient knowledge of 1999 constitution which puts critical factors of development like labour, capital and land on the exclusive list with a view of promoting a planned and balanced economic development of Nigeria. All Federations of the world maintain minimum labour, health, safety pension, welfare and financial standards failing which sustainable and harmonious development is impossible. 1999 envisages good governance and welfare of all persons in “consolidating the unity of our people which he says explains while it directs that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens”. I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for following in the footsteps of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Musa Yar/ Good Luck Jonathan to increase minimum wage as part of agenda for Decent work, growth and development. Economic recovery would elude Nigerian economy until the country put an end to persistent crisis of compensation of the working class through enhanced purchasing power which is only possible through prompt and adequate payment of minimum and living wage for the employed workforce. The key to sustainable development is labour productivity in both public and private sectors which is only possible with motivated paid workers at work and after work through adequate pensions. Nigeria must remain committed to decent work agenda which include payment of a living wage to all categories of workers in the public and private sectors, as an investment in human capital is an investment nation- building. This is why the inauguration of the newly-constituted National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) is timely. It offers another opportunity to revive tripartism and social dialogue on critical labour issues at times like this which throws up covid: 19 pandemic and it’s attendant economic recession. The rationale for new minimum wage is simple; The ILO (which Nigeria joined at independence) has passed Convention 131 and Recommendation No. 135 1970 ratified by Nigeria show that:– national minimum wage fixing should constitute one element in a national policy designed to overcome poverty and to ensure the satisfactions of the needs of workers and their families; and– That the fundamental purpose of national minimum wage fixing should be to give earner necessary special protection as regards minimum permissible levels of wage. Many employers have the liberty to pay more as we have seen in year 2000 when Federal government, many private sector employers and some states paid beyond the legally permissible national minimum.

    Issa Aremu mni

  • Strike: ASUU opens up on what’s next after negotiations with FG

    Strike: ASUU opens up on what’s next after negotiations with FG

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said it would now consult with its council to make their final intention known if the strike would be suspended or not.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports ASUU made this known on Friday following negotiations between the federal government (FG) and the Union.

    The government agreed to use the old platform before Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System.

    The government agreed to pay the striking lecturers all withheld salaries through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System) until ASUU’s University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) was ready for usage.

    On revitalization, the government offered N15 billion in addition to the N20 billion pledged earlier.

    “ASUU would now consult with its council and then get back to the government in a short while, to make their final intention known; if the strike will be suspended or not,” the Union tweeted.

    At the end of the seven-hour meeting, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige told reporters that the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) has offered to release N40 billion or in the alternative, N35 billion to be shared by all the registered Trade Unions in the universities after providing necessary evidence of having earned the allowance.

    “The FG reiterated that her offer of N40 billion or 35 billion whichever is accepted by ASUU was for all the universities unions: ASUU had proposed that N40 billion be paid immediately for all unions,” the Minister said.

    Ngige said all vice-chancellors are to submit details of the EAA/EA to the National Universities Commission (NUC) on or before November 30.

    Speaking on the issue of withheld salaries, Ngige said the Federal Ministry of Labour and Federal Ministry of Education will review the issue of “no work, no pay” as stipulated in Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap T8 laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 with a view to getting approval for the withheld salaries to be paid.

  • JUST IN: FG caves in to ASUU request on UTAS

    JUST IN: FG caves in to ASUU request on UTAS

    The Federal Government (FG) on Tuesday said it might consider adoption of the University Transparency Account System (UTAS) presented by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    UTAS, proposed by ASUU to the Federal Government, is an alternative emoluments payment platform to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

    The Labour Minister, Sen. Chris Ngige, said this while addressing newsmen after about two and half hours closed door meeting with the leaderships of the Senate and ASUU.

    Ngige said that the alternative payment platform presented by ASUU was home grown and worth given thorough assessment test.

    “We agreed at the meeting to give required consideration to the UTAS alternative they came up with as a way of finding lasting solution to the lingering crisis over implementation of IPPIS.

    “We have neither jettisoned the implementation of the IPPIS nor fully accepted UTAS .

    “The level we moved to now is to subject ASUU’s scheme to integrity test and in doing so, it will be presented to users like the office of Accountant General of the Federation on Wednesday.

    “After that, it will be sent to the National Information Technology Development Agency ( NITDA) and from there to the office of the National Security Adviser for second look.

    “The platform is an option grown device that requires stage by stage consideration and from the looks of things is good,” he said.

    Confirming the head way achieved at the meeting, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TetFund, Sen. Ahmad Baba Kaita, said that the interface had not ended, but a stage of compromise is getting closer between the two parties.

    “The meeting brokered by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, among other stakeholders, achieved a lot today with agreement on the need to subject the UTAS alternative brought forward by ASUU for integrity test by all relevant departments of the government,” he said.

    The ASUU leadership, however, refused to speak to the press after the closed door meeting, but were in good mood apparently due to the government’s decision to consider the alternative platform.

  • FG urges Resident Doctors to suspend strike

    FG urges Resident Doctors to suspend strike

    The Federal Government on Tuesday, urged the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), to suspend its ongoing industrial action across the country.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this in a statement signed by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Head, Press and Public Relations in Abuja.

    Ngige said that it was imperative for NARD to suspend the industrial action as government had already addressed six out of the eight demands listed by the association.

    He said government will reconvene a conciliation meeting between NARD and Federal Ministries of Health, and Finance, Budget and National Planning on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to avert the ongoing strike.

    According to Ngige, by Labour Laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions, when issues are being conciliated, all parties are enjoined not to employ arm-twisting methods to intimidate or foist a state of helplessness on the other party; in this case, your employers, the Federal Ministry of Health.

    He, therefore, appealed NARD to respect the country’s laws and suspend its industrial action, while noting that a high percentage of the Association’s demands had already been addressed.

    “This is coupled with the existence of a pending case in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) instituted by two Civil Society groups against NARD, the Attorney -General of the Federation, and the Ministers of Health, and Labour and Employment.

    “NARD had no reason to embark on an industrial action, ”he said.

    He also stated that the groups, Citizens Advocacy for Social Rights (CASER) and Association of Women in Trading and Agriculture (AWITA), had also asked for an interlocutory injunction against further strike by NARD.

    He added that all the parties had already appeared and exchanged court processes.

    Ngige said that in spite of lean resources occasioned by the effect of COVID-19 on oil output, the federal government had already spent N20 billion on the Special Hazard and Inducement Allowances for Medical and Health Workers for April, May and June 2020, with a few outstanding payments to some health workers for June 2020.

    He also said that the federal government has expended N9.3 billion as premium for Group Life Insurance for Medical and Health workers, as well as for all civil and public servants in federal organisations that are Treasury funded, to run from March 2020 to March 2021.

    He disclosed that the federal fovernment have appropriated the sum of N4 billion in the Special Intervention COVID-19, while N500 billion in 2020 appropriation for the funding of Medical Residency Training and intended to do same in the ongoing 2021 Budget.

    The minister further stated that N4 billion has been processed for payment.

    Ngige also said that the matter between NARD and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has been resolved, while the resolution of the issue of State Governments not addressing the consequential adjustment to the new minimum wage, and low patronage of Residency programme were ongoing.

    He said plans were on for the conciliation meeting between NARD and Federal Ministries of Health, and Finance, Budget and National Planning to be held on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

  • FG moves to prevent job losses in Aviation sector

    FG moves to prevent job losses in Aviation sector

    The Federal Government has called for social dialogue between the employers and the employees in the Aviation industry to prevent job losses.

    Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment made the call in a statement signed by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

    Ngige made the call during a conciliatory meeting with airline operators and the trade unions in the aviation industry to discuss contentious issues, especially pay cut and laying off of workers.

    The Minister appealed to them to join hands to make sure there were no job losses in that industry.

    According to him, the cardinal principle of this administration is to prevent job losses.

    “The government on its part will honour its obligation to the industry by providing palliatives in the form of tax reduction, tax exemption, and elimination of custom duties on aircraft spares and logistics.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria will also provide stimulus package to encourage the operators in the industry ” he said.

    Ngige, therefore commended the efforts of the airline operators, especially Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters, in keeping faith and paying the salaries and allowances of their staff, when necessary, for the period of the COVID-19 epidemic.

    He urged the operators to allow their employees exercise their right to unionisation as Section 40 of Nigerian Constitution guaranteed that.

    “We encourage the airline operators to allow members of staff who desire to go into unions to do so, as belonging to unions is a voluntary thing.

    “Obstructing them from doing so, is to curtail their fundamental rights as enshrined in our Constitution,”he said.

    Ngige, however noted that the management of Air Peace, the Minister of Aviation and the trade unions had already agreed that Air Peace would dialogue with their workers on the re-absorption of some of the sacked pilots and engineers.

    He also added that those who had already got employment elsewhere would be allowed to go peacefully with their entitlement.

    Ngige further directed the unions in Turkish Airlines to forward in writing their complaints about victimisation of officers in the unions to the Minister of Aviation, and copy the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    The minister also said that on Bristow Helicopters, 90 – 95 per cent of the issues had already been solved through social dialoguing.

    “We understand the plight of the employers, being that the volume of work in that organisation has dwindled, from 50 aircraft business to an all-time low of 12 aircraft.

    “We appeal to both management and workers to dialogue with human face in order to save jobs,” he said.

    He therefore, said that the thrust of the social dialogues was to save jobs, so that even the management could also consider reduction in the number of people slated for redundancy.

    He also noted that even if redundancy must occur, it should be done under the ambit of Nigerian law on redundancy.

    On the unilateral pay cut by Arik Air, as well as the disagreement on terminal benefit for workers, Ngige directed the management of the airline to engage the employees on social dialogue and come up with a mutually agreed remuneration.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Aviation industry through the provision of palliatives.

  • FG spends N15.8bn on hazard allowances – Ngige

    FG spends N15.8bn on hazard allowances – Ngige

    The Federal Government says it has so far spent N15.8 billion on hazard allowances in its teaching hospitals and medical centres across the country.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at a meeting with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) leadership on Monday in Abuja.

    The meeting was held to assess the level of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered by both parties and to avert strike threat by health workers.

    Ngige said a resolution has been reached and all disputes resolved, assuring that the federal government was committed to health workers’ safety and welfare.

    “The federal government has so far spent N15.8 billion naira for hazard allowances in its teaching hospitals, medical centres and some other non- COVID-19 facilities where doctors have also been treating virus cases.

    “Government has cleared the April and May special allowances which is no doubt a big feat, knowing that this is for special allowances only, and at a time its earning has fallen short of the expected earning.

    “The affected medical personnel will also draw their normal salaries and other allowances,” he said.

    The minister further said that the June allowances were still outstanding because the budget has been affected by developments not originally captured, such as pay for house officers, interns, NYSC doctors and volunteers.

    He, however, added that government was already liaising with the Presidential Taskforce to sort out especially for volunteers.

    Ngige also said that the 20 per cent top-up for all health personnel inside the COVID-19 wards and isolation centres of the hospitals should be effected as quickly as possible.

    He noted that hence, a directive was given to the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to reconcile all matters relating to the issue by August 4, to enable urgent payment.

    He also said the issue of Residency Training Fund was captured in the 2020 budget.

    “We noticed that the subhead captured in the service-wide vote will need some amendment by the Budget Office in liaison with the National Assembly to handle the problem, so that implementation can start as soon as possible,” Ngige said.

    He also said the government has paid all the premium for Group Life Insurance spanning between April 17, 2020 and April 16, 2021 for all federal civil servants except those in the revenue generating agencies such as customs, FIRS and NNPC who could afford their own insurance.

    The minister added that agreement has been reached to forward the nominal roll of the Health Ministry workers and its parastatals to the six handling insurance companies latest next week.

    He added that problems arising from the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage in the Health Ministry, especially those on GIFMIS, non-regular staff such as interns and NYSC members, would be resolved as soon as NARD submitted the list of affected workers.

    He further said that government would continue to appreciate the untiring efforts of all health workers.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari at every time, remembers and thanks you for the immense sacrifice you make for the nation and firmly believes that nothing is too much to do for you to show appreciation.

    “Government will do more to protect the health of our people,” Ngige said.

    He advised trade unions to always follow due process in seeking redress for disputes, arguing that first in line was negotiation with the parent ministry who was their primary employer.

    Dr Aliyu Sokomba, NARD President, commended the government for its commitment and expressed optimism that progress would be made by the time the meeting reconvenes.

    The meeting will reconvene on Aug. 6, to take stock of the implementation of the agreement reached.

    It also set up a committee to resolve the lingering problem between management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and NARD.

    The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment.

  • Former aide reveals how Ngige begged Tinubu for a car in 2004

    Former aide reveals how Ngige begged Tinubu for a car in 2004

    A former Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has claimed his ex-boss begged Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for an armoured car.

    The ex-aide, Chuks Akunna’s disclosure is coming at a time when Ngige compared himself to Tinubu.

    The Minister had while appearing before an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives, told a lawmaker, James Faleke that he was “Tinubu’s mate.”

    Ngige, while answering questions over an alleged breach of a presidential directive, compared himself to Tinubu, while calling Faleke “a small boy.”

    However, Akunna in a social media rant disclosed that Ngige during his tenure as the governor of Anambra State had begged Tinubu for an armoured car in 2004.

    Ngige was governor of Anambra State between 2003 and 2006.

    Akunna claimed it was Tinubu’s car gift that prompted Ngige to later acquire another armoured vehicle.

    In a tweet, Akunna wrote: “In ’04, visiting Asiwaju Tinubu in Lagos, my boss Gov Ngige spotted this car. “Bola, pls dash me. I want to use it in Abuja”. “Ah ah! Ngige, this is old nah”, replied Asiwaju. “I don’t mind. Anambra is poor. I’ll manage it”. Surprised to hear Onwa deriding his benefactor.

    “Did you know how the G-wagon came about? The Lagos trip happened after we literally begged him to buy it. The beast Tinubu gifted him was moved to Abuja. That was Ngige’s “Abuja vehicle” until the CoA removed him in March ’06.

    “His official car was a Peugeot 406. After the March 3, ’04, attack on Gov Akume’s convoy, in which an ex-Nig Airways MD Andrew Agom, was killed, my boss agreed to buy the armoured G-Class. It was after the purchase he fell in love with armoured cars. Jagaban’s gift was armoured.”