Today's Headlines: NLC protests Tinubu’s N500bn subsidy palliative, demands 300% Pay Rise; Reps investigate alleged oil theft
NLC protests Tinubu’s N500bn subsidy palliative, demands 300% pay rise
Photo Credit: Punch papers)
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have thumbed down the N500bn palliative proposed by President Bola Tinubu, stating that it is grossly inadequate to assuage the hardships confronting workers sequel to the fuel subsidy removal.
They are demanding a 300 per cent salary increase to enable workers to cope with the challenges imposed by the deteriorating economic situation that came with the removal of the controversial fuel subsidy.
On Wednesday, the President wrote to the House of Representatives seeking approval for N500bn to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.
Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter sent to the National Assembly and read during plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Reps investigate alleged oil theft
Photo Credit: Punch paper
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, resolved to investigate the alleged stealing of crude oil and the attendant loss of revenue in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
As a result, the Green Chamber agreed to set up an ad-hoc committee to unravel those complicit in the alleged crime with a view to bringing them to justice ensure that justice. The committee was expected to submit its report within six weeks.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Philip Agbese, a member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadigbo Federal Constituency of Benue State, urging the House to probe alleged crude oil theft in the country.
Agbese anchored his motion on recent reports of loss of trillions of naira from crude oil theft as well as loss of revenue from gas exploration in the land.
He noted that “According to reports, about 40 per cent of crude oil loss is due to inaccuracies in measurement, and theft as metering errors continue to occur as a result of poor maintenance of metering facilities, thus resulting to lack of transparency in hydrocarbon accounting. “
UPDATED: DSS charges Emefiele to court
Photo credits:The Nation
The Department of State Services (DSS) Thursday said it has charged the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele to court.
The spokesman of the Service Dr Peter Afunanya made this known in a statement after an Abuja High Court directed that Emefiele be charged or released within seven days.
The statement reads: “Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, 13th July 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele has been charged to Court in compliance with the Order. The public may recall that the Service had, in 2022, applied for a Court Order to detain him in respect of a criminal investigation.
Though he obtained a restraining Order from an FCT High Court, the Service, however, arrested him in June, 2023, on the strength of suspected fresh criminal infractions/information, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution.
“The Service assures the public of professionalism, justice and fairness in handling this matter and indeed the discharge of its duties within the confines of the law.”
Gas development is priority for Tinubu’s administration – Presidency
Photo Credit: Vanguard papers)
Ms Olu Verheijen, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, said on Wednesday that the development of gas was a priority for the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The Agency of Nigeria reports that this project is expected to be achieved between 2021 and 2030.
Verheijen said that the president placed high premium on gas and as such was committed to seeing the country utilize it to its fullest.
Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), said that the country was working towards becoming more of a gas-based country for local consumption and export.
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