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In a renewed effort aimed at getting all workers in its employment to enroll on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPIS), the federal government has issued a fresh directive to all staff of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to enroll on the scheme on or before Thursday, June 18, 2020.

The latest directive by the federal government was extended to agencies not formerly captured by the salary platform, including departments and agencies in the oil and gas sector.

The two unions in the oil and gas sector, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG), confirmed the deadline in their protest letter to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva at the weekend.

The unions said that their members would not register on IPPIS until the issues relating to peculiarities in the oil and gas sector are sorted out.

“We are in receipt of a copy of a directive from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation directing federal ministries, departments and agencies to enroll on IPPIS on or before Thursday, June 18, 2020, threatening to stop further release of personnel cost if the directive is ignored.

“ Please be informed that the association/union’s apprehension about IPPIS stems from the fact that it discountenances the peculiarities of the oil and gas industry, with regard to the collective bargaining agreement and approved pay structure between the unions and federal government through the Income, Salaries and Wages Commission.

The unions kicked against the directive by the Accountant General, insisting that its members would not comply with directive on the enrollment into IPPIS.

In a protest letter written to the Minister of State for Petroleum by PENGASSAN and NUPENG, the unions said that they were surprised that the Accountant General is ignoring the existing payment platform,
Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

“We reiterate that industrial peace in the sector cannot be guaranteed if the salaries of our members are stopped or if the implementation is carried out unilaterally without our input,” it said.

The two unions said they are expecting the minister to use his good offices to prevail on the Accountant General not to implement the directive on the enrollment into IPPIS until the issued around it are amicably resolved

Thisday

THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB,has told candidates jubilating for meeting its set benchmark for admission into tertiary institutions not to rely on the cut-off point.

JAMB said meeting its cut-off mark was not a guarantee for admission,explaining that there were other different factors for consideration for admission.

According to the board which stated this in its weekly news bulletin, released to the media Monday, by its Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin,”The undue attention to the so-called national minimum UTME score (UTME cut-off point), is a major source of failure of many ill-informed candidates who assumed that they have finally attained the benchmark having achieved the so called minimum national score or “cut off point’ for admission.”

It said even with its benchmark, “each institution determines and submits to JAMB its minimum UTME score; after having analyzed the UTME performances of its applicants against its available quota.”

The board also explained that,”Decisions at the annual Policy Meeting on Admission does not reduce the minimum prescription of the institutions except the few institutions whose submitted minimum UTME- scores fall below what the Policy Meeting considers as the minimum score acceptable.”

“No uniform minimum UTME score (cut -off) for all Universities, Polytechnics or Colleges of Education in Nigeria; each Institution determines and submits to JAMB its minimum UTME score; after having analyzed the UTME performances of its applicants against its available quota,” it explained.

The board said,”There is a layer of misconceptions on what is generally described as “uniform minimum national UTME score” for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”

“For long, many candidates and some members of the general public have come under erroneous impression that there is a minimum national UTME score, which they also refer to as “cut -off point”.

“The truth is that there is no one particular national minimum UTME score for all Universities, Polytechnics or Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

” It has never been. Similarly, in most cases, UTME score is not the sole determinant of placement of candidates into tertiary institutions,”it said.

According to JAMB,”It is therefore a double jeopardy for many candidates who swallow the popular myth that there is a uniform UTME score (cut-off) for all Universities, Polytechnics or Colleges of Education in Nigeria.”

“The myth also incorporates the erroneous impression that it is only the UTME score that constitutes the benchmark for admission.

“These are far from the truth. Such candidates on attainment of particular grade in UTME celebrate in advance their imminent placements, which in reality may not be at the end of the day,” it added.
In the bulletin, JAMB said:”The Board has repeatedly stated that: No uniform minimum UTME score (cut -off) for all Universities, Polytechnics or Colleges of Education in Nigeria; each Institution determines and submits to JAMB its minimum UTME score; after having analyzed the UTME performances of its applicants against its available quota.”

The bulletin read further: “UTME score is just one of the two or three scores that are generally added together to obtain the eventual aggregate score and ranking of the candidates.

” Other parameters are Post-UTME /Post -A/L qualifications screening/test score; O/L grade score; and in some cases, physical test (such as applicable in the Nigerian Defence Academy/Police Academy).Therefore, It is the score from all the segments that are added together to have eventual ranking table or “cut off” score.

“For the 2020 admission exercise, for example, no candidate with a UTME score of 209 can be considered for admission into any programme at the Pan African University (PAN) whose minimum UTME score is 210. Also, no candidate with a UTME score of 199 can be admitted into any of the following universities whose minimum score is 200:Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; University of Ibadan;Covenant University, Ota;

The Federal Government has summoned the Chargè d’ Affaires of the High Commission of Ghana to Nigeria , Ms Iva Denoo, over the demolition of parts of the Nigerian embassy in Ghana .

The Minister of Foreign Affairs , Geoffrey Onyeama, made this known .

The minister noted that Nigeria had asked the ambassador to give an “ urgent explanation ” on the recent attacks on apartments in the country’ s High Commission in Accra .

He tweeted, “ Summoned the Chargè d’ Affaires of the High Commission of # Ghana to Nigeria , Ms Iva Denoo to demand urgent explanation on the recent attacks on a residential building in our diplomatic premises and reinforcement of security around diplomatic premises and staff . ”

The PUNCH had earlier reported that some unidentified armed men attacked the building in Accra , the capital city on Friday , demolishing some apartments under construction .

The building was being constructed to house staff and visiting diplomats to the High Commission .

Both the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments had condemned the attack .

In its reaction , the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in a statement said unidentified individuals allegedly breached the premises of the Nigerian High Commission and demolished the property under construction at about 10 . 30 p. m.

“ The Ministry views with concern this development which is a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

“ Investigations are ongoing to unravel the facts of the matter and bring the perpetrators to book .

“ Meanwhile , the Ghanaian government has beefed – up security at the said facility and the situation is under control .

“ Whilst expressing regrets over the incident the Ministry wishes to reassure the Diplomatic community in Ghana and the Nigerian High Commission in particular that Ghana remains a law – abiding country.

The Oyo State civil and public servants of all grade levels , on Monday fully resumed work following the directive of the state government after a three- month stay – at – home order.

The state secretariat was closed on March 27 as part of the measures to check the spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic .
The secretariat, however , reopened on April 27 to workers on grade level 13 and above.

Governor Seyi Makinde, the State Chairman of the COVID- 19 Task Force on June 15 after a meeting by the task force , directed other categories of state workers to resume work on June 22 .

The News Agency of Nigeria correspondent who monitored the resumption, reports that some of the workers were seen trooping into the secretariat complex as early as 7 :10 a . m. wearing their face masks.

Those that resumed substantially complied with the COVID- 19 guidelines.

The ministries and agencies placed handwashing buckets , liquid detergent , and hand sanitisers at the entrance of their respective offices.

NAN also reports that cleaning of some of the offices was ongoing while some workers who resumed early at their duty posts were seen dusting tables , chairs , and files in readiness for work.

Mr Akin Olaitan , a level 10 officer, said two face masks were provided for each civil servant as they resumed at their respective ministries.

Olaitan commended the state government for the provision of the face masks and other items to contain COVID- 19 infection among the civil servants .

Mrs Foluke Adekunle and Miss Eunice Adeyemi , both on grade level 9 , were happy for returning to duty after almost three months of compulsory break .

The duo urged their colleagues to abide by the COVID- 19 guidelines and other precautionary measures outlined by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and state government , to contain/prevent the spread of the pandemic .

When contacted for comment , the State Head of Service , Mrs Ololade Agboola , through her Media Officer , Mr Abiodun Atilola , said an official statement would be issued on workers ’ resumption before the close of work on Monday .

NAN

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) Is currently meeting with some state governors elected on the platform of the All Progressive Congress .

The meeting holding inside the Presidential Villa , Abuja , is part of efforts aimed at resolving the crisis currently rocking the ruling party .

The governors were led to the meeting by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum , Atiku Bagudu , who is the Kebbi State governor.

Others in attendance as of the time of filing this report include Plateau State Governor , Simon Lalong ; and his Jigawa State counterpart , Abubakar Badaru .

Nigeria may face petrol scarcity if oil workers make good the threat of withdrawing their services nationwide should the Federal Government insist on registering employees in the oil sector on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System .

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers made the threat in a letter addressed to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva .

The unions kicked against plans by the Office of the Accountant- General of the Federation to register oil workers on the IPPIS platform .

The letter , which was dated June 19 , 2020 , and sighted by our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday , was jointly signed by the General Secretaries of PENGASSAN and NUPENG, Lumumgba Okugbawa and Olawale Afolabi , respectively .

The unions said their apprehension about the IPPIS platform stemmed from the fact that it discountenanced the peculiarities of the oil and gas sector with regards to collective bargaining agreement and approved pay structure between the unions and the Federal Government.

“ We reiterate that industrial peace in the sector cannot be guaranteed if the salaries of our members are stopped or if the implementation is carried out unilaterally without our input , ” the unions said .

Afolabi also confirmed to our correspondent that the unions would embark on industrial action if the government neglects their requests .

He , however , said that no date had been fixed for the commencement of such action as the unions were optimistic that the government would listen to their demands .

The letter stated that the unions were surprised that though the Federal Government recently revived the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System , where all affected agencies were currently on , the Office of the Accountant- General of the Federation still insisted on enrolling oil workers on the IPPIS platform .

Describing the IPPIS platform as defective and problematic, the unions urged the petroleum minister to intervene in the matter to avert crisis in the oil sector .

Both oil unions stressed that they were counting on Sylva ’ s understanding in resolving the matter .

Punch

The National Association of Resident Doctors has announced the suspension of its strike with effect from Monday (today ).

The association however said its national officers would continue negotiations with stakeholders and the progress made would be reviewed in four weeks ’ time during its next National Executive Council meeting .

NARD said it shelved the strike to give the government time to meet outstanding demands, following appeal by the Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila , Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Boss Mustapha , Chairman of the Nigerian Governors ’ Forum , Dr Kayode Fayemi , and other stakeholders.

NARD said this in a communiqué issued in Abuja and signed by its President , Dr Aliyu Sokomba ; Secretary – General , Dr Bilqis Muhammad ; and Publicity Secretary , Dr Stanley Egbogu , after its National Executive Council meeting , attended by over 300 members .

Sokomba , who read the communiqué to journalists , said , “The NEC deliberated extensively on the ongoing NARD strike that commenced on June 15 , 2020 following her Emergency General Meeting to consider the federal and state governments ’ responses to the minimum requirements .

“ The NEC acknowledges the provision of the Personal Protective Equipment to some hospitals . These PPEs are consumables and non – reusable , therefore the need for sustained supply. ”

The union said COVID- 19 inducement allowance “ has only been paid to 11 federal health institutions and most state governments have yet to review the hazard allowance of health workers . ”

NARD also said it observed during the meeting that the medical residency training funding had been included in the revised 2020 budget through the intervention of the Speaker , House of Representatives and would be implemented as soon as the budget was assented to by the President .

“ At the same time, we await the fulfillment of the promise made by the Nigeria Governors ’ Forum to ensure same is done in all the states .

“ On the salary shortfall for 2014 – 2016 , the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has promised to intervene . Government has shown commitment to procure group life insurance for health workers . ”

Meanwhile , the Federal Government lamented on Sunday that the NARD strike impacted negatively on public health .

It said the strike succeeded in putting many lives , including those of members of NARD , at risk while it lasted .

The Minister of Information and Culture , Lai Mohammed , said this at a press conference he addressed in Abuja on Sunday shortly before the association suspended its strike, which he described as inexplicable .

Punch

Senate President , Ahmad Lawan , met with the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , on the increasing security challenges in the country and made a case for drastic solutions.

Lawan told State House correspondents after the meeting that he believed in providing more resources for the nation’ s security agents and the need for the heads of the agencies to sit up or be shown the way out .
He said anyone of them found not to be living up to expectations at the end of a particular timeline should be sacked.

He said , “I think we must tell ourselves the truth that the security situation in the country, especially in the northern part of the country, requires that we give much more resources to the security agencies .

“ Those who are heading these agencies , especially the service chiefs , must sit up . In fact , we must have milestones and timelines on how we are going to deal with this . We can ’ t just go on without any timeframe for dealing with these issues.

“ If after we provide some supports and someone is found short of expectations, he should be shown the way out if he refuses to go . This is because the lives of Nigerians are so precious and therefore must be more important than any other considerations or sentiments. ”

Punch

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said Nigerians are willing to pay for electricity if the services they receive from the distribution companies are constant and better.

According to reports, Osinbajo expressed this view while featuring in a webinar on Economic Sustainability Beyond COVID-19 organised by Emmanuel Chapel in Abuja.

The Vice President said it was not true that Nigerians did not want to pay more for power, adding that they had been unhappy with the poor service over the years.

Osinbajo reacted to a question posed by the former Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

“Just to comment on the point you made and I have alluded to it that income elasticity is more important for persons living in the rural area and for the poor who need to have electricity for whatever means of livelihood they have.

“What we have discovered especially as we have worked with the private sector to deploy solar power in different parts of the country is exactly the point you have made.

“For example, in Wuna, a village which is just outside Abuja, they never had light until a private company provided solar power there.

“What they pay on average for their power is well in excess of the N37 per unit that we pay for power off the grid.

“Turankawa in Sokoto pays almost N100. So, from many of the areas where we have been, it is evident that this business of people not willing to pay for power is not true at all.

“As a matter of fact, the reason there is such great resistance is really the service level.

“Most people are used to poor service so they just see every tariff increase as injustice because they are getting poor service but are asked to pay more.

“But where service is guaranteed people have been prepared to pay.’’

He listed Sabon Gari market in Kano, Ariaria market (in Aba) and in Sura market (in Lagos) and so many different parts of the country as instances where people paid for better services.

According to him, the question really is one of service as there must be a way of guaranteeing service in exchange for tariff increase which is really the point being made with the DisCos.

He said that the needful should be done in the power sector as the market failure in the power sector was mostly due to how the privatisation was done.

Thisday

The Lagos State Emergency Agency has confirmed a fresh explosion from the scene of Sunday morning inferno , involving four vehicles on the Lagos -Ibadan Expressway .

The Federal Road Safety Corps said the fresh fire delayed the reopening of the out – bound Lagos lane for motorists .

Providing an update , FRSC Sector Commander in Lagos State , Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, told NAN that the fresh fire affected the rescue operations .

Ogungbemide, however , said that the situation had been brought under control , urging motorists to be patient and drive with care .

“ There was this fresh explosion from gas tanker (one of the tankers involved in the accident ).

“ The cover of the tanker opened and another fire billow up , but it is under control .

“ We had restricted movements to the inward Lagos route for in and out motorists , ’’ Ogungbemide said .

He said fire services from Lagos and Ogun states “are on ground to bring normalcy back on the expressway ’’ .

Ogungbemide earlier said rescue operations recovered a body burnt beyond recognition from the inferno while two persons were injured .

He said that two injured had been moved to Gbagada General Hospital .