TheNewsGuru

Tag: Resumption

  • Again, Federal Government postpones Abuja-Kaduna rail resumption date

    Again, Federal Government postpones Abuja-Kaduna rail resumption date

    The Ministry of Transportation has once again extended the resumption date of the Abuja-Kaduna rail services earlier announced by the Federal Government to begin today.

    The postponement was made known today by the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, during an inspection tour to assess the readiness of the Abuja-Kaduna rail services before the commencement of operations.

    The Minister, who could not give a definite date for the resumption of the rail service, however, stated that its resumption would not be more than a week.

    According to Sambo “The federal government has introduced a new system of purchasing tickets, it is the beginning of security checks that will enable the government to ascertain who boards the train at every point in time.”

    The federal government had last week stated that on Monday, 28th November, 2022, the Abuja-Kaduna rail services will resume operations.

    The rail service of the Abuja-Kaduna train was suspended following the attack on the train on 28th March, 2022 when terrorists planted explosives that derailed the train.

    Consequently, the train was attacked and nine passengers were killed while 60 persons were abducted.

    However, the 60 persons were later released by their abductors after spending few weeks with them in captivity.

     

  • ASUU: OAU fixes October 20 for resumption

    ASUU: OAU fixes October 20 for resumption

    The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced that the School will reopen  for academic activities on Thursday, 20th of October, 2022.

    This announcement was made public by the Registrar and Secretary to Council of the university.

    The citadel of learning has directed the students to return to Halls of Residence on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s re-opening.

    The statement reads in part, “The students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, have been directed to return to Halls of Residence on Wednesday, 19th October, 2022, while full academic activities will commence on Thursday, 20th October, 2022 for the continuation of the 2021/2022 session.

    “The decision was taken at a special meeting of the University Senate, which held in Oduduwa Hall on Tuesday, 18th October, 2022.

    “On behalf of the Council and Senate of the University, we wish our students an uninterrupted academic session and a safe trip from their respective locations.”

  • Attack: Minister confirms resumption of Abuja-Kaduna train services, vows to apprehend perpetrators

    Attack: Minister confirms resumption of Abuja-Kaduna train services, vows to apprehend perpetrators

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said train services will resume on the Abuja-Kaduna route on Saturday (today).

    The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), announced suspension of its operation on the route following an explosive attack on some portions of the tracks on Wednesday.

    The NRC in a statement on Thursday confirmed that there was an explosion on the rail track.

    It further stated that the explosion affected the fuel tank of the locomotive on Abuja to Kaduna last train (AK10) of 20th October 2021.

    The corporation also stated that the affected locomotive had been sent to the workshop for assessment and repairs.

    It added that there were no reported casualties or injuries to either the passengers or train crew.

    Following the attack, the Minister embarked on the spot assessment of the damage caused by the explosion.

    Barely 48 hours after the suspension, the affected portion has been fixed.

    The minister said he would meet with the Director General of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and Chief of Army Staff in a bid to apprehend the attackers.

    He said: “The government is already working to apprehend the bandits. When I get to Abuja tomorrow, I will see the DG SS and the Chief of Army Staff. We will find the people.”

    On the repairs, Amaechi said: “The repair work is completed. What is significant is that the repair was done by our Nigerian engineers and completed in record time.

    “They moved in today and finished today and by tomorrow, we expect that the first train will run by tomorrow (Saturday).

    The minister also hinted that a digital security system would be installed on both Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan corridor.

    On whether there are plans to beef up security on the corridor, he said: “Has there been any other security challenge before now? What this has done to us is that it will fasten the procurement process of the digital system that we want to put in place.

    “The essence of the digital security system is to enable us to know when there is an impact on the rail. There is a sensor, when people cross the rail or do anything, we will be able to know and we will be able to forestall this kind of attack.

    “We will get the Police to be involved so that they will be here before we install the digital security system.”

    In addition to the digital security system that would be installed, he also said a rail bus would be deployed to embark on regular patrol.

    He said: “I had to come here physically today to ascertain the damage. We want to assure the public that beyond the physical presence of police and deployment of military along this track, I have just told the MD NRC to get us a rail bus that will be on patrol regularly on the track so that we can see what is happening even before the train takes off.

    “That will be the measure we will put in place before the digital system is installed. The system will let us know anytime there is a breach in security or anything and we will respond before the train comes and we may stop the train before coming and it will be end to end.

    “It will be deployed on Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan corridor.”

    Commenting on the speed at which the repair work was done, he said: “I am happy that our people fixed it. I am not happy that the security breach took place but what it has done is that it has shown that we actually have the capacity to fix our rail.

    “The essence of this is to make sure that by the time the Chinese leave, we should start the gradual process of constructing our rail.

    “The lady engineer was able to fix it, so, she and her colleagues will be able to do more like track laying and possibly track construction but we have to test them gradually.”

  • Insecurity: Kaduna Government shifts resumption date for primary, secondary schools

    Insecurity: Kaduna Government shifts resumption date for primary, secondary schools

    Kaduna State Government on Friday postponed resumption dates of both Primary and Secondary schools in the state, earlier scheduled to resume academic activities on Monday, August 9.
    The postponement notice was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Shehu Muhammad and that of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan.
    According to it, the decision is sequel to advise by security agencies, stressing that military operations are continuing while infrastructure projects are in high-risk areas.
    “The Kaduna State Government commends the military and police high commands for the on-going security operations against armed bandits across the state.
    “The government praises the doggedness and courage of officers and troops carrying out air and ground operations around Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Plateau and Zamfara boundaries”, it said.
    Government said it had requested the military and police high commands to expand the operations to newly identified hide-outs.
    “New dates for school resumption will be announced, based on further security assessments.
    ” While wishing the military and security agencies resounding success against the bandits, Kaduna government appeals for the understanding of all residents over any inconvenience caused by the postponement”, it said.
    It urged all residents to be patient and report any security breach to the nearest security agencies.
  • Again, Lagos postpones junior staff resumption over rising COVID-19 infections amongst public servants

    Again, Lagos postpones junior staff resumption over rising COVID-19 infections amongst public servants

    The Lagos State Government has extended the work-from-home directive for levels 1-14 to February 26.

    A statement by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the state government has observed with concern, pockets of Coronavirus infection among public servants.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, he said, has decided to extend the directive beyond today.

    It excludes essential duty staff, first responders, as well as officers saddled with assignments in the weekly duty rosters of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

  • JUST IN: National Assembly postpones resumption

    JUST IN: National Assembly postpones resumption

    The National Assembly has postponed its resumption till Tuesday, February 9, 2020.

    Both Chambers on December 21st, 2020 adjourned plenary till January 26, 2021, to enable members to observe the Christmas and New Year festivities.

    Clerk to the National Assembly, Arc. Ojo Amos disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    He said the deferment of resumption was to enable lawmakers, who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to partake in the party’s membership registration and revalidation exercise scheduled to begin on Monday 25th January 2020.

    Details shortly….

  • Resumption: FG orders schools to stop requesting COVID-19 tests from returning students

    Resumption: FG orders schools to stop requesting COVID-19 tests from returning students

    The Federal Government has asked schools to stop requesting for COVID – 19 test results from returning students before they are admitted.

    The government, in a short statement issued on Monday by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, warned school authorities to refrain from asking students or parents to undergo COVID-19 test before they are accepted in their schools.

    The statement said: “No Covid-19 Test Required for Resumption of Students. The Federal Ministry of Education says no Covid-19 Test is required for returning students to be admitted into their schools.

    “Only temperature checks should be carried out on students and any other person crossing any school gate.

    “School authorities should therefore refrain from asking students or parents to undergo covid-19 test before they are accepted in their schools.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the federal government had last week approved the January 18 resumption date for schools amidst growing concerns of COVID-19 cases.

  • COVID-19: Lagos gives new resumption directives to civil servants

    COVID-19: Lagos gives new resumption directives to civil servants

    Following the increase in the number of recorded cases of coronavirus in Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extended the work-from-home directive to all state public servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to Monday, February 1, 2021.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu’s directive was contained in a circular to members of the State Executive Council and all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies issued and signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, on Saturday.

    According to the governor, the directive on the extension of the resumption date for Grade Level 14 and below from January 18 to February 1 is part of efforts to curtail the spread of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

    The directive, however, excludes essential duty staff, as well as first responders.

    All public servants and residents of the state have, therefore, been urged to keep adhering to COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic in the shortest possible time.

    Public and private schools are, however, still scheduled to resume on January 18.

    As of Friday, Nigeria had recorded 1,867 new cases of COVID-19, making it the highest daily record in the country ever.

    Of the new cases, Lagos recorded its highest ever with 713 new infections followed by Plateau and the FCT with 273 and 199 cases respectively.

    The total caseload of the country now stands at 107,345.

    However, of the total cases, 84,535 persons have recovered and have been discharged from isolation centers.

    1,413 have died from the virus.

     

  • Covid-19: FG bans overcrowding, gives other condition as schools resume Monday

    Covid-19: FG bans overcrowding, gives other condition as schools resume Monday

    The Federal Government, on Thursday, banned overcrowding and large gatherings such as assemblies and visiting days, as schools reopen on Monday.

    It also put limitations to class sizes and hostel occupancy and asked the schools to ensure compulsory wearing of face masks by all students, teachers and workers, as well ensure temperature checks and put hand washing facilities in strategic locations in all schools

    The government also asked the school authorities to ensure constant supply of water and sanitisers, and make available functional health clinics with facilities for isolation and transportation of suspected cases to medical facilities.

    The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, gave the conditions in a statement by the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Bem Goong.

    According to him, the decision to maintain the resumption date is the aftermath of “extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including state governors, commissioners of education, proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students.”

    Adamu told parents and the respective institutions to ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

    The statement read in part, “Sequel to the hint given during the press briefing on January 12, 2021 for the review of the proposed resumption date of January 18, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Education has undertaken a comprehensive appraisal of the situation.

    “After extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including state governors, commissioners of education, proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students, the consensus of opinion is that the resumption date of January 18 should remain, while parents and respective institutions must ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

    “These measures, which are to ensure safe reopening of schools for academic activities, will be subject to constant review as we urge teachers, school administrators and other stakeholders to ensure strict compliance.”

    When asked how the government intends to curtail further spread of the virus with the planned resumption, Adamu school authorities would be asked to ensure strict compliance with existing and fresh guidelines that would be released.

    He added, “We shall be warning stakeholders, particularly school authorities to ensure strict compliance with protocols.

    “For instance, we will have no choice than to enforce compulsory use of face masks by teachers and students.

    “We will also make it clear that we shall be reviewing the situation from time to time after resumption with a view to taking necessary decisions.”

    Recall that the United Nations Children’s Fund had called on governments across the world to spare no effort to keep schools open or prioritise them in reopening plans despite the increasing cases of COVID-19.

  • Fresh hopes of resumption dashed as FG, ASUU meeting deadlocked again

    Fresh hopes of resumption dashed as FG, ASUU meeting deadlocked again

    The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are yet to reach an agreement on the union demands, according to Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment.

    He said this while addressing newsmen at the end of a closed-door conciliation meeting between Federal Government representatives and ASUU on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “There are three issues and these include the revitalisation fund where the government offered ASUU N20 billion, on good faith based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into in 2013 as a result of the renegotiation with the then government in 2009.

    “This present government is still committed to it, while we are giving them offers of some fund.

    “This government is not against revitalisation but this government says that because of the dare economic situation due to COV1D-19, we cannot really pay in the N110 billion which they are demanding for revitalisation.

    “We offered N20 billion as revitalization fund. On Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), the government offered N30 billion to all the unions in the universities, making it N50 billion altogether.

    “ASUU is saying that the N30 billion should be for lecturers alone, irrespective of the fact that there are three other unions. So there is a little problem there. We do not have any money to offer apart from this N30 billion,” he said.

    However, he said that the cardinal issue was the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) versus the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System(IPPIS).

    Ngige added that ASUU had submitted its document on UTAS for onward submission to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    “As you know last week, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy had approved that NITDA gets ASUU system (UTAS) and subject it to integrity test.

    “This test should be conducted without fear or favour and as early as possible. So today, they have submitted the document for onward transmission to NITDA.

    “One other issue that has arisen is the issue of the transition period. How do ASUU get the Earned Academic Allowances that is due to them and any other entitlement that government wants to pay them,” he said.

    He, therefore, noted that ASUU wanted an exemption from IPPIS.

    According to him, on the government side headed by the Accountant General of the Federation, we have said that IPPIS is the only government-approved payment platform.

    “So that is where were are for now. So we are all going back to our principals and they will receive via me the irreducible minimum of what the Federal Government has to offer.

    “The government side will meet on Friday and after that, they will communicate to ASUU and in communicating them, if there is a need for a meeting, a date will be fixed for it,” he said.

    Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President said that the union would wait for the Federal Government to meet on Friday and get back to the union by next week.