₦airaland Forum

THE Presidency has directed personal data collecting agencies to release all relevant individual records to the Joint Tax Board (JTB).

Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo gave the order on Monday in Abuja at The Go-Live ceremony for the new National TIN Registration System. He ordered that “all agencies critical to the optimal success of this initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBBS), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), are hereby directed to provide the fullest co-operation to the JTB especially in the release of the relevant individual records.

The vice president gave the order after the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler, said the service  was yet to take delivery of taxpayer data from organisations such as the CBN via the NIBBS, and NIMC, adding that the ceremony will reinforce the need to work together as one to promote the Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) of Mr. President.

He said:“ So we will like to thank them in anticipation of their commitment to release the required data to JTB. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, the Federal Government paid all outstanding PAYE tax liabilities owed by Federal MDAs (ministries, departments and agencies) from 2002 to 2016, totaling N135.8 billion to the various state governments in May 2019.”

He said the Federal Government gesture will encourage state governments to also promptly remit all Withholding Taxes and VAT due to the Federation Account.

Speaking on The Go-Live project, Fowler  said: “Tax authorities are poised to change the financial profile of Nigeria and particularly, lay a strong financial foundation to fund government at all tiers beyond aid, grants and borrowing.”

He added that new realities are driving the desire of the JTB to ensure that the identification of individuals and corporate bodies in the country is achievable.

“It is not only important that these records are available, it is equally important that the records are credible and reliable and that they are accessible under a secure environment, online real-time,” he said.




Read more here https://thickmatch.com/presidency-orders-agencies-release-data-jtb/

Senator Godswill Akpabio has insisted the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial district election was massively manipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said the election that produced Chris Ekpenyong of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as winner was highly skewed against him by the electoral umpire.

Akpabio made the allegation when speaking as evidence in chief in a petition he filed at the National Assembly Election Petitions sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, challenging the declaration of Ekpenyong as the winner of the election.

Akpabio said he contested against the PDP and INEC.

Led in evidence by his counsel, Sunday Ameh, Akpabio said: “If this is (election) how INEC is going to conduct the election in Nigeria, it is a pity.”

He said in his testimony that INEC showed a great deal of bias against him by mutilating result from many units and wards in the senatorial district to make sure votes to him were either reduced or invalidated to make them insignificant in overall result in the district.

Akpabio, who was visibly agitated in the witness box, told the court he felt so bad that the election which he got the majority of votes cast was mutilated to favour his opponent.

Akpabio accused INEC of hoarding election materials when he requested them to prepare his case.

“It was what INEC gave me that I relied on to prepare my case. Out of 169 units in the senatorial district, only in 116 polling units INEC gave us true certified copy of the result sheet.”

When told by the first respondent (Ekpenyong’s) counsel, U. U Njoku, that his claims to winning the election were based on invalidated votes, Akpabio said: “Majority of votes cast for me were lawful while those for my opponent were unlawful.”

In response to Solomon Umoh’s claims, counsel to the second respondent, the PDP, that he (Akpabio) did not vote during the election, because there was no election in his polling unit, Akpabio said it was a great disservice by INEC to say that the result from his polling unit 9, Ward 11 in Ukana West 2 was not recorded in final result sheet for the local government.



Read more here https://thickmatch.com/inec-rigged-akwa-ibom-north-west-senatorial-election-akpabio-insists/

The National Broadcasting Commission(NBC) has lifted the suspension placed on the Daar Communication, owner of AIT and Ray Power.

This was after the two parties reached an agreement.

Director General of the commission, Malam Isaq Modibbo Kawu, announced the settlement on Friday.

The settlement, he however said, is based on fulfillment of some conditions.

Read more here https://thickmatch.com/breaking-nbc-lifts-suspension-ait-ray-power/

more coming soon

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has charged Nigerian youths to do more in contributing to the growth of the country.

He urged the youths not to allow anybody to tell them they “are too young to lead,” stressing that those frustrating the youth are not better endowed than them.

Obasanjo stated this on Thursday when the National Youths Council of Nigeria, NYCN, visited him at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Urging youths to do more, Obasanjo recalled that he started showing his leadership quality in Congo when he was less than 30 while on military mission there.

The former president expressed worry over the growing number of youths who are yet to find themselves in the nation’s leadership positions unlike what was obtained in his time.

He stated that whatever he had achieved for himself or done for the country, were due to his having access to education.

Obasanjo also lamented that 13 million children are currently out of school in Nigeria.

He said: “Whatever I have done, I have done it because I was educated and the love I have for Nigeria. If I didn’t have education, I would not have been able to do what I have done and today, it pains me that more than 13million Nigerian children who should be in school are out of school.

“We don’t need additional teachers; you will only increase what those teachers get maybe by 40 per cent or something, we can even do two streams if we prepare for that and start two years from now and those children would have become product that would be able to make contributions and make their own life better and as well making the life of their families too better.

“I am so much concerned about the youths, the truth is, over 60 per cent of our populations are youths and under 30 years of age.

“Don’t let anybody tell you that you are too young, I started making contribution to the world when I was serving in Congo in 1960, I was only 24 years old. By the time I went to the war front, I was still under 35 years of age, by the time I became the Head of State, I was under 40 years of age.”



Read more here https://thickmatch.com/obasanjo-charges-nigerian-youths-take-power/

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) yesterday said a former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed will serve as a prosecution witness in a N2.5billion alleged fraud trial case involving the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Modibbo Kawu and two others.

The others are Lucky Omoluwa and Dipo Onifade, the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Communications Limited.

According to a statement by the Spokesperson of ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa (mni), Mohammed has been scheduled to appear before a Federal High Court, Abuja.

She said the ex-Minister  explain his role in the alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion Federal Government Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme.

A statement by Mrs. Okoduwa said: “The former Minister’s involvement had come under questioning following discovery by ICPC during investigations, that a government White Paper that governs the execution of the DSO programme was allegedly flouted by the head of NBC.

“Mohammed had however admitted in a statement to the Commission that he was misled by Kawu, as opined in court by a witness from ICPC, Osanato Olugbemi.

“Olugbemi, led in evidence by counsel to ICPC, Henry Emore, also told the court that the payment of N2.5 billion from NBC to Pinnacle Communications Limited, as seed grant was suspicious because ICPC found out through its investigations that only government owned company was approved to benefit from the grant according to the White Paper.

“The court also heard that the processes that led to the final payment of the fund to the private company were shrouded in secrecy as revealed by the minute from an NBC emergency board management meeting where issues of carriage fees owed Pinnacle and not seed grant was discussed.

“He told the court that 47 suspicious transactions were originated by the Chairman of Pinnacle Communications, Omoluwa, immediately after the receipt of the funds on June 2, 2017.

“The transactions include  payments of N363 million to one Idowu Olatunde, N274.4 million to one James Segun and N127 million to Dipo Onifade, the Chief Operating Officer of the company.

“He informed the court that Omoluwa refused to explained the reasons for the payments to Olatunde and James when asked by ICPC, but Onifade explained that he received the N127 million as legal fees he rendered to Pinnacle Communications Limited.

“He informed the court that Omoluwa refused to explained the reasons for the payments to Olatunde and James when asked by ICPC, but Onifade explained that he received the N127 million as legal fees he rendered to Pinnacle Communications Limited.




Read more here https://thickmatch.com/alleged-n2-5b-nbc-fraud-ex-minister-lai-mohammed-appear-witness-says-icpc/

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the Afenifere Yoruba movement has come out to slam Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the elder statesman whose comment came in reaction to the visit of Tinubu to Buhari, he said the APC national leader is only fighting for his personal interest and not for the masses or Yorubas.

In his words:

“How many times will we continue to tell you these people are not Afenifere? They are just fake. Nigerians know who the true Afenifere is. They are just leaders of APC in South-West. When last did they come out as Afenifere except when they want to go and deceive Buhari? They never said anything about killings by Fulani herdsmen, instead, they are talking about true federalism.


“Is Buhari sincere about restructuring? Is that not the basis on which Tinubu was elected as governor? They are just deceiving themselves. I don’t want to waste my time on them again because they are just jokers. You don’t have to lay claim to Afenifere. Nigerians know the real Afenifere.


“They were with us before they chickened out. Now that you have left, why are you still laying claim to that name? A cause we have been fighting before, you abandoned it because you want to be president. They are fighting the cause of the Yoruba for their own interests. It is clear that they don’t have the interest of the Yoruba at heart”.



Read more here https://thickmatch.com/tinubu-fake-fighting-interest-afenifere-leader/

lalasticlala mynd44

An erupting volcano in Papua New Guinea that has blanketed a town in ash has forced around 5,000 people from their homes, officials said on Thursday.

Mount Ulawun — one of the world’s most hazardous volcanoes — began spewing lava and smoke high into the air on Wednesday.

Chris Lagisa, a community elder, said people had gathered at a church hall to flee on lorries, trucks and 4x4s, clutching sacks filled with belongings.

In the nearby provincial capital of Kimbe, grey ash that had been shot more than 13 kilometres (8 miles) into the air, turning day to night, began to fall on cars and homes.

People downwind from the volcano were advised to take precautions to avoid the ashfall, which can cause respiratory ailments, eye irritation and skin problems.

Images of the volcano early Thursday appeared to show the ash flow easing.

“Parts of (the) erupting column collapsed, sending block and ash flows down the flanks,” said Rabaul Volcano Observatory chief geodetic surveyor Steve Saunders.

Initial reports from the provincial disaster committee indicate lava flows had cut through the main coastal road.

Ulawun, on the remote Bismarck Archipelago chain, is listed as one of 16 “Decade Volcanoes” targeted for research because they pose a significant risk of large, violent eruptions.

Saunders said they will be deploying staff today to Ulamona to assess the situation as the eruption continues.

“We are monitoring instrumentally from Rabaul Volcano Observatory and have access to satellite data,” he said.

“However due to the continuing eruption (and) the potential for unexpected resurgence, it is recommended that the alert be raised to Stage 2,” Saunders said.

National airline Air Niugini cancelled all flights into Hoskins Airport in Kimbe for an indefinite period, and the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre issued a “red” warning to international airlines.

Thousands of people live in the shadow of Ulawun, despite its being one of the most active volcanoes in the country.




Read more here https://thickmatch.com/papua-new-guinea-5000-people-flee-homes-erupting-volcano/

Inadequate funds and lack of logistics have been identified as major impediments preventing National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Yobe State.

The State Commander (NDLEA), Apeh Reuben stated this while commenting on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Wednesday in Damaturu.

He said NDLEA has seven Area Commands in the state, noting that accessing these commands is very difficult due to the remoteness of the areas; hence the need for adequate logistics to enable the agency performs optimally.

“The command needs the support of everybody in Yobe, be it from the state government, non-governmental organizations or private individuals with timely information and logistics support as these would further enhance the success of the command,” he appealed.

On Boko Haram insurgency in the state, Apeh disclosed that Yobe State Command of the NDLEA had succeeded in cutting terrorists’ drug supply chain drastically through sustained efforts in recent time.

“The command between July 2018 and June 26, 2019 had seized 942.023kg of Cannabis sativa and 37.648kg of psychotropic substances such as Tramadol, Codeine based cough syrup, Diazapam, Exol 5 among others totalling 976.671kg.

“Under prosecution, a total number of 23 convictions were secured and 20 pending cases are at various stages of trial, while 132 clients were counseled,” the commander added.

According to Apeh Reuben, the command remains committed to combating issues associated with illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the state.




Read more here https://thickmatch.com/ndlea-cries-lack-logistics-curb-drug-abuse-illicit-trafficking-yobe/

lalasticlala mynd44

A pan-Edo/Delta group, the Midwest Movement on Wednesday rejected the establishment of RUGA settlements for herdsmen in its region.

The group said the plan, proposed by the Federal Government, should be implemented in areas and lands that are native to such groups.

It warned that if the government went ahead with the project in the region without consulting the “traditional and bonafide owners,” it would be considered an invasion.

It stated this in a statement issued under the authority of the convener of the Midwest Movement, Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki.

The Federal Government on Tuesday said in the next five years, the establishment of Ruga settlements in the country would stop open grazing by herdsmen and end herdsmen-farmers’ clashes across the country.

It explained that the establishment of Ruga settlements, which had been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and had started in 12 states, would allow herdsmen to stay in specific areas, where they could graze their animals.

But not everyone welcomed the 

All five South-East state governors, as well as governors Samuel Ortom of Benue; Darius Ishaku of Taraba and the Ondo State Government rejected the settlements.

In its statement, the Midwest Movement alleged that the government was planning to “forcefully or tacitly annex swathes of lands belonging to various ethnic nationalities in States across Nigeria,” in a bid to settle herders.

The group said: “The Midwest Movement totally and unequivocally rejects this brazen “21st century colonisation” in its entirety!

“We call on the Federal Government to immediately rescind its planned veiled colonisation of our peoples, while enjoining the governments of our home-states of Edo and Delta to reject same in clear and unequivocal terms.

“While not opposing the desire of the Federal Government to settle nomadic herdsmen (and any other such groups whatsoever), these should be done in areas and land that are native to such groups.
“The planned aggregation in whatever guise, of the lands of the 12 ethnic nationalities of the Midwest Region of Nigeria, without recourse to consultations with the traditional and bonafide owners, is akin to an invasion.”

It described natives of the region as “peace-loving, and firm believers in a One Nigeria where peace, justice and equity reigns.”



See more here https://thickmatch.com/midwest-movement-rejects-fed-govts-ruga-settlements/

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has abolished the payments of user-fees for persons living with HIV/AIDS who want to access treatment at State-owned Health facilities.

Governor Wike said that the State Government will take over the payment of the user-fees to encourage more Rivers people to seek treatment for HIV/AIDS.

He spoke on Wednesday during a Courtesy Visit by an American Delegation of from the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention under the auspices of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria at the Government House Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike said: “We will stop all fees collected as user-fees for persons under the HIV/AIDS Treatment Programme . This is our contribution to the partnership with the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We will take over the payment of the HIV/AIDS user-fees for the Public Health facilities in the state.

“The Deputy Governor will be in charge of the programme since she is a medical doctor.  We are committed to working with the United States Government to ensure we tackle this disease “.

He said that the Rivers State Government will support the efforts of the United States Centre for Disease Control and prevention and Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria in the programme against HIV/AIDS.

He said: “The Rivers State Government will take all necessary measures to assist the centre in this current push across the state.

“All the necessary support will be extended to the agency as they work in different locations of Rivers State “.

Head of the Delegation of the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Tedd Ellerbrock said that 210, 000 persons are currently  infected with HIV/AIDS  in Rivers State, with 40, 000 currently on anti-retroviral treatment.

He said that the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is launching a new programme where 110,000 infected persons will be placed on anti-retroviral treatment to stem the spread of the disease and control the epidemic.

He appealed to the Rivers State Government to take over the payment of user-fees for persons living with HIV/AIDS who want to anti-retroviral treatment.


Read more here https://thickmatch.com/wike-abolishes-user-fees-treatment-persons-living-hiv-aids/

Hmmm me no understand this man self

Former Zamfara State Governor Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar has debunked allegations of leaving behind N252 billion debts to Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle.

Yari said he left over N7 billion for the take-off of the Matawalle’s administration.

The former governor, who spoke through his media aide, Malam Ibrahim Dosara, at the APC secretariat in Gusau, added that paid a debt of over N45 billion left behind by the administration before him.

Yari was reacting to the allegation by the Chairman of PDP Transition Committee, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, that he left behind over N252 billion.
The allegation, the former governor said, could not be swept under the carpet.

He stressed that the Zamfara people enjoyed dividends of democracy under him with the inauguration of projects by President Muhammad Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many more prominent dignitaries.

Yari stressed that the allegations were baseless and an effort to smear his image.
He said that it was astonishing to note that Wakkala who was his deputy and Chairman, Zamfara Stare Tender Board could not differentiate between ongoing projects, awarded projects and what should be addressed as liabilities and debts.

His media aide said: “No bank loan was left or obtained by the Ministry of Finance under Governor Abdul Aziz Yari and left behind as debt to the present administration.”

On education, he said: “There were debts inherited by Yari from the administration before him and his administration on inception met with the various examination bodies, which Wakkala claimed Yari’s administration owed. Yari negotiated with the bodies to pay the debt by instalments.”

The former governor explained that his government paid the examination and tuition fees of Zamfara State students.




Read more here https://thickmatch.com/yari-debunks-leaving-n252-billion-debt-matawalle/

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Dr. Nureni Adeniran, as the Chairman of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB).

Makinde made this declaration via a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, a copy of which was made available to Us on Tuesday.

Makinde in the statement further indicated that he had named Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi as Executive Assistant on Investment promotion and Aremo John Adeleke as Chairman, State Internal Revenue Board (SIRB).

The statement indicated that the appointments take immediate effect.

Adeniran, according to the statement, had his secondary education at the Muslim Grammar School, Odinjo, Ibadan.

He had his first degree, Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D) degrees in Education from the University of Ibadan and also LL.B degree from the same University.

He was at a time a lecturer at the Kaduna Polytechnic, senior Lecturer in Mass Communication at the Lead City University, Ibadan and a one-time Commissioner for Education in the State.

Ogunwuyi, according to the statement was a member of the 8th House of Representatives, which came to a close on June 6.

He holds a BSc. in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

He was first elected into Oyo State House of Assembly in 2011.

He is a Certified Accountant and Financial consultant who has consulted for top organizations like TNT Logistics (UK), Baker Hughes (UK), Nokia Siemens Network (Finland) NNPC (Nigeria) among others.

The statement further maintained that Adeleke holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Personnel Relations from the University of Ibadan.

He graduated with a Managerial Finance degree from the University of Mississippi, while also completing graduate studies in Business Administration at the Louisiana State University, Shreveport in 1985.





Read more here https://thickmatch.com/makinde-names-executive-assistant-subeb-internal-revenue-board-chair/

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state and his counterparts in Oyo: Mr. Seyi Makinde, Lagos: Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ekiti: Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ogun: Prince Dapo Abiodun and Osun: Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, have vowed to put their political affiliations aside and confront the security challenges facing the South-West region.

They made this pledge in their separate remarks during a security summit, tagged, “Stakeholders’ security summit: Focus on Western Nigeria” held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Tuesday.

The summit, which was organised by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, had the six governors from the region, security chiefs, traditional rulers, leaders of thought and prominent groups within the region in attendance.

Akeredolu, who doubles as the Chairman of the Western Nigeria Governors Forum, while declaring the summit open, said that no sacrifice is too much for governors in the region to make to protect their people.

He added that Governors in the region have decided to cast their party affiliations aside and tackle the security challenges facing the region.

He said, “This meeting has become exigent considering the spate of insecurity in the country. The anxiety of our people is palpable. The growing fear among the populace makes nonsense of any plans conceived for the development of our God-given space.

“It is my fervent hope that this engagement will not be limited to the current challenge which threatens to wreck our collective peace. I look forward to future interactions on matters as important and effective as this one which compels this assembly. There is no gainsaying the obvious; the issue of socio-economic integration in the region must be taken seriously for any aspiration towards development to be meaningful. No remarkable progress can be achieved amidst chaos. No state in the region can achieve greatness in isolation. We should extend the possibility of cooperation on other socio-economic fronts. Our people stand to benefit from our resolve to ensure that they remain at the centre of all permutations and considerations.

“Partisan coloration should not delimit the extent of collaboration aimed at maximum service for our people. With shared yearnings for the development of the region, there should be no difficulty in agreeing to provide the best services possible in the interest of our people. There should be no disagreement in aspiration for service, if altruism is the focus. Our seeming difference, considering political platforms, should not stand in the way of commitment to promote the collective well-being of our people. Convinced of our shared heritage, propelled by the desire to proceed on the enviable tradition of excellence for which our ancestors are reputed, we cannot harbour any extraneous preferences to this inherited and established course of development.
“Again, our history compels us to be cautious when confronted with strange occurrences. Our past experiences should teach us that understanding a phenomenon will assist us, tremendously, in proffering useful solutions. As leaders of our people we cannot afford to be emotive in taking decisions for their benefit. Any step taken must reflect the collective will to protect them. No sacrifice is too much to preserve this heritage of peace and prosperity.
“There is, however, the urgent need compelling a review of this liberal policy of openness. Our people are under siege, the harbingers of death, sorrow, tears and blood threaten the existing fraternity among the peoples of this country. Narrow-mindedness gloats over the horrendous crimes perpetrated by these criminal elements. Some fail to see beyond partisan parochialism. The situation on ground should compel a broader and open-minded analysis of this strange incursion with a view to ascertaining the real reasons responsible for this disquiet.

“We should be particularly worried by the current spate of an insidious phenomenon, hitherto unknown and uncommon in our immediate clime, creeping into our erstwhile peaceful and prosperous ambience. The incessant perpetration of anti social behaviours, occasioning pervasive despair, and the seeming helplessness of our security agencies to stem the tide of these aberrant attitudes, which threaten the very existence of our region as an autonomous socio-political entity, call for serious scrutiny. We must review these unfortunate incidents individually and collectively. Every State must be able to ascertain the extent of this current threat. We must locate the sources of compromise within our space with a view to curtailing same effectively in both the short and long run.

“Our collective goal should be the security of our space and safety of our people in all ramifications. On this, there should be no compromise. We must, consequently, be proactive in tackling the current security issues. The adoption of a scientific approach towards the resolution of the current crisis will bear far-reaching effects. Our State will be looking forward to working with other States in the South Western Region to eradicate the menace of armed robbery, drug abuse, cultism, kidnapping, among others.

“There can be no argument on the assertion that insecurity has become a major issue in the polity today. There is virtually no part of the country which is spared at the moment. All the six geo-political zones experience one form of crisis or the other. From Zamfara to Katsina, the current trends are banditry and cattle rustling. Kano, Sokoto and Bauchi are not spared. Kaduna faces an uphill task in combating security challenges.”



See more here https://thickmatch.com/south-west-governors-resolved-insecurity-region-photos/

Iran has mocked the U.S. over its comments that it called off a proposed retaliatory strike on Iran because it claimed the strike would have killed 150 people.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on tuesday that it was surprising the the U.S. was now worried about lives of  people after it had killed many in the past with Nuclear Weapons.

He said that it is Iran that would never pursue a nuclear weapon because of its religious belifs and value for human lives.

“You were really worried about 150 people? How many people have you killed with a nuclear weapon? How many generations have you wiped out with these weapons?” Zarif said.




Read more here https://thickmatch.com/attack-call-off-no-value-lives-iran-mocks-u-s/

The Cross River State Government (CRSG), Independence Petroleum Market Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum Tankers Driver’s Association (PTD) have signed a communiqué resolving the impasse of fuel scarcity in Cross River State.

In a two-page communiqué made available to Us in Calabar, the state government observed with dismay the hardship visited on residents following the strike by the Petroleum Tankers Driver’s Association (PTD) Cross River State Chapter and other unions as a result of an internal crisis within IPMAN which affected their operations.

“The Cross River State Government in a bid to resolve this matter and thereby reduce the unnecessary suffering visited on Cross River State indigenes, invited all parties for a meeting and was resolved as follow.

“That the 4 man committee set up by the Cross River State Government should receive all documents tendered by the parties to the dispute and advise the Cross River State Government on the matter within the next 72 hours.

“That pending the government official’s position on the matter, all parties are advised to maintain the status quo. That is to say, the collection of all levels should still be carried out by the petroleum tankers drivers (PTD) until further notice.

“That in consequences of (A) and (B) above, the petroleum tanker drivers (PTD) shall immediately suspend their strike action and resume normal supplies of fuel to petrol stations in Cross River State.



Read more here https://thickmatch.com/cross-river-govt-petroleum-unions-reach-decision-fuel-scarcity/

The World Bank Group on addressing Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV) has said that Nigeria is not a fragile state even with the current security challenges.

Mr Amara Konneh, FCV Adviser made this known on Monday during a meeting by the group to address fragility, conflict and violence affecting some countries, NAN reports.

He said the World Bank Group is focused on addressing FCV and as an institution has a way of classifying a country fragile, after critical assessment.

“Nigeria is not a fragile country but there is need to address some issues to prevent it from being a fragile state,” he said.

Konneh noted that the objective of FCV was to address the drivers of FCV in affected countries and their impact on vulnerable populations with the end goal of contributing to peace and prosperity.

He said this could be achieved by helping countries escape fragility trap, protect essential institution and deliver critical services such as health and education.

He, however, said that the group would not only address the root cause of FCV, but would partner private sectors to create job stability to increase growth.

Mr Alkasim Abdulkadir, Spokesman, Presidential Committee on Victims Support Fund, said the Nigeria government should do more in terms of conflict prevention and resolution.

He said most of the violence in the country was driven by poverty and high level of unemployment.




See more here https://thickmatch.com/world-bank-speaks-nigeria-failed-state/