Day: June 28, 2023

Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called on law enforcement officers to hold accountable those who fail to adhere to the rules of the road.

This follows a rise in road fatalities.

Two fatal crashes reported this week, have claimed the lives of 14 people.

On Monday, eight passengers lost their lives in Mqanduli in the Eastern Cape and on Tuesday six people passed away in a Mpumalanga car crash.

“Over the years it has been proven that moving violations and human error are the biggest causes of road crashes on our roads. Therefore, road users are urged to take necessary precaution [by obeying the rules of the road],” Chikunga said on Wednesday.

She encouraged motorists to obey the speed limit, ensure vehicle and driver fitness, that occupants in vehicles should wear seatbelts and that drivers should not overtake over the barrier lines, nor drink and drive.

The Minister conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

She has instructed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to lead the investigation of the two crashes and provide her with an investigative report in due course. –SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Employment and Labour’s Director: Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations, Dr Pravine Naidoo, has told a seminar that it is an unfair labour practice for an employer to unilaterally alter hours of work or other conditions of employment in implementing the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

Dr Naidoo was addressing an advocacy seminar in Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday held under the theme “Paying the National Minimum Wage is the Right Thing to Do”.

“If in the context of the implementation of the NMW, the employer reduces hours of work, that will be regarded as an unfair labour practice. The Inspector shall advise the employee to refer the unfair labour practice to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in terms of the Labour Relation Act 66 of 1995 (LRA) as amended -sections 191, 193, 194(4) and 195,” Dr Naidoo said.

Naidoo said the NMW does not include payment of allowances such as transport, tools, food or accommodation, payments in kind, board or lodging, tips, bonuses nor gifts unless it is specified in the Sectoral Determinations.

He warned employers to refrain from making deductions without employee/s agreeing in writing or there is a debt specified in the agreement or the deduction is required or permitted by law, collective agreement, court order or an arbitration award or where a deduction is as a result of loss or damage to reimburse the employer.

In dealing with amendments to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Unathi Ramabulana, told the seminar that Sectoral Determinations established under the BCEA remain effective as they also regulate conditions of employment that are peculiar than what the BCEA provides, whereas the National Minimum Wage Act regulates the national minimum wage that employers should pay to workers.

Ramabulana told the seminar that the CCMA has jurisdiction to conciliate and arbitrate disputes brought directly to it by an employee earning below the threshold (R241 110.59 per year) for any amount owing in terms of the National Minimum Wage Act, a contract of employment, a sectoral determination or a collective agreement.

“An employer who is found to have failed to comply with the NMWA will be fined by a labour inspector an amount equal to twice the value of the underpayment or twice the monthly wage, whichever is greater for first time offenders and an amount equal to thrice the value of the underpayment or thrice the monthly wage, whichever is the greater, for repeat offenders,” Ramabulana said.

Meanwhile, CCMA Acting Regional Commissioner, Christopher Blayi, explained the BCEA and NMWA related disputes referral processes to the Commission. He told the seminar that the Commission offers administrative support to those earning below the threshold.

The three day seminar continues today with businesses, business organisations as well as organised labour. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Former Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Julie Okah-Donli, has urged Rotary clubs in the country to carry out more humanitarian projects.

She said this at the Valedictory Fellowship and Formal introduction of the President-Elect, Rotary Club of Abuja, Aso-Golf, in Abuja.

Okah-Donli, who doubles as the outgoing president of the club, said it was necessary for Rotarians to pay particular attention on the seven key areas of focus of the Rotary International.

She said that water and sanitation, healthcare, education, economic and community development projects, among others, would go a long way in impacting the lives of a lot of people.

“We had just one year but I tell you, it was one very successful, difficult and impactful year.

“I met people from different part of the world, different part of Nigeria, Rotary taught me to be patient and tolerant.

“Rotary International is at the forefront of ending polio, malaria, water and hygiene and we have seven areas of focus and we are deliberate about it.

“So every club is expected to fulfill those seven areas of focus,” she said.

She advised the incoming President to encourage and foster the ideals of the club and ensure more service to humanity.

Mr Clement Chinaka, President-Elect of the club, assured of his readiness to continue with the successes recorded by his predecessor.

“Rotary is all about service to humanity and what we do in Rotary is to come together, contribute and jointly organise a project to make impact in the lives of people in different communities.

“Rotary is famous for reaching the poorest of the poor and as my outgoing president has worked very hard to get us to this height, it means that we have to work harder and show good results at the end of our tenure,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Goddy Nnadi, District Governor, Rotary International District 9125, lauded the club for its numerous and impactful projects.

“This club is a very young club and they have carried out more than 17 impactful projects under the outgoing President.

“This is to celebrate what she has done and to remind the incoming president that he has a responsibility to continue with the successes recorded by the outgoing president,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Republic of Korea says it is seeking collaboration with the Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu on various areas to enhance and lead the fourth industrial revolution.

Mr Jang Sungmin, the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr Yoon Suk Yeol, disclosed this at a media parley on Tuesday in Abuja.

“Yoon Suk Yoel has sent me as an Envoy to this great nation, because it is the leader of Africa, has the biggest market, largest population, natural resources and biggest arable land.

“Nigeria has all the criteria for economy power in Africa; and Korea is a country that has all the technologies and development know-how and economy prosperity to lead the fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Korea is already leading that industrial revolution. So, President Yeol feels that by combining forces, Korea and Nigeria cooperation will not only lead to prosperity and faster economy development for Nigeria, but also prosperity for Africa.

“The composition of my delegation shows you that President Yeol is committed and willing to find more better ways to cooperate with Nigeria.

“Specifically, we look towards a younger generation work force and natural resources that Nigeria has, especially to enhance and lead the World’s fourth Industrial Revolution,” Sungmin said.

The envoy reiterated that Korea has the technologies, knowledge, skills and human resources for technological transfer, especially in the areas of agriculture, cyber space, security, bio-technology, oil refinery, saying “Korea looks forward to a future with Nigeria”.

He further explained that as Nigeria’s new leadership under Tinubu had opened up the county for business, Korea is interested in investing more in Nigeria.

Sungmin explained that President Yoel’s comprehensive diplomacy and foreign policy is about global capital state which lies on three pillars.

“It is to enhance cooperation especially with countries who share our common values of Liberty, Peace and Prosperity. Those were the three pillars that underlines the foundation of our foreign policy.

“We will like to share and extend our cooperation, especially with countries who share these common values.

“We believe that Nigeria, especially the new government of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, is a government we can share these common values with to enhance new economy cooperation.

“Korea used to receive aid from other countries. That is how we became the 10th largest economy in the world.

“Now we are using that position to give back to the international community. So, we look forward to a cooperation with Nigeria in this sense,” he said.

Contributing, the Vice President of SK company in Korea, Mr Guillaume Barthe-Dejean, said the post-Korean war was characterised by fast development, which is a product of collaboration between public and private sectors.

He said private sector in Korea like SK, Samsung and others have supported the Korean Government to develop economy policies, adding that the model allows Korea to become a power house.

“Today, Korea is the 10th world largest economy, the fourth world largest exporter and the country which is leading the 4th Industrial Revolution.

“SK is happy to be in Nigeria. Bonnie Light Crude irrigate the world economy and Nigeria has resources and fuel that could power the 4th Industrial Revolution.

“In the last five years, the world experienced decline in the supply chain globally, and I think for this reason Korean companies would be interested to partner with countries in Africa to stabilise the supply chain,” Barthe-Dejean said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those in the delegation include Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Mr KIM Young-chae; Deputy Secretary President Yeol for Future Policy, Mr YOO Chang-ho; and Barthe-Dejean

Others were Chief Financial Officer, LG Electronics Nigeria Corporation, Mr KIM Inkyu; Economic Attaché, Korean Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Choi Jungwon; and Ms Park Hyesong of Korea International Development Agency.

NAN also reports that early, Sungmin visited Vice President Shettima and the Permanently Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled a Strategic Plan for delegation of duties and responsibilities of revenue collection to the Federal Capital Territory-Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS).

Mr Adesola Olusade, Permanent Secretary in charge of FCTA, unveiled the plan during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

He disclosed that a Project Management approach was adopted to ensure the successful execution of the delegation.

According to him, the approach, known for its well-structured, organised, and systematic processes, will guide the FCT-IRS through the transition, adding that it would provide a clear roadmap for implementation.

Olusade said that part of the implementation structure was a Project Steering Committee (PSC), previously known as the Implementation Committee.

He explained that the committe would be chaired by the Permanent Secretary, FCTA.

Olusade added that the committee will consist of the Chairman of FCT-IRS and Chairmen of the Area Councils, among others as members.

He noted that the policy decisions of the PSC would be implemented by the project implementation committee to be chaired by the Chairman, FCT-IRS.

“Membership of the committee would be constituted and conveyed by the chairman.

“The PSC, which comprises key stakeholders would provide strategic direction, make critical decisions and ensure that the project achieves its objectives.

“Accordingly, the Project Steering Committee will provide strategic direction, decision making, monitoring and oversight, risk management and communications among other functions,” he said.

Olusade explained that the decision to harmonise all revenues and centralise collection at the FCT-IRS was in the best interest of the territory and its people.

He further said that decision was the outcome of an extensive deliberation by relevant stakeholders.

This, he said, was part of a commitment to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the territory’s revenue collection system.

He commended stakeholders for embracing the idea, and described it as a “point of no return” in the shared journey to promote sanity in revenue collection in the FCT.

In his remarks, FCT-IRS Acting Executive Chairman, Mr Haruna Abdullahi, said that the delegation of all revenue collection to a single entity was borne out of the resolutions of the “Akure Accord”.

Abdullahi said that the development marked a significant step toward creating a more business-friendly environment that would attract investment, stimulate growth, and create job opportunities.

He described the decision as “strategic” in ensuring efficient, transparent, and effective revenue collection system for a prosperous FCT.

According to him, the centralisation of revenue collection under the FCT-IRS will eliminate duplication of functions, reduce administrative cost, and streamline revenue collection processes.

“It will also ensure that all revenue collection activities are coordinated, thereby, reducing the potential for errors, saving cost, and preventing leakages.

“Also, accountability is guaranteed when a single entity is responsible for revenue collection, serving as a one-stop shop for all revenue transactions and audits.

“This will build taxpayers’ trust, encourage voluntary tax compliance, attract more businesses and investment needed to stimulate economic growth,” he said

The FCT-IRS boss added that the centralisation of revenue collection would promote efficient data collection and analysis for decision making.

He said that data would provide valuable insights into revenue trends, taxpayer behaviour, potential areas of improvement in the tax system and support accurate revenue forecasting.

“This will help the FCT to plan and make its budget more effective,” he said.

On his part, Mr Danladi Chiya, Chairman of the FCT Association of Local Government of Nigeria, pledged the support of the association toward the success of the harmonisation project.

Chiya promised that the six Area Councils’ Chairmen would work to ensure that FCT-IRS succeeds.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria