News
Persons against Allagoa’s reforms behind protests at NSITF
The insistence by the Maureen Allagoa led management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSIFT, to continue with several reform initiatives aimed at repositioning the organisation, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is the reason behind the protests and picketing by some staff at the Fund’s headquarters.
According to a statement issued Friday by Godson Nwachukwu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs at NSITF, tax evasion or underpayment is a crime punishable by law, adding that the Managing Director is thereof resolute that the NSITF under her watch must not be found wanting.
He said that inappropriate tax deductions were inherited by the leadership of NSITF under the current MD/CE.
Part of the statement reads- “The fact is that the appropriate tax regime was to be implemented in January 2024 but the domestic chapter of ASSBIFI complained that the timing was wrong and that staff members needed to be educated properly on the matter. It was therefore agreed at the social dialogue convened over the issue to use the months of February and March to enlighten staff and prepare their minds on the appropriate tax regime while April was agreed as the take off date.
“Reforms are usually difficult to execute, and this is not different. Staff do not want the appropriate tax . Hence, all the issues raised during the protest were part of the attempt to frustrate the implementation of the appropriate tax through blackmail .
“One is that the so-called N2.1B tax deducted from the staff emoluments did not take place under the management of Maureen Allagoa rather under the former management led by Dr. Michael Akabogu.
“Besides, the allegation is embedded in malicious falsehood.
“At the conciliation meeting earlier today presided over by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the NSITF’S Executive Director Finance, Adegoke Adedeji provided evidence that the Fund remitted the National Housing Fund , Retirement savings and the N2.1B tax.
“Besides, the allegation of staff stagnation is baseless as promotion examinations were held in 2022 as well in 2023 . The management promotion examination slated for September 2023 was put in abeyance following the directives of the Ministry of Labour in order to address attendant issues.
“The NSITF under Allagoa has paid deserving attention to staff welfare . It reviewed the staff conditions of service, which came into operation 29 years ago . It also implemented a new consolidated salary structure approved by the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission, as well as took sundry measures to reward hard work and excellence.
“It is only an enemy of progress that is blind to the new direction the Fund has taken under her leadership.”
News
Petrol price to drop by N50 as independent marketers load at N990/litre at Dangote
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN has disclosed that over 30,000 of its members are set to buy Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in bulk.
IPMAN also revealed that the price of petrol from the refinery was N940/litre and N990/litre when purchased using ships and trucks, respectively.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, IPMAN President, Abubakar Garima, said the pump prices of petrol at its retail outlets will drop following the agreement with the Dangote refinery to lift products directly from the plant.
On Monday, IPMAN agreed with the Dangote refinery to directly lift petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products.
This agreement follows months after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation suspended its plan to serve as the sole off-taker of petroleum products from the 650,000 barrels per day refinery.
The IPMAN president explained that the Dangote refinery had been obliged to allow marketers to lift PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for onward supply to their depots and retail outlets but didn’t reveal the price.
Giving an update on pricing during the interview, the IPMAN national officer said the Refinery has provided two different rates for marketers based on their preferences.
He said marketers can load at the gantry at a price of N990 per litre or N940 through vessel transportation.
Garima said, “Presently, we have been given two different arrangments on how to buy fuel from the refinery. There is the one that we can load the vessels and carry to our various depots at the rate of N940 per litre. Then for the depots, it is at the rate of N990 per litre.
“The difference is because we have to load it and carry it to another part of the state. We use vessels to carry these products and there is another one to load from the gantry.
“For Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar, we have to use vessels because there is no Dangote loading gantry there, we have to carry it to our private depot and discharge and distribute it to our members.”
News
Zulum reinstates 23 suspended health workers, deploys others
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the reinstatement of 23 health workers previously suspended for absence from their duty posts at Gwoza General Hospital.
This decision was announced during the Governor’s inspection of the hospital’s newly renovated maternity and child center, as well as other ongoing projects.
Dauda Iliya, Spokesperson and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, in a statement Tuesday, said the health workers had initially been suspended after Zulum’s earlier visit, where he found them absent from their duties.
Addressing the staff, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of dedication to work and assured them of improved working conditions and other incentives.
“Complaints were made about the 23 medical workers who were absent during my last visit,” he noted. “No one is perfect, so the government has pardoned them, although no arrears will be paid.”
In response to a staff shortage raised by the Principal Medical Officer of Gwoza General Hospital, Dr Nuhu Nasiru Wakawa, Governor Zulum directed the immediate deployment of four additional doctors and ten nurses to the facility.
He further announced that Gwoza General Hospital will be upgraded to support training for nursing students from the new school of nursing under construction.
“The Commissioner of Health, together with the Chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board, will work on this deployment,” Zulum added. “We will also recruit community health workers from Gwoza to strengthen local healthcare services.”
In addition to his healthcare initiatives, Governor Zulum inspected the crusher plant base under construction in Pulka, which will produce up to 300 tonnes of stones per hour.
He said the completion of the crushing and asphalt plants is expected to facilitate new road networks across Borno State.
The Governor also visited other development sites, including the 500-unit mass housing project in Wala B, Gwoza Local Government Area, and a proposed site for a high Islamic school in Bama, underscoring his administration’s commitment to infrastructure and educational advancement.
News
Dangote to begin direct supply of petroleum products to marketers
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has secured an agreement with Dangote Refinery to lift products directly.
IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, announced this at an ongoing press briefing on Monday in Abuja, following a meeting of the National Working Committee of the Association.
He said the partnership would ensure a steady, affordable supply of PMS products nationwide.
“After meeting with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, we are pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to supply IPMAN with PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets.”
Garima urged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, citing the benefits of backward integration and its positive impact on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.
“IPMAN members should rely on Dangote Refinery and Nigerian refineries for white products, creating more job opportunities and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.”
The latest development concludes several months of negotiations between both parties and is expected to increase efficiency, affordability, and economic growth.
The Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa and Europe, has already commenced the production of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, with plans to supply products to over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets nationwide.
-
News1 year ago
Breaking: Tinubu’s authentic ministerial nominees
-
News1 year ago
“Anytime we want to kill terrorists, President would ask us to take permission from France but they were killing our soldiers-” Niger Republic coup leader
-
News1 year ago
“I’m leaving the Catholic church because Bishop Onah is oppressing me,” says Okunerere
-
News1 year ago
Dokpesi and the Gazebo Mystique
-
News1 year ago
Radio Nigeria’s veteran broadcaster Kelvin Ugwu dies three months after retirement from service
-
News1 year ago
Tsunami: Tinubu orders dissolution of managements, boards of MDAs, to sack all Buhari’s political appointees
-
News1 year ago
Last minutes fever: Nigerian Hunters Service optimistic as Buhari signs five Bills into law
-
News2 years ago
Breaking: FG restricts movement within Abuja for Tinubu’s inauguration