Tag Archives: Tells

We Can’t Pay N284b Allowances, Government Tells ASUU

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The Federal Government yesterday said it could not afford the N284 billion earned allowances being demanded by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Earned allowances are the emoluments the lecturers are entitled to enhance academic productivity and increase research output.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige told reporters after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja that of the eight demands made by ASUU, the earned allowances could not be trashed out “because everybody knows and agrees that we are in recession. If we are in a recession, and you are asking us to pay you N284 billion, nobody will pay it because the money is not there.

“So, they agreed and the National Assembly also agreed. But the government offered them some amounts pending when we finish auditing of the first tranche of money that has been given to them in that same area of earned allowances.”

Ngige, who was joined by his Budget and National Planning as well as Information and Culture counterparts, Udoma Udo Udoma and Lai Mohammed, said government conceded to the union the right to exclude endowment funds that accrued to universities from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

He added: “TSA makes for accountability. You pay in whatever you derive from government funds, ask for it back and you get it. The only thing is that you must do the paper work for the accountability aspect of it to be there and for any institution, they should be able to look at first glance, see the monies they have in account A, B or C at the CBN and know what they have.

“Government agrees to ASUU’s demand but limited it to only endowment funds. But that doesn’t also mean that at the end of the day, the university councils will not have the right to audit such an account. That is really the only area that is still contentious.”

Ngige also disclosed that council approved purchase of 67 vehicles worth N464 million to strengthen the capacity of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

He specifically said 40 pick-up vehicles and 27 Peugeot 301 cars were approved to boost the commission’s fleet.

According to him, all vehicles are to be sourced locally from Innoson Motors and Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) in line with the country’s Local Content and Procurement Act.

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http://guardian.ng/news/we-cant-pay-n284b-allowances-government-tells-asuu/

Let Us See Results, Obasanjo Tells FG

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the results of its development initiatives are felt by Nigerians.

Obasanjo, who was one of the keynote speakers at the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum, which held on Saturday in Lagos, commended the government for its programmes aimed at creating jobs and diversifying the economy.

Also addressing Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Deputy Governor, Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe, at the event, the ex-president said there was the need to support entrepreneurs in their states to develop products that would be fit for export.

Obasanjo said, “What you say you are doing is commendable, please let us see the results. We have to ensure that doing business in Nigeria is easy. We have to make them (investors) come to Nigeria. We need to be able to register a company at a one-stop shop.”

Earlier, the Minister for Information and Tourism, Lai Mohammed, stated that the government was moving the economy from being a mono-product economy to investing in agriculture, mining and solid minerals sectors, among others.

Also addressing the 1, 000 entrepreneurs of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the Group Managing Director, Rose of Sharon Group, Folorunso Alakija, advised them to pursue their businesses with passion, adding that they should be ready to take risks.

She said, “The hallmark of any entrepreneur is the ability to take risks. You need to fight yourself, friends, competition and government in order to succeed.”

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http://punchng.com/let-us-see-results-obasanjo-tells-fg/

Don’t Borrow Above $22.8bn In 2017- DMO Tells FG

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The Debt Management Office (DMO) has advised the Federal Government not to borrow above $22.08 billion in 2017.
It gave the recommendation on Tuesday in its 2016 Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) report, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
In the report, DMO stated that the end-period on Net Present Value (NPV) of the Total Public Debt-to-GDP ratio for 2016 for the Federal Government was projected at 13.5 per cent.
”The maximum amount that can be borrowed (domestic and external) by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2017, without violating the country-specific threshold, will be $22.08 billion (i.e. 5.89 per cent of 374.95 billion dollars).
”The Debt Management Strategy, 2016-2019 provides for the rebalancing of the debt portfolio from its composition of 84:16 as at the end of December, 2015 to an optimal composition of 60:40 by the end of December, 2019 for domestic to external debts, respectively.
It explained that the development supported the use of more external finance for funding capital projects, noting that the policy was in line with the focus of the present administration on speeding up infrastructure development in the country.
The DMO stated that it would achieve this by substituting the relatively expensive domestic borrowing in favour of cheaper external financing.
”This policy stance has been reinforced by the recent deterioration in macroeconomic variables, particularly with respect to the rising cost of domestic borrowing.
“Hence, the shift of emphasis to external borrowing would help to reduce debt service burden in the short to medium-term and further create more borrowing space for the private sector in the domestic market.
”Accordingly, for the fiscal year 2017, the maximum amount that can be borrowed is 22.08 billion U.S. dollars and it is proposed to be obtained from both the domestic and external sources as follows:
”New Domestic Borrowing 5.52 billion U.S. dollars (equivalent of about N1.6 triilion) and New External Borrowing: 16.56 billion U.S dollars (equivalent of about N4.8 trillion).”
The DMO also emphasised that the recommendation was made, taking into account the absorptive capacity of the domestic debt market and the options available in the external market.
Nigeria’s total debt portfolio rose 30 per cent to $62 billion in 2014, up from $47.6 billion as at September 2013.
The country’s external debt stood at $9.52 billion, 15 per cent of the entire debt stock.
Domestic borrowing, however, accounted for bulk of the total money owed by Africa’s largest economy.
Prior to the 2005 debt relief, bad debt management practices led to the payment of $4.9 billion yearly on debt servicing.

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http://sunnewsonline.com/dont-borrow-above-22-8bn-in-2017-dmo-tells-fg/

No Plan To Increase Petrol Price, NNPC Tells Nigerians Not To Panic

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The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Muhammad Garba-Deen, has said there was absolutely no plan by the Federal Government to increase pump price of petrol above N145 maximum level.

He said a statement people were referring to was made within the context of technical explanation, not within the context of downstream operations.

According to him, if there is going to be anything like a price hike, the agency responsible for fixing the price of petrol, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), will definitely sensitise Nigerians on it and give reasons for the hike.

He added that at present, there was no subsidy on petrol, and that the long-term contracts entered into by the NNPC with buyers and suppliers had addressed the issue of foreign exchange volatility.

“As per this moment, there is absolutely no plan to do that and no need to do that, because we have more than enough supply; we have very robust stock of product in our custody.

“ In addition to that, we also have long term procurement contract with our suppliers.

“The usual reason that would necessitate a review of price at the moment had been taken care of. We have long term procurement contract with our suppliers.

“We have more than enough supply to last us throughout the ember months and beyond,” he said.

Also, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, on Wednesday began investigation into some depot owners in Apapa who sold fuel to marketers above the official ex-depot price of N133.28.

Dorothy Bassey, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, DPR, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the agency would sanction depot owners found guilty.

According to Ms. Bassey, there is no reason for any depot to sell petrol above the official ex-depot price.

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http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/213694-dont-panic-no-plan-increase-petrol-price-nnpc-assures-nigerians.html

Senate Tells Buhari To Conduct Census In 2018

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The Senate on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to set machinery in motion to conduct housing and population census in 2018.

Emanating from a motion by Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja, the senate also urged the government to make adequate provision of fund for the exercise.

Motion the motion entitled “A call for The Federal Government to Expedite Action on the Planned 2018 National Census”, Hunkuyi reminded the government of constitutional provision for conduct of census.

He recalled that the last census was conducted in 2006 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and said that by the 10-year provision for the exercise to be conducted, it out to be in this year.

He said that delay in the issuance of a proclamation by President Buhari and poor release of funds to the National Population Commission (NPoPC), were major setbacks to conduct of the exercise.

Hunkuyi said that in accordance with best international practices, a well planned and executed population census should take a minimum of two years.

“It is only pertinent that subsequent population census should be carried out within an adequate timing and an objective of conducting an acceptable exercise.

“Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), NPoPC, Ministry of Budget and National Planning and other supervising agencies must make adequate provision in 2017 budget as critical prerequisite to achieving 2017/2018 population census,” he said.

Sen. John Enoh, in his contribution, reiterated the need for relevant government agencies to include the total cost of conducting the census in the 2017 budget.

He stressed that the Federal Government should adhere to the United Nations provision that censuses should be conducted every 10 years.

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http://guardian.ng/news/senate-tells-buhari-to-conduct-census-in-2018/

I Share Your Pains, Buhari Tells Chibok Girls’ Parents

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On the second anniversary of the abduction of Chibok school girls, President Muhammadu Buhari has said he understands the trauma, parents of the school girls were going through, saying, he shares in their pains and will spare no effort to ensure the safe return of the girls. In a statement by his media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, Thursday, to mark the second anniversary of their abduction, the President stated that with the intensified efforts of both his government and the armed forces, the girls would be rescued and returned home. The statement read in part:

“On the second anniversary of the kidnap of the girls, President Buhari affirms that, as a parent and leader of the country, he understands the torment, frustration and anxiety of the parents and will not spare any effort to ensure the safe return of the girls.

“The President continues to believe that with the total commitment of the Federal Government, Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies, and the support of the international community, the girls will be eventually rescued.

“President Buhari notes that thousands of persons, mostly women and children, who were kidnapped by Boko Haram, have already been rescued and reunited with their families. He shares the hope of the parents that the Chibok girls will ultimately be rescued and reunited with their families as well.

“The President assures the parents that the Federal Government and security agencies will continue to explore all possible options for the safe return of the girls.

“President Buhari urges the parents to continue to exercise patience and understanding as the government works diligently to ensure that the girls return home unharmed.

“The President thanks all Nigerians, religious and civil organizations, and the international community for their continued sympathy, support and prayers for the return of the Chibok girls.”

Credit: vanguardngr

LOL! See What Donald Trump Tells Breast Feeding Mom

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Presidential candidate Donald Trump called a lawyer and breastfeeding mother “disgusting” after she requested a break from a deposition in order to pump.

According to the paper, lawyer Elizabeth Beck was questioning Trump in 2011 about a failed Florida real estate project. Beck, with her husband, represented clients who claimed to lose thousands of dollars in the deal. At one point, Beck, who had a 3-month-old daughter, requested a medical break which was contested by Trump and his lawyers, who wanted to continue, the Times says. That’s when Beck took out her breast pump to show that her request was urgent — she needed to pump for her infant. “You’re disgusting,” Trump told Beck before leaving the room.

In an interview with CNN on Wednesday morning, Beck says she had pre-negotiated breaks during the deposition in order for her to pump. “[Trump] got up, his face got red, he shook his finger at me and he screamed, ‘You’re disgusting, you’re disgusting,’ and he ran out of there,” Beck said. She called his behavior “an absolute meltdown.”

Alan Garten, a lawyer for Trump who was present at the deposition, told the Times that Trump’s statement “was in no way a statement about her decision to breastfeed or pump. It was solely the fact that she was appearing to do it in the middle of a deposition,” and Garten said Beck was using the pump break as an excuse to get extra time to come up with questions for Trump.

Credit: Yahoo

You Must Be Agents Of Change, Buhari Tells Ministers

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday charged the ministers- designate to ensure they key into the goals of his administration and be the agents of change that will transform the country.

Buhari spoke during the opening session of a two-day Presidential Retreat for the 36 ministers- designate at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

The theme of the retreat is: “Delivering Change: From Precepts to Practice.”

The President also told the ministers- designate to observe the rule of law and shun impunity in the conduct of government activities.

Stressing that they must count themselves privileged to have been chosen to serve among millions of Nigerians, he said the retreat was aimed at getting them acquainted with the direction of his administration.

Credit: NationOnline

Chadian President Tells Nigeria Not To Negotiate With Boko Haram

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CHADIAN leader Idriss Deby yesterday fueled the speculation that Boko Ha­ram leader Abubakar Shek­au is dead when he said the sect has a new leader who is ready to negotiate with the Federal Government.

Deby gave the new leader’s name as Maha­mat Daoud while address­ing the press in the capital N’Djamena on the 55th an­niversary of Chad’s inde­pendence from France. He however advised the Nige­rian government not to suc­cumb to pressure to hold talks with the militants.

“There is someone ap­parently called Mahamat Daoud who is said to have replaced Abubakar Shekau and he wants to negotiate with the Nigerian gov­ernment. “For my part, I would advise not to nego­tiate with a terrorist,” the president said.

Controversy has dogged claims by the Nigerian mil­itary that Shekau is dead, as the sect had repeatedly claimed that the dreaded leader is alive. Shekau had always appeared in videos disparaging Nigerian lead­ers and the military.

Read More: sunnewsonline