Cement price hike: NIQS throws support for importation.

Cement price hike: NIQS throws support for importation.

.…Hail Tinubu for clampdown of BDC operators over forex.

President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Kene Nzekwe has thrown his support behind the federal government‘s threat to cement manufacturers to open the borders for cement importation in the country if they fail to reduce cement prices.

He said presently, cement manufacturers are holding the country to ransom with about a 100 percent to 150 percent increase in price within just six weeks.

Nzekwe advised the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Dangiwa to not just threaten the manufacturers but work on opening the borders to importation if the manufacturers refuse to play ball.

The President said inflation is part of economic cycles but what Nigeria is currently facing is hyperinflation, which is an uncontrollable surge in general price levels.

He made the statement yesterday in Abuja at a press conference organised by the Institute on addressing the impact of hyperinflation on the Nigerian construction industry: the urgent need for government intervention for stabilizing construction costs in Nigeria.

He said: “We support the Minister’s threat to cement manufacturers in the country about opening the border for importation and we hope it goes beyond threats and the government actually does it because the manufacturers are holding Nigeria to ransom.

“The price of cement, using a 50kg bag as an indicator, between January 2024 and February 2024 a period of about six weeks, has increased from N4,500 to between N12,000-N13,000. This is an increase of between 100% to 150%. Reinforcement steel rods, another major material for construction moved from around N590,000 -N650,000 per ton as of January 2024 to N1,200,000 -N1,400,000 as of February 2024 an increase of over 100% in a short run of less than six weeks.

“This ugly trend is making it more difficult for prospective clients to afford construction projects and has forced many projects to stall, pushing contractors into financial distress. The repercussions extend beyond stalled projects; it impedes the development of crucial infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and educational facilities. Private sector investors are also reluctant, creating an adverse cycle that hampers economic growth and job losses in the construction Industry.”

He added: “On stabilizing the exchange rate, the government must employ a mix of monetary policies and exchange rate policies to stabilise the exchange rate, making our currency competitive globally. The clamp down on saboteur Bureau de Change (BDC) that are distorting our economy should be sustained and the system cleansed until all forex transactions are transparently done in a regulated manner not hawking currency on the streets as it is currently being done.”

Nzekwe added that the knee-jerk reaction of persuading manufacturers to bring down the prices or face dire consequences at this stage may be counter-productive.

He said: “Our recommendation will be for the government to sustain engagement with local construction material manufacturers to understand and address their challenges. Some of the challenges highlighted by the local manufacturers include exchange rate volatility which has seen our currency depreciate by about 300% in a few months thereby affecting the imported components of their manufacturing like spare parts, mining explosives and import tariff which is indexed in US Dollars.”

Don’t impose imam on us, Islamic clerics urge Osun Gov.

Don’t impose imam on us, Islamic clerics urge Osun Gov.

A group of clerics from Inisa town in Osun State has advised the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to allow due process in the selection of the next Chief Imam of Inisa Central Mosque.

On Friday, December 1, 2023, Inisa Central Mosque reopened for Jumaat prayers after being locked for about five years, following disagreement among the congregation on the choice of a candidate that would fill the post of Chief Imam.

The tussle had polarised the congregation into two groups, with each backing different candidates.

Presenting updates on the issue to journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, the leader of the group, Abdulrasaq Amad, advised Adeleke to allow due process according to Islamic injunctions to prevail in the selection.

Amad, who said the tussle was already a subject of litigation before an Osun State High Court, lamented that the current industrial action by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria in the state, which has prevented the court from sitting since last November, was delaying the hearing of the case.

He said the appeal to Adeleke was a sequel to the decision of those acting on behalf of the governor to openly support one of the two groups involved in the tussle, insisting that the court should be allowed to adjudicate on the matter.

He added, “Setting the records straight, the Central Mosque of Inisa was never closed down by the order of any court, rather the court gave an order restraining both parties from parading themselves as Chief Imam of Inisa or performing any duty or function of chief Imam of Inisa pending the determination of the case.

“We want to call on the governor to please stay away from this matter, and allow Inisha indigenes home and abroad who have vast knowledge on how a Chief Imam is being selected, to carry out the process.

“We also urge the Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Joseph Oyedele, all the chiefs to please stay away from the Chief Imam selection process and allow due Islamic process be followed.

“We want due process like screening, qualities, exams among others Islamic process of selecting Imam be carried out.”

When contacted for reaction, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, absolved Adeleke of any wrongdoing.

He said government intervention was to prevent a breakdown of law and order, noting that clerics across the county called on the governor to intervene.

Alimi, who urged anyone dissatisfied with the intervention to be patient, said what Adeleke did regarding the disagreement would not in any way affect the pending case.

Umahi charges BUA Cement to do more on price reduction.

Umahi charges BUA Cement to do more on price reduction.

The Minister for Works, Senator David Umahi, has charged the management of BUA Cement with the need to further reduce the prices of cement in the market.

Umahi stated this in Sokoto on Thursday when he led members of his management team to the headquarters of the company in Sokoto.

The Federal Government and cement manufacturers resolved that prices of cement would be reduced to between N7,000 and N8,000.

However, checks by The PUNCH showed that retail prices increased from N7,000 to N9,500, and N13,000 nationwide as of Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

The minister said the Federal Government is embarking on 372 kilometers of road, dual carriageway spanning from Kaduna to Sokoto State.

“I am here to see things for myself, as you are aware, the Federal Government is currently embarking on 372 dual kilometers of road of which the first phase will be done with asphalt, while the step-down will be done with concrete.

“If you calculate the 372 kilometers, because it is a dual carriageway into two will give us a total of 744 kilometers.

“The second 372 kilometers will be conducted with pure concrete in line with the renewed hope agenda of Mr President.

“When the chairman of the company visited Mr President last week, he assured that the 5th line will soon commence operation, and with my visit here, I can confirm the 5th line, though waiting yet to be commissioned has already commenced operation”

He however commended the management of the company for ensuring cleanliness within the entire premises of the company.

“I must commend you for ensuring absolute cleanliness within the environment of the company. It is also worth mentioning that no loitering around of staff in the company, this is a commendable development and I want you to keep it up”.

Also speaking, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, commended BUA management for living up to expectations in the discharge of its responsibilities.

He also appealed to the management of the company to in addition to improved capacity in its production ensure the availability of the product to the masses at affordable prices to meet up with the current administration of housing for all.

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, Managing Director of BUA Cement, Engineer Yusuf Binji, assured that with the fifth line, the company will ensure massive production of the product in the company.

He said the increase in the production of cement will further push down the price of the product in the market.

ASUU sends SOS to Taraba gov over N1.7bn unpaid allowances.

ASUU sends SOS to Taraba gov over N1.7bn unpaid allowances.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University chapter, on Thursday, appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas to pay the N1.7 billion accumulated earned Academic and promotional allowances owed to staff of the university since 2014.

This is even as the Union lamented the prolonged delay in the payment of their withheld salaries, noting that with each day passing without the payment of these outstanding salaries, the financial strain on their members intensifies, pushing them further into distress and uncertainty.

Addressing a press conference at the ASUU house at the Taraba State University, the Chairperson of the Union, Dr. Garba Mbave, said the non-payment of promotion arrears and withheld salaries not only create financial strain for members but also erodes their morale and diminishes their trust in the fairness and integrity of the institution.

“These situations we have been subjected to have the potential to disrupt industrial harmony and compromise the productivity and effectiveness of our workforce.

“The prolonged delay in the payment of Earned Academic Allowance has created significant discontent and frustration among our members. The non-payment of these allowances not only undermines the commitment and dedication of our academic staff but also poses a threat to the overall industrial harmony within our educational institution.

“The accumulation of these unpaid allowances since 2014 has only exacerbated the grievances and discontent among our academic staff. We urge the government to take decisive action to address this pressing issue and prioritise the prompt payment of the outstanding Earned Academic Allowances and withheld salaries owed to our members.

“Without a pension scheme in place for members of staff, we are faced with the challenges of financial insecurity and uncertainty. This is an unacceptable situation that highlights the urgent need for action.”

While commending the governor for the renovation of students’ hostels and slashing of fees for undergraduate students, the union urged the government to take decisive action on the issues of outstanding earned academic allowances, withheld salaries, promotional arrears, and construction of a parameter fence for the university.

Review Oronsaye, other reports before implementation, Reps urge Tinubu.

Review Oronsaye, other reports before implementation, Reps urge Tinubu.

The House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to thoroughly review the Stephen Oronsaye Report as well as other reports aimed at revamping the Nigerian civil service before implementation.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan had, in 2012, set up a Presidential Committee on the rationalisation and restructuring of the Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies.

The committee, headed by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye, recommended the scrapping and merging of 220 out of the then-existing 541 government agencies.

Moving a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the House on Thursday, the trio of Kama Nkemkanma, Olumide Osoba and Gaza Gbefi noted that the Oronsonye Report “recommended the reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 161, the abolition of 38 agencies, and the reversion of 14 to departments in ministries and the management audit of 89 agencies capturing biometric features of staff, as well as the discontinuation of government funding of professional bodies/councils.”

The lawmakers further added that if implemented, the government would be saving over N862 billion between 2012 and 2015 with a breakdown which showed that “about N124.8bn would be reduced from agencies proposed for abolition; about N100.6bn from agencies proposed for mergers; about N6.6bn from professional bodies; N489.9bn from universities; N50.9bn from polytechnics; N32.3bn from colleges of education and N616 million from boards of Federal Medical Centres.”

They argued however that the White Paper committee set up by Jonathan’s administration rejected most of the recommendations, while those accepted were not implemented.

“The House notes that in November 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration inaugurated two committees. One of the committees chaired by Goni Aji, a retired Head of Civil Service of the Federation, was to review the Orosanye report and the second committee, chaired by Ama Pepple, also a retired Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, was constituted to review agencies created between 2014 and 2021;

“The House also notes that upon submission of their reports, the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government in July 2022 set up another committee chaired by Ebele Okeke, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to produce a white paper on the reports.”

That said, the lawmaker also noted that implementing the Oronsaye Report 12 years after it was first made, “which ordinarily may be described as outdated, especially because of how dynamic the society, economy, polity, technology and all facets of our national life has been,” may not be in the best interest of the nation.

They stated, “Contrary to the assumption that the full implementation of the report would reduce the cost of governance; with the current realities, the full implementation of the report will not substantially reduce the cost of governance as it does not reflect the current situation in the Public Service of the Federation,” stressing that a full implementation “will certainly throw up unintended consequences, implications and outcomes.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged Tinubu to “comprehensively review the 2012 Orosanye Report, the Goni Aji Report which reviewed Orosanye Report, the White Paper released by the President Jonathan administration, the Ama Pepple White Paper and the Ebele Okeke White Paper in line with current realities, while considering implementable alternatives that are in tune with current realities, and which at the same time would have minimum unintended consequences, impacts, implications and outcomes.”

It also urged the FG to develop and implement policies “that will reposition the agricultural sector, the solid mineral sector and the informal sectors which will serve as alternatives to those that may be laid off consequentially while at the same time spurring economic growth.”

Kwara clears teachers, LG workers’ salary arrears with N3bn.

Kwara clears teachers, LG workers’ salary arrears with N3bn.

The Kwara State Government has cleared all the salary arrears for SUBEB teachers and local government workers inherited from the administration of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

This was contained in a statement released on Thursday by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed.

According to the statement, figures from the last allocation meeting of the local government showed that the government committed N1,297,389,165.83 to clear the balance of the arrears owed to the SUBEB teachers.

It added that another N1,622,673,992.12 was apportioned to clear the balance of the arrears for the local government workers in the past administration, according to the data from the allocation meeting.

“Between January 2020 and January 2024, the administration has spent at least N5.5bn to offset the arrears of salary for SUBEB teachers, local government workers and local government pensioners alone – apart from meeting its multibillion naira monthly obligations to these categories of workers and many others since it was elected in 2019.

“The government meanwhile has approved cash-backing for the implementation of 2022 promotion for teaching and non-teaching staff of the SUBEB, a decision that is part of the government’s efforts to boost the purchasing powers of workers at this time.

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has constantly said he would clear all the salary and promotion arrears he inherited from his predecessor, a campaign promise he has fulfilled in phases since he assumed office in 2019.

“The final settlement of the SUBEB and Local Government salary arrears brings to a close the consistent agitation for the payment of the money, which dated back to 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019,” the statement added.

Heads of justice ministry’s agencies sign performance bond.

Heads of justice ministry’s agencies sign performance bond.

Heads of different agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice have signed a performance bond with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.

The agencies under the ministry are the National Human Rights Commission; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency; the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Study; the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria; the Nigeria Law Reform Commission and the Nigeria Copyright Commission.

Others are the Council for Legal Education; the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and the Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration among others.

Ministers, presidential aides, and permanent secretaries had in November 2023 signed a performance bond with the president which is expected to serve as a scorecard for implementing the Ministerial Deliverables and other Government Programmes and Policies.

They were, however, asked to cascade the gestures down to Agencies/Parastatals under their supervision.

Speaking at the event, on Wednesday, Fagbemi said the bond would serve as a metric for evaluating their performance.

The AGF noted that he expects a high level of performance among all agency heads, in line with their stated commitments.

Fagbemi said, “I must state that I will hold every Head of Agency to the highest standard of performance in line with the declarations you have made today. It is therefore imperative that you cascade the contents of your presentation to all levels of leadership in your agencies to ensure performance on the job and a clear understanding of your mandates under the performance bond.”

Fagbemi noted that the Justice Sector Plan contains 15 Ministerial Deliverables; 49 Key Performance Indicators; BBaselinesand Targets.

He noted that he had assigned roles to heads of agencies in that regard.

“You may therefore recall that at the retreat in January 2024, I had directed that Heads of Agencies set up internal Committees to carry out the following responsibilities: Peruse the Ministerial deliverables to discover your role in ensuring optimal performance of the Presidential priorities (Sector Plan 2023-2027). Draw up the 2024 work plan from the initiatives captured in your Strategic Plan, ” he added.

He, however, urged the heads of the agencies to embark on initiatives that would improve public service delivery strategies in the justice sector.

Fagbemi said, “It is undoubted that the justice sector is key towards ensuring socio-economic development of the nation, through improved access to justice. Access to justice in this regard calls for synergy between MDAs in ensuring legal protection, legal awareness, legal aid and counsel, adjudication, enforcement, and supporting sustainable peace and security through effective alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.”

The Permanent Secretary and the Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jedy-Agba assured the agencies that the ministry would provide the needed support to surmount their threats and weaknesses.

Jedy-Agba said, ” I would like to assure you that the Honourable Minister and I will critically study your presentations to address your Weaknesses and Threats and provide the necessary support for harnessing your Strengths and Opportunities to enhance your abilities to deliver on your various mandates "