Tag Archives: Suspend

Suspend Ban On Vehicle Imports Through Land Borders, Reps Tell FG

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The House of Representatives, yesterday, asked the Federal Government to suspend the ban on importation of vehicles through land borders in Nigeria.

Consequently, the lawmakers, at plenary, mandated the Committees on Governmental Affairs and Customs and Excise to ensure implementation and report back to the House within six weeks for further legislative input.

This development was based on a motion, entitled ‘’Need to suspend The Ban On Importation of Vehicles Through Land Borders, promoted by Abdulahi Salame, APC, Sokoto. Meantime, stakeholders in the maritime industry were divided on the issue, yesterday.

While some supported the ban, others kicked against it. Salame, in his presentation, argued that those making these policies have failed to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods, especially Nigerian assembled vehicles, which are, in any case unaffordable for 80 percent of Nigerians.

He said: “The percentage of Nigerians who can afford cars has declined drastically, following the decline in the value of the Naira, rising inflation, unemployment and high cost of living that have bedeviled Nigeria where over 80 per cent of Nigerians live below $2 a day. “The Federal Government has powers under Section 18 of the Customs and Excise Management Act to restrict the movement of goods into and out of Nigeria by land or inland waters and to appoint customs stations.

‘’However, similar exercise of such powers on rice importation through the land borders in April 2016, has occasioned untold hardship on Nigerians, as a bag of rice now sells for between N20,000 and N23,000, against N8,000 a few months ago.

“As it is now, the government has not put in place alternative measures to ensure that Nigerians will have access to cars since it is cheaper to buy cars from neighbouring countries and still generate revenue by ensuring that our borders are secured to prevent smuggling, and also that there will be no job losses.’’
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Police Recruitment: Senate Asks Buhari, PSC To Stop Process Over Irregularity.

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The Senate has demanded that the recruitment of 10,000 personnel into the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, be suspended. The Senate, it was gathered, cited irregularity in the criteria set for the exercise.

Senate Committee on Police gave the suspension order in a letter it wrote to the Police Service Commission, PSC, last week and also forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari. After initial hiccups, the recruitment, which finally took off in August, was discovered to be lopsided.

Earlier, stakeholders had agreed that the recruitment would be based on local government areas, Daily Trust reports. But the commission allegedly decided to base the exercise on equal number per state, claiming orders from above.

Protests letters were sent to the Senate, with stakeholders demanding that the commission restricts itself to the recruitment of cadet ASPs, its statutory responsibility, while Force Headquarters handles the enlistment of those on inspectorate cadre and below.

Already, the presidency has reportedly directed the PSC Chairman, Mike Okiro, to explain the flaw pointed out by the red chamber. Reacting, PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said the recruitment exercise had not been suspended. Checks and recent events counter his position as there had been no major news on the recruitment since applicants wrote their aptitude tests late August.

An applicant of Akwa Ibom origin, who wrote the test, confirmed to DAILY POST that neither he nor those he exchanged contact with have been contacted. “They told us they will invite us for the next stage, but nothing yet. Last week, I called some guys I met at the venue and they too said they have not received any update,” he disclosed.

Ekiti Assembly suspends member for alleged disloyalty to Fayose

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The Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday suspended the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Chief Olugboyega Aribisogan, for 180 legislative days over allegations of holding meetings with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Abisogan was accused of associating with the Chief Williams Ajayi faction of the party, which is believed to have the backing of Senator Buruji Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial District.

The former chairman of the Information Committee was also accused of holding nocturnal meetings with the senator.

The decision to suspend Aribisogan was taken during plenary and a new Chairman, House Committee on Information, Samuel Omotoso was chosen.

Aribisogan was also barred from holding any position of responsibility on behalf of the House during his suspension.

He was also barred from coming around the premises of the Assembly complex.

Reacting to the development, Aribisogan said he would confer with his constituents on whether to seek redress in court over the matter.

He described the decision as a travesty of justice, adding that his suspension was a desperate attempt to emasculate him politically and deny the people of Ikole local council the opportunity to vie for the federal constituency election, which will be jointly held with Oye local council in 2019.

According to him: “This is a complete scam and I am not bothered in any way. I have been presumed guilty before I appeared before the panel, so I am not surprised. How can they force me to confess to an offence I didn’t commit?”

Meanwhile, the state government has started the payment of N5,000 to each of the 10,000 beneficiaries of its social welfare scheme.

The beneficiaries, who are indigent members of the society and cut across various sections of the society, started receiving the first payment through their bank accounts on Wednesday.

In a broadcast in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose announced that the money was being paid directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries.

The governor gave the assurance that despite the economic downturn, his administration would find ways of helping the people to live a comfortable life.

He said the 10,000 beneficiaries were the first phase of the scheme, adding that: “As soon as the economy of the state improves, another 10,000 people will be added.”

He added that beneficiaries were chosen among the physically-challenged, albinos, visually-impaired, the aged, among others.

He explained that by directly crediting the accounts of recipients, the state has eliminated fraud and ensured that the real beneficiaries got the money.

Samsung To Suspend Galaxy Note 7 Sales After Battery Explosions

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Samsung said Friday it would suspend sales of its latest flagship smartphone Galaxy Note 7 as reports of exploding batteries threatened to damage the reputation of the South Korean electronics giant.

Samsung — the world’s top maker of smartphones and ordinary mobile phones — will also offer new devices for those who have already bought the large-screen smartphone, its mobile chief said.

“We have received several reports of battery explosion on the Note 7 that was officially launched on August 19…and it has been confirmed that it was a battery cell problem,” Koh Dong-Jin told reporters.

Samsung has so far sold one million units of the Note 7 in countries including South Korea and the US.

So far 24 of them have been confirmed to have faulty batteries, Koh said, adding he was “deeply sorry” over the incident.

Since late last month, several users have posted photos and videos on social media showing the charred Note 7 with part of its 5.7-inch touchscreen burnt and melted, saying it suddenly caught fire.

Growing safety concerns over the Note 7 have forced Samsung to suspend its shipments at home and delay its planned release this month in several European countries including France.

Credit: AFP

Resident Doctors Suspend Strike

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The leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has agreed to suspend its strike at a meeting with other health sector stakeholders on Tuesday.

The Association’s leadership also appealed to members to suspend the strike until the next meeting scheduled for July 14.

The decision emanated from the meeting between resident doctors and other stakeholders, organised by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogàra in Abuja.
The meeting will reconvene in three weeks to review progress made in the implementation of agreements reached in the meeting slated for July

Credit: NAN

FG Praises NLC For Suspending Strike

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The Federal Government has praised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for suspending its five-day-old strike.

The Ayuba Wabba-led NLC had embarked on a nationwide strike on May 18 to protest government’s decision to increase the pump price of petrol from N86.50 to N145.00.

The Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who gave the commendation on the sideline of an interactive session with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Lagos on Monday, said the suspension of the strike was a win situation for Nigeria.

 

“Nigeria has won, and I want to take this opportunity to thank the NLC for reconsidering their position and agreeing to join us in negotiation.

“So, it is not who has won, but (it is) Nigeria that has won.’’

 

He expressed the Federal Government‘s commitment to actualising its change agenda through sustained communication between it and Nigerians.

According to him, stakeholders’ meetings will further enhance information flow between government and the citizenry.

“There is nothing like the government continuously engaging the people; you notice that we started this about a month or so ago when we started with our town hall meetings.

“We started in Lagos, moved to Kaduna; we will be in Kano on Friday.

“We have also been meeting with sectoral groups; we’ve met with the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria); we are going to meet with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission.

“I believe that it is the beginning of trying to bridge the gap between the governed and the government and it is extremely fruitful.

“We’ve heard you, and learnt a lot as well; but more importantly is that we’ve been able to explain to you why certain actions were taken.”

The minister further said that his ministry would hold quarterly meetings with the CSOs in order to engage Nigerians on national issues.

“This is not going to be a one-of engagement.

“The next time we (will) come with three or four ministers, depending on what issues are prevalent.’’

 

(NAN)

NUPENG, PENGASSAN Suspend Strike

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There is a big relief nationwide among citizens, following the suspension of national strike embarked upon by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The PENGASSAN President, Comrade Johnson Francis told Channels Television on Thursday, that the action was taken after the intervention of the Presidency and the clarification made by the Petroleum Ministry.

PENGASSAN’s acting General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa adds that the decision was taken  after 10 hours of talk, ending at about 3am between the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, NNPC Executives and union officials.

“Management agreed that there would be further collaboration … with a view to considering any suggested amendments. Our input would be taken into consideration,”

The unions have been directed to resume work and ensure that there is adequate supply of fuel.

Mr Johnson also called on Nigerians to bear with the unions, assuring that everything is under control to ensure the fuel crisis do not linger for long.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Petrol Scarcity: ?Road Transporters Owners Suspend Strike

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Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria on Friday ?have ?reached an agreement with the National Association of Road Transport Owners to suspend their strike, according to an official. MOMAN Executive Secretary, Femi Olawore, made this known while speaking with journalists on the ongoing impasse with the government over outstanding fuel subsidy payment.

According to him, the marketers are owing members of the transport association about N20 billion and their inability to offset the debt prompted the suspension of the lifting of products.

However, he said, following the release of N154 billion to marketers by the Federal Government as part payment of the subsidy, they had in turn offset part of the debt they owed the transporters. Mr. Olawore said ?the ?government had yet to pay the N200 billion it is owing the marketers as subsidy payment.

He said the the marketers, with the understanding of NARTO members, had given ?the ?government a grace of two weeks to settle the remaining payments. “We have scheduled to meet with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Monday, but if the meeting fails to address the issue we have tabled, then we will continue with the action?,?” he warned. According to him, some of their members have started receiving payment.

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Court Orders DSTV To Suspend Increase In Subscription Fees

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained Multi Choice Nigeria Limited, operators of the Digital Satellite Television, popularly known as DStv, from implementing its new rates and increase in tariffs payable by its subscribers across board.

The restraining order was given by Justice C.J. Aneke sequel to a suit filed by two Lagos-based legal practitioners, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji.

In the class action suit, with number FHC/L/CS/404/2015, Justice Aneke granted the interim orders till the hearing of the motion on notice for injunction on April 16, 2015.

He also ordered for the suit and the Interim injunction to be published in national newspapers. Messrs. Adebayo and Adeniji are challenging the arbitrary increase in tariffs.

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