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BREAKING: NLC To Begin Indefinite Strike June 3, for failure of FG to conclude New Minimum Wage, Reverse Electricity

Published

7 months ago

May 31, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Gloria Ikibah.

Organised Labour has said that it will embark on an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, June 3.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, said the strike is due to the failure of the federal government to conclude negotiations on a new national minimum wage and reverse the hike in the electricity tariff.

Ajaero said the strike would begin by midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

The leaders of NLC and Trade Union Congress TUC pleaded with Nigerians to bear with them, and said “Apologies for inconveniences but commitment to pursue the cause to its conclusion.”

They express grave concern and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to conclude and pass into Law a new National Minimum Wage Act and reverse the vexatious hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh.

Ajaero said: e”Today’s meeting further demonstrated the unseriousness and apparent contempt with which the Nigerian state holds the demands of Nigerian workers and people. No Governor was present and Ministers absent except the Minister of state for Labour and Employment who doubles as a conciliator. There was none present on the side of the government with appropriate authority to commit them to any outcome; in essence, Government abandoned the meeting. We consider this disdainful and shows lack of commitment to a successful National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise.

“You will all recall that during the last May Day celebration on the 1st of May 2024, we issued a clear ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the conclusion of this critical exercise by the end of the month. However, there has been no significant progress or commitment from the government towards meeting this demand.

“We also demanded a reversal of the last hike in electricity tariff to N225/kwh back to N65/kwh and stoppage of the apartheid categorization of consumers into Bands. We carried out a nationwide one-day protest on the 13th day of May 2024 giving the government until the last day of this month to take action but the government has not entirely shown any positive response despite the national outrage at this insensitive hike.

“Nigerian workers, who are the backbone of our nation’s economy, deserve fair and decent wages that reflect the current economic realities. It is disheartening that despite our repeated calls and the clear ultimatum issued, the government continues to neglect its responsibility to the workforce. It has rather than engage in a dialogue persistently raised its attack dogs to seek to denigrate and intimidate trade union leaders.

“It continues to remain our belief that the people ought to be the only reason for governance and nothing else. Government must therefore seek the welfare of the people at all times and refusal to put the people first compels all patriots to take the right step in assisting the government govern well. The hike in electricity tariff impoverishes further the already suffering people and denies them the right to decent living. Instead of taking remedial action or engaging in a meaningful dialogue, Nigerians were visited with a barrage of the usual propaganda.

“In light of this persistent inaction, we, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), hereby issue a notice of commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike to the Federal Government. We reiterate that the since the National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise has not been concluded and the agreed wage passed into law; the hike in electricity tariff not reversed and categorization of consumers into Bands not stopped as demanded; Nigerian workers are compelled by these failures to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action beginning on Monday, the 3rd of June, 2024 to press home our demands”.

Ajaero assured that the ” NLC and TUC are united in this cause, and we call on all our affiliates and state Councils, Civil Society Organizations, market men and women and the general populace to prepare for a decisive action. We cannot and will not accept any further delays or excuses. The welfare of Nigerian workers and people is non-negotiable, and we are ready to take all necessary steps to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices heard.

“We regret the inconveniences this refusal of the federal government to heed our demands may cause all of us but we assure you of our determination to pursue this cause to its conclusion”.

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PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU TEXT OF THE 2025 BUDGET

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

PRESENTATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR OF THE 2025 BUDGET OF RESTORATION: SECURING PEACE, REBUILDING PROSPERITY TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 2024.

PROTOCOLS:

— The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima

— Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio

— Right Honourable Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas

— National Chairman of our great party, Excellency, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

— State Governors here present

— Distinguished Leaders and Members of the National Assembly

— Senior Government Officials here present

— Gentlemen of the press,

My Fellow Nigerians,

1. In fulfilment of one of my constitutional duties and with unyielding commitment to rebuilding Nigeria towards ensuring that we remain steadfast on the journey to a prosperous future, I hereby present the 2025 Budget to the Joint Session of the 11th National Assembly.

2. On this day, before this hallowed chamber, I present to you the 2025 Budget at a time when our country is at a crucial point in its development trajectory.

3. The 2025 Budget Proposal again reinforces our administration’s roadmap to secure peace, prosperity, and hope for a greater future for our beloved nation. This budget christened, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilizing the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance.

4. The journey of economic renewal and institutional development, which we began 18 months ago as a nation, is very much underway. It is not a journey of our choosing but one we had to embark on for Nigeria to have a real chance at greatness. I thank every Nigerian for embarking on this journey of REFORMS and TRANSFORMATION with us.

5. The road of reforms is now clearly upon us, and as the President of this blessed nation, I know this less-travelled road has not been easy. That there have been difficulties and sacrifices. They will not be in vain. And we must keep faith with the process to arrive at our collectively desired destination.

6. We must build on the progress we have made in the past eighteen months in restructuring our economy and ensuring it is strong enough to withstand the headwinds of any future shocks of the global downturn.

7. The 2025 budget that I present today is one of restoration. It seeks to consolidate the key policies we have instituted to restructure our economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments, bolster oil and gas production, get our manufacturing sector humming again and ultimately increase the competitiveness of our economy.

8. We do not intend to depart from this critical path to strengthen the Nigerian economy. Just as I believe in the resilience of our economy to withstand the current challenges, I also strongly believe in the resilience of the Nigerian people. Again, I summon the unstoppable Nigerian spirit to lead us on as we work to rebuild the fabric of our economy and existence.

9. The improvements we witnessed in the 2024 budget have led us into the 2025 budget. The goals of advancing national security, creating economic opportunities, investing in our youthful population, infrastructure development, and national re-orientation form the core of the 2025 budget. But more than that, this will lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s future growth trajectory.

CURRENT ECONOMIC REALITIES AND PROGRESS

10. Distinguished Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders and members of both Chambers of the National Assembly, I report today that our economy is responding positively to stimulus. Our objective is to further stimulate the economy through the implementation of targeted fiscal stimulus packages through public expenditures and specific non-inflationary spending.

11. The reforms we have instituted are beginning to yield results. Nigerians will soon experience a better and more functional economy.

12. Global economic growth for the outgoing year 2024 was projected at 3.2 percent, and against predictions, our country made significant progress.

o Our economy grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.54 percent in the third quarter of 2023.

o Our Foreign Reserves now stand at nearly 42 billion US dollars, providing a robust buffer against external shocks.

o Our rising exports are reflected in the current trade surplus, which now stands at 5.8 trillion naira, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

13. These clear results of gradual recovery, among others, reflect the resilience of our economy and the impact of deliberate policy choices we made from the outset.

2024 BUDGET PERFORMANCE

14. I am happy to inform this National Assembly that our administration attained remarkable milestones in implementing the 2024 Budget. In 2024, we achieved:

o 14.55 trillion naira in revenue, meeting 75 percent of our target as of the third quarter.

o 21.60 trillion naira in expenditure, representing 85 percent of our target, also in the third quarter.

15. While challenges persist, we improved revenue collection and fulfilled key obligations. The transformational effects of this on our economy are gradually being felt.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE 2025 BUDGET

16. The 2025 Budget seeks to:

o Restore macroeconomic stability.

o Enhance the business environment.

o Foster inclusive growth, employment, and poverty reduction.

o Promote equitable income distribution and human capital development.

17. Our budgetary allocations reflect the administration’s strategic priorities, especially in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda and its developmental objectives.

2025 BUDGET OVERVIEW

18. The numbers for our 2025 budget proposal tell a bold and exciting story of the direction we are taking to retool and revamp the socio-economic fabric of our society.

o In 2025, we are targeting 34.82 trillion naira in revenue to fund the budget.

o Government expenditure in the same year is projected to be 47.90 trillion naira, including 15.81 trillion naira for debt servicing.

o A total of 13.08 trillion naira, or 3.89 percent of GDP, will make up the budget deficit.

19. This is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future.

20. The Budget projects inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6 percent to 15 percent next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately 1,700 naira per US dollar to 1,500 naira, and a base crude oil production assumption of 2.06 million barrels per day (mbpd).

21. These projections are based on the following observations:

o Reduced importation of petroleum products alongside increased export of finished petroleum products.

o Bumper harvests, driven by enhanced security, reducing reliance on food imports.

o Increased foreign exchange inflows through Foreign Portfolio Investments.

o Higher crude oil output and exports, coupled with a substantial reduction in upstream oil and gas production costs.

KEY PRIORITIES: REBUILDING NIGERIA

22. Our budgetary allocations underscore this administration’s strategic priorities, particularly in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and achieving its developmental objectives.

23. Highlights of the 2025 Budget Allocations:

• Defence and Security: N4.91 trillion

• Infrastructure: N4.06 trillion

• Health: N2.48 trillion

• Education: N3.52 trillion

24. As we embark on implementing the 2025 Budget, our steps are deliberate, our decisions resolute, and our priorities are clear. This budget reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision.

Securing Our Nation:

25. Security is the foundation of all progress. We have significantly increased funding for the military, paramilitary, and police forces to secure the nation, protect our borders, and consolidate government control over every inch of our national territory. The government will continue to provide our security forces with the modern tools and technology they need to keep us safe. Boosting the morale of our men and women in the armed forces will remain our government’s top priority.

26. The officers, men, and women of our Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police Force are the shields and protectors of our nation. Our administration will continue to empower them to defeat insurgency, banditry, and all threats to our sovereignty. Our people should never live in fear—whether on their farmlands, highways or cities. By restoring peace, we restore productivity, revive businesses, and rebuild our communities.

Infrastructure Development:

27. When we launched the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, it was with the conviction that infrastructure remains the backbone of every thriving economy. Under this programme, we are accelerating investments in energy, transport, and public works. By leveraging private capital, we hope to complete key projects that drive growth and create jobs. We have already embarked on key legacy projects: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will have a huge impact on the lives of our people and accelerate economic output.

Human Capital Development:

28. Our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are making record investments in education, healthcare, and social services:

o Our administration has so far disbursed 34 billion naira to over 300,000 students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). In the 2025 Budget, we have made provision for 826.90 billion naira for infrastructure development in the educational sector. This provision also includes those for the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the nine new higher educational institutions.

o We are convinced that Universal Health Coverage initiatives will strengthen primary healthcare systems across Nigeria. In this way, we have allocated 402 billion naira for infrastructure investments in the health sector in the 2025 Budget and another 282.65 billion naira for the Basic Health Care Fund. Our hospitals will be revitalised with medication and better resources, ensuring quality care for all Nigerians. This is consistent with the Federal Government’s planned procurement of essential drugs for distribution to public healthcare facilities nationwide, improving healthcare access and reducing medical import dependency.

Revitalizing Agriculture:

29. Increasing agricultural production is central to our food security agenda, but insecurity has crippled this vital sector. We are supporting our farmers with funding and inputs to reignite productivity. Food security is non-negotiable. In this regard, we are taking bold steps to ensure that every Nigerian can feed conveniently, and none of our citizens will have to go to bed hungry.

30. Distinguished Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders and members of both Chambers of the National Assembly and fellow Nigerians, our 2025 budget proposal is not just another statement on projected government revenue and expenditures. It is one that calls for action.

31. Our nation faces existential threats from corruption and insecurity and suffers from many past poor choices. These challenges are surmountable when we work collaboratively to overcome them. We must rewrite the narrative of this nation together, with every leader, institution, and citizen playing their part.

32. The time for lamentation is over. This is a time to act. A time to support and promote greater investment in the private sector. A time for our civil servants to faithfully execute our policies and programmes. It is a time for every Nigerian to look hopefully towards a brighter future because a new day has dawned for us as a nation.

33. As your President, I remain committed and resolute to continue to lead the charge.

34. This 2025 budget proposal lays the foundation for peace, prosperity, and much needed hope. It is the plan through which a Nigeria where every citizen can dream, work, and thrive in safety can be achieved.

35. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I lay before this distinguished Joint Session of the National Assembly the 2025 Budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria titled “The Restoration Budget: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.

36. May God bless our Armed Forces and keep them safe. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

President, Commander-in-Chief of The Armed Forces,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

News

Netizens Slam Lawmakers As They Sing Tinubu’s Anthem At Budget Presentation

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Naijablitznews

Netizens slam lawmakers after they were sighted singing “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand” as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the stage to present the 2025 national budget.

The incident, which is in a viral video clip, showed the lawmakers singing the song, which has become synonymous with Tinubu’s political supporters.

The gesture, however, has ignited outrage among Nigerians, who questioned its appropriateness in light of the country’s current economic challenges.

Many critics took to social media to express their disappointment, describing the act as insensitive and unprofessional. They argued that lawmakers should focus on addressing pressing national issues, such as a inflation, unemployment, and hardship, rather than engaging in political theatrics with Tinubu during a crucial budget session.

“What kind of leadership did we vote for? Instead of scrutinizing the budget and ensuring accountability, they’re busy singing praises,” one commenter wrote.

Others questioned the mandate the lawmakers you were celebrating, with some accusing them of being disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. “What mandate are they standing on when the citizens are struggling to make ends meet?” another critic remarked.

The 2025 budget presentation, meant to outline the government’s financial plans and priorities for the year, has now been overshadowed by this controversy, with many calling for lawmakers to prioritize governance over partisan loyalty.

Read some netizens’ reactions as lawmakers sings for Tinubu during budget presentation;

@emeka: This is really problematic 🤣🤣

@agwai: This is the reason the president don’t do well in Nigeria because the people around him feed him with lies. And praise him when things is not good. Just clapping

@abyusuf: The lawmaker’s rendition of “On Your Mandate” should serve as a wake-up call, reminding us that it’s time to take a closer look at the people we’ve elected to represent us.

@danleety: I now believe there’s serious disconnect between the lawmakers and their constituents.

News

Tax Reforms: Those criticising it lack knowledge -Akpabio

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has flayed critics of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms as lacking an understanding of what the initiatives were truly about.

Akpabio disclosed this during his remarks at the presentation of the 2025 budget estimate by President Tinubu to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

He said, “Your Excellency, we commend you on your groundbreaking tax reform initiative. The four tax reform bills—the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024; and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024—represent a monumental shift in our fiscal landscape.

It is disheartening that those who have not taken the time to understand these bills are the loudest critics. I urge all Nigerians, especially those in public office, to engage with these vital reforms thoughtfully. This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for rejuvenating small and medium enterprises and enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

“These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s revenue profile but also create a more conducive and internationally competitive business environment, transforming our tax system to support sustainable development.”