Bulk of education budget spent on public varsities’ 10,500 profs – FG [PUNCH]
The Federal Government on Wednesday lambasted the Academic Staff Union Universities for refusing to call off its six-month strike.
The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, in an interview with The PUNCH in Abuja, said the bulk of education budget was being spent on 10,500 professors in Nigeria’s public universities.
Faulting ASUU’s request for more funds, the minister said the union should realise that no sector in the country was getting enough money.
He also said the union’s penchant for strike was driving public school students abroad and to private universities.
Following their disagreement with the Federal Government over non-implementation of 2009 agreements and opposition to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, which government insisted all workers must adopt, the lecturers on March 23 began an indefinite strike.
On Friday, the Federal Government directed all educational institutions to resume on Monday next week as the spread of COVID-19, which necessitated the shutting down of the schools had reduced.
But on Monday, the President of ASUU, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, told The PUNCH that no member of the union would resume because they could not work on an empty stomach.
In the interview with The PUNCH, the minister of state for education said ASUU could not blame government for not running universities well, saying the institutions were run by the union members.
According to him, the bulk of the money that is being budgeted for education is paid to the 10,500 professors, out of the 71,000 lecturers in Nigeria.
He said, “Actually, there have been a lot of people asking me as minister what I think is the real intention of ASUU. If you look at it critically, what ASUU is achieving by this (strike) is driving students to private universities and out of the country.
“There is nothing that is now an issue. Even if you say universities are not well run, it is ASUU members that run them. If you say there is no enough money given to education, there is no enough money given to anything in Nigeria.
“The bulk of the money that is in education is paid to these professors. There are 71,000 lecturers in Nigeria alone, with 10,500 of them as professors. There are some countries that don’t have up to 2000 (professors).”
“So, it is not enough to simply say we should bring more money; from where? The 2020 budget, underperformed as low as 62 per cent. We didn’t even collect revenue, there were no companies functioning to pay taxes.”
Although the minister said the bulk of education budget was being spent on university professors, he did not specify the amount being spent on the payment of the academics.
Tenant kills Anambra landlord over allegation of womanizing [PUNCH]
A 21-year-old tenant, Onyemachi Mmaju, has allegedly killed his landlord, Nonso Oyiboka, in Ogidi, i Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State.
It was gathered that trouble began when the landlord confronted Onyemachi for always bringing women into the house.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Not comfortable with that, Onyemachi went into the house and came out with a knife and attacked the landlord. In the process, he stabbed Oyiboka in the back.
“Before people could come to rescue him, the landlord was already on the floor with blood all over his body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died. The police later came and arrested Onyemachi and some others.”
The police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident, stating that it happened around 3am on Wednesday
Mohammed said, “There was a report of the alleged murder of a landlord, one Nonso Umeadi Oyiboka, aged 35, of Ogidi Ani-Etiti in the Idemili North LGA of Anambra State by his tenant, one Onyemachi Mmaju, 21, of the same address.
“Following the report, police operatives attached to the Ogidi Division, led by the DPO, Ekuri Remigius, visited the scene and rushed the victim, who was found in a pool of his own blood, to the Iyi Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, for medical attention, where he was pronounced dead by the medical doctor on duty. The corpse was deposited in the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy.
“A careful observation of the deceased’s body revealed stab wound on his back, while a blood-stained knife allegedly used in perpetrating the act was recovered as exhibit from the scene.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased allegedly had a minor quarrel with the suspect over the bringing of too many women into the compound, and this eventually led to a scuffle, which resulted in the deceased being stabbed to death.”
However, in 2018, the Federal Government budgeted N605.8bn for education, while in 2019, N620.5bn was allocated for the sector. In 2020, N671.1bn was earmarked for education.
Berating the union further, Nwajiuba said ASUU should cooperate with government and other Nigerians to fix the economy.
According to him, Nigeria is not inventing anything. He added that everybody depended on revenue from 1.5 million barrels of crude oil produced by the country.
He stated, “Not that Nigeria is inventing anything. Everybody is waiting for these 1.5 million barrels of crude oil. They sell them and they become the source of revenue for everybody; the source of dollars and the source of buying new cars.
Lagos, Oyo, Edo protesters reject IGP’s reform, demand F–SARS scrapping [PUNCH]
Some youths, under the aegis of the Gavel, a non-governmental organisation, stormed the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Wednesday to reject the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu’s reform of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad and demanded the scrapping of the unit.
The protesters chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards with different inscriptions such as, ‘#END SARS NOW’, ‘I AM NOT A CRIMINAL #ENDSARS’, ‘Bullets At Us’, #Say No To Police Brutality’, ‘Am I Next To Die?’
The protesters mounted a tent close to the command headquarters, where they vowed to continue to sleep until their demands were met.
One of the protesters, Olorunrinu Oduala, told PUNCH Metro that the protest would hold for three days, adding that they had decided to sleep at the police command headquarters because their homes were no longer safe.
She said, “We want an end to SARS. The IG released a statement that was publicised on Twitter and we have been seeing statements like that in the last five years. So, we are saying no. This protest is a reaction to the cry of Nigerian youths. We set up a group and some people voluntarily joined and came out today without being paid.
“We are coming out because we are tired of being harassed by SARS men; we are speaking out to show our grievances to the government. We are protesting for three days and we are going to sleep over at the police command headquarters, because our homes are not safe anymore.
“The Commissioner of Police has addressed us, but he has yet to meet our demands and we are not leaving until our demands are met. We will be going to the Lagos State House of Assembly tomorrow (Thursday).”
Another protester, Temitope Majekodunmi, who said they were rejecting the move by the IG to reform SARS, said the protest commenced around 8am.
“Today’s protest is about the agitation of Nigerian youths, which is to end SARS; we don’t want reform, what we want is to end SARS. The protest started around 8am and our convergence point was under the Ikeja Bridge, then we moved around Awolowo Way, down to Medical Road and came through Ayinke House to the police command headquarters.”
One Elizabeth Ogunseye, who also spoke to PUNCH Metro said, “I have been harassed several times by SARS men; they always asked why my hair was tinted. Why am I driving a car at a young age? Who bought the car for me? My friends and brother have been harassed by SARS. I had to leave work to join the protest and I will be coming from work to join for the three days the protest will hold.”
It was learnt that a petition, which was addressed to the IG, was submitted at the command headquarters.
The petition read in part, “A total disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and the identification of cases of extrajudicial execution, torture and ill-treatment that have caused death or severe injuries to be subjected to independent, prompt, impartial and thorough investigation and officers reasonably suspected of criminal responsibility be brought to justice.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, while addressing the protesters, assured them of the command’s commitment to arresting and prosecuting errant personnel, who violate the order of the IG.
Adejobi said, “A group called the Gavel, an NGO, protested at the police command headquarters, Ikeja, against SARS brutality, extortion and incivility. The group was addressed by the CP on the IG’s directives on the efforts of the IG and the Federal Government to sanitise the police institution in Nigeria.
Akeredolu a good brand, says Buhari [THE NATION]
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday urged the electorate to vote for Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) who is seeking re-election on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s poll.
He said the governor deserved a second term, owing to what he described as his indigenous approach to governance and performance within the limit of available resources.
President Buhari reiterated his commitment to a credible election and to play by the rules.
As political parties rounded off their campaigns on Wednesday, Police Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu warned candidates and their followers against thurggery, violence and utterances that are inimical to a peaceful exercise.
At the APC rally in Akure were 17 governors of APC including: Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe ), Mohammed Baduru (Jigawa), Abdullahi Gaduje (Kano), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Nasir El-rufai (Kaduna), Sanni Bello (Niger), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Babagana Zulum (Norno).
Also at the rally were Petroleum Resources Minister Chief Timipre Sylva, Federal and state legislators, and other top party chieftains.
President Buhari in a video message to party supporters at the final rally of the APC in Akure, the state capital, said all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure peaceful, transparent and credible election.
He assured the electorate of adequate security to forestall any breach of the peace by unscrupulous elements.
Urging the electorate to turn out en masse to vote on Saturday without fear of molestation, President Buhari expressed confidence that the party supporters would vote in accordance with the laws guiding the electoral process.
He said: ‘’I have no doubt that our candidate is a good brand for the APC to market. I am particularly delighted by his ingenious approach to governance.
‘’His performance within the limits of available resources is endearing, just as he has taken the state to an enviable level and on the path of prosperity.
‘’Having had the privilege of commissioning some of his projects, which I consider enduring legacies, I join you here today to declare that Governor Akeredolu deserves to be re-elected to consolidate the good work he commenced in his first term.
‘’I am not just proud of his achievements; I am confident he will enjoy the mandate of the good people of Ondo State for the second term.
‘’I have taken a special interest, not necessarily because my party is involved but because my focus and attention have been to ensure that we maximize every given opportunity to raise the bar in our collective desire to deepen democracy.’’
President Buhari who commended the party’s national and zonal leadership for upholding internal democracy and ensuring a hitch-free party primary congratulated the APC family in Ondo State for uncommon display of brotherliness, candour and doggedness.
“President Buhari also assured the electorate in Ondo of the provision of adequate security to forestall any breach of the peace by unscrupulous elements.
Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, in a virtual speech, said Akeredolu is committed to the realization of the Ondo seaport.
He listed roads projects executed by Akeredolu in different parts of the state.
He said the interchange flyover at Ore, Odigbo local government has reduced accidents on the road.
Fayemi, said all APC structures were united for the re-election of Akeredolu.
He said there would be no re-run or controversy, adding that the party would win with a wide margin.
Power tariffs reversal push by Labour hits brickwall [THE NATION]
Labour’s push for the reversal of hike in electricity tariffs may have hit the brickwall.
This is because of the high cost of gas – the critical component used by the Generating Companies (GenCos) to power their plants.
The GenCos sell power to the Distribution Companies (DisCos) which take it to the end-users.
Highly-placed sources close to the committee set up by the Federal Government to look into the pricing of electricity said there has been no agreement among committee members as to whether gas is subsidised or not.
Labour threatens to call workers out on strike to protest last month electricity tariffs.
The setting up of a seven-man committee to review the electricity tariffs is the product of negotiation to starve off the industrial action.
The government also compelled the DisCos to put on hold for two weeks, the new tariffs to enable the committee to meet and submit a report.
The deadline for the committee expires this weekend.
The Technical Committee is made up of Minister of State for Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo, (Chairman); Minister of State Power, Godwin Jedy-Agba – member; Chairman, National Electricity Regulatory Commission, Prof. James Momoh – member and the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Infrastructure, Ahmad Rufai Zakari as Secretary.
Others are: Dr. Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen – member (NLC); Deputy President of the NLC and Secretary-General, Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Joe Ajaero – member; Comrade Chris Okonkwo – member (TUC) and a representative of Power Distribution Companies (DisCos) – member.
It was gathered that one of the recommendations on the table is a further halt in the implementation of the new tariffs beyond the two weeks.
The source said: “We have not really concluded. We will conclude this week, but the conclusion of the work of the committee this weekend cannot give us what Nigerians are looking for. It is not a factor that you just wake up and say it is this amount and it is not this amount. There are some other determinants.
“Let me give you this without making reference to the work of the committee. The greater chunk of the money is spent on gas. Gas is their main source of generation. They had to now dollarise gas before they now price it at the GenCos.
“If GenCos now allegedly buy gas in dollar, then they now pass the dollar price to consumers.
“If we are able to address this matter by looking at policy directives especially on gas pricing, if we go through that process, then definitely we are going to puncture the issue of tariff no matter what they are going to pay.
But where we are having serious divergence is on the issue of whether actually there was subsidy. Some of us said there is no subsidy but the government is claiming there is subsidy.
“These are still not things you can do within two weeks. So, the work of the committee may take more time to look at it critically. We are trying to see if there is anything we can do in order to submit our report within two weeks deadline.
“But the job that will lead to a reversal is not a job of two weeks. Some of them require policy direction.
“We will revert to the house at the end of the two weeks to submit our report. If they succeed on sitting in this freeze (suspend the implementation of the tariff) until the final report is done, fine.
“If we are able to get this minor relief until the final report is done, fine. That is what we are working on for now. We are still working but we have not fully agreed on anything to push out to the people now.”
Shipping firms, airlines breach CBN dollar rule [THE NATION]
Shipping and airline companies have been depriving Nigeria of the much-needed dollar earnings by not remitting export proceeds, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said on Wednesday.
The apex bank’s Foreign Exchange Manual mandates all exporters to repatriate export proceeds to the country to increase foreign exchange liquidity, support the naira and lift the economy.
The regulator has been monitoring non-oil exporters, especially airlines and shipping firms, and assessing their compliance with the export proceeds repatriation policy.
In a circular to authorised dealers, Nigerian Custom Service, (NCS), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and other stakeholders, CBN Director, Trade & Exchange Department, O.S Nnaji, said the bank had observed with dismay, the non-compliance by shipping and airline companies to its directive on export proceeds remittance.
The CBN guideline requires that Bills of Lading/Airway Bill in respect of exports from Nigeria carry the Central Bank of Nigeria Automates Nigerian Export Proceeds Form (Form NXP) number in respect of the underlying cargoes.
It also mandates electronic processing of Form NXP on the Trade Monitoring System (TRMS) has not been complied with. “Shipping and Airlines companies are required to access the TRMS platform to generate Form NXP numbers for capture on the Bill of Lading for export cargoes,” he said.
Bamalli appointed 19th Emir of Zazzau [THE NATION]
Zazzau Emirate got its 19th Emir on Wednesday. He is Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, whose appointment was approved by Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Bamalli, born in 1966, is the first emir from the Mallawa Ruling House in 100 years, following the demise of his grandfather, Emir Dan Sidi, in 1920.
His appointment was announced in a statement yesterday by the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani. He succeeds Dr. Shehu Idris, passed died on September 20. The late monarch reigned for 45 years.
The statement said: “Governor El-Rufai congratulated His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli on his appointment and wished him a successful and peaceful reign as Emir of Zazzau.
He said: “Until his appointment as Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli held the title of Magajin Garin Zazzau and served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Thailand, with concurrent accreditation to Myanmar
“He has been a permanent commissioner in the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission in 2015.”
According to the Commissioner, the new emir has worked in banking and as Executive Director and later acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Corporation.
“He was a staff of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency before a stint as head of Human Resources at M-Tel, the mobile communications arm of the old Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).”
The monarch studied Law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy and a diploma in Organisational Leadership from Oxford University, the statement said. It added that he is also a fellow on Conflict Resolution of the University of York, United Kingdom (UK).
President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, governors under the Northern Governors’ Forum umbrella and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, among others, have congratulated the new Emir of Zazzau, ALhaji Ahmed Bamali on his appointment.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, the President urged the emir to unite all interests in the Zazzau Emirate.
The President was quoted as saying in the statement: “I congratulate you on making history by becoming the first emir from the Mallawa Ruling house in 100 years. You deserve the appointment and I am confident you will justify the confidence reposed in you.
“While you bask in the glory of the moment, I want you to be the leader to all and treat all your people fairly in the performance of your duties.
“This is a challenging moment and therefore, I want you to use this opportunity to unite all members of the ruling houses for the interest of your people.
“May Allah grant you wisdom and guidance in the discharge of this responsibility.”
Senators, Reps join calls for SARS reform [THE NATION]
The National Assembly on Wednesday took steps to make the Federal Government reform the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police.
This came on the heels of the calls across the country for the scrapping of the unit.
Though the police high command has said scrapping the outfit was not in its agenda, the Force Headquarters had assured that its reform is the best action to take.
During debates on Wednesday at both chambers of the National Assembly – the Senate and the House of representatives – the lawmakers agreed that there was need to curb the excesses of SARS operatives and make all security agents answerable for their individual actions.
The Senate mandated its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate human rights abuses by security agencies as well as allegations of extra-judicial executions and make recommendations for reparation.
It also urged the various security agencies to establish hotlines to enable Nigerians to report abuses by their agents.
The Upper Chamber urged the various security agencies to establish a special bureau unit that monitors the conduct of its officers, arrest and charge erring ones.
The House of Representatives asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu to submit to the parliament a five-year comprehensive record of disciplinary measures taken against officers of the force engaged in police brutality, extortion and harassment.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan supported the calls to reform the police unit instead of scrapping it.
Lawan spoke on a motion by the senator representing Lagos Central, Oluremi Tinubu, on the need to curb the excesses of security agencies, especially the dehumanising activities of the SARS.
Lawan said: “I think this is a situation that should be properly investigated. The recent incident should not be swept under the carpet.
“Those involved should be arrested and prosecuted. I don’t think it should be scrapped. It should be reformed.”
We’ll ensure peaceful, credible election in Ondo –Buhari [SUN]
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared that all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that Saturday’s election in Ondo is peaceful, transparent and credible.
Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman, in a statement in Abuja, said the president gave the assurance in a video message to party supporters at the Grand Finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Akure.
The president, who assured the electorate in Ondo of the provision of adequate security to forestall any breach of the peace by unscrupulous elements, urged them to turn out en masse to vote on Saturday without fear of molestation.
He expressed confidence that the party supporters would vote in accordance with the laws guiding the electoral process.
While urging the electorate in Ondo to vote for continuity and progress, Buhari explained why Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the APC candidate, deserved re-election.
”I have no doubt that our candidate is a good brand for the APC to market. I am particularly delighted by his ingenious approach to governance.
”His performance within the limits of available resources is endearing, just as he has taken the state to an enviable level and on the path of prosperity.
”Having had the privilege of commissioning some of his projects, which I consider enduring legacies, I join you here today to declare that Governor Akeredolu deserves to be re-elected to consolidate the good work he commenced in his first term.
”I am not just proud of his achievements; I am confident he will enjoy the mandate of the good people of Ondo State for the second term,” he said.
On the party’s campaign, the president said he was encouraged by the large turnout at the grand finale, noting that he had keenly followed events in the State as regards the governorship election.
”I have taken a special interest not necessarily because my party is involved but because my focus and attention have been to ensure that we maximize every given opportunity to raise the bar in our collective desire to deepen democracy,’’ he said.
Buhari also used the occasion to commend the party’s national and zonal leadership, and the APC family in Ondo State for upholding internal democracy and ensuring a hitch-free party primary.
According to him, internal democracy, which is regarded as a major ingredient in the electoral process, was not merely encouraged in Ondo State but zealously nurtured.
”I salute the courage and the demonstrated capacity of the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the leadership of His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni. I thank you for conducting a hitch-free party primary in Ondo State.
“I congratulate the APC family in Ondo State on this uncommon display of brotherliness, candour and doggedness.
”May I, therefore, salute all other governorship aspirants who accepted the outcome of the primary election and decided to work for the success of the candidate and incumbent, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
“Their patriotic and selfless conduct shall serve as an enduring reference point in party politics.
”I must not fail to equally acknowledge the efforts made by party leaders, especially from the South West, who spared time to manage the post-primary period ahead of today,” he said.
Onitsha River Port’ll open South East economy –Kalu, Moghalu [SUN]
Following the successful completion of a trial barge trip (carrying containers) from Onne Port to Onitsha Port on Tuesday, the Senate Chief Whip and the former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has lauded the Federal Government for revamping Onitsha River Port.
According to Kalu, the resumed activities at Onitsha Seaport will boost economic activities in the South East and ultimately create employment opportunities and wealth for Nigerians.
Commending the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Chief Whip stressed that with the functioning of Onitsha Seaport, exporters and importers, would be relieved of the stress of transporting containers by road from different ports to the South East and vice versa.
His words: “With the commencement of activities at Onitsha Seaport, businesses will thrive further in the South East.
“The bottlenecks being faced by exporters and importers will be reduced as containers can now by transported from Onne Port and other ports through the waterways to Onitsha Seaport and vice versa.
“The activities in the seaport will drive industrilaisation and sustainable development in Onitsha and South East at large.
“The revamping of Onitsha River Port is another feat achieved by the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari”
While urging the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) and Abia State government to fast track the completion and commissioning of Aba Inland Container Deport (ICD) at Avor Ntigba, Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia state, noted that the South East has untapped economic potentials.
Meanwhile, corroborating the Senator, the NIWA Managing Director, Dr George Moghalu, has said that the just-commissioned Onitsha River Port would boost economic activities in Anambra State in particular and the South East as a whole.
Moghalu who described the facility as the economic gateway of the region’s economy said that it would reduce unnecessary and avoidable expenses for transporting containers from Lagos ports and Port Harcourt port to the South-East.
He stated this at NIWA office in Onitsha during the commisioning of the long-awaited Onitsha Port.
He said: “It is obvious that my aim and commitment to bringing functions to Onitsha Port is no longer a mirage and elusive as many thought. My good intentions, as an Anambra-born MD of NIWA, are to make the port operational in order to boost economic activities in Anambra State and South East, create jobs and wealth, improve ease of doing business, give South East sense of belonging, reduce bottlesnecks in clearing goods and save monies wasted in transporting containers from different ports to the Southeast. These have been achieved and it is recorded in history today that containers are arriving in batches to this port after 42 years”.
Kalu represents Senate president at electricity power summit [SUN]
Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday, represented President of the Senate, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) workshop with the National Assembly held at the Lagos/Osun hall Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of Lawan, Kalu lauded REA’s initiative to partner with the national assembly for effective service delivery, for the good of the nation.
He reinstated the commitment of the administration electrify more rural communities towards sustainable, affordable and constant power supply in the country.
FG announces 3-day total shutdown of Lagos Third Mainland Bridge from Friday [SUN]
Federal Government has announced a total shutdown of Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos for three days from midnight tomorrow to midnight on Sunday to carry out special repair works on the 11.8km platform.
Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola, said in a statement that the construction had reached a stage where there should not be any form of movement or vibration on the bridge for concrete casting, hence the closure.
“The first total closure of the section of the bridge between Adekunle and Adeniji Adele will be from midnight of Friday, 9th October, 2020 to midnight of Sunday, 11th October 2020 to allow the contractor complete the first stage of casting works.
“The contractor, Messrs Borini Prono & Co. (Nig.) Ltd, is nearing completion of works on the closed section of Third Mainland Bridge and requires the total closure of both bounds of the bridge between Adeniji Adele and Adekunle (i.e. in addition to the closed bound of the bridge, the other bound from Adekunle to Adeniji Adele will also be closed) to complete work.
“The total closure of this section of the bridge is to ensure that there is no vibration on the bridge during the casting in-place of the newly installed expansion joints. This is to allow for setting of the special concrete, which allows the concrete to achieve its required compressive strength.
“Due to the number of expansion joints to be cast on the closed section of the bridge and the traffic situation in Lagos State, especially during the week days; the casting of the expansion joints will be in two stages to ensure that the total closure is only at the weekends, when there is less traffic plying the route,’ ’he said.
Poor remuneration exposes Nigerian justices to temptation, Senate declares [THE GUARDIAN]
Compromises and corrupt tendencies exhibited by Nigerian judges and justices in the adjudication and dispensation of justice has been blamed on poor remuneration packages.
This was the submission of the Senate yesterday as its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, disagreed over method to be adopted in screening the eight justices recently nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari for elevation from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.
The nominees are, justices Lawal Garba (North West), Helen M. Ogunwumiju (South West), Addu Aboki (North West), I. M. M. Saulawa (North West), Adamu Jauro (North East), Samuel C. Oseji (South-South), Tijjani Abubakar (North East) and Emmanuel A. Agim (South-South).
Before commencement of screening, which was done openly, Chairman of the Committee, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), lamented the poor welfare packages for judicial officers and justices in the country.
“The present situation as regards the welfare of judges and justices call for intervention. Salaries and allowances of judicial officers, judges and justices in Nigeria were last reviewed in 2008 through an Act of Parliament.
“At that time, exchange rate was N117 to $1 as against N467 it is currently, clearly showing that salaries of judges and justices have been static over the years and even depreciating in value,” he said.
Specifically, Bamidele said the basic annual take home salaries of the justices of the Supreme Court as far was N2.477m, Court of Appeal justices get N1.995m, while judges of the High Court receive N1.804m.
He disclosed that the total pay package of Supreme Court justices amounted to N753,000 monthly, those of the Court of Appeal get N608,000 while High Court Judges receive N556,000 each.
Bamidele stressed that this clearly showed that they were not fortified against temptation on the line of duty, adding that in South Africa, the Chief Justice collected the highest salary besides members of his family, who are adequately taken care of, as measures against temptation and corruption.
Speaking, Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, noted that the issues raised were critical and required government’s urgent attention, stating that a bill for upward review of the 12 year-old salary structure of judicial officers, judges and justices, could be sponsored and expeditiously considered at the National Assembly.
However, before screening began with Justice Mohammed Lawan Garba, a mild drama ensued among members of the committee on the mode of screening.
While Chukwuka Utazi (PDP/Enugu North) raised observation that it would be better for the screening of the Supreme Court judges to be held in closed doors, James Manager (PDP/Delta Central) countered Utazi’s observation noting that since 1999 that he has been in the Senate, Supreme Court judge nominees had never been screened behind closed doors.
Amid opposition, Senate okays N4 trillion loan to fund 2021 budget [THE GUARDIAN]
Ignoring protests from some lawmakers, the Senate has given President Muhammadu Buhari the green light to borrow N4.28 trillion to fund the 2021 N13.08 trillion budget fraught with a N5.19 trillion deficit.
Approving the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), the Red Chamber also okayed N3.12 trillion for debt servicing, while retaining N7.89 trillion for the Federal Government in the 2021 fiscal year.
The approvals were made just as the upper chamber announced that of the N2.4 trillion budgeted for expenditure in the current 2020 budget, only N378.85 billion had been released.
It said the 2021 budget would be made up of total recurrent (non-debt) expenditure of N5.66 trillion.
The breakdown includes personnel cost (MDAs) of N3.05 trillion; capital expenditure (exclusive of transfers) of N3.58 trillion; Special Intervention (recurrent) amounting to N350 billion and Special intervention (capital) of N20 billion.
The proposed appropriation bill, according to the legislators, would be based on key assumptions, including 1.86 mbpd daily crude oil production with a benchmark of $40 per barrel.
An exchange rate of N379/$ was equally sanctioned, while the projected GDP growth rate of three per cent and a predicted inflation rate of 11.95 per cent were also agreed upon.
Before the approvals, a number of senators faulted the economic implications of the budgetary proposals.
Senator Betty Apiafi (PDP: Rivers), for instance, held that the chamber ought to have reviewed the performance of the 2020 budget before approving the MTEF.
In sanctioning the document, the Senate also resolved to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA, 2007) to improve revenue generation and remittance capacity of agencies of the Federal Government.
It directed relevant standing committees to immediately review the laws guiding the operations of all revenue-generating agencies, even as government was advised to streamline stamp duty collections by the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to eliminate loss.
SIMILARLY, the chamber said only those directly involved in budget preparation that should accompany the President for today’s presentation of the appropriation bill before the joint session of the National Assembly.