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Tag: Civil Servants

  • Wike orders immediate release of promotion letters to civil servants

    Wike orders immediate release of promotion letters to civil servants

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, on Monday, directed the State Civil Service Commission to immediately issue promotion letters to 4,000 eligible civil servants who were recently promoted in the state.

    Wike gave the directive during the workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, assuring that the entire promotion exercise of other categories would be completed before the expiration of his tenure.

    Wike, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tammy Danagogo, commended the workers, saying they are the vehicle to deliver the action plans and services of the state to the people of the state.

    He said that his administration had approved the promotion of over 4,000 eligible civil servants to their appropriate grade levels.

    Wike urged Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to work together to protect and advance the social economic interest of the state and the citizens.

    He gave an assurance that his administration will clear all the challenges facing the Civil service in
    terms of pension and gratuities, among others, seeking for workers patience and understanding in the process.

    Engr. Festus Osifo, the National President of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), commended workers for their hard work to move the country, especially Rivers state, forward.

    Osifo who was represented by Mr Ikechukwu Onyefuru, the State Chairman of the TUC, congratulated Gov. Wike for his developmental strides during his administration.

    He stated that the TUC would work with the incoming governor-elect, Mr Sim Fubara, to move the state forward in development.

    Osifo appealed that the rights of workers in the state and the country at large be respected in social, economic and justice.

    He said that the TUC had duly approved the amendment by the Federal Government that railway is removed from exclusive list to concurrent list making it possible for states to invest in the infrastructure.

    He stated that the amendment would be a great opportunity for Rivers state to partner with investors to do concept, design, execute and Commission railings along the length and breadth of the state.

    The State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Alex Agwanwor, appealed to the state government to implement the consentrative executive salary structure which was approved by the National Salary, Income and wages Commission in 2019.

    Agwanwor appealed to the state government to restore the payment of overhead, imprest to heads of extra ministerial departments and schools, including rural allowances which will serve incentives for more effective deliveries for the teachers and ministries that are in the rural areas.

    Mrs Edna Ufon, one of the workers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for the current increase of 40 per cent salary to Nigerian workers.

    Ufon called on the incoming administration that will be inaugurated on the May 29, to continue to improve on the welfare of Nigerian workers and the masses at large.

    Ufon said that with the current increase of salaries, workers will be more productive without waiting for inducement before they do their jobs.

  • Osun Govt explains delay of civil servants’ March salaries

    Osun Govt explains delay of civil servants’ March salaries

    The Osun Government says the ongoing computation of arrears of civil servants promoted  without pay in the last four years is responsible for delay in the payment of march salary for civil servants in the state.

    This is contained in a statement by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Gov. Ademola Adeleke, on Friday in Osogbo.

    According to a statement, the compilation of what is due to each promoted officer is being  followed with due diligence to ensure that there is no error in the eventual payment.

    “Gov. Ademola Adeleke  has directed that  compilation, analysis and computation of the promotion arrears should be completed and paid to the affected civil servants.

    “He insisted that the arrears  must be paid alongside the March salary.

    “Osun state Government therefore wishes to reassure Osun workers that the payment  of March salary is accompanied with payment of promotion arrears, hence the few days delay.

    “The March salary alongside the promotion arrears of promoted civil servants will be ready next week,” the statement  said.

  • Major events that will define Nigeria in 2023

    Major events that will define Nigeria in 2023

    As 2022 comes to a close, Nigerians are already looking forward to what the new year 2023 holds. Here we take a peep into some major events that are likely to define Nigeria in the new year.

    Redesigned Naira notes

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) redesigned the N200, N500 and N1000 denominations of the Naira in 2022 to phase out old the old banknotes from circulation in 2023. The apex bank pegged the deadline for January 31st.

    This is even as the CBN took the cashless policy in the country some giant steps forward by announcing withdrawal limits for individuals and corporate entities. According to the CBN, from January 9, 2023, the amounts individuals and corporate organisations could withdraw per week would not exceed N500,000 and N5 million for individuals and corporate accounts respectively.

    Redesigning the Naira notes and the cash withdrawal limits generated a buzz in the country and many have said the policies will no doubt have an impact on the 2023 general election and on businesses in the country, going forward.

    While, the Senate has urged the apex bank to urgently extend the withdrawal date of old currency notes from January 31, 2023 to June 31, the CBN’s Naira redesign and cash withdrawal limits will definitely continue to make wave in 2023.

    2023 General Election

    The General Election will be the major defining moment in Nigeria in 2023. Federal and States elections would be held.

    The presidential election will be held on 25 February 2023 to elect the President and Vice President. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is ineligible to run, being term-limited.

    The President of Nigeria is elected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive a majority of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least 24 of the 36 states. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of states.

    Based on polls so far published on the 2023 presidential election, a rerun is likely. Even the election management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed preparedness for a second round.

    The top candidates for the election are Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    Meanwhile, elections to the Senate and the House of Representatives will also be held on the same date. The 109 members of the Senate are elected from 109 single-seat constituencies, three in each state and one for the Federal Capital Territory, by first-past-the-post voting. The 360 members of the House of Representatives are also elected by first-past-the-post voting in single-member constituencies.

    Meanwhile, state elections to elect governors and members of the State Houses of Assembly will be held two weeks after the federal elections on 11 March.

    Aside from the general election, governorship elections would be held differently for Bayelsa and Kogi States.

    Immediately following the elections, would be the setting up of election petitions tribunals.

    Chatham House Interview of Peter Obi, Atiku, Kwankwaso

    Prior to the 2023 elections, the candidate of the Labour Party for the presidential election, Mr Peter Obi will speak at Chatham House on the 2023 elections and political developments in the country.

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and also the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso have also been scheduled to take their turns to speak at Chatham House.

    Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Bola Tinubu has had his turn at Chatham House in a series of meetings leading up to the 2023 general election.

    Also, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has been scheduled to speak at Chatham House.

    These events will take place in January 2023.

    Handover/Inauguration of New Government

    By May 2023, following the General Election, all heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies would have concluded their handover notes. The winners of the elections will be inaugurated on 29 May 2023, the former date of Democracy Day.

    New governments are inaugurated in Nigeria on May 29 every four years since the restoration of democracy in the country in 1999.

    National Population Census

    For the first time in over 15 years, Nigeria will conduct a National Population Census in 2023.

    The 2023 Census is expected to be a detailed enumeration of the Nigerian population that will be the fifth national census in the country since its Independence. It will be the first national census held since the 2006 census.

    Over N190 billion have been allocated for the exercise.

    Executive Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Alhaji Nasir Kwarra has expressed the commitment of NPC to conduct a qualitative, credible and reliable digital Population and Housing Census for 2023.

    The planned 2023 population and housing census, which will be conducted in April 2023, will also measure the level of development in the country.

    Independence Day

    No matter who wins the 2023 presidential election, Nigeria will celebrate Independence Day for the first time in 8 years without President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs.

    Nigeria became a British protectorate in 1901. However, the country gained Independence in 1960 and since then the country has celebrated Independence Day every year on the 1st of October, the day Nigeria proclaimed independence.

    Salary increment for civil servants

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige recently disclosed that the Federal Government will make a pronouncement on salary increases for civil servants in 2023.

    Ngige hinted that the government would adjust workers’ salaries to cushion the effect of rising costs of living in the country.

    The minister said already the Presidential Committee on Salaries had embarked on a review of the salaries of workers in the country. According to him, the committee is expected to come up with salary adjustment in 2023.

    On whether a timeline has been fixed for the implementation of the new salary increase, Ngige said: “As we enter the new year government will make some pronouncements in that direction”.

    Fuel subsidy removal

    The federal government has earmarked 2023 as the year for fuel subsidy removal. The government had planned to remove fuel subsidy payments in 2022 but suspended the plan when the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) threatened a national protest for February 1, 2022.

    The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed had disclosed the FG only made provision for fuel subsidy in the 2022 Budget from January to June. According to her, all payments on fuel subsidy ordinarily would have ceased from July 2022.

    Announcing a new date for the total removal of fuel subsidy payments, Ahmed said the federal government will do away with the payments by June 2023.

    Fuel subsidy payments gulped N2.565 trillion between January and August 2022. In the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, the Federal Government proposed to spend N3.3 trillion on fuel subsidy payments between January and June 2023.

    In recommending the removal of fuel subsidy payments, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stressed Nigeria can conserve funds for critical investments in health, education and infrastructure, etc.

    Conversation on the payments will take centre stage as Nigerians enter the new year.

    Coronation of King Charles III

    After reigning for 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died in Scotland at the age of 96 in 2022. The passing of Queen Elizabeth II was felt all around the world.

    The Queen ascended the throne in 1952 after the death of her father King George VI and reigned through significant eras.

    Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles assumed the kingship. Prince Charles was proclaimed King Charles III during an elaborate ceremony at St James’ Palace, London.

    King Charles III would be officially crowned king on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey. The Ceremony will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside The Queen Consort

    Queen Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne in February 1952, but was not crowned until June 1953.

    Major tech events of 2023

    Nigerians are tech-savvy and would be looking forward to some major tech events in 2023.

    The Mobile World Congress (MWC), Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), the International Consumer Electronics Show, the Web Summit, Africa Tech Summit and Social Media Week are some of the major tech events Nigerians look forward to every year. 2023 will be no exception.

    Some other tech events Nigerians look forward to in the year are the eNigeria Conference, Smart Cities West Africa, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Google I/O and Google Developer Day.

  • BREAKING: Civil servants set for salary increase in 2023

    BREAKING: Civil servants set for salary increase in 2023

    The Federal Government says it will soon make a pronouncement on salary increase for civil servants to meet up with the economic realities in the country occasioned by inflation.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, made this known while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja

    The minister said already the Presidential Committee on Salaries had embarked on a review of the salaries of workers in the country.

    According to him, the committee is expected to come up with a salary adjustment in 2023.

    The minister had recently hinted that the government would adjust workers’ salaries to cushion the effect of rising costs of living in the country.

    “Yes, I am saying that the Presidential Committee on Salaries is working hand-in-hand with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission.

    ”The commission is mandated by the Act establishing them to fix salaries, wages, and emoluments in not only the public service.

    “If you want their assistance and you are in the private sector, they will also assist you. They have what is called the template for remuneration, for compensation.

    ”So, if you work, you get compensated, if you don’t work, you will not be compensated.

    “So they have the matrix to do the evaluation. They are working with the Presidential Committee on Salaries chaired by the finance ministry and I am the co-chair to look at the demands of the workers.

    ”Outside this, I said discussions on that evaluation are ongoing.”

    On whether a time line has been fixed for implementation of new salary increase, Ngige said: ”As we enter the new year government will make some pronouncements in that direction.”

    Ngige described 2022 as a year of “industrial dispute”.

    “It’s a year we can call a year of industrial dispute starting from the February’s Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU) strike which was joined by other sister unions in the university system and even the people in the research institutes.

    “And thereafter, threats from various unions including the medical doctors association and its youth wing, the National Association of Resident Doctors, JOHESU which is also the Joint Health Sector Union all were asking for a wage increase.

    “And asking for wage increase can also be understandable because of what inflation had done in the economy and the attendant cost of living for people who have to be workers in the public sector.

    According to him, in the private sector employers have managed their affairs better, saying this may be due to efficient management of their finances.

    He added that the management could also do collective bargaining very easily with their workers.

    “The banking sector, Food and beverages and finance insurance everywhere. So there is calm there. We didn’t have the desired calmness on the government’s side because of the government’s finances.

    ”However, we are doing some review within the Presidential Committee on Salaries, and discussions are ongoing.

    ”The doctors are discussing with the ministry of health, insurance people in the public sector discussing and there is a general calmness.

    ”Hopefully, within available resources, the government can do something in the coming year.”

    On the position of government on the eight and half months of outstanding salaries the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is demanding for, Ngige said:

    ”For now the matter is in court for proper interpretation of the Trade Dispute Act as it concerns no work, no pay policy invoked by the government during the strike period.

    ”ASUU has not pronounced anything on their salaries anymore because it’s one of the issues that was referred to the National Industrial Court for determination on whether a worker who is on strike should be paid in violation of section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act.

    ”The Act says when you go on strike, the consequences are these: number one, you will not be paid, you will not be compensated for not going to work to enable your employer keep the industry or enterprise afloat.

    “That money should not be given to you, and that compensation should not be given. It’s there in Section 43 (1).

    ”There is a second leg to Section 43, it also said that the period you were on strike will not count for you as part of your pensionable period of work in your service.

    ”That leg, government has not touched it, but the leg of no-work-no-pay has been triggered off by that strike.

    “So, we are asking the court to look at it.”

  • Ogun state government apologizes to civil servants over Salary delay

    Ogun state government apologizes to civil servants over Salary delay

    The Ogun state government yesterday, apologized to civil servants in the state for not being paid as at when due in the month of November.

    The apology was relayed in form of a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo on Wednesday in Abeokuta.

    Ojo noted that the state government regrets the action and will try everything possible for it not to repeat itself.

    According to him, only about 15 to 20 percent of the State workforce were yet to receive their November salaries as of Wednesday morning.

    Ojo blamed the delay on hitches with about four banks, saying it is “the first of such delay since the inception of Dapo Abiodun Administration over three and half years ago.”

    Meanwhile, Ojo said the government had commenced the processing and payment of December salaries, saying staff are expected to start getting credit alerts, latest by Thursday morning.

    “While the State regrets the delays in the payment of November salaries to some staff (about 15-20% of workforce) due to some hitches with about four banks, the first of such delay since the inception of Dapo Abiodun Administration over three and half years ago; the workers are assured of a blissful Christmas celebration.

    “It would be recalled that Ogun State Government is one of the few State governments that have continued to pay the national minimum wage without fail,” he said.

  • Finally, FG approves 14-day paternity leave for civil servants

    Finally, FG approves 14-day paternity leave for civil servants

     

    The Federal Government has approved the commencement of a 14-working-day paternity leave for federal civil servants.

    The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, said this on Monday in a circular with ref no: HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/RR/650309/3, dated 25th November, 2022.

    The circular titled, ‘Computation of Leave Based on Working Days and Approval of Paternity Leave in the Public Service’, said that this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition.

    “Government has also approved Paternity Leave for serving male officers whose spouse delivers a baby. The period of the leave shall be fourteen working days. The leave shall not be more than once in two years, and a for maximum of four children.

    “Where the family of a male officer adopts a child under four months old, the officer will similarly enjoy Paternity Leave for a period of fourteen working days,” Yemi-Esan said.

    She said that request for such leave shall be accompanied by the Expected Date of Delivery’s report of the officer’s wife or evidence of approval of the adoption of the child by the relevant government bodies.

    She also said that the effective date of the circular was 25th November, 2022.

    Recall that the Federal Executive Council in September this year approved a 14-day paternity leave for men in the federal civil service, to make men properly bond with their newborn baby or adopted one.

    She said the bonding was important to help the newly-born or adopted baby properly bond with the father in the early period.

    “We’ve also gotten approval to include paternity leave. This is something that is new. And this is something that the unions in the service asked that we include, and luckily, we’ve been able to include it.

    “We’ve also been able to ensure that leave now is calculated based on working days, not on calendar days, that also has been approved. We also have introduced the transition from paper service to a digital service. So these are some of the new things that are in the new PSR that has just been approved by the federal executive council,” she said.

  • Bagudu earmarks N3.5bn for outstanding 2021-2022 gratuity

    Bagudu earmarks N3.5bn for outstanding 2021-2022 gratuity

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State says his administration has earmarked N3.5 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuity to retired civil servants in the state.

    Malam Yahaya Sarki, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

    Sarki quoted Bagudu as saying this at a Townhall meeting on the 2023 Budget of the state held at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi.

    According to the governor, the state government will defray the outstanding gratuity owed retirees from December 2021 to September 2022.

    He explained that the state government had made adequate arrangements to ensure that the payments were made on or before the end of this year.

    Bagudu, who is also the Chairman, APC Governors’ Forum, assured that his administration would not bequeath unnecessary liabilities to the incoming administration in the state.

    The governor said hat the last seven years had been horrendous for the world economy, resulting in global financial turbulence.

    “It’s even a miracle that Nigeria had been kept together. I must thank the public servants and the generality of the people of the state for their uncommon show of support and cooperation.

    “I must also thank the people of the state for their patience and resilience for accommodating some of our inadequacies.

    “However, every government should be judged by the challenges it faces and we are glad that we have done our best.

    “We will sustain our modest efforts to govern the state transparently, honestly and piously and In-shaa Allah, the incoming administration will consolidate our achievements,” he said.

    He reeled out some completed and ongoing programmes, projects and policies of the state government, saying “our main objective is to make life easier for the people of the state.

    “This affects all the sectors of the economy and we are happy that we have done modestly fabulous.”

    He commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning under the leadership of the Commissioner, Dr Abba Kalgo, the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Usman, and their team for ensuring the annual budget of the state receive input from traditional rulers, associations and other of relevant stakeholders.

    Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Babale Yauri, appreciated the presence of the governor, top government officials, traditional rulers, civil society groups and international partners at the forum.

    He said the budget townhall meeting, which was the 4th in the series organised by the present administration, was aimed at carrying along every indigene of the state in preparation and execution of fiscal policies towards promoting good governance.

    On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planing, Hajiya Aisha Usman, presented an overview of the 2022 budget performance, while the Co-Chair Open Government Partnership (OGP), Mr Ibrahim Ngaski, presented outcomes of zonal townhall meetings and citizen input into the 2023 budget.

    The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abba Kalgo, had earlier given highlights of the 2023 budget, tagged: “Budget of Enduring Legacies”.

    According to him, the proposed 2023 budget was prepared in line with the Kebbi State 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

    He explained that the 2023 Budget was based on a benchmarked oil price of $57 per barrel, while oil production was benchmarked at 1.8 million barrels per day, inflation rate estimated at 20.77 per cent and an exchange rate of N440 to $1.

    The commissioner said that the proposed 2023 Budget totalled N166,985,075,110 only.

    He said capital expenditure was estimated at N107,323,421,342, representing 64 per cent, while recurrent expenditure stood at N59,661,653,768 or 36 per cent.

  • Floods: Diri says 1m displaced, approves break for civil servants

    Floods: Diri says 1m displaced, approves break for civil servants

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Tuesday said that so far, one million residents have been displaced by the ravaging floods, indicating that the worrisome phenomenon has created a humanitarian crisis beyond the capacity of the state.

    The governor has announced a one-week break for civil servants except those on essential duties.

    Diri, who stated these in a radio broadcast, regretted that the state teaching hospital and two stated-owned universities have been forced by the floods to shut down.

    He empathised with the people and saluted their courageous disposition as they grapple with the natural disaster.

    The governor appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assist the state with grants from the ecological funds, adding that the sole access to the East-West road has been cut off on several points making road transport to Bayelsa impossible.

    NAN reports that public power supply has been cut as a safety measure as most distribution transformers and stations are already submerged.

    Also, fuel stations who have since run out of fuel are not able to bring in fuel by road, leaving residents to resort to illegal refineries which are being clamped down by the renewed fight against oil theft.

    The exorbitant cost of petrol which stands at between N700 and N800 for one liter has led to a more than 100 per cent increase in transport fares while small businesses, like barbers, have jerked up the cost of their services.

    The blockade caused by the flood has also triggered a general scarcity of food, manufactured products including beverages and medicines, forcing prices to hit the roof tops.

    The situation has also taken a negative toll on telecommunications services leading to limited data and voice services as many base stations have run out of fuel.

  • Gov. Ayade locks out Govt House workers for lateness

    Gov. Ayade locks out Govt House workers for lateness

    Hundreds of workers were on Wednesday locked out of Government House office by Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River for lateness.

    Newsmen reports that the governor, who arrived at the office at 8 a.m., was surprised to see that many of the civil servants were not on seat.

    Ayade immediately ordered for the opening of a  register and asked the Chief Security Officer to lock the gate against any late-coming worker thereafter.

    Newsmen reports that those locked out included all cadre of workers, including top ranking officers of the state Civil Service as well as political appointees.

    Mr Christian Ita, Special Adviser on Media to Governor, said that the governor had always frowned at indiscipline and shown reward to those committed to their responsibilities.

    According to him, “The normal resumption time is 8 a.m, and if a governor can be in the office at that time, why can’t others be around.

    “The governor has always shown reward and sanction to workers; he doesn’t hesitate to sanction when you err and also reward you when you are committed to duty.”

    Newsmen reports that as at the time of filing this report, several workers who were locked out were seen hanging around the entrance gate of the Government House.

  • Police arrest two civil servants for faking kidnap in Lagos

    Two employees of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) have been arrested by the police for faking their own kidnap and collecting the sum of 150,000naira as ransom for their release.

    The Lagos police spokesperson  SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest on Friday in a statement signed and released by him.

    Hundeyin said detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command carried out the arrest after a painstaking investigation of the suspects.

    According to him, the 29-year-old suspect, after faking his own kidnap travelled to Lugbe in Abuja where he made a video of himself in captivity.

    According to Hundeyin p the suspect informed his 32-year-old co-worker of his plan and they demanded N5 million ransom but got N150,000 after extensive negotiation before they were arrested.

    “Investigations revealed that the first suspect, who was arrested in Abuja conspired with the second suspect to self-stage his kidnap and made the video that was sent to the co-worker for ransom.

    “The first suspect also confessed to haven shared the ransom equally with the second suspect and used his share in acquiring a generator and other items for himself.

    “Suspects will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

    The image maker said the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Abiodun Alabi, commended the detectives for a job well done.

    Hundeyin reassured Lagos residents that perpetrators of crimes would not go undetected and unpunished.