News
Tinubu calls for punishment of civil servants receiving salaries abroad
President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned severe penalties for civil servants who relocate abroad while continuing to draw salaries, as well as those complicit in facilitating such fraudulent activities.
Tinubu, while addressing participants at the grand finale of the 2024 Civil Service Week Award and Gala Night at the weekend, worried over revelations shared by the Head of the Civil Service regarding employees who unlawfully receive salaries after moving abroad without formal resignation.
He said: “We must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made. The culprits must refund the money they fraudulently collected, and their supervisors and department heads must also face consequences for their complicity.”
Emphasising the importance of a robust and disciplined civil service, President Tinubu underscored that such misconduct undermines the integrity and effectiveness of government institutions. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding meritocracy and fostering a culture of excellence within the civil service.
President Tinubu’s remarks come amidst ongoing efforts to reform the civil service, highlighted by recent initiatives aimed at enhancing employee welfare and performance across ministries and departments.
The Head of Civil Service, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, outlined efforts towards implementing a Reward and Recognition System to boost the morale and productivity of civil servants.
She praised President Tinubu for his support in improving civil service welfare, including recent measures such as wage increases and housing initiatives.
“In underscoring the nexus between incentives and performance, it is pertinent to emphasise that the Civil Service must not be seen as a dumping ground for job seekers, but must attract the best and the brightest who will contribute fresh ideas and demonstrate the determination and capability to drive national plans and solve our socio-economic problems.
“The Federal Government has also progressively made modest interventions for the improved welfare of civil servants in recent times. I must appreciate President Tinubu for demonstrating both the will and passion for improving the welfare of the workforce through the N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid Federal Government workers for six months, and ongoing efforts to review the minimum wage.
“It is also very important to state that the Office of the Head of Service has not been working alone. In enhancing the value proposition for civil servants, we have enjoyed the collaboration of stakeholders and partners both with the public and private sectors,” she said.
News
Niger Delta Lawyers task NNPCL Boss, Kyari to make Port Harcourt Refinery operational Before End Of September
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth On Energy Reforms and Transparency in the Oil and Gas Sector, has urged the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, to ensure that the Port Harcourt Refinery becomes operational before the end of September as he promised.
At a press conference jointly addressed yesterday by Barr. Dickens A. Opu and Barr. Werigbelegha Zinake, the group lamented that, despite the billions of naira that have been earmarked and disbursed for the functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery, the refining plant remains non-operational.
The group expressed concern about the energy crisis in the country caused by the non-functionality of local refineries, continued dependence on the importation of petroleum products, and the resulting cost implications for the country.
The Lawyers noted that the failure of the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPC to revamp local refineries has further worsened the country’s energy crisis and impoverished the people of the oil-producing Niger Delta, who are forced to buy fuel at higher rates than most parts of the country.
The group alleged that the Port Harcourt refinery is being planned to be converted into a blending plant. They claim that substandard petroleum products from Russia will be mixed with chemicals and sold to the people of the Niger Delta.
The Lawyers expressed concern over the potential environmental impact of converting the Port Harcourt refinery into a blending plant. They expressed fear that this move could expose the people of the Niger Delta to harmful chemicals from environmental pollution and degradation caused by the waste products released into the environment.
The statement read: “As we may all be aware, all is not well in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The level of corruption is suh that if urgent steps are not taken to address the malaise, Nigeria might go into extinction.
“We say this with all sense of patriotism given the precarious situation in the economic outlook in the country. It is indeed worrisome that an oil-producing country like ours is experiencing an energy crisis occasioned by the non-functionality of our refineries and the continued dependence on the importation of petroleum products and the attendant cost implication for the country.
“It is indeed a shame that successive administrations in the country have done little or nothing to ensure the functionality of the country’s refineries. For example, despite the billions of naira that have been earmarked and disbursed for the functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery, the refining plant remains comatose.
“This is on the heels that over 2 years ago, Mele Kyari the helmsman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited indeed promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations on several occasions. This has not happened and it has further plunged the country into an energy crisis.
“The attendant impact on the socio-economic life in the Niger Dental region can only be imagined. A situation where oil-producing communities are made to purchase fuel at a rate higher than most parts of the country is an anomaly perpetuated by the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPCL. This is indeed a sorry tale in our quest for sustainable growth and development.
“Those behind this anomaly are indeed bent on further impoverishing the people of the Niger Delta region. The sin of the Niger Delta people as it stands with the present arrangement is that they are considered less important in the socioeconomic standing of the country even though it is an oil and gas producing region in the country, whereas citizens of the country in other parts of the country will be buying at a cheaper rate from Dangote refinery and paying far less for a better product without so many chemicals in it.
“We wish to state that we have it on good authority that the Port Harcourt refinery is being packaged to become a blending plant where substandard petroleum products from Russia will be mixed with chemicals and sold to the Niger Delta people.
“This is not only acceptable, it also shows a gross disdain for the Niger Delta people. Those in authority do not care about the negative impact of this plan on the livelihood of the Niger Delta people. The Niger Delta people would be subjected to untold hardship by paying more for petroleum products, and also the attendant consequence in other critical sectors of the Niger Delta economy.
“The economic value chain around the operations of the Port Harcourt refinery would be greatly disrupted and bring about a regime of hopelessness and the resort to crime and criminality to make ends meet. Let us not forget that the level of crime and criminality of proportional to the economic standing of the people.
“The move by the Mele Kyari led NNPCL to convert the Port Harcourt refinery into a blending plant for substandard petroleum products from Russia and other European destinations comes with the attendant health implications for the people of the region.
“The people would indeed be exposed to harmful chemicals from environmental pollution and degradation from the waste products that would be released into the environment as a consequence.
“The rot in the administration of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria is phenomenal. The Mele Kyari-led NNPCL has taken the lack of transparency and accountability to another height. The country has lost huge revenues to the activities of the cartel that is aided and abetted by the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL. We are tempted to say that the Niger Delta people have been slated for extinction.
“The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth On Energy Reforms and Transparency in the oil and Gas Sector frowns at such a disposition which is a dangerous trend that must be halted and addressed with a sense of urgency. The Niger Delta people are an important contributor to the revenue generation of the country and as such it must not be treated with disdain and levity.
“We are therefore calling on the federal government to look into the plight of the Niger Delta people and do all that is necessary to improve the lot of the people through the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in the administration of the oil and gas sector in the country. The first step in this regard is to ensure the full functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery and other refineries in the country.
“The second step is to institute reforms the administration of the oil and gas sector in the country with emphasis on the oil and gas-producing communities that are home to the major source of revenue for the country. The third step is to institute a probe into the administration of the oil and gas sector by the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL.
“We are calling on the relevant authorities to urgently address the lingering issues in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The socioeconomic outlook of the country is worrisome and the country does not have the luxury of time as the situation in the country is getting grimmer by the day.
“The time to act is now and it is our firm belief that the relevant authorities would act in the best interest of the Niger Delta people and the country at large.”
News
Photos: Emir of Mutum-Biyu hails Senator Manu for installing solar in his palace
By Mario Deepromoter
Joyful Emir of Mutum-Biyu, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Justice Sani Sulaiman Duna, has hailed Senator Manu Haruna for installing solar in his palace and environs.
Manu who represents Taraba Central Senatorial District has in the last three weeks installed solar energy in the palaces of three palaces in the last two weeks.
Apparently happy with this positive development, the Emir praised the senator for this impactful initiative, recognizing the benefits of alternative energy in addressing power challenges.
On Monday, a team of engineers completed the installation of the solar system at the Emir’s Palace, marking a significant step in enhancing the quality of life for the Emir and his community. The Emir thanked Senator Manu for his continuous efforts in bringing development to his constituents.
News
US Lauds Edo State for Peaceful Governorship Election, Call for Calm
-
News19 hours ago
Edo: Obi finally speaks on Akpata’s defeat, says it’s a ‘state capture’
-
News19 hours ago
Occurrences In Edo Election Deeply Disturbing—Dr Tanko
-
News10 hours ago
Sowore, others escapes death as Air Peace aircraft malfunctions, windshield shattered Upon landing at Abuja airport
-
Metro11 hours ago
Hunger! Man to cool off in jail for stealing 3 tubers of yam
-
Politics11 hours ago
CONFESSION! Only riggers should participate in Nigerian elections-Oshiomhole
-
News22 hours ago
EU Allocates €5.4 Million for Flood Relief in Sahel and Lake Chad Regions
-
Politics10 hours ago
Senator Shehu Sani Set to Defect From PDP To APC, El-Rufai To PDP
-
News18 hours ago
ECOWAS Parliament to Hold 2024 3rd Extra-Ordinary Session in Togo