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Tag: two weeks

  • Air traffic controllers suspend proposed strike for two weeks

    Air traffic controllers suspend proposed strike for two weeks

    Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has announced the suspension of its planned strike and any other actions for the next two weeks.

    The group in a statement on Wednesday said the decision was taken after a meeting with MD/CEO of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) where it was agreed that a four-man follow-up and implementation group be submitted by NATCA to work with the management team in looking into their demands.

    Find below the full statement of the group.

    Sequel to the operational flow control embarked upon by our esteemed professional association on the 23rd November 2021 and the numerous calls and interventions by well-meaning Nigerians, the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) wishes to communicate and clarify the following:

    1. That it embarked on Air Traffic Flow Control because an operational ATC flow control is part of the tools recognised by ICAO, and used worldwide in the event that there exist a deficiency or inability of the ATM system to deliver a safe, efficient and effective ATC service.
    1. That NATCA decided to embark on such process and to use such tool, after a deliberate due diligence indicated that due to some failures in the ATM system, it’s members could no longer guarantee the delivery of a safe, efficient and effective ATC service.
    1. That as a consequence of the death of one of our member on active duty under conditions which the executive council considers unacceptable by all standards, and the resultant trauma suffered by his immediate colleagues causing real apathy in its ranks due to perceived negligence on part of management.

    As a consequence of the above, the executive council agreed that, as a disciplined and responsible body, it cannot allow it’s members to operate to full capacity under such stringent and inadequate conditions, hence we decided that a reduced capacity is better, so as to safeguard and maintain a semblance of the safety standards established by ICAO SARPs and NCAR in the system.

    It is important that we clarify the above so as to correct some misinformation being reported.

    As a fallout of our actions, the MD/CEO of NAMA requested for a meeting with NATCA EXCO.

    The meeting discussed extensively all the issues highlighted by NATCA and it was agreed that a 4-man follow-up and implementation group be submitted by NATCA to work with management team immediately.

    That management of NAMA will immediately implement 3 crucial demands from NATCA as a show of goodwill as others are being worked on for implementation.

    That as a sign of reciprocating management’s action, NATCA shall suspend all further action on all forms of reactions as it further engages management on implementation.

    That the MD/CEO shall be the direct head of the implementation group.

    In consideration of all of the above, NATCA has agreed to suspend any further protests or actions for 2 weeks pending the outcome of the implementation of the 3 items agreed to.

    NATCA had earlier on Tuesday lamented poor working conditions and threatened industrial action following the death of their colleague, Aniekan Effiong Inuk, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The group said they have lost nine members on active service due to stress-related health complications which seem associated with poor working conditions and inadequate staffing.

    They announced the commencement of three-hour flow control for two days affecting flight operations in the country.

  • I can visit Daura every two weeks and no one can stop me – Buhari

    I can visit Daura every two weeks and no one can stop me – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged businessmen and contractors that benefit from government patronage to give back to the society by engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility.

     

    The president, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, stated during a visit to the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Faruk Umar, at his Palace, in Daura on Friday.

     

    “We don’t want cheques from anyone or organisation as returns or influence of any kind. Let them remember their Corporate Social Responsibilities,” he said.

     

    He noted that he would love to visit Daura more frequently, but for the high cost of presidential movements and exposing security personnel to the weather, assuring that his heart remains with the people.

     

    “We are known for farming and I have my farm here. I could come every two weeks and no one can stop me. But the cost to the movement is high.

     

    ”I would rather that it be used to better our schools, clinics and hospitals,” he said.

     

    The president said the grace of God had kept Nigeria together as a country in spite of differences that led to a 30 months civil war.

     

    “We want to thank God always for keeping us together as a country.

     

    ”From January 15, 1966, the country was thrown into political crisis. We had a 30 months civil war that resulted in the loss of about a million lives.

     

    “We still thank God for keeping us together. We remain grateful to all those who showed interest in our unity and progress. May God continue to bless them,” he added.

     

    The president, who recalled fond memories of visiting the Palace as a military Head of State, expressed happiness that the warmth and hospitality of the traditional institution had been sustained over the years.

     

    In his remarks, the Emir of Daura, thanked the president for always creating time to visit his hometown and the palace in spite of the tight schedule.

     

    “Your visit to Daura reflects your good character which we are very proud of.

     

    ”I can assure you that men, women, children, marketers and artisans are always pleased to receive you and they will be praying for you.

     

    “Today is not for speeches but for appreciation. We have been blessed so much as a community because you are the leader of the country. You have brought honour to our domain.

     

    ”As a community, we have benefited a lot with increased traffic of people and organisations coming to help us here. We know it’s because of you.

     

    “May the good Lord always go before you and behind you, and remove all obstacles from your path,” he added.

     

    The Emir said the President must remain focused in getting results particularly in securing the country.

     

    “Nigeria is lucky to have you at this time. I am not saying it to please you, but if you had not been in power it would have been very difficult. I doubt if we will be here today,” he added.

     

    At the meeting, the Emir publicly announced conferment of the title of Talban Daura on Yusuf Buhari, son of President Buhari.

     

    He said a date would be announced for the turbaning ceremony of the President’s son.

     

    The Emir also announced creation of a District in the community of the president, with headquarters in Dimurkol.

     

    He said the turbaning of young Buhari and creation of the district was to further extend and deepen the long relationship between the Palace and the family.

     

    He said the decision was in agreement with the kingmakers in Daura Emirate Council.

     

    During the visit, the Palace used the opportunity to clarify the difference between two titles, Talban Hausa, given to Alpha Conde, the President of Guinea and Talban Daura designated for Yusuf, the president’s son.

     

    The palace explained that Daura, as the linchpin of the Hausa society had conferred ”titles that have bearing on the Hausa Kingdom and those that are specific to the Emirate.”

  • Tanker explosion: Fashola assesses damages, gives traders along Airport Road Flyover two weeks to vacate

    Tanker explosion: Fashola assesses damages, gives traders along Airport Road Flyover two weeks to vacate

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola on Thursday gave artisans plying their trade along the burnt section of the Lagos Airport Road flyover two weeks to vacate the area.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Flyover which spans the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway project being reconstructed, was engulfed by fire when a petrol tanker burst into flames on Jan. 7.

    Following the incident the Federal government immediately shut the bridge and on Jan. 8 warned the public to stay off the Airport Road Flyover pending the determination of its structural safety.

    Fashola during inspection of the bridge examined the walls of the burnt piers before going round to educate the traders on the dangers of carrying out commercial activities in the vicinity thereby, damaging road infrastructure.

    He told the traders that street trading jeopardised both their safety and that of the road and gave the traders and artisans two weeks to vacate the area around the flyover.

    He advised them to relocate to the Matori Industrial Estate in Ladipo purposely built by the Jakande government for commercial activities.

    “This is not a market, you don’t do business on the road, I am giving you two weeks to vacate this place,” he said.

    Fashola told journalists that “two weeks was reasonable time for trespassers” to vacate the highway.

    He added that work would soon commence on the service lanes of the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki rehabilitation/reconstruction project where 20 kilometers of work had been completed.

    Speaking on the fire that engulfed the bridge, Fashola said that integrity test carried out on the bridge showed the level of damages to both the bridge deck and its pier.

    He explained that efforts were in place to repair the bridge to make it safe again for use.

    “That Airport Road Flyover will not be available for some time,” he said.

    He said that he had directed the FRSC to carry out investigation and provide information on cause of accident and owner of the vehicle, adding that, they will face sanctions if found guilty.

    He added that measures were in place to work with the office of the Attorney General of the Federation on prosecution of reckless articulated vehicle drivers causing avoidable accidents and fires destroying roads and bridges in Lagos State.

    Fashola also said that the Federal Government was going to liaise with the Lagos State Government on training and retraining of drivers towards attitude change.

    He added that road signages would be increased on Lagos highways stating that preliminary investigations by experts revealed that the articulated vehicles accidents and fires were caused by speeding.

    He listed bridges recently destroyed by fire in Lagos to include the Kara, Otedola and Obalende bridges.

    Earlier, the Director, Bridges and Designs, Mr Emmanuel Adeoye, while making his presentation told the minister that a Pier on the burnt Airport Road Flyover was “badly affected by the fire”

    Also, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Okukayode Popoola explained traffic diversion arrangements on ground through Oshodi for those hurrying to catch flights at the airport.

    The minister was accompanied on the trip by the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide and law enforcement agencies who received directives on traffic and security around the flyover.

  • Alleged corruption: EFCC obtains court order to detain Fayose for two weeks

    …as ex-gov threatens to sue anti-graft agency

    Indications emerged on Wednesday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a remand order from a Federal Capital Territory High Court to keep former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State for two weeks.

    The remand order, it was learnt, is subject to renewal which implies that Fayose could spend longer than two weeks in custody.

    A reliable source said, “We have obtained a court order to hold Fayose for at least two weeks pending investigation. He could be released earlier or later than two weeks depending on the outcome of investigation.”

    Fayose is under probe for allegedly receiving N1.3bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, during the build-up to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    However, sources within the commission said that Fayose was also under probe for allegedly receiving kickbacks from government contractors through his aide, Abiodun Agbele, who is currently standing trial for fraud.

    The EFCC source said, “We have many cases against Fayose being handled by three different teams. We cannot just arraign him immediately. We want to do a thorough job before taking him to court.”

    Meanwhile, the lawyer to Fayose, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), insisted that if the EFCC failed to release the former governor on Thursday (today), the commission would be sued for breaching Fayose’s fundamental human rights.

    Ozekhome said the EFCC began investigating Fayose over two years ago and that he wondered why the agency would decide to hold him for over 24 hours.

    He said the commission could not force Fayose to write any statement as he reserved the right to remain silent.

    The senior advocate said any move to obtain a remand order would amount to illegality because the Supreme Court had made that clear.

    The lawyer said since Fayose’s accounts had been frozen and his properties seized by the commission, there was nothing for the ex-governor to tell the EFCC as the matter was already in court.

    Ozekhome added, “His lawyers will consider approaching the court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights if he is not released on Thursday. Section 35 and 36 of the constitution are clear on this.

    “He is not a flight risk. He willingly submitted himself to the EFCC even earlier than the time he was supposed to come. What the EFCC is doing is nothing but media trial.

    “From the way they have been chasing Fayose in the last three years, one would have expected that the EFCC would have completed its investigations and would arrest him immediately his tenure expires and charge him the next day but that is not the case.

    “They want him to write a statement by force and then use the statement against him instead of using their own evidence.”

     

  • Osinbajo extends N-Power application by two weeks

    Osinbajo extends N-Power application by two weeks

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has extended the 2017 N-Power application by two weeks.

    According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Afolabi Imoukhuede, the application portal will now close on July 27.

    The Acting President, while extending the two-week grace period, assured Nigerians that the selection process would be transparent.

    The statement said the Federal Government engaged 200,000 young Nigerians in the N-Power Volunteer Corps Programme.
    Under the scheme, which is one of the components of the government’s Social Investment Programme, 500,000 youths are expected to be engaged.

    While 200,000 were employed in the first phase, the portal was reopened on June 13 for the applications to fill the remaining 300,000 vacancies.

    Despite the high number of the applications, however, Osinbajo said the government would stick to the 500,000 target for now.

    He said a decision on whether to increase the figure in the future would depend on government’s resources.

    The acting President said, “Already, 200,000 young people have been engaged. And since the programme was opened, another 2.3 million have applied and we are looking at the next phase of engagement.