The Chairman , Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission , Prof Bolaji Owasanoye , said the agency has discovered N2 . 67 billion meant for the school feeding programme in private accounts.
The agency , he added , also found over N2 . 5 billion diverted by a deceased worker with the ministry of agriculture , noting that 18 buildings , 12 business premises, and 25 plots of land , were also recovered in the ministry .
Owasanoye disclosed this in Abuja on Monday , at the second National Summit on diminishing corruption in the public sector , which was organised in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation.
He stated , “We observed that transfers to sub – TSA were to prevent disbursement from being monitored .
Nevertheless, we discovered payments to some federal colleges for school feeding in the sum of N 2 . 67 billion during lockdown when the children are not in school , and some of the money ended up in personal accounts. We have commenced investigations into this finding . ”
The ICPC chairman also said under its 2020 constituency and executive projects tracking initiative , 722 projects with a threshold of N100 million (490 ZiP and 232 executive ) were tracked across 16 states .
Scores of workers , students , traders , and residents trooped out in Ibadan to protest against the hike in the price of petrol and other policies of the Federal Government.
The workers , who gathered at the Agodi Gate area of Ibadan , were led during the peaceful protest by human rights activist , Femi Aborisade , who is the Vice – Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID- 19 and Beyond; and the National Coordinator of All Workers Convergence, Andrew Emelieze among other unionists .
The protesters , who were armed with placards condemning the Federal Government and its policies, said Nigerians had been further impoverished by the recent hike in the electricity tariff and petrol pump price.
They said corruption by government officials made life unbearable for the masses , criticising the lack of adequate funding of the education and health sectors .
Aborisade said ASCAB was against the agreement between the NLC , TUC, and the Federal Government, saying Labour leaders ought to have briefed workers before taking that decision .
He said the Federal Government should follow the rule of law by obeying the Federal High Court judgment of 2016 against fuel price and electricity tariff hikes.
He said , ” Federal Government must reverse the electricity tariff increment and fuel pump price hike in the interest of the masses . ”
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have suspended the strike scheduled to commence today ( Monday ) .
This followed an agreement reached with the Federal Government at a meeting which started at 8 . 30 pm on Sunday and ended at 2 :50 am this morning .
After exhaustive deliberations on the issues raised by the labour centres , the meeting agreed to suspend the application of the cost- reflective electricity tariff adjustments for two weeks .
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige , read the five- page communique signed by the representatives of the government and labour .
The NLC President , Ayuba Wabba ; and his Trade Union Congress counterpart , Quadri Olaleye, amongst others signed on behalf of Organised Labour while the Minister of Labour , Chris Ngige ; Minister of State Petroleum , Timipre Silva ; Minister of State Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo ( SAN ); Minister of Information , Lai Mohammed ; and the Secretary to Government of the Federation , Boss Mustapha and others, signed on behalf of the government .
Olaleye confirmed the development in an interview with newsmen.
He said , “ Definitely correct. 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 .
“ We don ’ t need a notice again to re -convene if there is a need to do that . ”
The parties agreed to set up a technical committee comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NLC and TUC.
It would work for a duration of two weeks effective September 28 , to examine the justifications for the new policy “ in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost- reflective tariff as a result of the conflicting information from the fields which appeared different from the data presented to justify the new policy by NERC ; metering deployment , challenges , timeline for massive rollout . ”
The members of the committee 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 are Onoho’ Omhen Ebhohimhen , Joe Ajaero ( NLC ) , Chris Okonkwo (TUC) and a representative of electricity distribution companies .
The committee ’ s terms of reference are 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 6 million meters, among others.
The House of Representatives has waded into the crisis between the Federal Government and the organised labour over the recent hikes in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol ) and electricity tariff .
The workers , however , insisted on starting industrial action on Monday until their demands are met .
The Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had jointly declared their readiness to embark on a nationwide strike and protests to compel the Federal Government to reverse the hikes. The hikes had generated nationwide criticism .
The Speaker , Femi Gbajabiamila , met with President of the NLC , Ayuba Wabba ; and his TUC counterpart , Quadri Olaleye, among others.
Also at the meeting were the Deputy Majority Leader , Peter Akpatason ; and Chairman , House Committee on Labour , Ali Muhammed.
Emerging from the meeting, Wabba dismissed the various court rulings barring the workers from industrial action .
He said , “ We have had a useful discussion with the leadership of the House of Representatives . We have shared our concerns and challenges with him (Gbajabiamila ) , especially the very challenges of the implication of the hike in the tariff of electricity and the ( petrol ) pump price. We also told him how the discussions with the Federal Government went and how the meeting was adjourned.
“ He has also promised to try to intervene at his own level , to see to it that we don ’ t inflict more pains on Nigerians . And in the course of the discussion , we have also realised that the House of Reps has done a lot on this issue, including recommendation to government which we have shared mutually.
“ But the bottom line is that we want this burden that has now been shifted to Nigerians as consumers to also be lifted so that we can have a decent life . ”
The NLC boss said , “ Are you not aware also that there is a court judgment stopping the tariff ? This is a valid judgment from the High Court stopping the tariff increase and that judgment is still subsisting . Are you not aware of that ? And on the issue of the court judgment , we have not been served.
“ As I said , in good faith , you ’ ll recall that we were on the negotiation table up till late Thursday night . Therefore , our expectation is that we should be able to , in good faith , continue to dialogue , not to try to ambush because we have not received the order as of today and we don ’ t know the details of any order. Clearly speaking, we cannot speak on something that is not before us .
However, The Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila , met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, over the planned industrial action and protests by labour unions scheduled to commence on Monday .
Osinbajo and Gbajabiamila were joined at the meeting by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Boss Mustapha .
The meeting, which was held at the official residence of the Vice- President inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja , came a few minutes after Gbajabiamila had met with labour leaders at the National Assembly complex .
Although his meeting with the labour leaders ended in a deadlock, Gbajabiamila , at the end of his meeting with Osinbajo and Mustapha , expressed optimism that the industrial action will be averted .
He wrote on his Twitter handle , @ femigbaja , “ After my meeting with Labour I met with the VP and SGF .
“ We had fruitful discussions and I am hopeful tomorrow ’ s strike will be averted . ”
The Federal Government has warned all federal civil servants on Salary Grade Level 12 and above , as well as those on essential services , to be at work from Monday despite the industrial action declared by labour unions .
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi – Esan , in a circular dated September 25 , 2020 , asked those civil servants still working to shun the industrial action .
The circular which was addressed to all ministers , permanent secretaries , as well as heads of government ’ s agencies and parastatals , was titled “ The Nigerian labour unions planned industrial action ” .
It read , “ Sequel to the call by the labour unions for workers to embark on industrial action from Monday , September 28 , 2020 , the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation wishes to inform all public servants that the Federal Government team is currently engaging with the labour unions with a view to resolving all contentious issues and avert the planned industrial action .
“ Furthermore, it is important to note that there is a court injunction granted by the National Industrial Court (Suit No . NICN /ABJ / 253/ 2020 ) on September 24 , 2020 , restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria from embarking on any tom of industrial action pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice .
“ Accordingly , all officers on Grade Level 12 and above and those on essential services are hereby strongly advised to be at work to perform their official duties .
“ Permanent secretaries and chief executive officers are therefore enjoined to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned officers and ensure strict compliance . ”
The Ondo State Government said it had not directed or permitted the reopening of primary and tertiary institutions, public or private , in the state while secondary schools have been permitted to open for only Senior Secondary School 3 and Junior Secondary School Class 3 .
The government said the directive was in line with its objective of strengthening public safety , protecting the lives of residents, and further mitigating the spread of COVID- 19 .
The state Chairman of the Inter -Ministerial Committee on Covid – 19 , Professor Adesegun Fatusi , stated this in Akure , the state capital.
According to him , all school authorities – both public and private had been ordered to comply fully with the government ’ s directive , to remain closed until the state government expressly permits such.
Fatusi said , “ The Government is very keen to see students return to classes , but in a safe , serene and secured environment . The government would not tolerate any illegal act of re -opening schools contrary to the government ’ s directive .
He urged the parents to ensure that their children and ward continued to stay at home until the government directed otherwise .
Governors of the 36 states of the federation under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum will on Thursday hold an emergency virtual conference to find a solution to the looming industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the recent increase in the pump price of petrol .
This was contained in a terse press statement titled “ NGF Emergency Virtual Teleconference, issued by NGFs Head, Media and Public Affairs , Abdulrazaque Bello- Barkindo , in Abuja .
The statement read “Ahead of the threat by the Nigeria Labour Congress to resort to an industrial action to force the Federal Government to rescind its decision to hike oil and electricity prices in the country.
“ The Nigeria Governors ’ Forum is holding an emergency meeting of all the governors to seek ways of settling the rift and finding a mutually agreed soft landing on amicable grounds .
“ All governors are expected to attend the meeting as the matter is considered to be of urgent national importance , which needs to be quickly resolved in order not to worsen the already bad situation of Nigerians as caused by the COVID- 19 pandemic .
“ The meeting which is the first NGF emergency virtual teleconference starts at 6 pm . Tomorrow, Thursday September 25 . ”
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja for Bissau to attend ceremonies celebrating the National Day of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, September 24.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, while in Bissau, President Buhari will also commission a road named in his honour by the host government.
It said, “The Nigerian leader and other invited Heads of State will attend an official lunch hosted by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau. Nigeria and Guinea Bissau established diplomatic relations in 1974.
“Following a military coup in that country, Nigeria in 2012 deployed troops under the auspices of ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) to maintain peace.
“President Buhari had in response to a request for assistance by the Government of Guinea Bissau, during its last legislative elections, donated $500,000 dollars, 17 vehicles and 350 electoral kits to support the country’s electoral process.
“In May this year, the President received President Embalo in Abuja, during which the Nigerian leader congratulated his counterpart on his confirmation as President, assuring him of Nigeria’s support to the new government in Guinea Bissau.
“The Nigerian troops were only withdrawn on September 10, 2020, after the return of stability to the West African country.”
The statement further noted that the President will be accompanied by top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd) and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
President Buhari will return to Abuja at the end of the ceremonies on Thursday.
The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has apologised to its customers at Mowe, Ibafo and Magboro, all in Ogun, over poor electricity supply in the areas.
The company, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, said that work was already in progress to address the challenges.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IBEDC, Mr John Ayodele, attributed the poor power supply being experienced in those communities to some challenges between the company and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
“Another major challenge is that the 33KV, which is a straight network, is solely under the control of TCN.
“Whenever there is a fault, the normal routine is that our engineers must get approval from TCN before repairs can commence, and this process is a bit challenging,” Ayodele said.
“We are also appealing to our unmetered customers in this locality to take advantage of the Meter Asset Provider Scheme (MAP) to get metered.
“Our staffers are on strict schedules to ensure that customers’ issues are promptly addressed,” Ayodele said.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has vowed to proceed with its planned strike and protest with effect from September 28 following the failure of the Federal Government to reverse the hike in electricity tariff and fuel price.
Rising from its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja a few minutes ago , the NLC President , Ayuba Wabba , said the proposed action by the organised labour would proceed from next week.
He stated that the decision was unanimously taken by the chairmen of the 36 states and FCT chapters of the NLC .
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