News
Retired teachers shut A’ Ibom road over pension, gratuity arrears
Pensioners under the aegis of the Retired Primary School Teachers and Next of Kin of Deceased Teachers, on Wednesday, blocked the IBB Way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to protest against non-payment of their arrears and gratuities.
They also expressed sadness at the non-refund of the 7.5 per cent deducted from their salaries while in service.
The group displayed placards with different inscriptions, including, ‘Accountant General, pay us our pension arrears,’ ‘Emmanuel, save our souls,’ ‘The agonies of retired primary school teachers and widows/next of kin of deceased primary school teachers,’ among others.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the group, Rev. Felix Cookey, and Mr Benjamin Benson, respectively, the protesters lamented that after a verification exercise, only N600m was released for gratuities out of the arrears of N28.8bn.
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Speaking on unpaid pensions, the chairman said it was “unthinkable” for the governor to withhold their only source of livelihood since 2015.
“Early this year, the government carried out a verification exercise to ascertain the actual number of retired teachers, both living and late ones.
“In the course of the verification, 3,503 living teachers were duly verified and 1,479 late cases, with the total number standing at 4,982 with financial involvement of N28.8bn.
“Out of this number, only about 118 living teachers and 163 late cases were paid within batches 1, 2, 3, and the amount of money used is about N600m.
“This amount is grossly inadequate and going by the trend, it means that the governor will not finish 2011 living and 2014 late cases,” he added.
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Cookey noted that teachers who retired in 2015 were owed 10 months’ arrears from July 2015 to April 2016.
Efforts to speak with the state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr Ini Ememobong, proved abortive, as his lines were switched off as of the time of filing this report.
Punch
News
NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, marketers deny allegations
NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, marketers deny allegations
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has attributed the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country to panic buying and sharp practices by some petroleum marketers. However, petroleum marketers have refuted these claims, asserting that inadequate supply is the primary reason for the persistent scarcity.
The NNPC has assured the public that fuel queues across the country will dissipate by next week, affirming that it possesses sufficient fuel reserves to resolve the scarcity issue. This statement comes in response to concerns raised by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other stakeholders regarding the scarcity of petroleum products.
Earlier assurances from the NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, indicated that the corporation had over 1.5 billion litres of petroleum products available, enough to last for at least 30 days. However, some individuals were allegedly exploiting the situation for profit.
Despite these assurances, petroleum marketers argue that they are not responsible for the persistent fuel scarcity, as they are not the importers of petrol. According to the National Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, blaming marketers for hoarding petrol is unfounded, as they can only divert the product if it is available.
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Furthermore, Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, emphasized that independent marketers operate their businesses to maximize profit and return on investment. He highlighted the challenges faced by marketers in ensuring product availability and dismissed allegations of sharp practices.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, acknowledged the existence of sharp practices within the oil sector but argued that it is too simplistic to attribute the fuel scarcity solely to such practices.
To address the fuel scarcity effectively, stakeholders emphasize the need for increased distribution of petroleum products by regulatory authorities. They also call for the involvement of security agencies to deter profiteering and ensure fair distribution to consumers across the country.
NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, marketers deny allegations
News
Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters
Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters
Lagos State Government has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to illegal squatters at abandoned Ikoyi Towers, Lagos Island to evacuate.
The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the notice on Saturday, during an inspection of some identified sites, including the abandoned Federal Government property, Ikoyi Towers.
The Ikoyi Towers, located behind the abandoned Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, comprise of three blocks of 12 floors, tagged: A, B and C.
Wahab said the quit notice has become necessary to protect lives which is the primary function of any responsible and responsive government.
According to him, “Apart from constituting an environmental nuisance, they are security risk to the state which can be used as hideouts for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious acts.
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“Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is passionate about the well-being and safety of all citizens and would spare nothing to ensure these ate achieved.”
The occupants of the building, who are largely security personnel, appealed to the commissioner to give more time inorder to make proper arrangement for relocation as they have no place to go immediately.
One of the occupants, who simply identified himself as Mallam Abubakar, from Ilorin, Kwara State, said he is a Police Spy, and moved into the building in November 2023.
According to Abubakar,”The agent collected N200, 000, one off rent from each of the occupant, numbering hundreds of us.
“We have our families here. Our children are in schools. Where do we go from here? Government should have compassion on us this harsh economy.”
Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters
News
Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers
Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers
President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association to devise ways of producing vehicles that would be affordable for all categories of Nigerians.
He said this is necessary as the government rolls out consumer credit for millions of Nigerians to purchase vehicles and other important goods and services.
He also urged the delegation to ensure that locally manufactured vehicles are of the highest standard that would stand the test of time, and complement the government’s efforts in revitalising the automotive industry.
Tinubu said this when he received a delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association in Aso Rock presidential villa on Friday, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.
The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, met the members led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Friday in Abuja.
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The delegation had earlier notified the President of their efforts to start manufacturing vehicle and spare parts in Nigeria.
He said that a legislative bill to drive the automotive industry was being drafted and reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
They emphasised the need to develop the industry, which would create massive employment for youths and ease the burden on the much-needed foreign exchange.
The delegation consisted of the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin.
Others are the representatives of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), as well as Executive Directors of Stallion Group, Toyota/CEAO and NISSAN.
Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers
(NAN)
NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, marketers deny allegations
FG threatens to stop funding tertiary institutions with poor performance
Don’t impose assistants on Finidi — Udeze warns NFF
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