After hours of closed door meeting with Federal Government representatives, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the strike scheduled to commence on Monday over rejection of fuel and electricity tariff hike.

The suspension followed an agreement reached with the Federal Government that it suspends implementation of electricity tariff and that a technical committee comprising representatives from Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NLC and TUC be set up for a duration of two weeks effective September 28, to examine the justifications for the new policy.

In the communique signed by the representatives of the government and labour unions and read by Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, the parties agreed that electricity distribution companies should reverse application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments pending outcome of the committee.

According to the communique, members of the committee would include the Minister of State Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN) as Chairman; Minister of State Power, Godwin Jedy-Agba; Chairman, National Electricity Regulatory Commission, James Momoh; Special Assistant to the President on Infrastructure, Ahmad Zakari as the Secretary.

Other members were Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen, Joe Ajaero (NLC), Chris Okonkwo (TUC) and a representative of electricity distribution companies.

It stated that the committee’s terms of reference were to examine the justification for the new policy on cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments; to look at the different DISCOs and their different electricity tariff vis-à-vis NERC order and mandate; examine and advise government on the issues that have hindered the deployment of the six million meters, among others.

The five-page document noted that the FG has fashioned out palliatives that would ameliorate the sufferings that Nigerian workers may experience as a result of the hike in cost electricity tariffs and the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

It added that the proposed palliatives by the government would be in the areas of transport, power, housing, agriculture and humanitarian support.

The parties agreed that a specific amount would be unveiled by government in two weeks’ time and that it would be isolated from the Economic Sustainability Programme Intervention Fund.

“This fund should be accessible to Nigerian Workers with subsequent provision for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC for participation in agricultural ventures through the CBN and the Ministry of Agriculture. The timeline will be fixed at the next meeting.

“Federal Government will facilitate the removal of tax on minimum wage as a way of cushioning the impacts of the policy on the lowest vulnerable and available to organized labour 133 CNG/LPG driven mass transit buses immediately and provide to the major cities across the Country on a scale up basis thereafter to all States and Local Governments before December 2021″.

To reduce housing deficit, the parties agreed that 10 percent of the ongoing housing projects across the country should be allocated to Nigerian workers through the NLC and TUC.

After the meeting, President of TUC, Quadri Olaleye, who confirmed the development, said that the suspension was for two weeks, just as he assured Nigerians that all efforts would continuously be made by the unions to ensure protection of workers interest.

Olaleye said: “We just left a press conference. We signed a document to suspend the action for two weeks for the government to implement those things that we agreed in the agreement. So, we are suspending for two weeks”.

The Organised Labour in Lagos State has said all sectors including aviation, banks and others would be shut as workers would take to the streets to protest on Sept. 28.

The Deputy Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Amaechi Asogwuni, made this known at a news conference on Sunday in Lagos ahead of the strike.

“No airport will be in operation in Nigeria; banks are not expected to function, so no business owners should risk himself for Nigerian workers have taken that decision.

“We are the workers and we are withdrawing our services; we have the right to do so because protests are our constitutional right.

“And I believe we will enforce it; schools shall remain closed until this action ends, ” he said.

Asogwuni called on Nigerians to join the protest, saying it was part of their quota to democracy.

“We must ensure that all sectors remained shut as a voice to the government to respond to the cry of Nigerians.

“On the issue of PMS, what was expected of government was to engage its socio-partners which include labour as a stakeholder.

“The government did not do that at a time it ought to; it failed in its duty to engage labour before time.

“On the issue of electricity, government had earlier had an interaction with labour in Kano and we discouraged it from proceeding.

“It was a big shock that it still went ahead to dare Nigerians; people depend on power and you cannot wake up over night and strengthen suffering.

“We resist it and call on Nigrians to join, because in democracy it is our voice that makes the difference,” he said.

(NAN)

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is working on plans to create the desired platform for the actualisation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s quest of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister said this in Abuja at the inauguration of a Technical Committee for boosting commercialization of the ministry’s research products to fast-track the actualisation of Nigeria’s dream of becoming a self-reliant nation, NAN reports.

He said that the benefits of research could only be harvested when it is fully commercialized, adding that the ministry will collaborate with the organized private sector in that regard.

Onu said that the Ministry would strive hard to use its research outputs as catalyst for realizing government’s plans of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

He said that research products from the 17 agencies under the ministry covered all sectors of the economy and that the ministry was well positioned to turn around the economy.

According to him, the commercialization of research outputs is important for economic growth as more goods will be produced locally.

He added that part of the expected benefits of research outputs included food sufficiency and surplus for exports, leading to significant reduction in import from other countries.

Onu said that the commercialization of research outputs would create more opportunities for Nigerians as well as reduce the employment deficit in the country.

(Daily Post)

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has insisted that it will carry on with its proposed strike action with regards to the recent increase in electricity tariff and the removal of petrol subsidy.

This resolve was taken following a closed-door meeting between the NLC and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila.

Mr Gbajabiamila had on Sunday met with representatives of NLC, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, in an attempt to mediate and broker an amicable solution to the impasse between Organised Labour and the Federal Government (FG).

Briefing journalists after the meeting, NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the proposed strike by the union will proceed unless the FG addresses the issues.

Reacting to the court order restraining the NLC from downing tools, Mr Wabba said the organization has not been served with the order and cannot speak on it.

He, however, noted that there is a judgement of a Federal High court stopping the increase of electricity tariff which the FG has refused to obey.

According to the NLC President, the proposed strike will only fail to hold if the govt makes a u-turn before 12 midnight today.

(Channel TV)

The Kaduna State Government has approved disbursement of N1.6 billion for payment of pensions, gratuities and death benefits to retired civil servants in the state.

It added that to prevent corruption, the State Pension Bureau would conduct physical verification exercise for pensioners and that only those verified would be scheduled for payment.

Confirming the funds approval, Secretary of the State Pension Bureau, Salamatu Isah, explained that the physical verification was necessary to ensure that only genuine pensioners were paid by the government.

She said the physical verification exercise would last for two weeks and that the Bureau has sent information to Local Government officers to inform retirees on the exercise.

Isah, who disclosed the approved funds through a statement available to Equity News, hinted that during the verification exercise, the pensioners would be mandated to provide their complete information, including correct account numbers and BVN.

While disclosing that the Bureau was currently paying the 10th batch of civil servants on Saturday, Salamatu lamented that there were people in batch 1-9 whose banks were unable to pay because they supplied incorrect account numbers and BVN.

She said: “To prevent this going forward, we will ensure that all these information are supplied before names are forwarded to the banks. She also called on civil servants who have retired from the state and local governments to come to the Bureau with all relevant documents and information required”.

The Executive Secretary disclosed that the current administration inherited huge backlog of unpaid retirement and death benefits running into several billions of naira which previous governments failed to clear.

“It is impossible for any government to clear such amount in one swoop. She commended the current administration for regular release of funds to clear the liabilities in batches. In 2016, Kaduna state disclosed that it inherited N15 billion arears of pension, gratuity and death benefits that accumulated since 2011.

“We commenced payment of gratuities and death benefits on the 15th of September 2020 for batch 10. State government released the sum of 1.6 billion naira, and we will pay pensioners from the State and 23 Local Governments that have been scheduled in the batch that is ready for payment.

“We want pensioners and next of kin of those who died to come over for physical verification. We also want to use exercise to collect complete information from the beneficiaries because some of them did not give complete information to the Bureau when they retired.

“But even after this exercise for batch 10, we want to revisit the list from batch 1-9 to clear those who didn’t get paid because of incomplete information. The money is there in the bank and the people have not been paid because of incomplete information”, Isah added.

At the first round of the bout fought at Yas Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Sunday, there was with less action as both MMA fighters traded few kicks and punches with Costa pressing the champion but throwing few shots.

Adesanya came out with more purpose in the second round, outboxing and landed deadly shots that disorganized his opponent who fell on the canvas, just as he rained more ground punches to ensure his challenger does not recover.

After the referee signalled Adesanya to stand, Costa was left bloodied and bruised on the canvas, as his undefeated record was ended, and he needed medical attention afterwards.

Over 3000 companies have dragged the United State Government before the court for increasing import duties paid on goods from China and imposing fresh tariff on other sectors that were not captured by the country’s law.

The companies, including Tesla Inc, Ford Motor Co  Target Corp , Walgreen Co and Home Depot, argued that the President Donald Trump led administration failed to impose tariffs within a required 12-month period and did not comply with administrative procedures.

Other companies involve in the legal battle include heavy truck manufacturer Volvo Group North America U.S. auto parts retailer Pep Boys, clothing company Ralph Lauren, Sysco Corp, guitar manufacturer Gibson Brands, Lenovo’s  U.S. unit, Dole Packaged Foods, a unit of Itochu Corp and golf equipment manufacturer Callaway Golf Co.

In the suits filed before U.S. Court of International Trade, the petitioners named U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and the Customs and Border Protection agency, and challenge what they described an unlawful escalation of the U.S. trade war with China through the imposition of a third and fourth round of tariffs.

The companies challenge the administration’s decision not to resolve the trade war between it and China, just as they claimed that the government decision was impacting on the price of goods imported from the Asian country

According to the suit, the petitioners challenged tariffs in two separate groups known as List 3 and List 4A, while list 3 includes 25 percent tariffs on about $200 billion in imports, list 4A included 7.5 percent tariffs on $120 billion in goods.

They said: “One suit argues the administration cannot expand tariffs to other Chinese imported goods for reasons untethered to the unfair intellectual property policies and practices it originally investigated”.

On Sept. 15, the World Trade Organization (WTO) had found the United States breached global trading rules by imposing multibillion-dollar tariffs in Trump’s trade war with China.

The Trump administration says tariffs on Chinese goods were justified because China was stealing intellectual property and forcing U.S. companies to transfer technology for access to China’s markets.

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has condemned the attack on his Borno state counterpart, Babagana Zulum, convoy that resulted in the death of atleast 11 police officers and members of Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and over 13 others sustaINING different degrees of injuries.

Ortom appealed to Zulum not to be deterred by the reprehensible ambush by Boko Haram and intensify cooperation with security agencies to restore peace to all parts of his state.

The governor, through a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesman, Terver Akase, sympathised with Zulum over the death of his security aides, describing the attack as unfortunate and shocking.

While charging the security operatives to work hard towards restoring peace to the state, he condoles with families of those who lost their lives in the attack and prays God to grant their souls eternal rest.

Earlier, Zulum assured the public and his colleagues that he was not ready to relent and that efforts would be intensified to ensure that peace returns to the state.

The governor, who described the attack on his convoy as sad, stressed that he was keen to ensure that the commercial activities that once thrive in Baga returns and boost the state gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In a statement by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, he said two convoys-, one belonging to him, and another for a committee on Baga reconstruction, had safely plied the Maiduguri-Baga route previous days before the third convoy of security men was ambushed yesterday even after precautionary steps had been taken to ensure safe trips.

The statement reads: “Governor Babagana Zulum is saddened by this unfortunate carnage. He shares the grief of families of these 11 priceless heroes to whom Borno shall remain grateful. The governor prays for the repose of their souls and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to ongoing peace building efforts.

“Zulum is of the opinion that we must continue to keep hope alive even in the face of tribulations, and believe that with sustained efforts and prayers, Borno will eventually regain peace. The situation facing us is a tough one but we must choose between doing something which gives us some hope and doing nothing which will leave us more vulnerable to Boko Haram’s ultimate wish to takeover Borno and bring it under their sovereign brutal administration”.

“Thinking on your own terms is a critical part of letting go of your biases, but it takes digging deep and it requires piecing together the thousands of tiny truths to form original and fact-based opinions”-E.B. Johnson.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, broke the news about the Federal Executive Council approving $1.96 billion for the construction of Kano-Maradi rail line, the rail will link “Kano, Dutse, Katsina and Maradi in Niger Republic”. The rail line will be connecting the most populous city in Nigeria to Katsina, Jibia, Katsina, Dutse and finally Maradi. Maradi is a “border city” historically attracting merchants from Nigeria and Niger Republic for centuries for active commercial purposes. It is believed to be the most commercially active city in Southern Niger.

This news has inspired political, ethnic and emotional biases veiling all tendencies of independent policy or Intellectual analysis. This write-up will be giving the “tango” a new beat, escaping the prism of politics, ethnicity and cheap emotionalism.

How strategic is railway transportation to West Africa’s Economic Union?

Prior the birth of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in 1960, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) had mapped out revolutionary infrastructural policy which would cut across the Sahara; the Lagos-Mombasa road, Cairo-Cape road etc. The standards were agreed upon coupled with operating laws. Since 2009, ECOWAS has been pushing for interconnecting rail networks between 11 member states out of 15, this is in line with ECOWAS infrastructural mandate to maximize road transport Sector, railway sub-sector and Air Transport sector. The network connecting land locked countries and countries with coastal advantage is very crucial to regional trade.

Is it time for cross-border rail line?

Many have questioned the reasons why the Federal Government of Nigeria will priotize cross-border infrastructures considering the domestic infrastructure deficit in Nigeria, the question remains “why will a broke Government dedicate debt of $1.96 billion on a rail Project linking a city in Niger Republic?”. First, it will be necessary to refresh the minds of my readers about the latest rail projects gaining attention and why that of cross-border is also very strategic. Lagos-Ibadan rail line worth $1.5 billion, Ibadan-Kano rail approved construction worth $5.3 billion, we also have Warri-Itakpe rail line and Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri rail project yet to commence. Beyond emotions, studying the trends of these projects, one will decipher the strategic local rail infrastructures connecting states from North and South and expanding to South of Niger Republic where the commercial city of Maradi lies. In fact, the Ibadan-Kano rail line is more expensive compared to Kano-Maradi rail.

“According to the Minister of Transport, Nigeria is the only country in West Africa without a single window for clearance of goods on the same day of arrival.” A single window is a facility that allows for parties involved in trade and Transport to lodge standardized Information and documents with a single entry for import-export and transit-related regulations. I don’t see any reason why we can’t use this opportunity of “rail revolution” to kill two birds with a stone, that is “encourage inter-state trade in Nigeria and facilitate more regional trade” considering the fact we are the largest economy in West Africa.

Is it economically smart to invest $1.96bn on cross-border with Niger Republic?.

Unfortunately, About 80 per cent of trade between Nigeria and other West African countries is informal, going by estimates from the West African Association for Cross-Border Trade in Agro-Forestry-Pastoral and Fisheries Products (WACTAF). Late Professor Adebayo Adedeji, who was Executive Secretary of UN Economic Commission for Africa(ECA), had opined thus “We [in ECA] undertook a study on what we called “unrecorded trade” in West Africa. We found that the value of unrecorded trade is more than equal that of recorded trade. In other words, if you added the two together, you would have doubled the volume and value of intra-West African trade”.

Interestingly, relying on the above mentioned informed opinions, one can infer that the trade volume between Nigeria-Niger is underestimated and less underrated by Southerners especially considering less experience of historic cross-border trade between Northern Nigeria and Niger.

Furthermore, UNICEF joint report of 2004 gave the best detailed trade reports between Nigeria-Niger especially on food security. The report posited that “Despite a diversification of Niger’s sources of cereal supply since the mid 1990s, Nigeria remains its major supplier in periods of food shortages. Besides the proximity of the areas of production and the relatively cheap price of fuel in Nigeria, reducing transport costs, many other factors relating to the size of its market and its production structure explain the competitiveness of products from Nigeria. In addition, traders from Niger and Northern Nigeria understand each other perfectly, belonging to the Hausa area with 50 million Hausa speakers. They share 1,500km of common border and are often related by family, religious and lineage links” (UNICEF joint mission report on food security and Cross border trade in the Kano-Katsina-Maradi corridor 2004). It must be emphasized that the Kano-Maradi trade corridor is not just significant to Nigeria and Niger but connecting Gulf of guinea, North Africa.

Why Kano-Maradi and not Lagos-Benin Republic?.

More significant questions have been raised on why the choice of border city of Maradi in Niger Republic and not Lagos-Benin Republic cross-border route which is more strategic considering the Industrial advantage of Lagos State. It must be emphasized that both Lagos corridor and Kano corridor are very significant for domestic trade and regional trade, the ongoing Lagos-Badagry 10 lane expressway Kickstarted in 2010 will not only accommodate road infrastructures but rail infrastructures too and the current Lagos State Government had disclosed the resumption of the Project and renewed collaboration with the FGN.

Furthermore, it will be more resourceful to analyse the trade potentials of Niger and Benin Republic to erase unnecessary sentiments. According to Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) Product imports (2018) of Niger Republic is $1.15 billion and Niger imports most from these countries; Nigeria($111 million), China ($115M), India ($93.1 million) etc and Niger borders Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali and Nigeria.

Benin Republic exports mostly to Nigeria ($89.2 million), India ($274 million), Bangladesh ($216 million) and import mostly from China ($1.8billion), India ($422 million), France ($272 million). Keenly studying these figures, one will resolve that Benin Republic has a bigger economy than Niger but Niger is more reliant on Nigeria’s Economy despite massive unrecorded trades. We will infer that we import from Benin Republic and export more to Niger Republic, Lagos and Kano corridors are gaining attention and the two deserves it but these figures prove to an open-minded Intellectual that Niger Republic market is highly underrated and exploiting it through rail is not a bad idea.

In conclusion, For the gains of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to be realised, the government must address the supply side constraints of lack of infrastructure, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has said. With the infrastructure deficit of $100 billion as confirmed by Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, there is need for Nigeria to be bullish about infrastructural development and rail infrastructure encouraging local and regional trade cannot be overemphasised either for ECOWAS or AFCTA. Infact, the regional linking infrastructures through rail is the best opportunity for Nigeria to formalize cross-border trade more, digitize data for economic and security reasons and prepare for future economic maximization of West Africa being the largest economy.

Mujib Dada-Qadri is a Nigerian Lawyer and Policy Analyst.