By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Sunday decried their alleged exclusion by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the ongoing fuel subsidy negotiation with the Federal Government.

They stated this in a statement signed by Dr Basil Yelwa Musa and Malam Haruna Maigida, its convener and co-convener respectfully and released in Abuja.

They said any agreement the NLC reaches with the Federal Government without carrying them along would not be acceptable.

The coalition which comprises of 65 different organisations added that that any negotiation done in the absence of CSOs would only end up serving the interest of NLC with about 35.6 million workers, leaving out 175.4 million Nigerians not captured.

The CSOs raised concern about the proposed salary increment by NLC for the workers without factoring palliatives for the citizens in the informal sector.

They said given that it is the CSOs that know the depth of hash condition Nigerians are going through, they therefore called on the Federal Government to stop further negotiation with NLC until the CSOs are co-opted into it.

They called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume and other key government officials involved in the negotiation to immediately draft the CSOs and other stakeholders to an all-encompassing discussion that will provide a lasting solution.

They described as backstabbing, the turn of events when the NLC’s current leaders chose to hold meetings with the representatives of the Federal Government without them.

They recalled that in the times past, CSOs were drafted into the struggle to protest when there were breaches of agreements with the Federal Government.

They called on the Federal Government to investigate the discrepancies recorded in the subsidy figures during the last administration and the current one.

“In the history of Nigeria, this is the first time, the fuel subsidy was removed with dare consequences as petroleum pump price surged to over 35 per cent with its attendant hike in food stuff and other commodities.

“This, the CSOs viewed as unsustainable as Nigerians can no longer live their average life due to difficulties.

“The coalition also called on the Federal Government to probe all fuel subsidy payments for the past years and ensure that all illegal payments are recovered for servicing of the country.

“This becomes necessary as the latest figure showed a drastic reduction in the consumption of litres of fuel per day, after fuel subsidy was scrapped by President Bola Tinubu on May 29.

“The coalition insists that it remains a mystery for litres of petrol consumption to have dropped from 66 million per day to 40 million.

“Investigation into activities of fuel subsidies will reveal the threshold of scam that has been existing in the oil and gas industry for several years which Nigerians are interested to see further reasons the subsidy should be removed,” they said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The South African Government has sought the collaboration of the Nigerian Government on mutually beneficial infrastructure development through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).

This is contained in a statement signed by Manji Yarling, Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in Abuja on Friday.

The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Tharmi Mseleku disclosed this when he led a team of officials on a courtesy visit to the Director-General of ICRC, Mr Michael Ohiani.

Mseleku said that although both Nigeria and South Africa were learning from each other in implementing PPPs, there was a need for both nations to rekindle their collaboration and take it to a greater height.

“We are here to get the information about the kind of infrastructure that is envisaged to be developed through PPPs because we have the capacity to support, both from the financing and technical point of view,” he said.

Mseleku said that the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) was part of the financiers of the Kano-Maradi rail project, adding that the bank was willing to do more in the area of financing.

“The DBSA is not the only one looking to finance infrastructure from that perspective, they have the capability to also support the post-contract processes.

“We came to have a conversation so that we can open the doors to rekindle the relationship. South Africa is open for business,” he said.

Responding, Ohiani noted that the relationship between both countries on PPPs dated back to the inception of ICRC when members of staff went on a study tour of the South African PPP institutions.

It said the director-general hinted that from then on, the commission had recorded great milestones with many PPP projects already underway.

“Over the years, we now have 82 ongoing PPP projects that we are regulating.

“From 2010 to date the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved 102 PPP projects that are worth N10.8 trillion to be invested in by the private sector.

“We have been able to achieve a lot in terms of using PPP to deliver on the infrastructure needs of the country,” he said.

Ohiani told the envoy that the commission had established a PPP training institute called the Nigerian Institute for Infrastructure and PPP (NII3P).

He said the institute offered training on PPPs, adding that an MBA in PPP programme was also available in the institute in partnership with the Malaysian University for Science and Technology.

Ohiani notified the High Commissioner that some South African companies were already engaged in PPPs in Nigeria while some others had indicated interest.

“We look forward to having further collaborations especially as it relates to the Africa PPP Network (AP3N) which is scheduled to hold in South Africa later in the year,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Third Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Gwagwalada and District Society, Musa Dala has called on government to harmonise wages for civil servants to discourage corruption.

Dala spoke during the investiture of the third Chairman and inauguration of Executive Committee of ICAN Gwagwalada and District Society on Saturday in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory.

He said there was need for the removal of fuel subsidy, saying that the Nigerian economy had suffered for a very long time.

Dala also said that government should consider harmonising civil servants wages, saying that the disparities in the wages were not encouraging.

“Because the wages system of the country encourages corruption. So if we allow this kind of wages to continue there is no way to go,” he said.

On his acceptance speech, Dala said that his team would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor and lift ICAN Gwagwalada and District Society to a higher level.

Similarly, the guest speaker of the occasion, Prof. Obida Wafure said that the removal of fuel subsidy was a welcome development.

Speaking on the topic, “Petroleum subsidy removal and the Nigeria economy”, Wafure said that the subsidy removal would reduce government borrowing and the associated huge debt.

“It will free resources for investment to other critical sectors of the economy, such as education, health, infrastructure, security and power.

“Reduce incentive for smuggling and associate risk. It will encourage investors into the petroleum sector to boost the economy,” he added.

On the possible solutions to fuel subsidy, Wafure said that there is need for a full deregulation of the downstream sector and complete removal of petroleum subsidy.

“Remove fuel subsidy and provide credible evidence based policies. Government should redesign the subsidy regime and direct it towards the poor.

“Increase minimum wage and increase monthly income threefold for Pay As You Earn (P.A.Y.E),” he said.

Earlier, the immediate past Chairman, Chimezie Ogu highlighted the achievements of his one year tenure.

Ogu said that during the tenure, the executive under his leadership was able to set a relevant, customised system of accounting in order to enable the District consciously practice the profession effectively.

“We earnestly embarked and built a healthy corporate image of the District within, at zonal and national levels, this is to attract responsible numerical and financial growth.

“You may recall, during my inaugural speech, I promised to ensure a District corporate office. As I speak, we have a contact Secretariat office among other achievements,” he said.

On his part, the 59th President of ICAN, Prof. Innocent Okwuosa advised the newly inaugurated executive to work as a team in the interest of ICAN and Nigeria in general.

Represented by by Mrs Qeensley Seghosime, the 2nd Deputy Vice President, ICAN, Okwuosa said that the executive had to demonstrate integrity and accountability at all times.

“They have to demonstrate integrity at all times, they have to demonstrate accountability at all times, they have to work together as a family.

“Because that is the essence of team work to be able to deliver on their mandates,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 13-member Executive Committee under the leadership of Dala, will run the ICAN affairs in the next one year. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Constance Athekame

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) said it had provided power supply to over 700 households and businesses in Danchitagi community in Niger to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

Mr Ahmad Salihijo, Managing Director of the agency said this while inspecting the project on Saturday in Danchitagi

He said that the 200 Kilo Watts peak (KWp) was deployed under the Performance Based Grant programme of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).

Salihijo said that the project was part of the programme of the Solar Hybrid Mini Grid component of the NEP under World Bank.

He said that the project was a clear demonstration of how government and the private sector can work closely to bring relief to the people as most of them relied on generators to carry out their daily activities.

According to him, while government provided the grant, PowerGen brought in their technical expertise to develop the mini grid.

“The visit to the site and from the feed backs we are getting, most people in this community rely on generators.

“With this mini grid, the people in the community will buy less fuel and what this means is that with the subsidy removal, this will serve as a palliative to help them cushion the effect of the removal.

“The kind of impact seen here is clear that there is productive use of the power system as we have seen a rice mill, a barber  shop and a cold room and other households connected to the grid, ”he said.

Salihijo said that what REA needed to do with PowerGen was to see how to expand the system to serve more users.

“We are working hard to ensure expansion of the project, based on power supply brought into the community a lot of people are moving in.

“But one good thing is that as long as it remains profitable, the company will continue to provide their expertise to ensure supply to the community,” he said.

Salihijo said that REA had a monitoring and evaluation team that goes round quarterly to ensure effective usage of projects.

He said that the potential of the project was massive and was of great benefit to the community.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) commended the Federal Government for providing them power supply.

Mr Jibrin Giwa said that the project brought relief to them as they no longer need generators to do their businesses.

Giwa said that the community has been enjoying power for over six months and they were grateful to the Federal Government.

On his part, Mr Mahmud Mohammed, a fashion designer said that using the power provided by the mini grid was better and cheaper than using generators. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ruth Oketunde

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) , Nyanya-Mararaba and District Society, has inaugurated new executives to steer its affairs.

The ten-member executive committee, headed by its third Chairman Yahaya Akeem will be in office for one year.

Speaking during the investiture on Saturday in Abuja, Akeem appreciated his members for granting him and other executives the opportunity to lead the district society.

He said that transparency as well as accountability, being the watchword of ICAN, would guide them as they take up the mantle of affairs of the district society.

“For people to entrust one with this type of position, it means that they believe in your capability and capacity.

“They believe in your level of professionalism and they believe you can deliver.

“Over the years, we have shown that we are accountable, transparent and we do things according to rules and regulations.

“ICAN has a value which is accountability and transparency, I will lead by example and I will make sure that I am accountable and transparent in all my dealings,” he said.

Dr Innocent Okwuosa, the 59th ICAN President, represented by Dr Oyemolu Akinsulire, Member, Governing Council, ICAN, called on the federal and state governments to engage more accounting professionals to handle the affairs of the nation’s economy.

“Engage us, if you do not know who to select, we will select for you, we have our members who are also in politics, please make use of them,” he added.

Dr Mansur Liman, Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the special guest of honour, urged accountants in the country to be professional and carry out their duties with integrity.

Liman, represented by Mr Ibrahim Bako, Director, Finance and Accounts, FRCN, also called on accountants to come up with new innovations that would assist upcoming and aspiring accountants in meeting up with global best practices.

“The modern world is greatly witnessing advancement in technology and globalisation and that has actually reshaped the way accounting professionals work.

“It is important to draw attention for us to be at the top of our profession and that can only happen if we adapt and evolve.

“That requires continuous trainings and promoting the essence and values that the institute is known for.

“That is professionalism, integrity and excellence,” he said.

For his part, Mr Michael Adeagbo, immediate past chairman of the district society, urged the new exco to continue with the ongoing projects initiated by the past executives.

“What we seriously wanted to achieve during our tenure was the land purchase for us to have our own secretariat.

“That is actually the major area that I will want them to focus on; however, God has helped us to increase the numbers of members in the last year,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Angela Okisor/Kayode Olaitan

Ehigimetor Igbaugba

Five persons  were feared dead on Saturday after a speed boat capsized in Calabar waterways.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the boat capsized on its way to Oron in Akwa Ibom.

A senior naval officer attached to the Eastern Naval Command, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident and said that the command played a major role in rescuing some of the victims.

“The Navy partook in the rescue mission, we at least rescued 14 of them.

“I can’t give you the exact position of the boat because we only rushed for the rescue mission, but I’m sure the command will soon release a statement to this effect,” he stated.

NAN gathered that 20 persons boarded the boat at Marina in Calabar.

It, however, capsized minuets after sailing from Calabar Marina yard. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Angela Okisor/Idris Abdulrahman

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has moved to London after concluding the two-day summit in France on Friday.

A statement by Mr Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, said Tinubu would be in London on a private visit.

The president was in Paris for the New Global Financing Pact summit organised by President Emmanuel Macron, which ended on Friday.

Alake said that aside participating in the summit, Tinubu also held high-profile sideline meetings with fellow heads of state and government, global business leaders and chief executives of leading multilateral and development finance institutions.

He said that the summit afforded the president the opportunity of projecting his advocacy for widening the fiscal space, economic justice for Africa as the world accelerates the pace of energy transition, and the urgency of addressing the pressing issues of poverty and climate change.

“President Tinubu, who was initially scheduled to be back in Abuja on Saturday, will now proceed to London, United Kingdom, for a short private visit.

“The President will be back in the country in time for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Rotary Club of Abuja CBD has inaugurated three toilets and construction of two classrooms for the Central Primary School Gidan Gimba, in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.

The President of the club, Mr Max Amuchie, inaugurated the project in company of other members of the club along with the head of the community.

Amuchie said the club found it necessary to build the toilets for the school to prevent the pupils and staff from practicing open defecation.
He said that open defecation in this modern age was unhealthy and could breed diseases. So the club decided to build three toilets, one for the boys one for the girls and one for  staff.
“The facilities were built in Gidan Gimba because it was the adopted community of the club.
“In rotary club , every rotary club has an adopted community, a community you adopt that you go for humanitarian work, do outreach.
“They are lucky to have rotary as a partner not all communities are so lucky and as I have also said they should try and maintain what we have provided for them,” he said.
He said that the project was the second in the community, noting that the club had sunk and commissioned a borehole there in 2020.

He said the borehole was not running at the moment because its engine was faulty and would soon be repaired to pipe water from there to the toilets.

Speaking on other humanitarian activities of the club he said,   in 2022 Abuja CBD had  partnered with the other rotary clubs to impact the lives of other communities.
He said that these included medical outreach in Sabon Lugbe Community and eye testing and screening and eye glass donation in Utako village in FCT
“Those are two times we went outside our community,” he said.

He called on the government’s representatives at different levels to rise up to their responsibility in providing needed social amenities for the people, especially in  the community.

Speaking on what government should do as an intervention for the lack of facilities in the community, the club president said the community had representatives at every level of government.

“For us when we see a gap we try to fill it to the best of our ability we cannot do everything and we cannot go to all communities.
“We are limited in scope, this is our adopted community so what you have seen here is the effort of our club members and our friends.
`’Hopefully by the incoming rotary year the main building will be completed and it will be commissioned as well.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amuchie’s tenure will end by June 30, as a new President will be elected on July 1, the club conducts elections and change leadership annually.

Speaking, Rotarian Nwaneka Ibekwe urged the children to use the facilities properly and help their community into a better community.
“What we have done is part of what we call SDG role, which as education, clean water and sanitation which are important for children.”
On her part, Mrs Martha Galadima, the Head teacher of the school was full of gratitude to the club for coming to their aid in providing  the toilet facilities.
“Before now both the teachers and the children go to the bush, they will urinate at the back of the class, we give God the glory for  what you people have done for us.
“So we still are crying for more so that they will come and finish the rest of the work for us.
“Presently we have only two classrooms, class  one to four use one class and class five and six use one class, no space for us no classes, and we have just two teachers for the whole school” Galadima said.
Earlier the Seriki of the community, Chief Danjuma Audi and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman, Mr Muhammed Poyi appreciated the club for its good work

The Seriki assured the club that the facilities would be judiciously used and maintained.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola