Month: July 2024

The Federal Government says Nigerian youths should embrace dialogue rather than embark on protests, which could have undesirable outcomes.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said this while addressing State House correspondents at the end of Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.

He said that was the position of the FEC, which insisted that most of the demands of the protesters were actually being addressed by the federal government.

To those planning to embark on protest, the Minister said even though, it was the democratic right of every Nigerian to engage in peaceful protest, they should know that the government was not opposed to that.

‘But what government is doing is to ensure that while there is this right for you to protest, your right will also end where someone else’s own begins.

‘Therefore, while you are thinking of protesting, government is appealing to you to first shelve it because there is a likelihood that this protest may be hijacked by un
scrupulous elements and may turn violent.

‘Of course, we know that people are saying that there is no intention for violence in this, but our history has shown that there’s the possibility that this protest can be hijacked and could turn violent,’ said Idris.

He said the President had listened to the voices of all those who were planning to protest, and the message was that there was no need for protest.

‘Indeed, the President is already doing those things that they want the government to do. For example, the government is making efforts to ensure that food is made available.

See also FG appeals to youths to shelve protest

‘At the last Council meeting, we announced that 20 trucks had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to those who are actually in need of them, to poorest of the poor in society.

‘The rice distributed is being sold at about 50 per cent of its cost. This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation, and is being sold at N40,000,’ he
said.

According to the minister, about 10 trucks have been made available to each state.

‘And, indeed, this is just the beginning, I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough.

‘Government has not pretended that this supplies are enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made.

‘Of course, this is an interim measure because there is so much investment going into the agricultural sector.

‘And the rainy season is here. We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made,’ he said.

According to the minister, irrigation activities are being increased in many of states, hence it was expected that prices of food items would come down with time.

‘The Federal Executive Council believes that some of the answers that some of the youth that want to protest are looking for are already being provided.

‘For example, only recently the Federal Government began the disbursement of the students loans. There’s a provision already for over 2 mi
llion students.

‘Only about 110,000 applications have thus far been received as at last week, of course, more are going to come.

‘So, there’s adequate provision for all those who are qualified, who can access these loans and who have fulfilled the conditions,’ he said.

See also FG’ll investigate alleged fraud in Humanitarian Affairs Ministry – Idris

According to him, the desire of President Tinubu is that no student or young person that has gained admission into any tertiary institution will be left out because his parents or guardian is unable to pay his or her fees.

‘But beyond that, there is also provision for young unemployed people. We are aware of the effort that is being made to ensure that about three million of them are catered for.

‘There is also for the general public, the reduction envisaged in reduction in transport costs by the time the CNG initiative of the Federal Government takes full course.

‘Already, some of these buses have been imported. Some of the conversion kits are already avai
lable. The conversion centres are already beginning to get active,’ he said.

He said the delay with the implementation of the programme was because some of the items needed were not such that could be gotten off the shelf.

‘First the procurement processes have to be followed.

‘And then of course you have to place order for them, and it is envisaged that as we make the transition from fossil fuel to renewables, there is going to be a reduction of over 60 per cent in the cost of transportation.

‘If you have your car, it is envisaged that you’re going to spend about 60 per cent less and that money that comes back to your pocket.

‘But the emphasis at the beginning is going to be on commercial busses, for mass transit so that workers, will have reduction in the fares,’ he said.

See also Nigeria @63: Tinubu lauds founding fathers’ dedication, leadership

Also, Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, said the Council approved three memos on fighting crime and corruption in the c
ountry.

‘Three memos were approved in quick succession, one dealing with exchange of information including investigation. We have an agreement which was signed way back in June 2022.

‘After the agreement, what the law requires is that you should come back and have it ratified. And it was presented to Council today, of course it was passed.

‘The second one had to do with the exchange of assistance to bring back fugitives, people trying to escape from justice. It is either you bring them to justice or take justice to them. This second aspect, which is mutual assistance has been ratified.

‘The third in the series has to do with after conviction what do we do? Some will say okay, if you have these convictions can you bring the person back home to serve his sentence here?

‘The same thing goes for any convict from the country we have agreement with, in this case Spain. So, we have an agreement that either way, we can exchange persons sentenced to either serve their sentence here or there.

He said there was no
longer hiding place for criminals.

‘If they go outside the shores of the country they can be rest assured that the arms of the law are long enough to reach them,’ said Fagbemi.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has ordered NNPC Ltd. (NNPCL) to sell crude oil to Dangote and other local refineries in Naira.

Mr Zacch Adedeji, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.

He said NEC approved that sale of petroleum products to approved local petroleum marketing companies be conducted in Naira at the same fixed exchange rate.

The proposal also includes a settlement bank (Afreximbank) facilitating both trades by providing guarantees to NNPCL to cover the payment risk of local refineries and to Nigerian commercial banks for the payment risk of petroleum marketing companies.

‘This approach will eliminate the need for international letters of credit, saving Nigeria substantial amounts of dollars,’ he said.

Adedeji said the refinery sector was approaching a steady-state of operations and required approximately 15 crude cargoes per month, translating to an annual supply cost of
13.5 billion dollars.

‘NNPC Limited (NNPCL) has committed to supplying four crude oil cargoes monthly, leaving the remainder to be sourced from international traders.

‘Currently, these transactions are conducted in dollars, significantly straining Nigeria’s foreign currency liquidity,’ he said.

He explained that strategic intervention was required to leverage the Dangote Refinery to stabilise the naira and restore price stability.

‘To manage the significant foreign exchange (FX) needs for local refineries and petroleum marketers, it is proposed that local refineries’ crude oil purchases from NNPCL be denominated in naira at a fixed exchange rate for a minimum period of six months,’ Adedji said.

See also Polls: Ex-VC urges Nigerians not to elect bad leaders

According to him, the benefits of the proposal include reduction in foreign exchange pressure, as the previous scenario utilised 660 million dollars per month, totaling 7.92 billion dollars annually.

‘With the proposed scenario, expenditures are proj
ected to decrease to 50 million dollars per month, equating to 600 million dollars annually.

‘This reduction will significantly alleviate the pressure on foreign exchange reserves, leading to an annual savings of 7.32 billion dollars representing 94 per cent,’ he said.

Adedeji said there would be reduced trade finance costs with annual savings of 79 million dollars in Letters of Credit costs through Afreximbank’s payment undertakings for bilateral trades.

‘The benefits include stabilised petroleum product prices as the forward-selling of crude oil and refined products at a fixed exchange rate unaffected by exchange rate fluctuations will stabilise pump prices.

‘Stabilising petroleum prices will likely drive the appreciation of the NGN, as petroleum imports account for 30 per cent of Nigeria’s FX demand.

‘Stable petroleum prices will lower transportation costs, reducing food price inflation and positively impacting interest rates and dollar/naira exchange rates,’ he said.

According to Adedji, this strate
gy will eliminate government control and drive independence of the market as it aims to eliminate government intervention in the management of domestic petroleum prices.

He said it would further facilitate competitiveness and allow greater market predictability and stability.

‘This model, subject to the settlement bank’s (e.g., Afreximbank) credit approvals, can be replicated for other refineries, facilitating the trade of 445,000 barrels reserved for domestic consumption and achieving energy security.

See also UN welcomes Libyan interim gov’t, calls for election preparation

‘This further ensures that strategic reserves are pegged at tolerable prices driving improved economic stability,’ Adedeji said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, on Monday said the national minimum wage was for the whole nation.

Akpabio made the remark during the signing ceremony of the Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill into law by President Bola Tinubu at the State House.

He said the new national minimum wage was for the Federal Government, states, local governments, the private sector and even individual employers.

‘So, I think this is a great day for the workers in the country. We are not only doubling the minimum wage, we have added something on top. Initially, it was N30,000, now it is N70,000.

‘Like I said, this is minimum, this is not maximum. Any employer that has a capacity can pay as much as you want. But no Nigerian worker will offer services and be paid anything less than N70,000 from today.

‘That is the implication of this act. It applies all over the nation. And we are excited that this is happening at a time like this through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; a man who cares for the Nigerian workers,’ he s
aid.

He said the entirety of the National Assembly moved quickly and passed the bill in one day out of excitement.

‘We felt that this was not something we could delay. So, I think the workers are happy.

‘I want to use this opportunity to call on those who are attempting to foment trouble; that you have a right to protest. It is your fundamental right. It is there in the constitution.

See also Adesina seeks women’s inclusion in conflict resolution in Africa

‘But you don’t have a right to destabilise the country. The right to protest should not be turned into the right to unleash violence. It’s very clear that people who are behind this are very amorphous, very faceless,’ said Akpabio.

He said the current hardship experienced by Nigerians was not caused by the Tinubu administration, which was just one year old.

‘It is the outcome of years of insecurity. Many people could not go to farms for almost 10 years and know that and the President has risen to the occasion.

‘Every food item that is coming in now
will come in without any restrictions; bring in food because Nigerians need to eat. And then at the same time, most things are coming in with a lot of waivers.

‘So, for me, I’m excited that yes, indeed, the government is doing what it should. And we the leaders in the National Assembly, we are touching our various constituencies,’ he said.

He appealed to the youth not to allow any group to mislead them politically noting that destruction of any property would cause Nigeria money.

He said the bill to finance the new minimum wage had gone very far, and that he expected it to be signed into law by Wednesday.

Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who represented Alhaji Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the signing into law of the minimum wage bill by the President showed that he cared about the Nigerian people.

‘So, I think this movement from N30,000 to N70,000 and reducing the negotiation from five to three years is a clear demonstration of a commitment to redirect, refocus and reposition Nige
ria for greatness,’ he said.

See also AU, IGAD urge end to Sudan war

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu had on July 18 increased the Federal Government’s offer on the national minimum wage from N62,000 to N70,000, with an assurance that it would be reviewed after three years, instead of five years.

The President said the labour leaders challenged the thinking faculty of leadership, hence the government reviewed its position and approved a new N70,000 minimum wage.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Seven suspects have been arrested for illegal mining in police operations in the Northern Cape.

The arrests follow work conducted by multi-disciplinary teams comprising of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services, Springbok K9 and Port Nolloth Crime Prevention Units as well as Provincial Traffic officers.

‘In the Frances Baard District, the team arrested seven suspects for illegal mining and detained [the] undocumented foreign nationals for verification by the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services Officials,’ said the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a statement on Sunday.

Numerous mining implements believed to have been used in the commission of illegal mining offences were confiscated during operations.

Meanwhile, a further 15 undocumented persons were detained during vehicle checkpoints at the Port Nolloth/Kleinsee intersection and Bontakoe informal settlement. This brings the number of those arrested to 22.

The police have c
alled on members of the public report any suspicious or illegal activities and illegal mining to the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the newly signed Public Procurement Act is another important step in ensuring that public funds are put to use where intended.

The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter.

Amongst others, the Act is aimed at creating a framework that will regulate public procurement, including preferential procurement by all organs of state.

‘As we intensify our collective efforts to build an inclusive economy that creates jobs, the Public Procurement Act allows us to make [the] best use of public funds to support transformation and local development. At the same time, by implementing measures to prevent the abuse of public procurement, the Act will help to ensure that public funds are put to the uses for which they are intended,’ he said on Monday.

READ | President Ramaphosa signs Public Procurement Bill into law

The President explained that the Act is also part of the implementation of the State Capture report recommendations on how to prevent corruption in gover
nment procurement.

He added that the new law ‘eliminates the problem identified by Chief Justice [Raymond] Zondo of fragmentation in procurement laws by creating a cohesive regulatory framework’.

‘Among other things, the law establishes a Public Procurement Office in the National Treasury, which must put in place measures to ensure the integrity of the procurement process. All the members of this office must perform their functions impartially and without fear, favour or prejudice.

‘The Public Procurement Office must promote standardisation in procurement and modernise the system through technology and innovation. The law focuses on the people who are involved in procurement, requiring them to comply with a code of conduct and receive professional development and training,’ he said.

Protecting public servants

President Ramaphosa highlighted that the new law also goes further to also protect public servants who are working in the procurement space.

‘No government official may be directed, either verbally
or in writing, to violate the required procurement processes. And no official can be victimised or suffer ‘occupational detriment’ for reporting any unlawful instruction.

‘This is an important provision because many of the abuses that took place during the State Capture era involved political office bearers, business people and others putting pressure on managers to flout procurement regulations,’ President Ramaphosa explained.

Additionally, the Public Procurement Act forbids people from trying to interfere with or influencing procurement and also prohibits tampering with tender bids.

‘Suppliers who are found to abuse the procurement system or otherwise commit fraud and corruption are prevented through a ‘debarment order’ from participating in any procurement processes for a specified period.

‘Certain categories of people are automatically excluded from submitting bids to the State.

“These include public office bearers, public servants in any sphere of government, officials in Parliament and provincial l
egislatures, special advisers and employees of public entities. In other words, people who work for the State may not do business with the state,’ the President said.

Transparency

The President explained that the Act also provides for increased transparency in the awarding of government tenders.

‘It provides for the use of technology to disclose procurement information, including awards of bids, the process followed and suppliers awarded. This follows our decision in 2020 to make information on all COVID-19 related contracts available online. No longer will tenders be awarded in dark corners far from public scrutiny.

‘The approach in the Act is in line with the Constitutional requirement that public procurement must be done in accordance with a system which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective.

‘The Constitution also says that this should not prevent procurement policies that provide for the protection or advancement of people disadvantaged by unfair discrimination,’ he said.

The President said the signing of the Act is a sign that government is committed to rectifying the gaps highlighted by the State Capture report.

‘The report of the State Capture Commission shone a bright light on the weaknesses in our public procurement system. We are now fixing the problems the Commission identified and are making public procurement a more effective instrument for social and economic change,’ the President concluded.

Source: South African Government News Agency

A 46-year-old Department of Home Affairs official is expected to appear in the Lindley Magistrates’ Court on Monday for alleged corruption.

He was arrested on Friday by the Bethlehem-based Serious Corruption Investigation detectives.

The suspect is alleged to have facilitated fraudulent identity documents for foreign nationals at a fee of R10 000.

In April 2024, Bangladeshi Saddam Hussein (22) was arrested for aiding and abetting another foreign national to obtain a South African identity document.

Hussein, who was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court on 24 June 2024 for a separate fraud case relating to identity documents, will be back in the Lindley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

It is expected that he will appear alongside the Home Affairs official on what will be the latter’s second appearance.

Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, has applauded the detectives for their relentless efforts to roo
t out corruption involving fraudulent identity documents.

“We are coming after all officials involved in this scheme. Having undocumented immigrants has negative economic and security implications for the country and is thus a serious crime,” Bokaba said.

Source: South African Government News Agency