News
Protesting parliamentary workers shut Delta Assembly
Workers of the Delta State House of Assembly, under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, on Wednesday, shut down the Assembly complex indefinitely, over non-payment of approved salaries, among others.
The striking workers shut down the activities of the House, locked out the speaker and other lawmakers and prevented access to the Assembly for legislative business.
They expressed disappointment that to date, payment for the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure had not been approved, after three years.
They also lamented the non-regularisation of casual staff and non-approval of training for staff among other entitlements.
The workers, after an enlarged meeting on Tuesday, expressed displeasure over what they called “delay tactics and ploy” to deprive them of their entitlements.
A communique signed by the state chairman of PASAN, Emmanuel Edozie and secretary, Emmanuel Osubor, was copied to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, all directors, national president of PASAN, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Director, DSS and the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Delta State.
The workers said they suspended the earlier strike scheduled for February 28 this year due to the intervention of the Conference of Speakers and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, to allow for full implementation of financial autonomy/payment.
“The two weeks given to us by the Speaker to allow the committee set up by the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to work out modalities of payment of CONLESS to staff have since elapsed without any substantial progress.
“The congress frowns that after the said committee has been given more than two months to work to fulfil its mandate of payment of CONLESS, it is yet to come up with a decision.
“The congress views these delay tactics as a ploy to deprive staff their entitlements and a sign that they lack the political will to pay.
“The congress also expresses its displeasure that the other issues raised at the meeting of March 28, 2024, bothering on training, funding of the DTHA clinic, regularisation of casual staff, among others, are yet to be addressed or given attention after two months.
“The congress has exercised enough patience and restraint in the face of the harsh economic downturn, understanding with the speaker and the committee set up by the Executive Governor of Delta State and our patience has run thin,” the communique read.
News
Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.
The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”
“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.
Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.
Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.
News
Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election
The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.
The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.
The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.
A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.
The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”
He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”
“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”
The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.
News
Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls
Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.
However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.
Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.
Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.
In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.
The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.
The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.
He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.
Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.
He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.
-
News21 hours ago
SANUSI: Count me out of any plot to dethrone him — Ganduje cries out
-
News21 hours ago
Hardship! If Your Hubby Still Gives You 3 Square Meals, Shelter In This Economy, He’s a Responsible Man – Aisha Lawal
-
News16 hours ago
Runs babe saved from a money ritu$list inside Abuja hotel
-
News16 hours ago
Above Average Performance As NECO Releases 2024 June/July SSCE Results
-
News23 hours ago
NLC Alleges Fraud in NNPC, Dangote Refinery Dispute
-
News21 hours ago
Credible Intel Indicates Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Involved in Banditry – Zamfara Gov Alleges
-
News17 hours ago
BBNaija 9: El-Rufai collected my number, school address but never called – Onyeka reveals
-
Economy23 hours ago
SEE Naira To Dollar Exchange Rate In Black Market Today – 19th September 2024