News

Blame FG if we go on strike – ASUU

Published

2 weeks ago

October 2, 2024

By Francesca Hangeior

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Nsukka Zone, has raised concerns over the Federal Government’s failure to address the issues that have plagued the nation’s university system, warning that another strike may be imminent if the situation persists.

Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Nsukka Zone, Raphael Amokaha, made this known in a statement issued in Makurdi on Wednesday.

According to him, the Union’s decision to hold off on industrial action since the suspension of the 2022 strike was a display of patriotism and selflessness.

However, the Federal Government’s continuous neglect of the education sector is now pushing ASUU towards considering another strike.

“The Union has bent backwards to avoid industrial disharmony in our public universities by seeking an amicable resolution of the issues in contention,” Amokaha said.

Reflecting on the circumstances that led to the 2022 strike, Amokaha recounted how the Union had been left with no choice after the government brushed aside a negotiated agreement and instead imposed a “take it or leave it” offer.

He added that despite years of negotiations, little progress has been made in addressing the core issues affecting Nigerian universities.

“We were forced into the 2022 strike by the government. What option was available to our union at that time? We had negotiated a reviewed agreement over five years (2017-2022) under three government-appointed negotiation chairmen, yet the government dismissed it and offered a unilateral award,” he explained.

The ASUU zonal coordinator also lamented the continued deterioration of the nation’s universities, stating that nothing has changed for the institutions or their staff in the past fifteen years.

“All efforts by our Union to halt the decay and revitalize our universities have been frustrated by the government. Efforts to improve the welfare of our members have equally been blocked,” he added.

Amokaha highlighted that university workers remain the only group of employees in Nigeria that have not had a salary review in over fifteen years.

“We have consistently held press conferences, staged protests, and organized town hall meetings to avoid strikes and impress upon the government the need to act. Unfortunately, all these efforts have been futile,” he lamented.

He warned that unless the Federal Government is sincere in its discussions with ASUU and takes immediate steps to resolve the lingering issues, the Union may have no option but to embark on another strike.

Among the key demands, according to Amokaha, are the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft, the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action, and the payment of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.

Other demands include the release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions, funding for the revitalization of public universities as captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, payment of Earned Academic Allowances, and addressing the proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments.

“The ball is now in the government’s court. If we go on strike, the blame lies squarely with the Federal Government,” Amokaha concluded.

News

New Tax Bills Not To Merge Govt Agencies, Cause Job Losses – FIRS

Published

2 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zack Adedeji, has explained that the four new tax reform bills are meant to combine all scattered tax laws into one, making it easier to manage.

Adedeji who stated this at a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, said the bills presented to the National Assembly were not about raising or introducing new taxes, this is even as he also clarified that the reforms will not merge any government agencies or cause job losses.

He said, “We want to harmonize all the tax laws because we have different tax laws scattered in various establishment laws. This leads to multiple taxes because each agency enforces its own tax law.”

The FIRS boss further noted that no agency is more important than another, and each must carry out its duties. This, he said was not good for the economy, which is why President Tinubu wants to combine all the tax laws into one system.

He added, “As we stand today, there is no law regulating or monitoring cryptocurrency. We can’t isolate ourselves from global developments, so one of the goals is to organize the fiscal framework efficiently.”

Adedeji also highlighted that the reform will help government spending. “For example, before the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the government could have money in one bank but still borrow from another. TSA now gives a clear picture of where government funds are”.

He further stressed the need for transparency in revenue collection, and assured that the government is not looking to tax poverty or inflation.

“We want the tax laws to be simple so that people can comply easily.

“The reforms will also update old tax laws to fit current realities. We’re still using a tax integrity test from 1939 when there was no internet or online shopping. These bills aim to align Nigeria with international standards and attract investment.”

“We will never increase the rate or number of taxes. The president believes in harmonizing the taxes we have, with fewer than 20 types of taxes”, he added.

He stated that the proposed Nigeria Tax Act will put all tax laws in one book, reducing the number of taxes, citing the example of the Education Tax Act, which collects a percentage for various funds, and said compliance has been an issue and the new act will make this simpler.

“The Nigeria Tax Administration Act will harmonize the administration of taxes, ensuring a uniform process so people don’t have to navigate different systems”, he noted.

Adedeji also discussed renaming the FIRS to Nigeria Revenue Service to reflect its role in collecting taxes for both the federal and state governments, as well as from international companies like Google and Jumia.

“The final reform is the establishment of a Joint Revenue Board to create a legal framework for resolving conflicts between states and local governments over revenue collection.

“These tax reforms will stimulate the economy and lay a foundation for the type of economy the president envisions”, he concluded.

Chairman of the Committee, James Faleke, earlier in his remarked that the meeting was to give members firsthand information on the necessity of the bills ahead of their second reading.

News

Parents Of 2-year Old Boy Killed By NDLEA Demand N2b Compensation

Published

2 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The parents of a two-year-old boy, Ivan Omhonria, who was shot and killed, and his younger brother, Eromonsele, who was shot in the eye by officers of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), are demanding N2 billion in compensation from the Agency.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the incident took place in Delta State in 2023, when Eromonsele, who survived, was only one year old.

The father, Fidelis, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, expressed bitterness that the NDLEA has neglected them since the tragedy occurred over a year ago. He also disclosed that Eromonsele’s health has been getting worse due to a lack of proper medical care.

The family had filed a petition against the NDLEA, and the first hearing was held on Wednesday, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

During the hearing, NDLEA’s lawyer, Muniat Adeleye, stated that the Agency had agreed to pay the family N25 million, with N5 million already sent as the first installment, and that the payment was to be spread over five months.

Adeleye expressed surprise at the petition, and said, “The Agency did not expect it, as the matter had already been resolved with an agreement between both parents.”

However, when asked for the signed agreement, Adeleye, who is the Assistant Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, admitted that it had not been signed. This upset the Committee, which demanded that NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), appear at the next hearing.

Fidelis denied any such agreement, saying, “I was shocked to hear about an agreement just now. I’m not a party to any agreement. Yes, the NDLEA Chairman called me after the incident and said he was sorry and that he would send me a token from his personal funds. He didn’t mention an amount, but later, I received N5 million in my wife’s account. That’s all. So where did the N25 million agreement come from?”

The family’s lawyer added, “We demanded N2 billion in compensation, but the NDLEA never responded. They ignored us with arrogance. A life was lost, and another child’s future is at risk because of the eye injury. We want the House to make sure the NDLEA takes responsibility and compensates the family properly.”

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Mike Etaba, expressed the seriousness of the matter, “This is a grave issue. Nigerians and the world are watching us. At the next hearing, the NDLEA head must appear in person to explain what steps he has taken to help this family. The money sent was just a token to cover some medical costs, not part of any agreement. No one should claim there was a N25 million agreement.”

The matter was adjourned to October 22, 2024.

News

Companies Blame Host Communities For Oil Theft, Pipeline Vandalism

Published

3 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…seek intervention of NASS for legal framework

By Gloria Ikibah

Aieto and Nigeria Agip (now Oando) Oil companies have given different submissions before the House of Representatives’ Environment Committee, during the ongoing investigative hearing into oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and their environmental impact in oil-producing states on Tuesday in Abuja.

The hearing was occasioned by a lot of petitions from host communities affected by Aieto’s and Oando’s operations, who drew special attention on the environmental and economic concerns caused by oil spills and sabotage.

Both companies stressed the need for legislative intervention by the House of Representatives to create legal framework that discourages acts harmful to the nation’s economy and ecosystem.

Oando Team Lead, Philip Akuduro, blamed a significant portion of oil spillage on host communities, citing theft and vandalism as primary causes.

He stated, “Data by Oando on Burutu in Southern Ijaw revealed that virtually over 90% of oil theft and pipeline vandalism were perpetrated by members of the host communities, whose increasing penance and capacity to steal from the common well knows no bounds.”

“Host communities are individually and collectively sabotaging efforts of oil companies to minimize incidences of spillages in their area. Our operations, largely covering onshore and marshy areas, are easily accessible to vandals. Their activities result in spillage and pollution, as oil spills are swiftly spread by strong underwater currents.”

But members of the committee, mostly from the Niger Delta region, led by Chairman Rep. Julius Pondi (representing Ijaw South), vehemently were against the generalized accusations.

They particularly objected to the terms “increasing appetite and capacities for theft,” and therefore urged Oando to withdraw the statement, which the company did spot-on.

Chief Operating Officer of Aieto, Ewarezi Useh, who emphasised the importance of maintaining a good relationship with host communities, however noted that vested interests often lead to conflicts between oil companies and local communities.

Useh credited such clashes to the significant drop in production to 700,000 barrels per day in 2018, which later improved through the efforts of combined security stakeholders.

Rep. Julius Pondi reaffirmed the commitment of the committee to address the root causes of environmental degradation and pollution caused by oil company operations.

He disclosed that there will be an oversight visit to Oando’s operation sites in Delta State to verify their claims of cleaning up the aftermath of a May 2024 oil spill in the area.