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FG responds to labour strike threat, says agreements being implemented

Published

3 months ago

February 10, 2024

FG responds to labour strike threat, says agreements being implemented

The Federal Government on Friday responded to the threat issued by the organised labour to declare a nationwide strike in the next two weeks.

It said it had so far demonstrated good faith in implementing the agreement it had with the workers over cushioning the hardship from fuel subsidy removal.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was tirelessly working to ensure that everything was done to address the needs and concerns of the nation.

She said, “We have shown good faith, government is committed to expedite full implementation of the MOU.

“This government acknowledges the challenges faced by Nigerians and has demonstrated sincerity in its ongoing negotiations with the trade unions”.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government over the non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the federal government on October 2, 2023.

In a statement jointly signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and his counterpart in the TUC, Festus Osifoh, the two labour centres threatened that if government failed to honour its part of the understanding within 14 days, the workers would down tool from 23rd of February, 2024.

They said government’s failure to uphold its end of the bargain was deeply regrettable and unacceptable to the Working people and the citizenry.

Reacting to allegations by the labour movement, the minister said government had progressively implemented the Memorandum of Understanding reached with the unions and had kept its doors open for further engagement to ensure that everything was done to address the needs and concerns of the nation.

Onyejeocha said all the agreements with labour were not implementable at once, urging labour leaders to give the government more time.

“These agreements, all of them are not going to be done the same day. Some can’t be done in two, three or four months. Like the CNG, it is a process that’s ongoing, and I’ve just told Nigerians what the CNG group has been doing in the last four months.

“We’ve commenced deliveries on those agreements. We’ve been reaching out to the organised labour because the President is committed to these agreements. He has good faith, that’s why we don’t want anybody to shut down the economy at any time because it will affect everybody.

“It’s like you want to pull down the whole roof of a house, meanwhile, you’re still inside the roof. We’re not shying away from implementing the agreements we’ve entered with the organised labour,” Onyejeocha said.

She listed the progress being made: “For example, the N35,000 wage award agreed upon between the government and organised labour is currently being implemented.

“However, we have received complaints regarding non-implementation in some public sector organisations as well as the private sector. The ministry is actively addressing these issues to ensure compliance across all sectors.

“Two days ago, I mediated between the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCEFWW), Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), the Federation of Construction Industries (FOCI) (Employers).

“Consequently, the parties have signed an agreement to resolve the issue.”

The minister also said, “Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has intervened in the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) matter with the Lagos State Government.

“As a result, up to 80 per cent of the agreement with the RTEAN management has been fulfilled, and ongoing efforts are in place to complete the remaining process.”

She said government had inaugurated a 37-member tripartite committee on national minimum wage which was mandated to recommend a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers, all in a bid to mitigate the hardship the Nigerian citizens are facing.

According to her, the organised labour has 12 members representing the working people in the committee.

In addition, Onyejeocha said government was actively implementing its plan to go green with the implementation of the Presidential CNG Initiative designed to alleviate the challenges arising from subsidy removal and transition Nigeria permanently to cheaper, safer and more reliable gas produced domestically for transport.

“In line with government’s ongoing commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians, provisions have also been made for an initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits as part of the commencement of the auto gas conversion programme.

“Development of the state-of-the-art CNG conversion centres nationwide is also ongoing with the aim to deliver one million converted bi-fuel CNG/PMS vehicles to enable transporters and mass transit operators convert their vehicles that run on PMS to gas (which is forty to fifty per cent cheaper than PMS).

“Additionally, the government through the Ministry of Finance is procuring up to 11,500 CNG vehicles including buses and tricycles that will be rolled out in fulfilment of the President’s promise by financing them at concessionary rate, even as production and assembly is ongoing locally and will be delivered in the next few months.

“We shall also liaise with the NNPCL to ensure that the visitation to the refineries for on-the-spot assessment of our refineries is done without further delay,” she said.

The minister pleaded for understanding by the leadership of the labour movement, adding that negotiations are often a gradual process, with resolutions unfolding in stages.

She said the government was assuring Nigerians of its continued commitment to addressing labour concerns and fulfilling all agreements as we move forward together.

“The government would also like to assure the organised labour of its commitment to maintaining open and constructive communication with them to foster positive labour relations and guarantee a supportive working environment for all workers,

“The government will continue to leverage on the principles of social dialogue, valuing the input of our social partners, with the goal of creating a better Nigeria for all.

“We strongly urge the organised labour to continue demonstrating prudence in their decisions and actions as the government works exceedingly hard to address the challenges currently faced by the nation,” she said.

Related Topics:Featured high cost of living Labour Nkrikuka Onyejeocha strike

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Several students abducted as bandits attack Kogi varsity

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

Confluence University of Science and Technology

Several students abducted as bandits attack Kogi varsity

On Thursday night, Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okene in Kogi, fell victim to bandits who abducted several students.

According to a witness who spoke with NAN, the bandits arrived around 9:00 p.m. while students were studying for their exams. They entered three lecture halls through the bushes and fired shots into the air, causing panic among the students.

“They trapped the students inside the halls and started taking them; the school was thrown into total confusion as fear-stricken students in other halls scurried to safety, scampering in various directions.

“By the time local security guards and the conventional security men at the gate engaged the bandits, they had already succeeded in abducting some students.

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“But the efforts minimised the damage as the attackers didn’t go beyond the first three halls,” the source said.

As per the source, the students were gearing up for their first semester examination scheduled to start on Monday, May 13, when the bandits attacked.

A student, speaking anonymously, revealed that he and several classmates sought refuge in the bushes, where they remained hidden for over an hour.

“We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he said.

CUSTEC vice-chancellor Abdulraman Asipita who confirmed the incident dis not give details of the number of students abducted.

“I don’t talk to journalists about incidents like this, but I want you to know that we are on top of the situation,” he said.

The police is yet to give comments.

Several students abducted as bandits attack Kogi varsity

metro

DSS state directors meet in Kano over security threats

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

DSS Operatives

DSS state directors meet in Kano over security threats

Security chiefs from the Directorate of State Services (DSS) convened in Kano State to address the escalating security challenges in the North West region and Nigeria.

Alhassan Muhammad, the DSS director in Kano, highlighted that the 14th Quarterly Conference of State Directors of Security in the North West Geopolitical Zone was convened under the directive of the DSS Director General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi. The aim was to tackle the spate of insecurity gripping the nation proactively.

Muhammad emphasized that the conference served as a platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing insights, and exploring innovative solutions to address the myriad security challenges prevalent in the region.

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He underscored the complexity of contemporary security concerns, ranging from cybersecurity threats to physical security challenges, terrorism, armed banditry, farmers’/herders clashes, youth restiveness, environmental tensions, and political disputes.

Muhammad stated, “The evolving security landscape necessitates collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning among security agencies and stakeholders.”

In his remarks, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf urged security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend individuals behind the country’s security challenges. He called for thorough intelligence gathering to uncover the perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations.

DSS state directors meet in Kano over security threats

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Kano Disco official narrates how he killed colleague over N3m

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

Sadiq Zubairu

Kano Disco official narrates how he killed colleague over N3m

A staff of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Saadiq Zubaru, has narrated how he allegedly killed Bello Adamu, his friend and colleague, after reportedly collecting N3 million to help him secure job at the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Recall that Adamu, a Kano resident, was declared missing after receiving what was supposed to be an urgent call from Saadiq.

Two days later, his corpse was found at a backstreet location in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano.

Abdullahi Abubakar, Adamu’s younger brother, had said that his late bother was at home around 12pm on Sunday, May 5, 2024, when he received an urgent call from Sadiq.

He said they were aware that Adamu had a job deal with some people and he was confident of securing the offer.

In a chat with Daily Trust, the deceased’s brother said, “Bello was desperately looking for a Federal Inland Revenue Service job offer. He was so hopeful. He was working with Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and wanted to join FIRS. And somebody was soliciting the offer for him.

“When he received a phone call in relation to the job offer, he asked his wife to bring his car key and went to the person waiting from him. Since then we never heard from him.

“Since he did not return that Sunday. We decided to track his calls. The last word of his conversation with the person on the other end was Alhamdulillah. From this we understood that he was lured into believing that the offer was ready made.”

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abdullahi Kiyawa, had told our correspondent that Zubairu had been arrested and investigation was ongoing.

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In a statement on Thursday night, Kiyawa gave further update on the matter.

“On 05/05/2024 at about 10:00 am, report was received from a resident of Zawaciki Quarters in Kumbotso LGA, Kano State that his elder brother, Bello Bukar Adam, a KEDCO staff, aged 45 years old of Zawaciki Housing Estate, Kano had left his home with his Toyota Corolla Motor Vehicle, Ash in Colour since on 04/05/2024 and his whereabouts is unknown.

‘’On the evening of the same date, there was a report that the deceased body of a male adult has been discovered abandoned at the outskirts of Eastern Bypass, around Bechi Village in Kumbotso LGA, Kano State. The body was removed from the scene by a team of crime-scene Policemen led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Kumbotso Division, SP Mustafa Abubakar, who brought the corpse to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where a Medical Doctor certified the body dead.’’

The statement added that on the developments, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Mohammed Usaini Gumel raised a team of detectives led by the Officer in Charge (O/C), Anti-Kidnapping Squad, SP Aliyu Mohammed Auwal and directed that the suspect’ be trailed and arrested within 24 hours.

“Accordingly, the team immediately swung into action and arrested one Sadiq Zubairu, aged 35 years old of Hotoron Arewa Quarters, Nassarawa LGA on 06/05/2024 at 9:00 am.”

“During preliminary investigations, the suspect confessed that he conspired with two others, and jointly lured the victim to his house who until his death were intimate friends. He narrated that he tied him up, and hit him with sticks and sharp iron on his head and other parts of his body until he became motionless. Thereafter, he loaded the motionless body inside the boot of the deceased’s vehicle, threw him off by the roadside along Eastern Bypass, around Bichi village and left away with the motor vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, 2015 Model including his Mobile Phone.

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“The suspect further confessed that what led to this regrettable incident was after he deceitfully collected the sum of three million naira (N3,000,000:00) from him on the pretext that he would secure a job offer for him. But having realised that he had no means of returning the money to him he hired two hefty guys, conspired with them killed him and hid the Motor Vehicle at a Garage in Hotoro Quarters, Kano. The Vehicle has since been however recovered by the Police.”

On Tuesday hundreds of relatives and well-wishers gathered at Gama B where Bello was buried.

The deceased’s brother said the family members were in severe pain because Adamu trusted Zubairu.

He said, “When Saadiq was sacked from KEDCO, Bello called him back. And they worked together. When Bello was promoted, he made sure Sadiq was reinstated. They worked together until his death. We saw him as our brother’s confidant and subordinate.”

The accused not our staff –KEDCO

Sani Bala, spokesperson of KEDCO, said the news of the passing of Malam Bello Bukar was very tragic and shocking, saying he was one of the most hardworking and dedicated officials of the company.

He said, “It was very shocking and sad for the company. He was one of the most hardworking and dedicated staff of the company. Honestly the deceased and the suspect had a cordial working relationship, even though the suspect was not our staff at the time of the incident.

“The cause of the death is currently being investigated by the police. But we understood that it is a personal thing between them not official. The accused is not our staff.”