Economy
Gov. Mbah meets Enugu civil servants, pledges improved welfare
Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Monday met with civil servants in the state and pledged to improve their welfare to cope with the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
Addressing workers at the state secretariat, the governor solicited their support and cooperation to transform and move the state forward.
Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said that his administration would not achieve its campaign promises without commitment, cooperation and unwavering support from the civil servants.
“I acknowledged all that was said here and it is only somebody who is not living in Nigeria will ignore or claim to be ignorant about the situation of workers.
“I did not appear from the mar or moon as I have family members that are also public servants; so I know how hard it is for them to meet their day to day obligations and I am mindful of that.
“I believe that labour requires consummate rewards. Government must consider the welfare and quality of services the people make while the people will be committed in improving quality of public service delivery”.
The governor added that moving the state Gross Domestic Product from N4.4 billion to N30 billion was achievable, even more, with the commitment of the workforce which would definitely boost salaries.
Mbah explained that the government was working hard to restore power supply at the Secretariat to enhance worker’s productivity and the proposed e-Goverance.
He said that his administration was doing everything possible to address revenue generation leakages.
“This is why we are deploying technology to make it difficult to steal public funds. So have patient with us and pray that we succeed and know that what we need in Enugu is irreversible changes,” he said.
Earlier, the state Head of Civil Service, Mr Ken Chukwuegbo, said the forum was a worker friendly forum with the governor adding that no worker would be sanctioned or bullied.
“This is one on one talk with his Excellency as a family on his campaign promises, programmes and policies of his administration, so feel free,” he said.
He added that the civil servants in Enugu State would be transiting from manual way of doing things to E-Govervance for higher productivity.
The Labour Leaders, who spoke earlier during the meeting, urged Gov. Mbah to improve workers welfare to alleviate their plight emanating from fuel subsidy removal, poor salaries, high cost of transportation and among others.
Comrade Ben Asogwa, the state Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, while commending Gov. Mbah for his good works in the state, said they were ready to the digitalization of the civil service system in Enugu.
He advocated for subsidy allowances and provision of staff buses for workers in the state as well as increasing their salaries to meet up the recent economic realities.
Similarly, the Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Enugu Chapter, Comrade Fabian Asogwa, noted that the biggest challenge of workers was not insecurity but “food, welfare and salaries insecurity”.
The Newsmen reports that this is the first time workers reported to work on the Monday sit at home declared by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2021.
Some of the workers who spoke to NAN expressed delight that the situation had changed and promised to put in their best to improve the state economy.
By Sodiq Adelakun
Inflation in Nigeria continued to rise for the twelfth consecutive month in December, with the headline inflation rate reaching 28.92%, up from 28.20% in November.
The National Bureau of Statistics released its consumer price index report on Monday, revealing the ongoing impact of inflation on the country’s economy.
More details to come…
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has announced the first reading of a bill aimed at regulating private schools and tertiary institutions in the state.
The bill, titled “A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” was introduced during the House proceedings on Monday in Lafia.
In addition to this bill, the House also passed two executive bills that focus on promoting education and skills training in the state.
The bills, if passed into law, are expected to enhance the quality of education and boost skills training across Nasarawa State.
Three bills have successfully passed their first reading in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
The first bill, titled “A Bill For a Law to Establish the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, and other Matters Connected Therewith,” aims to establish a vocati onal and technology institute in Lafia, the state capital. This institute will provide valuable skills training and education to the youth of the region.
The second bill, named “A Bill for A Law to Amend College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and Matters Connected Thereof,” seeks to amend the existing law governing the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Lafia.
The proposed amendments aim to enhance the college’s operations and ensure it remains at the forefront of agricultural and technological advancements.Lastly, the third bill, titled “the Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” focuses on regulating the establishment and operation of private educational institutions in the state.
This bill aims to ensure that these institutions meet certain standards of quality and provide a conducive learning environment for students.
“The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, announced that the second reading of the bill for the establishment of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, and other related matters will take place on October 2.
The second reading of the bill to amend the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and matters connected thereof, will be scheduled for October 3.
These bills demonstrate the commitment of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to improving the educational sector and providing opportunities for skills development in the state.
“I will slate Oct. 3, for the second reading of A Bill for A Law to Amend College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and Matters Connected Thereof.
“I will also slate Oct. 4 for the second reading of A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” he said.
Earlier, Alhaji Mohammed Omadefu, the Majority Leader of the House, moved motions for the bills to scale first readings.
The Minority Leader of the House, Mr Luka Zhekaba, seconded the motion.
The House unanimously passed the bills into first readings.
The Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf has said the current inflationary pressures might ease by December this year.
Yusuf disclosed this on Sunday in his Half Year Review of 2023.
His review comes amid the effect of fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Consequently, the prices of goods and services sharply increased.
The National Bureau of Statistics said Nigeria’s inflation is 22.41 per cent. Nigerians have continued to lament the hike in the prices of goods and services.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said that the effect of fuel subsidy removal and forex reforms would be in the short term.
According to him, the challenges would gradually reduce before the year ends.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said the CBN should implement a sustainable intervention framework to moderate the volatility in the forex market.
“Inflationary pressure is expected to ease before the end of the year.
“It would pave the way for an equilibrium exchange rate which would be more tolerable and sustainable”, he stated.
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