yanabasee:
What about the money he stole??

Civil servants in Kano State said Wednesday that they had been left confused following unexplained slashes in their November and December salaries.

Some civil servants said they were left with less than the old minimum wage of N18, 000. Officials of the state government denied reverting to the old minimum wage, insisting that there were only deductions because of the prevailing recession in the country occasioned by COVID-19.

The federal government had in 2020 increased the minimum wage to N30, 000 and some states followed suit by adopting the increment based on the grade level of their workers.


A cross-section of civil servants in Kano described the “slash” as unfair, saying the Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led administration shouldn’t have deducted money from their November and December salaries at a period when it released N2.3billion for the conduct of local government elections scheduled for January 16.

This is even as many of them have continued to raise questions on what the government is doing with the several monies it is getting from different sources including federal allocation, internally generated revenue and grants from donor agencies.

Daily Trust reports that Kano State is not the only state in the country to have tampered with workers’ salaries in recent times.

Most recently, the Niger State Government had declared that it could no longer pay 100 per cent salary while Gombe State stopped the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage since March 2020, both citing the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s economy.

Salihu Tanko Yakasai, the Special Adviser on Media to Kano State governor, said on Wednesday that “the state government has reverted to the initial minimum pay due to recession. What we are getting now as a government has reduced, and we can’t afford to pay the N30, 000 minimum wage.”

Efforts to get clarification from the Head of Service, Binta Ahmed proved abortive as calls to her number were not connecting while a text message sent to her was marked delivered but not responded to as at press time. A Daily Trust reporter also went to her office at the Audu Bako Secretariat and was told she had not been to the office all through the day (Wednesday).

However, speaking with Daily Trust, the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba said it was not really a case of reverting to the 18,000 minimum wage but that of reduction because of the current economic situation in the country.

It was gathered that these deductions affected the 55,505 mainstream civil servants in the state as of December 31, 2020. This figure includes all state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including tertiary institutions but excluding Maitama Sule University and Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil. The decision, it was gathered, also affected all political appointees of Governor Ganduje.

Some of us got less than N18, 000 – Civil servants

All the civil servants that spoke with Daily Trust pleaded not to be named. One of them with the state’s Teacher’s Service Board said they noticed the deduction from their salaries in November 2020, and it was also repeated in December without any explanation to that effect.

He said while it was rumoured that the state government had reverted to N18, 000 minimum wage, what was deducted in December from his salary was more than the increase accrued in the N30, 000 minimum wage increment, meaning what he got was even below the N18, 000 minimum wage. He said he discovered he was not the only one that suffered this fate.

Another source in one of the state’s ministries said the unannounced deduction from workers’ monthly salary has demoralised the entire civil servants in the state, adding that he did not blame the government but the labour union that decided to keep mum on the issue.

“Monies were deducted from our salaries during the first wave of COVID-19 throughout the lockdown period, that we understood; but with this deduction, I blame the labour union for keeping quiet on the development. We do not know who to rely on,” he lamented.

A female civil servant also told one of our reporters that the civil service sector has been under what she called ‘Gatarin Ganduje’ (Ganduje’s axe).

According to her, at present, no civil servant in the state know the exact amount of money he will receive at the end of the month as salary and as such cannot effectively plan.

Decision illegal

When contacted, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Kabiru Ado said it is the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) that is vested with negotiation at the state level and not the NLC “but NLC is only a witness in the negotiation”.

According to him, “We have not received any official communication from the government to revert to old wage as circulated by some media outlets. So, we will stand by the signed agreement of N30, 600 entered since December 2019.”

The Chairman of Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) of the organised labour in Kano State, Comrade Hashim Saleh, told Daily Trust that the organised labour was not carried along and even when it reached out to the government in December to stop the deductions, government disregarded them.

“In November 2020, they just went ahead without our knowledge and consent. They just deducted the money, which is contrary to the agreement of the signed salary structure in accordance with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention. They did this without following due process,” he said.

He said the provision of the ILO Convention is that if there is a problem with the income of the government, the government has to summon a meeting with the representatives of the workers “to sit down and bring all the books of the financial expenditure and income” so the representatives of the workers will understand that there is truly a problem with the income.

According to him, “After making a series of investigations, we (the JNC) wrote a letter to the government to stop the deduction and refund the already deducted money. We cited an authority to back this demand up. We sent the letter through the Office of the Head of Service to the governor. We copied all the relevant stakeholders.

“The government invited us in December. Myself, the chairman NLC, the chairman TUC and all stakeholders, even those not under the JNC and TUC were also in the meeting. They (government) told us they have financial problems and we told them there is no such thing as a financial problem so far.

“During our negotiation, the income shared by the federal government was less than N600 billion but in November 2020, FG shared over N600 billion. So, we did not agree with the position that there is no money.

“Even during the COVID-19 lockdown, we were the ones that agreed that all civil servants should contribute 10% of their salaries because there was lockdown, but in this case, there is no lockdown at all. Even the government is generating revenue from different businesses including PAYE. So, we were not satisfied with their position that the government does not have money. And we also did not agree to any deduction in December salaries.

“We told them we will go and further discuss with other colleagues but before we got home, we discovered that they (government) started paying local government staff salaries with deductions. So, the following day, we wrote to them again and expressed our dissatisfactions but they continued with their deductions,” he added.

He said at the meeting, which was chaired by the Head of Service, it was the commissioner for local government that told them that the money the LGs are generating from the federation accounts was not enough to pay the employees of the LGs and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

“Kano State Government (at the meeting) actually never disclosed that they do not have money but only the commissioner for local government was the one that continued saying there is no money. The commissioner for finance, commissioner for special duties, ALGON chairman and the head of service did not say anything,” he added. On the next step to be taken by the organised labour, Comrade Sale said they (organised labour) will be meeting next week and after the meeting, their position will be made public.

“At the moment, we are doing underground works to ensure that we compel the government to return to the normal payment of salaries in the state because what they are doing is illegal,” he added.

Why we deducted from workers’ salaries

The Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba told Daily Trust that: “It is not that we have reverted but what the state government did was that you know, we entered into recession and the allocation from the federal government has gone down drastically and coupled with the COVID-19, the internally generated revenue has also come down.

“So, we found it very difficult to accommodate the N30, 000 minimum wage. Therefore, instead of us not to pay salaries, the government decided to do some reduction from the workers’ salaries.

“It is a deduction actually, not that government has reverted to N18, 000 minimum wage. Some (workers), based on the deductions, will reflect N18,000 and some will reflect N19,000 but there are ways and manner according to the grade level, that is how the ministry for finance and that of local government actually did for November and December salaries.”

He assured that by the time the country gets out of recession, “and we see improvement in the revenue, which the government is making a lot of efforts, I want to assure you that we have already signed agreement with the labour on N30, 000 minimum wage, so there is no way we can completely revert back and say we are paying N18, 000. That is the truth of the matter.”

On why the civil servants were not informed of the decision to deduct their salaries, the commissioner said he is not sure if the labour union has been contacted.

“I am sure such a decision is something that should be done with labour union but if eventually that has not been done, I am sure the government will find a way of talking to the labour and I am sure the labour will understand with the government.”

He added that “there are many states that are not even paying salaries now. Some states said it openly that they can only pay half salary but in Kano, the governor said ‘we have to pay salaries. The only thing we have to do is to make some deductions from the salaries’, which I believe the civil servants should understand.”

The Federal Government says it has opened talks with the People’s Republic of China to have access to COVID-19 vaccines for Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday while briefing newsmen after a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who was in Nigeria on a working visit.

Onyeama recalled that China was of immense assistance to Nigeria at the advent of the pandemic, noting that the donation of protective equipment greatly affected the nation in the fight against COVID-19.

The minister said that at this point when countries were discovering vaccines and China being one of them, Nigeria was engaging the country in the area of access to the vaccine.

“We’ve received a lot of support from China in the area of personal protective equipment that they were very quick to provide us with and of course, with the vaccine discoveries now,

“China is also one of those countries that have been able to discover vaccines for COVID-19. So, we’re also engaging with China to also help with regards to access to vaccines for our people,” he said.

“In the area of fostering relations, both countries are now considering having a direct flight from Nigeria to China.

“We want to establish direct air link with China. We hope that very soon, a Nigerian carrier would be carrying out scheduled flights to China in the not too distant future,” he said. (NAN)

* There is endemic poverty in the land – PDP
* We’ll soon exit recession – APC

President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and governors have urged Nigerians to show love to one and another in the spirit of the Christmas being celebrated today across the world.

Lawan, in a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, said: “In the true spirit of the season, let’s show love to our neighbours, kindness to the less-privileged and vulnerable, and tolerance to one another across the lines of faith, politics and ethnicity in the spirit of the unique sacrifice and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Speaker Gbajabiamila in his Christmas message called on Christians and all other Nigerians to use the Christmas period to pray for continuous peaceful coexistence in the country.

In the message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the speaker said Nigerians should also use the period to pray for their leaders for God’s guidance.

Similarly, a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, said Nigerians should rededicate themselves and remain steadfast in prayers to restore security, unity and stability to the nation.

“Christmas is a time of love, therefore, I call on all Nigerians to emulate the essence of this season and unite for the greater good of our dear country.

“Nigerians should also remember their fellow citizens, the men and women of our armed forces, some of whom lost their lives this year fighting to protect us from terrorist attacks, banditry, kidnapping and other threats that are rearing their ugly heads across the country against our national security,” Atiku said.

Buni, Yahaya, Obaseki, Oyetola, Makinde, others harp on lessons of Christmas

The Chairman, APC caretaker committee and Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, has urged Nigerians to use the lessons of Christmas to promote peace, love and unity in the country.

“Christmas is full of lessons that preach peace, love and tolerance that we should borrow from to promote love and unity.

“We should irrespective of our political, religious and cultural differences, put these lessons into our daily lives to promote love and remain our brothers’ keepers,” Buni said

On his part, Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya urged Nigerians to use the period to pray for peace and end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor in his Christmas message urged Christians and the entire people of the state to rededicate themselves and remain steadfast in prayers against all the challenges bedevilling the state and humanity in general.

In his Christmas message, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki urged residents to adhere to public health and safety measures against the coronavirus (COVID-19) during the yuletide.

“As we celebrate this season of love, we must be circumspect so as not to lose our loved ones. Except it is absolutely necessary to go out, please stay at home.

“Inasmuch as the government will enforce the rules relating to the COVID-19, it is important that each and every one of us takes personal responsibility to protect ourselves and the people around us by abiding by all public health and safety measures to ensure that we are safe,” he said.

Also, Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has urged Nigerians to shun religious sentiment and embrace love and peaceful co-existence which Jesus Christ stood for.

The governor, while speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said the celebration offered Nigerians the opportunity to reflect on God’s love and compassion for man as epitomised in the gift of Christ to the world.

Similarly, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has congratulated Christians in the state on the occasion of the 2020 Christmas, calling on them to use the opportunity of the season to pray for the state and its leadership.

Makinde equally urged Christians across the country to emulate Christ, who, according to him, is the reason for the season, by showing love to others, living in harmony with neighbours and demonstrating the spirit of brotherliness.

On their parts, Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai; Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, have also harped on the lessons of the season.

There is endemic poverty in the land – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to rekindle hope and trust in God’s divine intervention in the affairs of the nation.

The leading opposition party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Nigerians must keep hope alive and find strength in God’s unfailing intervention as demonstrated with the gift of salvation in the coming of Jesus Christ.

“The failures of the current administration have led to an excruciating widespread economic hardship and worsened insecurity across the country. Christmas rekindles faith that all hope is not lost for the nation.

“The PDP laments that under the prevailing circumstances, most families have nothing to celebrate with. Many are in deep mourning over their losses from escalated insecurity due to the failure of those entrusted with the leadership of our nation,” the party stated.


We’ll soon exit recession – APC

However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians that the nation will soon exit the current recession.

The party also assured that the federal government would always mobilise all legitimate assets to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.

Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, said Nigeria went into recession again largely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation.

“As every country affected by the economic slowdown caused largely by the severity of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria is poised to exit the current recession within a short time, as several measures lined up by the Federal Government show,” the party stated.

Let peace, brotherly love reign – Mark

A former president of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has again reminded Nigerians of the sanctity of being their brothers’ keeper in spite of the socio-economic and security challenges.

To this end, he has canvassed for religious tolerance between and amongst faithful in a manner that gives every adherent freedom and liberty to worship.

He stated this in a goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s Christmas, signed by his media aide, Paul Mumeh.


Tinubu preaches kindness, love

The national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic made the year 2020 a turbulent year.

He, however, said every Nigerian must show love and kindness to each other in order to overcome the present challenges.

Tinubu in his goodwill message to mark the Christmas celebration, said, “Let us put in our heart how we can help those who are without instead of blaming people for the situation in which they find themselves.

“Give those who currently lack kindness not criticism; give them bread and meat, not bitterness and despair. COVID came to steal much from us. But if we act in the spirit of Jesus, we shall defeat this disease and the other ills it seeks to impose on us.”

On his part, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Malam Muhammad Musa Bello urged residents of the territory to observe safety protocols as they celebrate Christmas.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he’s always pained each time a breach of peace and insecurity occur in the country.

The President, in his Christmas message to Nigerians also preached salvation just as he called for citizens’ support for the military and other security agencies.

“I cannot in good conscience shirk this cardinal responsibility to secure lives and property. I feel pained each time a breach of peace and security occurs in any part of the nation. I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in the society.


“As a parent, I share the emotional torture and agony parents and guardians go through whenever their children and wards fall into the cruel hands of these enemies of decency and good society.

“I plead with fellow compatriots to give our military and other security agencies more time, cooperation and support by volunteering credible intelligence/information on activities of armed bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements within their communities in order to put an end to this blight on our security landscape.” the statement read in part.

He also promised that his administration would continue to give the military the needed support but urged them (the military) to do more to checkmate increasing incidents of security threats in the country.

Read the Full Text of the President’s Message Below:

I felicitate with our Christian brothers and sisters in particular and all Nigerians in general on this joyous occasion of Christmas 2020, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

In Christendom, Christmas season represents joy, peace, hope, love, goodwill and imminent salvation. These worthy values which Jesus’ Advent symbolize, are very much needed in our country at this time when we are confronted with diverse challenges like rising spate of armed banditry, kidnappings, insurgency, economic recession and upsurge of COVID-19 infections.

I wish to, therefore, enjoin fellow compatriots to appropriate the hope that comes with Christmas and reinvest trust in this Administration’s determination and unwavering commitment to restore peace, security and prosperity to our dear country.

Under my watch, the Federal Government will continue to provide the needed support within available resources to the gallant members of our armed forces and security agencies as they confront threats to our citizens. While I commend them for their efforts so far, I urge them to do more to checkmate increasing incidents of security threats especially in the northern parts of the country as well as the entire nation in varying degrees. Their display of tact, camaraderie, and expertise that led to the recent return of abducted schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, will remain a milestone in the annals of the country.

For me, providing security for all residents in the country remains an article of faith. It formed a vital segment of this Administration’s three-point agenda right from inception, and we must follow through with it.

I cannot in good conscience shirk this cardinal responsibility to secure lives and property. I feel pained each time a breach of peace and security occurs in any part of the nation. I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in the society. As a parent, I share the emotional torture and agony parents and guardians go through whenever their children and wards fall into the cruel hands of these enemies of decency and good society.

I plead with fellow compatriots to give our military and other security agencies more time, cooperation and support by volunteering credible intelligence/information on activities of armed bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements within their communities in order to put an end to this blight on our security landscape.

To be sure, the problems are beyond the simplistic options being bandied around. We shall remain focused on following the complex, multi-dimensional route to reducing the incidents of insecurity to the barest minimum. Our people must be free to live and move without let or hindrance. This is crucial not only to enthroning an atmosphere of calm and social cohesion, but for the economy to grow.

Let us use this season of goodwill and joy to renew our faith in the ability of this Administration to make a lasting difference in the lives of our hard-working people. Our Social Intervention measures and other economic policies are already yielding positive results even at modest rates.

We shall deliberately target our youths so that they will not fall into the trap of unpatriotic elements to foment social disobedience leading to avoidable loss of lives and property.

Let me reiterate that while the right to peaceful association and protest is guaranteed under our laws, this Administration will not fold its arms and watch protests however well-intended, degenerate into wanton killings of law enforcement and other security personnel as well as destruction of private and national assets.

It is gladdening to note that the various schemes and components of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) are being implemented faithfully to support micro-small businesses. I am particularly delighted that artisans, small-time transporters, traders and farmers are the main beneficiaries as we continue to provide safety nets to the most vulnerable members of our society as well as business owners to mitigate the harsh economic environment occasioned by COVID-19.

In spite of dwindling national revenue worsened by the pandemic, we will do all that is required to fully implement the 2021 Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience. We are optimistic that all things being equal, we should be able to exit recession at the shortest possible time.

There is every indication that our country is already experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infection. As we celebrate Christmas with families and friends, I urge all citizens and residents to adhere strictly to the non-pharmaceutical prevention guidelines of regular hand-washing, wearing masks and social/physical distancing with a view to mitigating the spread of this devastating virus. While national and state institutions are trying their best, we must take individual responsibility and resist the strong temptation of compliance-fatigue by following the recommended protocols put in place by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and beat the ravaging pandemic.

I have absolute confidence in the spirit of resilience of our people to do the needful and remain vigilant even as this festive season witnesses increased travels and celebrations. Staying alive to enjoy future festivals should be the watchword.

I wish all Nigerians divine protection and Merry Christmas.

Muhammadu Buhari

The Senate has commenced a legislative work to enact a law that would legalise the activities of various hunter groups in Nigeria.

The bill, titled “The Nigerian Hunter’s Council of Nigeria Bill, 2020 (SB. 477), was sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti).

The proposed legislation, which has passed second reading in the Senate would put to rest the notion that the groups lacked the constitutional powers to operate.

Olujimi told journalists on Tuesday that the law when enacted would also empower the hunters to provide community policing, maintain law and order and offer community service to Nigerians.

The House of Representatives Spokesperson, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) has disclosed that, the National Assembly increased the 2021 budget from the N13.08 trillion proposed to N13.58 trillion because of the prevailing economic realities in the country.

He disclosed this while speaking to journalist on the approved budget passed by the House on Monday.

“As you know, on the 8th of October, the President laid the budget before the joint session of the House and the Senate and that budget had N13.08 trillion presented before us.


“What we passed was N13.58 trillion It’s an increase from what the President laid before us and the realities we found on ground made us to push it to what we finally approved today.

“The House has approved N4.125 trillion on capital expenditure, N5.641 trillion on recurrent expenditure as well as N3.324 trillion is for Debt Service, N5.641 trillion on debt services.

“The House has also recognized that it’s important to have statutory transfers and that is N496.528 billion has been approved for that.

“This is to show our commitment to Nigerians that this budget is here to stay.

“It is also important to know that we benchmarking the budget on $40 per barrel knowing fully well that our major source of income revenue is oil and gas,” he said.

Kzinne:
O

The First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has been away from the Presidential Villa, Abuja for two months, Daily Trust reports.

The president’s wife quietly left the country for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a medical check-up, it was gathered.

One of her aides, Kabiru Dodo, finally opened up on the absence of the president’s wife at the weekend in Jalingo, Taraba State.

Several efforts to get her spokesperson, Aliyu Abdullahi to speak on the matter yielded no result. It was gathered that she left shortly after the wedding of one of her daughters, Hana. Mrs Buhari’s absence became obvious due to her inactiveness on the social media especially Facebook and Twitter. Besides, different aides have been representing her to distribute relief materials to the needy in various states across the country under the aegis of the Aisha Buhari Foundation.

Dodo, who spoke on the latest development while presenting some items to widows on behalf of the president’s wife, faulted the report that the first lady left the country because of rising insecurity.

According to Dodo, “The first lady travelled for her medical trip, she did not flee the country because of insecurity.

“What people are saying is baseless and worth nothing to be considered. I want to tell the whole world that I do speak to her daily and she is ready to return to the country as soon as she is done with the medical treatment abroad.”

It would be recalled that the first lady had on Saturday August 22 thanked all Nigerians for their prayers and well wishes while she was away for medical treatment in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE).

Hajiya Aisha had created a similar scenario in 2019 when she stayed out of the country for over two months after leaving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where she had performed pilgrimage for London, the United Kingdom (UK).