Fed Govt to revisit sachet alcoholic beverages ban, says Health Minister.

Fed Govt to revisit sachet alcoholic beverages ban, says Health Minister.

The Federal Government has said it intends to review the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles that are smaller than 200 mls.

This followed a peaceful protest staged at the premises of the Federal Ministry of Health yesterday in Abuja by members of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB).

The protesters presented their grievances to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, citing the hardship the ban has caused to their livelihoods.

At the end of January, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) implemented a ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 20ml, citing the adverse socioeconomic impact of such packaging on the nation’s future.

NAFDAC also said the inexpensive and readily available alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles contributes to the emergence of a generation of addicted children, as the attractive packaging makes it easy for them to indulge in excessive consumption.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe, to the National President of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, Jomoh Oyibo, expressed the association’s dissatisfaction with the ban imposed on the manufacturing, sales, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles.

Oyibo complained that following the ban, NAFDAC had sealed over 25 companies producing such alcoholic drinks, saying it was meant to curb alcoholic abuse.

The union leader said the government’s action had affected entrepreneurs, dependents, and the workforce negatively.

According to him, considering the present economic situation in the country, the timing for the ban is not right.

Oyibo urged the ministry to intervene in the matter to remedy the current predicament the association was undergoing.

Addressing the protesters, Pate said the ministry would endeavour to address their grievances.

Appealing to the aggrieved group, the minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Kachallom Daju, promised to look into their complaints and find a better option, going forward.

“What I am saying now is that we have heard your grievances. This is a listening government. We are going to discuss with partners, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other members on the way forward,” he said.

Senate urges govt to stop planned removal of electricity subsidy, tariff hike.

Senate urges govt to stop planned removal of electricity subsidy, tariff hike.

The Senate has advised the Federal Government against removing electricity subsidy or allowing a hike in tariffs. The resolution followed the consideration and approval of a motion, ‘Planned increase in electricity tariff and arbitrary billing of unmetered customers by Distribution Companies (DisCos)’. The motion was sponsored by Senator Aminu Iya Abbas (Adamawa Central).

The government last week said it was now ‘very difficult to sustain subsidy on electricity’.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said Nigeria must begin to move towards a cost-effective tariff model. According to him, the country was currently owes electricity generating companies N1.3 trillion and gas companies $1.3 billion.

Abbas, in his lead debate, said the ‘Senate notes with great dismay, plans to increase electricity tariff by the relevant statutory authority in gross disregard of increased economic challenges with attendant widespread poverty and high cost of living.

“The Senate may note that the Minister of Power was reported saying ‘the nation must begin to move towards a cost-effective tariff model, as the country is currently indebted to the tune of N1.3 trillion to generating companies (GenCos) and $1.3 billion owed gas companies.

“According to him, of the over N2 trillion needed for subsidy, only N450 billion was budgeted this year. The same electricity businesses are collecting money from customers for services not rendered. When they have not added anything to the equipment they inherited from PHCN. Communities buy transformers to replace damaged ones in addition to overburden bills and arbitrary estimates for unmetered customers.

“We note that the issue of arbitrary energy charges on unmetered customers has become worrisome given the February 2024 report of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the non-compliance with energy billing caps by DisCos and the N10.5 billion penalty imposed on distribution companies that over-bill unmetered customers.

“In 2018, then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, directed the NERC to issue a regulation that facilitates signing of meter agreement between the ministry, Ziglaks company and other meter asset providers, to address the metering gaps in the power supply industry…”

Tinubu appoints Nandap as Comptroller-General of Immigration.

Tinubu appoints Nandap as Comptroller-General of Immigration.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed DCG Kemi Nanna Nandap as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, February 21, by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Nandap’s appointment will take effect from March 1, 2024.

The new Comptroller-General of Immigration will be taking over from Mrs. Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, whose time in the service will be coming to an end on February 29, 2024.

The statement said: “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DCG Kemi Nanna Nandap to serve as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), effective from March 1, 2024.

“DCG Nandap takes over from Mrs. Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, whose term in office expires on February 29, 2024.

“Before her appointment as Comptroller-General, Nandap was the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of the Migration Directorate of the Service.

“The President anticipates that the new Comptroller-General will deepen the ongoing reforms in the service and create a robust mechanism for efficient and dedicated service delivery to Nigerians, as well as strengthen the nation’s security through proactive and effective border security and migration management.”

Edo APC primary: Tinubu not in support of zoning – Oshiomhole.

Edo APC primary: Tinubu not in support of zoning – Oshiomhole. 

Former Edo state governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, revealed on Wednesday, February 21, that President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the non-zoning approach for the rescheduled All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, scheduled for Thursday, February 22.

Speaking to reporters at the State House in Abuja after a meeting with President Tinubu, Oshiomhole, who also served as the national chairman of the APC, criticized those advocating for zoning in the Edo APC’s case, citing processes in Kogi and Benue states as justification.

The party leader, currently representing Edo North at the Senate, stated that he sought clarification from President Tinubu, regarding the selection process for the party’s candidate in the upcoming Edo state election.

He asserted that the President favours a transparent process that reflects the desires of the majority of party members.

Oshiomhole’s visit came amid the controversies trailing the APC governorship primary, which result had initially been announced in favour of Hon Dennis Idahosa, but was later declared inconclusive by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party over protests by some other party stakeholders.

Two other candidates including Senator Monday Okpebholo and Sunday Dekeri also claimed victory as they accused the former governor of trying to impose Idahosa.

Edo APC stakeholders opposed to Idahosa have cited the fact that he is from the same Edo South Senatorial District as the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki who is completing his two-term eight-year tenure, advocating that power should move to a different zone.

But Oshiomhole insisted that after discussing the zoning question with President Tinubu, the President expressed his commitment only to a free and fair primary.

He said Tinubu told him that the rescheduled primary should not be based on zoning but on the will of the majority of APC.

Oshiomhole maintained after allowing Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo to succeed Yahaya Bello even though they are from the same senatorial district, and also not stop the Tivs from dominating Benue State governorship elections, the APC cannot single out Edo State for zoning

Fed workers get four months wage award.

Fed workers get four months wage award.

Federal Government workers have been paid N35,000 wage award for four months, the Presidency said yesterday.

The wage award is one of the measures introduced to soften the pain from removal of petrol subsidy.

In a tweet, an official, who confirmed the payment, said the balance of N35,000 for two month is “being worked out.” It would be paid soon.

He also said Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday on the issues.

The tweet also gave details of how the Federal Government has complied with the agreements reached with organised labour in October.

These are:

“The Minimum Wage Committee has held two meetings and discussions are on-going.

 “The government has implemented the suspension of Value Added Tax (TAX) on diesel since October last year.

“On the provision of CNG Buses and conversion mits, government has so far made substantial financial commitments.  These busses will be rolled out very soon.

“On the leadership crises rocking NURTW and RTEAN, government waded into the matter and the issue has been amicably resolved.  The Lagos State Government was mandated to address the matter. The executive body of the union has been inaugurated and all contending issues are resolved.

 “Government has paid in full the four months outstanding salaries to ASUU as approved by Mr. President.  Action is on-going with respect to other unions as well.

“ So far, 3,140,819 households, including vulnerable pensioners, have benefitted from the N25,000 monthly conditional cash transfer amounting to N68.3 billion before the temporary suspension of the programme.

On fertilizer distribution, government has made tremendous progress to boast agricultural production.

“Government has constantly engaged various state governments and the private sector on the issue of the implementation of wage award for their workers and this has been receiving favourable compliance by state governments.  Government will continue to use all relevant channels to ensure sustainability of the programmes.

“To encourage Micro and Small Enterprises as contained in Mr. President’s broadcast on 1st August, 2023, plans have reached an advanced stage to accelerate the process of job creation through the release of funds to micro and small scale business.”

“In order to ascertain the level of rehabilitation of the refineries, a joint visitation by government and Organized Labour was successfully carried out today, 21st February, 2024 and it was established that the Port-Harcourt Refinery is 80% completed.  Production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) will commence before the end of the year.”

Reps ask law school to reverse 60% fee hike.

Reps ask law school to reverse 60% fee hike.

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, called on the Council of Legal Education to stop forthwith the increment of the Nigerian Law School fees.

The House made the resolution following a motion by Obinna Chinda on behalf of his absent colleague, Kingsley Chinda.

The House also mandated its Committees on Tertiary Education and Services “to explore solutions to the issue at hand and report back within two weeks for further legislative action as time is of the essence.”

Leading the debate on the motion titled, “Need to check the 60 per cent increase in the Nigerian Law School Fees,” Obinna called the attention of the House to the fact that “Nigeria is currently facing a 27.33 per cent inflation rate, as reported by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, which is projected by trade economics to rise to 30 per cent by December 2024.”

He told his colleagues that the Council of Legal Education “has approved a 60 per cent increase in Nigerian law school fees from N296,000.00 to N476,000 in the 2023/2024 Bar Part II academic session.”

He said unless immediate steps were taken the fee hike would impact negatively on students going to the Nigerian Law School.

Give Tinubu time to get things done, Gowon urges Nigerians.

Give Tinubu time to get things done, Gowon urges Nigerians.

A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, emphasizing that it’s premature to anticipate flawless outcomes at this stage.

Gowon spoke in an interview with State House correspondents after a meeting he had with Tinubu on Wednesday.

The former Head of State, who noted that he was visiting Tinubu for the first time after the latter’s inauguration, disclosed that discussions revolved around matters concerning peace and security within the West African sub-region.

Responding to inquiries about his advice to the President regarding the prevailing national circumstances, Gowon acknowledged the existing challenges but stressed that it’s too early to anticipate perfection.

He said, “I was telling him that there’s no Nigerian leader that can get there, that will not get all of these, all that is being said about him. But certainly, there is no doubt about all that one has heard and seen from various media. I think the government is trying its best to deal with the various problems of the country.

“But with Nigerians, don’t worry, you will get criticised but people who get there know better than you know. I think all one can say to Nigerians is that they have to give the President time to get things done and it is too early to sort of say a perfect result will be achieved. That is my opinion.

“At least, if I remembered, I was told that I was too slow, fighting the war and that probably Nigeria would not make it and we should seek for discussion. Well, did we do it or not? They probably did not know the problem there on the ground there.”