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Tag: Fuel Subsidy

  • Fuel subsidy removal: President Tinubu told to pay N200,000 minimum wage

    Fuel subsidy removal: President Tinubu told to pay N200,000 minimum wage

    A non-governmental organisation known as Workers’ Alliance for Inclusive Socio-economic Reforms (WAISER) has asked President Bola Tinubu to pay N200,000 as minimum wage.

    WAISER asked President Tinubu to pay N200,000 monthly salary as minimum wage for Nigerian workers to cushion effects of the recent fuel subsidy removal

    The group also proposed to government,  two days of the week as e-governance work days in line with global emerging trends.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Amodu Isiaka, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The proposal, according to Isiaka will help boost productivity and increase morale of Nigerian workers.

    Isiaka said the call became imperative to urgently reduce the pains workers are going through in view of the subsidy removal.

    He said the socio-economic realities of the removal are currently being faced by about 130 million Nigerians living below poverty line; with over 30 per cent unemployment rate.

    Speaking further on the proposal, he said, “this will automatically reduce work-related expenditure by as much as 40%.

    “Kwara, Edo and some other states have embraced declaration of two days as work free days. Benue has experimented with work- free days for farming. Kaduna State also has a work-free day policy.

    “The Federal Government has an existing initiative on e-governance through National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Security Exchange Commission (SEC).

    “This was designed to among others to support the development of government eservices for responsive, efficient, effective and equitable delivery of public service to all people in strategic sectors of the economy.

    “Apart from saving cost, productivity will be more transparent, measurable and manageable onegovernment platforms.

    “Hence, it will be an incentive for improved performance in service delivery,” he added.

    On the minimum wage, the national coordinator said, “there should be an immediate upward review of wages for workers.

    “The minimum wage of 30,000 naira is no longer tenable. We are proposing 200,000 naira per month (about 500% increase).

    Among other proposals put forward by Isiaka is the immediate financial and technical supports to schools and hospitals in the private sector of the economy.

    He also called for special allowances for Military and Police Personnel (MPP) while a state of emergency should be declared in the agriculture and housing sectors.

  • Britain reacts to fuel subsidy removal by Tinubu

    Britain reacts to fuel subsidy removal by Tinubu

    The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, said that some economic measures adopted by the new administration in Nigeria, such as subsidy removal and exchange rate reform would improve the business environment.

    Montgomery  said this when he met  with Vice President Kashim Shettima  on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Montgomery, who fielded questions from State House correspondents afterwards, said issues ranging from trade, security, defence to economic relations were discussed at the meeting.

    “We discussed our long standing partnership between the UK and Nigeria; we have many areas of shared interest; including a good history of development cooperation

    “Some excellent trade and investment arrangements and we have also have some good cooperation on security and defence.

    “As many of you were seeing from recent talks, we also had good talks on home affairs and justice and we have great people-to-people links that means education.

    “We also discussed a number of issues to do with on how we can improve our relationships in the future.

    “I think we already have a good economic dialogue, but I think there is a great potential to do more; as I discussed with the vice president.

    “The big economic decisions being taken by this government are really important and are being noticed around the world.

    “The removal of subsidy; the exchange rate reform, all of that create a much better investment environment.’’

    Montgomery said he was in London recently and had talks with ministers and British businesses in finance, banking and investment sectors.

    He said they all responded very positively to the first decisions taken by the new government in Nigeria.

    “We know that there are tough times that are going on at the moment, inflation and unemployment.

    “The vice president and I also touched on some of the measures that might be possible to cushion the blow of some of these economic pressures.

    “But I think the big issue is that these reforms help put Nigeria on a higher growth path; they will attract more investments and the UK and the city of London see Nigeria as a big opportunity going forward.

    “I will be doing my part to try to boost those, enhance trade and investment.’’

    On the recent UK policy on students’ visa, Montgomery said the issue was not part of his discussion with the vice president.

    He said however, he would put the media debate on the in a wider context.

    He said that in 2022, the UK granted 3 million new visas of which 325,000 of those visas were between Nigeria and UK.

    “So, Nigerian visitors constitute over 10 per cent of the people coming to London and the UK.

    “On the issue of students’ visas, I will also like to provide the contest; that the number of Nigerian students coming to the UK has increased five-fold in the last three years.

    “It is a fantastic success story for our universities and we are really delighted that so many Nigerians are coming to the UK.’

    According to the envoy, the issue about restrictions of people bringing dependents is not just for Nigeria but many parts of the world.

    He said that many students were trying to bring their dependents with them to the UK.

    “And I think there are two issues here; the first is –it is not always possible to find housing services to meet all the needs of all our existing students’ population.

    “Secondly, I think reasonable people will accept  that we have to manage our visitor numbers and that we have to manage migration in and out of the UK; just as the Nigerian government does for your own borders,’’ he said.

  • After removing fuel subsidy, Tinubu, Shettima; political, public, judicial office holders to enjoy 114% pay raise

    After removing fuel subsidy, Tinubu, Shettima; political, public, judicial office holders to enjoy 114% pay raise

    After taking the bold step to remove payments on fuel subsidy, President Ahmed Tinubu; his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima; other political, public and judicial office holders in the country are set to enjoy an upward review of their salaries by 114 per cent.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has urged the 36 State Houses of Assembly to hasten efforts on amendment of relevant laws to give room for the review.

    Recall that on inauguration day, President Tinubu made the controversial decision to remove fuel subsidy payments, and the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, immediately skyrocketed across the country.

    The government stressed that the removal of fuel subsidy payments, which burden would now be borne by the masses, was to make scarce resources available for the development of the country in real terms.

    Presenting reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the Chairman of RMAFC, Alhaji Muhammadu Shehu, urged the 36 State Houses of Assembly to hasten efforts on amendment of relevant laws to give room for the review.

    Work by the State Houses of Assembly will allow for the commencement of implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages for political, public and judicial officers.

    Shehu disclosed that the commission recommended January 1, 2023, as the effective date for the commencement of the implementation of the Reviewed Remuneration Packages.

    The RMAFC chairman, represented by the Federal Commissioner, Mrs Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, an indigene of Kebbi State, presented the report to the governor during a courtesy visit at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

    Shehu said the move was in line with the provision of Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government (as amended).

    He said: “It empowers the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution of federal government.”

    Shehu said the last review of the remuneration was carried out in 2007, which culminated into the “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2008.

    ”Sixteen years after the last review, it is imperative that the Remuneration Packages for the categories of the office holders mentioned in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) should be reviewed.

    ”Pursuant to the above, Your Excellency may please recall that on Wednesday, 1st February, 2023, the Commission held a one-day zonal public hearing on the review of the remuneration package simultaneously in all the six (6) geo-political zones of the country.

    ”The aim of the exercise was to harvest inputs/ideas from a broad spectrum of stakeholders,” he said.

    According to the chairman, the commission has reviewed the remuneration packages as contained in these reports based on a combination of subjective and objective criteria.

    ”The subjective criteria reflected the various expression by stakeholders through memoranda received, opinion expressed during the zonal public hearings and responses to questionnaires administered.

    ”The objectives of the criteria were obtained from analysis of macro-economic variables particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI),” he noted.

    He added that the commission was also guided by some principles, including equity and fairness; risk and responsibilities; national order of precedence; motivation and tenure of office.

    Shehu said that having considered the impact of the review on the economy, the remuneration of the political, public and judicial office holders in the country was adjusted upward by 114 per cent.

    He said that with respect to allowances and fringe benefits, the commission recommended that the existing allowances be maintained at the current levels since that would translate to higher provisions in actual amounts when applied on the reviewed annual basic salary.

    The chairman explained that with respect to the judicial office holders, the commission considered the introduction of three new allowances.

    He listed the allowances to include “Professional Development Assistant: This is to allow for the provision of two Law Clerks to all Judicial Officers in the country.

    ”Long Service Allowance: This is to guaranty seniority/hierarchy between officers who have been on the bench for a minimum of five years and those that are appointed newly as well as Restricted  or Forced Lifestyle: This is to take care of the nature of the lifestyle of Judicial Officers while in active service.”

    Shehu said that the commission recommended Jan. 1, 2023, as the effective date for the commencement of the implementation of the Reviewed Remuneration Packages.

    Gov. Nasir Idris with his Deputy, Sen. Abubakar Tafida; Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammadu Ankwai; Acting Chief Judge of  the state, Justice Umar Abubakar; the SSG, Alhaji Yakubu Tafida; Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Bena; and the Chief of Staff, Attahiru Maccido, keenly listened to the presentation.

    Responding, the Kebbi state governor appreciated the commission for doing what he described as a thorough job.

    Idris pledged that the committee under his chairmanship would justly look into the report and convey same to the appropriate quarters for necessary action.

  • Subsidy: Dele Alake reveals outcome of FG’s meeting with labour unions

    Subsidy: Dele Alake reveals outcome of FG’s meeting with labour unions

    The Nigerian government and organized Labour on Monday reconvened at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to look into ways of cushioning the effects of removal of subsidy on the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    Mr Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, said that steering and technical committees have been set up to help achieve the planned interventions for Nigerians.

    “As we promised the last time we met; when labour called off their planned strike, we held a meeting today. We went through all the demands that labour had tabled, that is government and the labour unions last time.

    “They said they were going to go back to their executives and make consultations so that we reconvene today. That is exactly what we did.

    “At today’s meeting, both parties went through the list and we ticked off the viable ones which are now broken into three categories; those can be given immediate attention, and those that can be achieved in the medium term and long term.”

    Alake added that the committees would help actualize the dream of providing the interventions to cushion the effects of removal of subsidy.

    “Work groups have been constituted at today’s meeting. There is a steering committee that will serve as a clearing house and there are other committees comprising both parties; government and labour.

    “They will work together very harmoniously and efficiently to arrive at the final resolution of all the demands of labour and what we (government) call interventions,” he said.

    The President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joseph Ajero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo both confirmed the setting up of steering and technical committees.

    They said that the committees would commence work immediately and complete the assessments within a maximum period of eight weeks.

  • Fuel subsidy: Tinubu should have strategised how to provide palliative – Clark

    Fuel subsidy: Tinubu should have strategised how to provide palliative – Clark

    Elder statesman and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the provision of palliatives to mitigate challenges that have arisen from fuel subsidy removal.

    Clark made the call in an interview with the NAN in Abuja on Thursday.

    Tinubu had, during his inaugural speech on May 29, announced the removal of fuel subsidy which pushed the pump price of fuel from N194 to over N500 with variations in states.

    Clark who commended the president on the removal of subsidy said the government had done the right thing.

    “They have done the right thing. After all, all the candidates before the 2023 general election had advocated and promised to remove fuel subsidy.

    “Everybody regarded it as a scam; it does not exist. Where are these faceless people we are paying the oil subsidy to, how has it benefited the ordinary man in Nigeria?

    “Remember in January 2012, the Jonathan-led administration attempted to remove it, but the very people and leaders who opposed it at that time have now turned round to say yes it must go,” said Clark.

    He added that removing the fuel subsidy was a very bold step taken by President Tinubu.

    “Some people believe that since Tinubu was talking about subsidy removal during his campaign and also in his manifesto, he should have strategised how to provide the palliative to cushion the effect,” he said.

    Clark explained that government workers understood that fuel subsidy had never been in their favour, adding that spending trillions of naira on fuel subsidy is unacceptable.

    According to him, if the money is spent on the country’s transportation, education and health sectors, life will be much better: “we will have a better Nigeria.

    “Now that a committee has been set up, where all parties will be involved, they should work it out.”

  • Tinubu initiated moves to make cheaper fuel available for Nigerians – Mele Kyari

    Tinubu initiated moves to make cheaper fuel available for Nigerians – Mele Kyari

    The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari revealed that President Bola Tinubu, has initiated moves to make cheaper fuel available for Nigerians.

    Kyari disclosed this to state house correspondents after meeting with President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to the NNPCL boss, the president initiated moves to make cheaper fuel available through Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

    He noted that the aim is to mitigate the effects of the recent removal of fuel subsidy.

    Kyari informed that a structural plan was already being emplaced towards its implementation as part of the administration’s palliative measures for Nigerians.

  • Real reason I removed fuel subsidy – President Tinubu

    Real reason I removed fuel subsidy – President Tinubu

    Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed the real reason why he removed fuel subsidy, stressing it was to free resources for the development of the country.

    President Tinubu gave the reason while addressing Nigerians on June 12 Democracy Day commemoration.

    Tinubu said he came to the decision in order to free the country’s resources from the stranglehold of unpatriotic elements.

    He said he feels the pain of Nigerians but that the citizens must sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country.

    He however said that his administration will “reward” their sacrifices with “massive investment” in transportation, infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve quality of life.⁣

    “I admit that the decision will impose an extra burden on the masses of our people. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.

    “Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain.

    “The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.

    “The democracy MKO Abiola died for is one that promotes the welfare of the people over the personal interests of the ruling class and one where the governed can find personal fulfillment and happiness.

    “That is the hope MKO Abiola ignited throughout our country in 1993,” President Tinubu said.

  • Fuel subsidy: Nigeria can’t continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries – Tinubu

    Fuel subsidy: Nigeria can’t continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries – Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu has on Friday said Nigeria can not continue to be a Father Christmas to the neighbouring countries in the guise of fuel.

    Tinubu stated this at a meeting with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) the presidential villa Abuja.

    He noted that his administration took the right decision by removing the subsidy on petrol.

    The president described the subsidy as an elephant that could have brought the country to its knees because it is struggling to pay salaries.

    According to him, Nigeria should not be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries by providing them subsidised petrol.

    “I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing,” Abiodun Oladunjoye, the villa’s director of information, quoted the president as saying.

    “You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not everyday is Christmas?

    “The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potential to encourage ourselves.

    “I think we did the right thing.”

    The President, however, said his administration would listen to counsel.

    “We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go. That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have.

    “We may not have it right 100 percent of the time but we must get it right 90 percent of the time for this country.”

    Also speaking at the meeting, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, said the traditional rulers are in full support of Tinubu’s administration.

    “We are 100 percent in support of your government and we believe in the will of the Almighty Allah you will move this country forward.”

     

  • ‘Workers have right to protest’ – NLC, TUC appeal court order stopping industrial action

    ‘Workers have right to protest’ – NLC, TUC appeal court order stopping industrial action

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)in collaboration with  the Trade Union Congress (TUC)have asked the National Industrial Court, Abuja, to set aside its interim order that barred the unions from embarking on their planned strike in protest of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

    The unions have averred that the case against it could be struck out for lack of jurisdiction and the ex-parte order set aside

    According to them, the case filed against them at the NIC was offensive and against some sections of the country’s constitution.

    Both the NLC and the TUC argued that the court lacked the jurisdictional competence to hear and determine the case “as it was filed in violation of Section 17 {2} of the Trade Disputes Act, which authorizes the Minister of Labour and Employment to refer a trade dispute directly to the National Industrial Court.”

    “This court as presently constituted lacks the jurisdictional competence to hear and determine the matter and or make any orders as regards the trade Dispute {subject matter of this suit} for failure to first refer the trade dispute to the Industrial Arbitration Panel as mandated by part 1 of TDA.

    “The claimants suit offends the lucid provisions of Order 3 Rules 1 and 6 of the National Industrial Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2017.

    The union further contended for their rights to strike “under the Trade Unions Act, the Trade Disputes Act, the ILO Convention and under several international treaties the 1st Claimant/Applicant is a signatory to.”

    In addition both unions insisted that by virtue of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Nigerian workers have the fundamental right to protest against policies of the government considered inimical to their interests.

    They claim that the suit filed by the federal government couldn’t justify any reasonable cause or action against what their demands.

    “The Plaintiffs suit is lacking in bona fide, as it was filed to harass, irritate and embarrass the Defendants/Applicants, which constitutes an abuse of judicial process.

    “The Claimants/Applicants suppressed material facts before this Honourable Court thereby misleading the Court to grant the exparte reliefs sought and obtained.

    “In the circumstances and under established judicial authorities as well as extant Rules of this Honourable Court, the Claimants suit as presently constituted against the Defendant is liable to be dismissed or struck out for want of jurisdiction and the ex parte order set aside,” the two unions added.

     

     

  • What Tinubu told Governors

    What Tinubu told Governors

    President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday received the endorsement of his decisions to end fuel subsidy payments in the country and other early policy initiatives of the administration.

    The president received the support when he hosted members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by its chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, at the State House in Abuja.

    The governors expressed happiness with the president’s subsidy removal decision, all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship.

    They congratulated Tinubu for tackling the fuel subsidy debacle, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the decision.

    Tinubu had earlier called on the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government in addressing the menace of poverty in the country, saying the level of impoverishment is unacceptable.

    The president advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.

    “We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from the society.

    “Our position is to eliminate poverty, set aside partisan politics; we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building,’’ he said.

    Tinubu stated that the country should be seen as one big family.

    “We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results,’’ he stressed.

    The president said that good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.

    “Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.

    “We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people,’’ he charged the governors.

    Tinubu assured them that he would maintain an open-door policy and was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions and create bottom-up frameworks that would improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

    “We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanise the economy and put resources in place. We must think and perform.

    “After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,’’ he noted.

    Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury.

    He also drew attention to the security problems in some states, urging the governors to put in all efforts to tackle insecurity.

    The president said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that would improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

    “We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanize the economy, and put resources in place. We must think and perform.

    “After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,’’ he noted.

    Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury.

    AbdulRazaq promised the president that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development.

    He thanked the president for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors will support the federal government in meeting the targets of human development.