TheNewsGuru

Tag: November

  • FAAC: FG, States, LGs share N609.95bn revenue in November

    The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) distributed N609.95 billion to Federal, States and Local Governments as revenue generated in November.

    This is N77.25 billion more than what it shared in October, Ahmed Idris, the Accountant-General of the Federation said.

    Mr. Idris said that after the cost of collection deductions by FIRS, Customs and DPR, the Federal Government received N248.2 billion, representing 52.68 per cent; the states got N125.9 billion, representing 26.72 per cent and the 774 local councils received N97.06 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent.

    According to Mr. Idris, oil producing states got N54.48 billion, which represents the derivation share of 13 per cent.

    He said the country generated N356.07 billion as mineral revenue and N193.46 billion as non-mineral revenue in November, both showing improvements over the earnings in October.

    Mineral revenue increased by N38.78 billion, while non-oil mineral revenue also jumped by N68.65 billion.

    Mr. Idris said oil revenue continues to be negatively impacted by low production due to poor maintenance, sabotage and the Force Majeure declared at Bonny Terminal.

    He said the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at Dec. 15 remained $2.317 billion. He also put the balance in the Excess Petroleum Profit Tax account, at $133 million.

    Mr. Idris said the Federation Account has received instruction from the National Economic Council that $1 billion be removed from ECA to fight Boko Haram.

    “The instruction has been given. But there is a process before money is taken out of an account. So unless that withdrawal is made, the balance remains the same.

    “On what the money will be used for, the appropriate institution will have to give you that, namely the military, who are the ones that will utilise the money, and they know their needs,” he said.

    On why the money is being taken from the ECA, Mr. Idris said everyone should know that it is a savings account and ordinarily should have been distributed to the three tiers of government.

    “So if the same owners decide that part of it should be utilised to secure the country, to secure the system, to make the system work and provide security for life and property, I don’t think it should be an issue.

    “If the Governor of Ekiti has a problem with that, he should have made his position known to his forum, which is the Governor’s Forum.

    “His dissension should not come to me on the pages of newspapers. He is entitled to whatever, but it should be directed to the appropriate place,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Mahmoud Yunusa, the Chairman, Commissioners of Finance Forum, said the distribution was timely, as it would enable states and local councils to pay workers ahead of Christmas.

    NAN

     

  • Stop paying us December salaries in November, Cross River workers tells Ayade

    Stop paying us December salaries in November, Cross River workers tells Ayade

    …demands immediate payment of unpaid pensions, other entitlements of workers in the state

     

    The Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday blasted Governor Ben Ayade for paying the December salaries of workers in the state earlier than scheduled (on November 30).

    The union also berated Ayade over the non-payment of arrears amounting to several billions of naira to pensioner and workers.

     

    The union gave the governor seven days, which began on Wednesday (today), to implement a Memorandum of Understanding reached on July 2, 2017. Otherwise, they said, the workers would resume their strike.

     

    Addressing reporters at the end of its State Executive Council meeting at the NLC Secretariat in Calabar, the state NLC chairman, Mr. John Ushie, also said it was wrong for the governor to have paid the December salary on November 30, adding that it was unfortunate.

     

    The workers had, on July 2, 2017 suspended an indefinite strike following an agreement embodied by the MoU with the state government.

     

    Ushie said, “We express our disappointment with the government for failure to honour some critical aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed on July 2, 2017.

     

    “Among them are some of the issues of the failure of government to pay gratuity to retirees from June 2013 till date.

     

    “We are here again to tell the whole world that that agreement was not kept and the government has jettisoned the agreement and that has led to this meeting today (Wednesday) as directed by the National Executive Council meeting, which was held on November 16.

     

    “The NEC directed all state councils, where the government has not implemented the full payment of salaries, arrears of salaries, arrears of pensions and gratuities, to go back and strategise.

     

    “And that was done on the basis of the fact that the Paris Club refund has been released to all the state governments and that money was meant specifically to pay arrears of salaries, gratuities and pension.

     

    “Today, we are still discussing the issue of gratuity of 2013, which the governor himself told us that the second Paris Club Fund that was coming was to be used for.

     

    “As it stands, the government of Cross River owes gratuity from 2013 till date. And soon, we will enter 2018, as the workers continue to retire without their entitlements.”

     

    Speaking on the rush to pay the December salary, Vice Chairman of NLC, Mr. Edim Oyongha, said it was unfortunate, adding that the union had worked with several administrations in the state without being shut out.

     

    “We are in a pitiable situation. We all want salary but we do not want this upfront payment. We were paid December salary on November 30, even at that, not all categories of workers are normally being paid. A lot of them are still being owed, as it does not cut across,” he lamented.

     

    Ushie, in his view, said it was not proper for a state government to have paid, as workers would now have to stay for two months without receiving any pay, adding that it was not a proper way to plan.

  • 1,295 Nigerians returned from Libya in November – NEMA

    1,295 Nigerians returned from Libya in November – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says a total of 1,295 Nigerians voluntarily returned from Libya in November after being stranded in the volatile North African country enroute Europe.

    The Nigerians returned in various batches between Nov. 6 and Nov. 30 with the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU).

    The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Mustapha Maihajja, made the disclosure while receiving a fresh batch of 150 Nigerians who arrived the country on Thursday.

    The returnees were brought back aboard a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with Registration Number:6A-DMG.

    The aircraft landed in the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 9.15pm.

    The returnees comprised of 13 female adults and one teenage girl while the male were 133 adults, two teenage boys and one baby boy.

     

    NAN

  • Anambra 2018: Buhari endorses Nwoye, to attend mega rally in November

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Tony Nwoye in the forthcoming polls in state at the Presidential Villa.

    The President assured that he would personally make out time to attend the final campaign rally scheduled for November 2017.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled November 18, 2017 for the governorship polls in which 37 candidates, including incumbent, Governor Willie Obiano declared interest.

    Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed Abubakar, led Nwoye to the Presidential Villa.

    He said, “I am the chairman of the national campaign Council of the APC for the Anambra governorship election that will be taking place on 18th of November this year.

    “We have had our primaries and we have settled all the appeals, we have done reconciliations. It is therefore time to present to the father of the nation, the President of Nigeria, the candidate of the APC in Anambra state, Tony Nwoye.

    “The President received us very well and has promised us that he will personally grace the grand finale of the campaign in Anambra state”.

    Nwoye who spoke to State House correspondents after the meeting with Buhari, alleged that funds meant for the local government areas were being siphoned by the current governor, Willie Obiano who is also seeking re-election.

    According to the Anambra APC candidate, if he clinches power, one of his core mandate would be to ensure a transparent leadership.

    “I am not God but based on the parameters and the indices of the Anambra political terrain and based on the campaigns that we have done so far, I am confident that by God’s grace, because God gives power, we are going to win”.

    Asked what new initiative his administration would bring to the state if he clinches power from Obiano, he said,If elected, Anambra people should expect a transparent government that would bring all the people to an enviable height.

    “We will alleviate poverty. Our local government funds are being siphoned every month since this current administration took over. Many key areas like agriculture and others are paid lip services. I will give them special attention if elected. We are going to take governance to the grassroot people,”he said.

    On threats by IPOB to boycott the elections, he explained, “we are not afraid of the threat. Our youths are unemployed, people are wailing and crying. These are the symptoms of what you are seeing now. Our people are seeing reasons why there should be elections.

    “Some of them who may have been brain washed, we are engaging them to see reasons why they should allow people to elect people whom they want to lead them.” he said

     

  • Nigeria Police TV channel hits airwaves in November

    …To employ over 5,000 Nigerians

    The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the proposed Nigeria Police Broadcasting Service, Ediri Jerry Wesley has said the channel will hit the airwaves nationwide beginning on November 28.

    According to Wesley, the TV will begin with a fund-raising ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    Speaking in an interview with journalists in Abuja, he commended the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for working to ensure the realisation of the project.

    Mr. Wesley said, “The NPBS will focus on four areas of operations (TV, Radio, Online and Emergency Control Centre). The project which is a Public Private Partnership with the Nigeria Police will help to curb insecurity by prompt respond to emergency situations.”

    Unlike most broadcast organisations, the NPBS will not source for commercial adverts for sustainability, rather its survival will depend largely on sponsorship from corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians, Mr. Wesley said.

    He said personnel for the channel would be trained by professionals from prominent broadcast organisations including the Cable News Network (CNN).

    “About 5,000 young Nigerians will be engaged and trained by 50 expatriate (Professionals from CNN, BBC and other foreign media Organisations) for three years,” Mr. Wesley stated.

    In order to reach all Nigerians irrespective of their educational background, transmission will also be done in both Pidgin English and other Nigerian Languages, he said.

    He said, “The NPBS will focus on four areas of operations (TV, Radio, Online and Emergency Control Centre). The project which is a Public Private Partnership with the Nigeria Police will help to curb insecurity by prompt respond to emergency situations.”

  • Kwara won’t use card readers for November council polls – KWASEIC

    Kwara won’t use card readers for November council polls – KWASEIC

    The Kwara State lndependent Electoral Commission on Friday said it would not use card readers for the forthcoming council polls in the state.

    The commission’s Chairman, Dr AbdukRahman Ajidagba, announced this at a meeting with representatives of registered political parties in his office in Ilorin on Friday.

    The chairmanship and councillorship elections into the 16 local governments have been scheduled for Nov. 4.

    Ajidagba said the state was not financially buoyant to acquire card readers for the council polls.

    “We abandoned the use of card readers for the local government elections to avoid hitches that may occur from the machines while the elections are in progress.”

    The Kwara electoral commission boss, however, promised a credible, reliable and fair election even without the card readers.

    Ajibagba, who described the political parties as the major players in the conduct of the election, solicited their cooperation and support for the success of the exercise.

    He also advised the representatives of the parties not to incite the electorate before, during and after the elections, saying no credible poll could be achieved in an atmosphere of chaos and acrimony or violence.

    He said the commission would soon release the time table for the polls to enable stakeholders to fully prepare for the exercise.

    Speaking on behalf of the parties, Mr Theophlius Sunday, the Vice-Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party and former Chairman of Moro Council, assured the commission of their readiness to ensure a successful poll.

    Representatives of 30 political parties attended the meeting.

     

    (NAN)

  • Biafra: Governorship election won’t hold in Anambra in November – Nnamdi Kanu

    Biafra: Governorship election won’t hold in Anambra in November – Nnamdi Kanu

    …Says FG should build more prisons to jail ‘biafrans’

    The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday warned that the governorship election in Anambra scheduled for November this year may not hold if the Federal Government fails to recognise the Republic of Biafra.

    Kanu, who spoke at his father’s palace in Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, added that people of South East and other under the old Eastern Region would not participate in the 2019 general election if the government ignores the demand for referendum.

    He also faulted his exclusion from the ongoing stakeholders meeting in Aso Rock, saying he would not relent in his agitation for Biafra.

    The IPOB leader said: “Nigerian government should build as many prisons as possible to jail all Biafrans because there is no going back and we are ready to go there (prisons) unless the Federal Government gives us Biafra.

    “We are starting with Anambra come November this year. There will be no governorship election in Anambra State. In 2019, the whole of Biafra land will not vote for any president. There will be no senator, there will be no House of Reps, there will be no House of Assembly and there will be no councillorship elections in Biafra land if they (Federal Government) fail to call for a referendum.”

    He urged his members to remain steadfast and calm as Biafra remains their only hope.

    “We are not like any other people. People like us don’t come twice. That’s why I know that with the last breath in this very body that Biafra will be restored. There’s nothing anybody can do about it. Tell them that’s what I said. Nobody on this earth can stop Biafra,” he added.

     

  • Test running of Abuja light rail to commence mid-November – FG

    Test running of Abuja light rail to commence mid-November – FG

    The Federal Government on Monday said test running of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit would commence by middle November.

    This was revealed in Abuja by Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Bello disclosed this when he received a delegation of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) led by its President, Chief Tomilola Akingbogun when they paid him a visit in his office.

    According to him, the contractor handling the Abuja Rail Mass Transit is expected to complete work on the project by October.

    The minister said that by December, the administration intended to temporarily open the rail services for the Lots 1A and 3 to the general public for usage.

    “The full operation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit will commence by the first quarter of 2018 as earlier announced,’’ he said.

    On the problem of multiple taxations in the FCT, Bello noted that a committee was already working to address it.

    He said that the participation of private investors in the development and economic activities of Abuja was paramount for better results, adding that the issue of multiple taxations must be tackled to encourage them.

    The minister emphasised that tourism must also be given its rightful place for private investors to take the front seat to stimulate economic activities in the territory.

    “Nigeria is truly endowed and the FCT Administration will surely leverage on such endowment to fast track its economic development,” he added.

    Bello urged the investors in the tourism and hospitality industry to establish small hotels for services such as “bed and breakfast” in the territory.

    The FCT minister said that this would cater for the numerous daily visitors into Abuja, particularly for those at the lower ladder.

    The FTAN President said the FTAN was the umbrella body representing all tourism trades, businesses and associations in Nigeria.

    Akingbogun called on governments at all levels to encourage public private partnership options in developing tourism in Nigeria.

    He decried the problems of multiple taxations by FCT Administration and Abuja Municipal Area Council.

    He therefore appealed to the minister that there was need to harmonise all rates, tariffs and levies introduced in the FCT

     

    NAN

  • November inflation rate may increase to 18.45% – FSDH

    FSDH Research, an investment analyst company on Thursday said the November 2016 inflation rate (year-on-year) might increase further to 18.45 per cent.

    The figure represented an increase of 0.12 per cent from 18.33 recorded in the month of October 2016.

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is expected to release the inflation rate for the month of November 2016 on December 15, 2016 based on the data calendar on its website.

    The company said that the expected increase in the inflation rate would be driven by higher prices within the Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Division.

    It also said that the depreciation in the foreign exchange rate during the month would also be an influence.

    The company said that the Food Price Index (FPI) on Thursday Dec. 8 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) showed that the FPI trended downward in November.

    The Index was down by 0.43 per cent, compared with the revised October figure.

    The FPI’s easing in November 2016 was driven by a sharp fall in sugar prices, which was more than enough to offset a rebound in the prices of vegetable oils.

    The FAO Sugar Index fell by 8.93 per cent, the first decline after six consecutive months of increase.

    The weakening Brazilian currency against the U.S. Dollar, coupled with reports of a higher harvest in the Central South, Brazil’s main producing region, put downward pressure on prices.

    The FAO Cereal Price Index declined by 0.60 per cent due to the decrease in the prices of wheat and rice, while Meat Price Index was down by 0.21 per cent,

    It added that that was almost unchanged from its revised value for October.

    Besides, the FAO Dairy Index appreciated by 1.95 per cent from October, as prices of whole milk powder and butter firmed up.

    The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index appreciated by 4.55 per cent marking the highest level since August 2014.

    FSDH said that the strong rebound was primarily driven by the price of palm oil on the heels of lower than anticipated production in South East Asia.

    The company said, “Our analysis indicates that the value of the Naira appreciated at the inter-bank market, while it depreciated at the parallel market by 2.09 per cent to close at N478.00 to the dollar from N468.00 at the end of October.

    “The depreciation at the parallel market led to an increase in the prices of imported consumer goods in Nigeria between the two months under review,’’ FSDH said.

    It said that the prices of food items that FSDH Research monitored in November 2016 moved in varying directions.

    “The prices of palm oil, Irish potatoes, meat and rice were up by 32.17 per centm, 10.78 percent, 2.56per cent and 1.99per cent, while the prices of tomatoes and onions were down by 17.89 per cent and 2.78 per cent.

    “The prices of garri, yam, beans, sweet potatoes and vegetable oil remained unchanged, ‘’ it added.

    The company said that the movement in the prices of food items during the month resulted in a 0.7 per cent increase in Food and Non-alcoholic Index to 214.41 points.

    It said, “We also noticed increases in Clothing and Footwear; Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels divisions between October and November 2016.

    “Our model indicates that the price movements in the consumer goods and services in November 2016 would increase the Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) to 211.28 points, representing a month-on-month increase of 0.76 per cent.

    “We estimate that the increase in the CCPI in November will produce an inflation rate of 18.45 per cent,’’ FSDH said

  • Lagos releases N941m to 228 pensioners in November

    The Lagos State Pension Commission said it paid 228 retirees a total of N941m in November.

    The pensioners, the commission added, were from the state civil service, local governments, and State Universal Basic Education Board, teaching service and pensions office and other parastatals of government.

    “This administration has from August, 2015 to date paid a total of N21.9bn as accrued pension rights to 5,027 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme,” it stated.

    The Director-General, LASPEC, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, said the retirees needed to take good care of their health by going for comprehensive check-ups, desist from frivolous spending and advised them not to enter into risky ventures.

    She advised the retirees not to desire quick gains as fraudsters would tempt them with offers aimed to defraud them of their benefits.

    Onanuga explained that only Programmed Withdrawal benefit option was tenable presently, pending the time, that life insurance companies open operational account jointly with a Pension Fund Custodian to secure the funds for the provider of annuity services.

    According to her, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, is interested in the welfare of the employees both in and out of office, which is why salary and pension issues are given priority.

    The pensioners expressed gratitude for the timely payment, while also stressing that such gesture should not be stopped midway.