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The Tripartite committee on minimum wage has postponed its meeting “sine die”, sources familiar with the matter told our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, sine die means a situation, “without any future date being designated (as for resumption): indefinitely.”
Legal choices, a law website also describes sine die as a Latin word used when a law case has no fixed date for resumption.
The Federal Government on Tuesday added a sum of N3,000 to its initially proposed N57,000 minimum wage making it the sum of N60,000 proposed on Tuesday during the meeting of the tripartite committee on minimum wage in Abuja.
Organized Labour comprising of the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress also went down by N3,000 from its last proposal of N497,000 during the last minimum wage meeting.
Speaking with our correspondent, one of the sources who is a leader of the NLC said, “The meeting ended in a stalemate and meetings have been adjourned sine die.
The government proposed N60,000 which was not accepted by Labour.”
A member of the Labour side who spoke to our correspondent before the meeting started noted that the organized Labour would only go lower if the government goes higher on its demands.
Speaking with our correspondent, one of the sources who is a leader of the NLC said, “The meeting ended in a stalemate and meetings have been adjourned sine die.
“The government proposed N60,000 which was not accepted by Labour.”
A member of the Labour side who spoke to our correspondent before the meeting started noted that the organized Labour would only go lower if the government goes higher on its demands.
“This is simply a case of if they go higher, we will go lower. They need to propose something reasonable for us to propose something lower too. There is no two-way about it. Also, we have a way of meeting ourselves as members of the Labour before each committee meeting. This will help us to take a uniform stand by the time we get to the meeting front. So as long as the government is ready to present something reasonable, we will meet them in the middle,” the Labour leader said.
Indications emerged yesterday that the Federal Government and organised labour are heading for a showdown over a new minimum wage as the 6th meeting of the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage, NNMW, ended in another stalemate.
Organised labour’s negotiating team for the second time in two weeks, however, walked out of the committee meeting after the Federal Government increased its offer to N60,000 from the N57,000 it offered on Wednesday, May 22.
Organised Labour, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, had on May 15, walked out of the tripartite committee meeting after the government offered N48,000 and Organised Private Sector, OPS, offered N54,000, against the N615,000 minimum wage demand by labour.
It will be recalled that at last week’s meeting, the government and the private sector offered N57,000, while Labour reduced its demand from N615, 000 to N497, 000.
However, at the resumed meeting yesterday, the government and the OPS added N3,000 to last week’s offers of N57,000, thereby raising their offers to N60, 000.
Labour immediately followed the footsteps of the government and OPS to reduce its demand by N3,000, bringing it down to N494, 000 before walking out.
Labour had given government up till May 31, to conclude negotiations to avoid industrial disharmony.
Confirming the development, President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, told Vanguard yesterday: “The government is not serious with the negotiation. They just added N3, 000 to their offer last week.
The painful aspect of it is that the government team is not giving explanation to its offer. We equally removed N3,000 from our demand and left.”
Pending ultimatum
On the next line of action, the NLC president said: “We have an ultimatum pending on the minimum wage and electricity tariff. We are waiting for the ultimatum, including the government.
“There are still days remaining before the ultimatum expires. Well, it is part of negotiation. Nonetheless, like I said, the government team is not serious. On our part, we know what to do when the ultimatum expires.”
Giving more insight into what transpired at yesterday’s stalemated meeting, a source at the meeting said: “We walked out again. They (the Federal Government) added N3,000. We reduced by N3,000.
“We anticipated what they are doing, we anticipated that they will come up with another gimmick because we have been telling them, break down what you are giving as an award, break it down the way we broke our own down.
“Housing, food transportation, health, education and others but they have refused consistently. This is because if they break it down, are they going to now say food is N100?
“For you to put everything under N57,000 or N60,000 as it is now per month, you cannot put food per day at N200. If you put food per day at N200, that will be N6,000 multiply by four, that should be N24,000. What is left now is N36, 000.
“You cannot say transport is N50 because once they commit themselves to it, they are now telling Nigerian workers that what we are giving you for transport is N50 in a day, what we are giving you for housing is so, so and so. That might put them in a very tight corner. They cannot break it down.
“We are telling them that what they gave us in 2019 was N30,000. At that time, the value of N30,000 was $84.
“When we got to the meeting today (yesterday), they increased from N57,000 to N60,000, then the organised private sector aligned with them. We did not want them to adjourn because we are heading for strike from the first of next month (June).I do not think they can reconvene before that time. That is where we are.”
On the mood of government team when it was making the offer, the source said: “The government side is not even in a good mood. Members know that they are in a very difficult situation. At the last meeting, we told them they are not government and that they should not make it appear as if they are government.
“They are only representatives of government. Today (yesterday), when we were discussing with them, we said a loaf of bread is now N2,000. So, even if somebody is eating bread every day, how much would it cost in a month?”
The source said the government team, as usual, pushed the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, to announce the N60,000 offer in the presence of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget.
‘’The Head of Service was represented by a Permanent Secretary in the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Office.
He said: “The governors were not represented at today’s (yesterday) meeting again. They are running away. What we have observed is that the governors don’t want to get involved because they do not want to pay.
“For me, what is happening is a new development because they are trying to tell us why government will not be able to pay and the private sector is telling us how their productivity has been eroded and how so many of them have closed down.
‘’If we follow this very well, it changes the approach to governance. That is a situation where you don’t carry many people along.”
Labour’s demand may endanger job security — OPS
On his part, the spokesperson of OPS, and Director-General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, insisted that the major concern of members of the OPS was job security, pending when the economy improves.
He said: “It is important to note that what the committee was constituted to negotiate is a new national minimum wage and not maximum, that could be termed the “floor” wage, below which no employer should pay.
“Employees should be able to navigate their paths toward higher wages through increased productivity and value addition.
“In the last three years, hundreds of companies have exited the country, shut down or changed business models. These companies include Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing, JSM, Procter & Gamble, Unilever Nigeria Plc, PZ Nigeria Plc, GSK Nigeria Plc, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, Bolt Food, Nampak, Microsoft, Jumia Food, Equinor (oil & gas), Mayor Biscuits Company Limited, Greif Nigeria, among others, with many other multinational companies declaring over N1trillion in combined losses.
“According to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, about 767 manufacturing companies were shut down and over 335 experienced distress in the country in the last three years.
‘’In addition to this is a burgeoning N350 billion worth of unsold inventory of manufactured goods, of which the same fate is faced by Small and Medium Scale industries, SMEs. The private sector is on the precipice of collapse, with massive consequences for jobs.”
He pleaded with the “committee to refocus its effort on protecting jobs, boosting the capacity of the private sector to create more jobs and ensuring sustainability and ability to pay.
“According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the combined rate of unemployment and time-related underemployment as a share of the labour force population (LU2) increased to 17.3 per cent in Q3 2023 from 15.5 per cent in Q2 2023.
“In specific terms, the unemployment rate increased significantly in Q3 2023 at 5.0 per cent. With these figures, more efforts should be concentrated on keeping more people in employment, while the government continues to implement its planned interventions in transportation, food security and general macro-economic stability.
“With organized businesses declaring over N1 trillion in combined losses and many shutting down their businesses for different reasons, while others are relocating to other climes, the ability to pay the prevailing N30,000 was already compromised.
“It will be practically impossible to guarantee enterprise sustainability and job security with the current demands of organized labour.
“Notwithstanding ongoing challenges, made worse by rising interest rates, astronomical logistics cost, increasing energy tariff and multiple taxes, levies and fees, the private sector remained committed to supporting the welfare of workers and the protection of their jobs, which can only be guaranteed by the survival of the enterprise.’’
Meanwhile, a member of OPS, however, informed Vanguard that the meeting was adjourned after yesterday ‘s deliberation, saying the labour negotiating team said members were going for consultations.
‘’So, the meeting was adjourned,’’ he said.
On when the meeting would reconvene, he said: “Only the secretariat of the committee can fix a date for the meeting. That has been the practice; it will inform us when to reconvene.”
ONE YEAR OF TINUBU ADMINISTRATION: EX-PRESIDENT BUHARI CONVEYS GOOD WISHES TO PRESIDENT.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari extends his best wishes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the completion of his first year in office.
The former President appealed to all citizens to continue to strengthen the thread of national unity and goodwill.
He also appealed to them to give their blessings and support to the Tinubu administration so that it can succeed in its efforts to build a Nigeria of our dreams.
President Buhari expressed his wish for a successful tenure in office by the Tinubu administration.
Signed:
Garba Shehu.
28-5-24.
#NIGERIASPEAKS MAY 2024
Hunger, Poverty & Dissatisfaction Trail President Tinubu’s 1st Year in Office – API National Survey
Abuja, Nigeria, May 29th, 2024 – Africa Polling Institute hereby releases its May 2024 #NigeriaSpeaks survey report. The national survey was administered between May 1st and 18th, 2024, to elicit citizens' opinions and assessments of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first Year in Office. The survey was conducted using a stratified random sampling method, ensuring representation from all nationwide demographic groups. A total of 3,996 citizens were interviewed, providing a robust and diverse dataset for analysis.
This latest API national survey brings to light a stark reality: Hunger, Poverty, and Dissatisfaction are the harsh realities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s One Year in Office, as an overwhelming majority of citizens (84%) express profound sadness with the current state of affairs in the country. Their voices, filled with dissatisfaction, are a clear call for action, as a significant majority of citizens (81%) feel the country is headed in the wrong direction, identifying Hunger (36%), Inability to meet basic needs (28%), Unemployment (13%), Heightened Insecurity (9%), and Poor Electricity Supply (5%) as the biggest challenges facing them personally today. In addition, a staggering 74% of citizens affirmed that their personal economic situation has deteriorated over the last year, compared to 20% who said their personal economic situation had remained the same and a mere 5% who said it had improved.
Furthermore, in terms of the job performance of President Tinubu, a significant 78% of citizens expressed that he had performed abysmally, with 49% rating him “Very Poor” and 29% “Poor.” This widespread dissatisfaction also extends to the performance of other arms of government, as a striking 81% of citizens rated Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismally, compared to 79% who rated Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, poorly. Also, the Nigerian Judiciary under the CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, was not spared, as 75% of citizens also rated him poorly.
In addition, citizens were asked to assess the performance of President Tinubu’s Cabinet in order to identify the performing and non-performing ministers. Interestingly, 68% of citizens thought that none of the cabinet members had performed well since their appointments. However, 32% were willing to identify those they considered the top and least performing ministers. Based on the responses, the top five performing ministers are: Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education (27%); Former River State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT (25%); Former Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Dave Umahi, the Minister for Works and Housing (21%); Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy (14%); and Professor Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare (12%).
On the other hand, the least-performing ministers are: Hon. Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power (44%); Dr. Dave Umahi, Minister of Works and Housing (30%); Hon. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (27%); Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (22%); and Hon. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (20%). It is worth noting that the data listed Dr. Dave Umahi among the top-performing and least-performing ministers, and this may be a result of the mixed sentiments that have engulfed conversations over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, of which he has been in the eye of the storm.
Finally, from the survey fieldwork, API has keenly observed a growing mass of aggrieved and discontented citizens nationwide, especially among the youth. Many are unemployed or underemployed and have become local crusaders and social activists in their communities, waiting for the slightest opportunity to vent their anger against fellow citizens and the Nigerian state.
Survey Methodology
This survey is part of the #NigeriaSpeaks series of national public attitudes surveys and polls conducted by Africa Polling Institute (API). The #NigeriaSpeaks project is a powerful governance tool, a periodic series of nationwide public opinion polls and surveys, to bridge the gap in credible primary data. It captures public attitudes and perceptions, giving citizens a significant role in shaping public policy discourse, practice, and advocacy while underscoring the importance of their voices in strengthening democracy. This latest national survey was administered between May 1st and 18th, 2024, to elicit citizens' opinions and assessments of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 1st Year in Office. It involved in-person, face-to-face, household interviews with a stratified random nationwide sample.
A total of 3,996 randomly selected Nigerians aged 18 years and above were interviewed in the 36 States and the FCT, representing the six geopolitical zones in the country. Three Local Government Areas (LGAs) were visited in each of the 36 States, covering the 108 Senatorial Districts in the country, as well as the urban, semi-urban, and rural residents. Only in the FCT were the entire 6 LGAs visited. The data was weighted using the 2016 population estimates by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to enhance its representativeness to the national population. With a sample of this size, we can say with 95% confidence that the results are statistically precise - within a range of plus or minus 3%. For scholars, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who wish to undertake further statistical analysis of our data, the raw data for this national survey can be purchased on our website, www.africapolling.org
Africa Polling Institute (API) is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan opinion research think-tank that conducts opinion polls, surveys, social research, and evaluation studies at the intersection of democracy, governance, economic conditions, markets, and public life to support better public policy, practice, and advocacy in sub-Saharan Africa.
Signed
Professor Bell Ihua, mni
Executive Director, Africa Polling Institute
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.africapolling.org Tel: +234 8064841888.
![[PRESS STATEMENT] Atiku Abubakar Is Befogged with Political Envy](/media/k2/items/cache/5d89063971797a16eeb235680183af50_M.jpg)
The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has not let up on his vilipending of the outstanding first-year record of achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. In his latest statement, Atiku claimed that Mr. President was not ready for reforms, dismissing his policies as "trial and error."
Atiku’s self-serving efforts to minimize the bold, genuine and metamorphic policies and interventions of the present administration only smacks of primordial political envy and crass desperation for the power that Nigerians have so wisely denied him. The former Vice President lives in an alternate reality of prejudice and unpatriotic desire for Nigeria’s failure so he may scavenge his way to an even more elusive presidency.
Quite contrary to Atiku's claim, President Bola Tinubu's administration has, in its first year in office, attracted over $20 billion into the economy while the stock exchange has ballooned from N18.12 billion in Q1 of 2023 to N93.37 billion in Q1 of 2024, representing an increase of over 400 per cent with an annual economic growth rate leaping from 2.5 percent to 3.46 percent. Key sectors of manufacturing, telecommunications, oil and gas, solid minerals, e-commerce and fintech have continued to attract increased and ceaseless flow of foreign direct investments (FDIs). Yet, Atiku remains willfully blind to the pace of progress that is so self-evident.
President Tinubu set an audacious target of building a $1 trillion economy in the next few years and has put together a bevy of experts and professionals, and introduced far-reaching policies and programmes to drive the actualization of this desirable economic target. The President needs the support and encouragement of Nigerians, not the bile-filled pessimism of partisan Atikus.
Atiku’s false alarm of an imminent food scarcity boldface ignores the widely acknowledged proactive measures already introduced by President Tinubu to guarantee food security in the country. In December 2023, the Federal Government set a target for the cultivation of 500,000 hectates of land across the federation. Cultivation of rice, maize, wheat and cassava on over 246,231 hectares of land in 30 states of the federation is in progress in addition to approving massive grants and other incentives to farmers.
The former Vice President’s swipe on the administration’s national security management again betrays his lack of touch with the reality of the our current situation. Not only did the administration revamp and reconfigure the country’s security apparatus, it created a Special Security Fund to boost its superiority and operational effectiveness against merchants of crime and insecurity. Yet, Atiku turns a blind eye to considerable improvement in our security, especially in the North East where Atiku hails from.
The same Atiku that accused the administration of lacking compassion for the people and failing to provide palliatives to cushion the transient onerous effects of inevitable and vitally necessary economic policies turns around to recommend a review of social investment policies he suggests were nonexistent. He also conveniently ignored ongoing serious negotiations with Labour Unions on the upward review of minimum wage for workers in the country all meant to improve their welfare while the benefits of reforms reach that certain fullness.
Beyond his preferred economic blueprint of selling off our prized national assets to his friends and cronies, Atiku’s only notable contribution to Nigeria’s development has been his unquenched and unquenchable hunger pang for power for his less than altruistic purpose. Atiku cannot achieve in eight years what President Tinubu has accomplished in his first year in office.
And yes, the occasion is the first year anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration, not four or eight-years in review. The opposition’s efforts to burden the administration with ceaseless, contrived, unjustified and diversionary reproval is grossly miscalculated and misled. The sheer length of Atiku’s prevaricative epistle of a statement is testament to the expanse of the administration’s policy and programme uptake in 365 short days.
President Bola Tinubu remains unshakable in his commitment to building concrete blocks of progress and greatness for Nigeria. While Atiku and his band of mudslingers idle away, the President will continue, unstoppably, to deliver high grade infrastructure not only in our nation’s capital, Abuja, but all around the country.
Signed:
Felix Morka, Esq.
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Wale Edun, minister of finance, says economic instability forced 800 companies to shut down operations.
Edun made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during the sectoral report of President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.
The minister said the departure of these companies was not sudden.
He said issues such as market instability, unfulfilled promises, and contract breaches drove them away, but these issues have now been resolved.
“Government did inherit an unstable economy,” Edun said.
“The 800 companies or so did not make up their minds overnight. They stayed until they could stay no more.
“The conditions which sent them packing are no more. Those conditions were a foreign exchange market that was in no way fit for purpose.
“There was no liquidity. They were a general economic regime marked by instability, broken promises, lack of adherence to contracts.”
Edun said the new environment for investors involves tackling inflation, which will eventually result in lower interest rates.
This, he said, will allow investors to leverage the dynamic domestic markets to enhance their equity and invest.
On March 6, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said 767 manufacturers shut down operations, while 335 became distressed, in 2023.
Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on President Bola Tinubu to bring in capable individuals who can help address the nation’s challenges into his cabinet.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Lagos, Momodu acknowledged the difficult times many Nigerians have faced over the past year and urged Tinubu to invite people with fresh ideas to help turn things around.
According to Momodu, the President needs to do more to meet citizens’ expectations, stressing that Nigeria is blessed with some of the greatest human beings scattered across the globe.
He advised Tinubu to find and bring these individuals into the government.
“The best way to get a second term by any leader is when you have performed in the first term,” Momodu said, adding “My honest advice, borne out of patriotism, is that you urgently get the best people on board.”
The publisher further urged the president to surround himself with people who would provide honest feedback, warning against the culture of sycophancy which he described as an albatross to good governance.
Momodu also called on Tinubu to solve the energy crisis in the country which he believes is crucial for propelling development, stating: “Until we solve the energy crisis, I don’t think we will be ready to join the comity of other nations in their march towards advancement.
“We also need to declare a state of emergency in infrastructure, education, food security, and overall security.”
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu To Exxonmobil Executives: Executive Orders on Oil and Gas Reforms Will Make Nigeria Globally Competitive
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu To Exxonmobil Executives: Executive Orders on Oil and Gas Reforms Will Make Nigeria Globally Competitive](/media/k2/items/cache/4a17f24ac7389e5cd861f1338ff50778_S.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in Abuja, said the three Executive Orders on oil and gas reforms, which he signed, will make Nigeria’s petroleum sector globally competitive.
The President made the affirmation during a meeting with a delegation from ExxonMobil Upstream Company, led by its President, Liam Mallon.
He emphasized that these reforms will ensure that no oil company faces undue challenges in the country.
The three Executive Orders, which became effective from February 28, 2024, are: Oil and Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order, 2024; Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance Requirements, 2024; and the Presidential Directive on Reduction of Petroleum Sector Contracting Costs and Timelines.
President Tinubu also assured the ExxonMobil delegation that the federal government is committed to resolving the divestment issues between the company and Seplat Energy, which are currently under litigation.
"We have been pushing for closure on divestment issues, and I believe the other party, Seplat, is open to this," the President said.
The President commended the company for its show of commitment to environmental protection in Nigeria, noting its efforts in reducing gas flaring in the country.
"Nigeria is going through a lot of reforms, and we have been navigating the leadership quarters carefully to ensure that we achieve a win-win situation for all parties and attract more investments," President Tinubu said.
The President described ExxonMobil as a worthy partner in Nigeria’s development over the decades and urged the company to remain committed to contributing to the success of his administration.
"We are close enough to be fair and blunt with you, and we are not afraid to hear from you on better options and recommendations for the growth of the industry in Nigeria," the President said.
The meeting, also attended by Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), and Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), discussed issues such as divestment, decommissioning, and abandonment as regards the company.
"Mr. President has given a clear directive to the NNPC GCEO and I to resolve the issue of divestment, and we are doing whatever we can to achieve that," Lokpobiri stated.
On decommissioning and abandonment in the oil industry, Lokpobiri noted that the ministry is addressing the matter in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and global best practices.
"The reforms driven by the three Executive Orders will ensure that companies operating in Nigeria have the best environment to continue making their investments and that no company will seek to leave Nigeria," the Minister said.
Liam Mallon, the President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, expressed his appreciation for the support and reassurances provided by the Nigerian government and pledged the company's long-term commitment to the country's energy sector.
He also commended President Tinubu for his courage and conviction to undertake bold reforms within his first year in office.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
[PRESS RELEASE] Lagos Set to Generate Power from Solid Waste, As Sanwo-Olu Signs Deal with Dutch Firm
Admin![[PRESS RELEASE] Lagos Set to Generate Power from Solid Waste, As Sanwo-Olu Signs Deal with Dutch Firm](/media/k2/items/cache/fa3c6b992df262e816e2c458afe264c1_S.jpg)
- Investor gets State Govt’s nod to build High Efficiency Waste-to-Energy Plant on Epe landfill
- ‘We’ve full commitment to this project’ — Netherlands
Lagos State has taken a major step towards turning tonnes of solid waste generated in the metropolis to usable energy.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, formalised a partnership with a Dutch firm, Harvest Waste Consortium, for the construction of a high efficiency Waste-to-Energy plant on Epe landfill, which will utilise advanced technology to generate clean energy from municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste.
The innovative waste management solution is expected to take some 40,000 homes off the national electricity grid, as the technology would enhance energy security and diversification, generating between 60 and 75 megawatts of baseload electricity annually.
The partnership with the Amsterdam, Netherlands-based firm was at the instance of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, while the agreement was signed under the supervision of the Lagos State Office of the Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Sanwo-Olu said the inadequacies of the current waste disposal practices in the State led to the sealing of the partnership to bring about innovative alternatives towards reducing environmental pollution, improving air quality, and stemming degradation and contamination of water resources that posed threats to the life quality in the State.
The Governor said the partnership represented a “monumental step” forward of his administration’s waste management strategy, stressing that the move marked another milestone in the journey to build a clean, healthy, and more sustainable city.
He said: “Today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos, as we formalise a partnership with Harvest Waste Consortium. This is a collaboration that promises to transform waste management and energy production in our State.
“The growth of our population signifies progress and opportunity, just as it presents challenges, particularly in managing the increasing volumes of municipal solid waste. We sought innovative and sustainable solutions through extensive consultations, visits, and a thorough exchange of information with our partners from the Netherlands.
“We are thrilled to announce the construction and operation of a High Efficiency Waste-to-Energy plant in Lagos. This state-of-the-art facility will be built with the capacity to process 2,250 tonnes of waste daily, representing a monumental step forward in our waste management strategy. The plant will not only provide a sustainable alternative to the current practice of waste dumping, it will also divert more than 95 per cent of our waste from landfill sites.”
Sanwo-Olu said the initiative would significantly reduce environmental footprint of Lagos waste disposal methods, with the plant expected to trap about 550,000 metric tons of Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted daily from dumpsite.
Beyond the environmental benefits, the Governor said the project, which has over 25 years operational lifespan, would stimulate economic activities around the initiative, while attracting major investments to the State and creating jobs.
Sanwo-Olu said the technology had not only proven reliable but had also been tested by the European Commission as the best available technology in terms of efficiency.
“The facility will ensure that the potentially harmful effects of municipal solid waste are minimised, thereby protecting public health and the environment. This project will not only enhance public health and well-being but also contribute to the circular economy by reducing landfill dependency and promoting recycling,” the Governor said.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the partnership created a new mandate for Lagos to seek solid waste management solutions.
He said the partnership would make the State turn its burden to wealth and create new value from waste conversion.
The partnership, Wahab said, is fully backed by the Dutch government.
Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands Consulate, Ms. Leonie Van der Stijl, said the partnership presented the possibility of international collaboration to solve local challenges, noting that Lagos, through the pact, became the first partner of the Dutch waste management.
The envoy gave assurance of the Dutch government’s commitment to the success of the agreement.
Managing Director of Harvest Waste Consortium, Mr. Evert Lichtenbelt, said the firm had built international reputation in managing solid waste in a proper way.
“Amsterdam and Lagos share similar challenges in managing population and waste. What we do is exporting knowledge on managing waste properly. This MoU has set a good pace for both partner. We made a proposal to manage part of the solid waste of Lagos and in future, we can expand,” Lichtenbelt said.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER - MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
…says trial- and-error economic policies won’t work
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has said President Ahmed Tinubu’s one year rule hasn’t produced tangible results because he unleashed reforms without an implementation plan.
Atiku said this in an article he made public on Tuesday. He recalled that “On May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu raised the hopes of Nigerians with his pledge to ‘remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.”
He explained that since making this pronouncement, Tinubu has also spoken about growing the economy at double-digit rates to US$1 trillion in six years, ending misery, and bringing immediate relief to Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis.
According to the former Vice President noted that on listening to this, Nigerians must have breathed a sigh of relief after their experience with ex-President Buhari’s 8 years of economic misadventure.
He, however, said, “Tinubu laid out no plans for the ‘remodeling’ of the economy but soon embarked on a cocktail of policies to achieve it.
“In May 2023, he eliminated PMS subsidies, and a month later, the CBN implemented a new foreign exchange policy that unified the multiple official FX windows into a single official market.
“More policies followed in rapid succession: the tightening of monetary policy to reduce Naira liquidity, a hike in monetary policy rates, the introduction of cost-reflective electricity tariff, and a cybersecurity tax.
“Predictably, 12 months on, Tinubu’s pledge of growing the economy and ending misery remains unfulfilled.
“His actions or inactions have significantly worsened Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability. Nigeria remains a struggling economy and is more fragile today than it was a year ago.
“Indeed, all the economic ills – joblessness, poverty, and misery – which defined the Buhari-led administration have only exacerbated.
“Africa’s leading economy has slipped to the 4th position lagging behind Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa. Citizens’ hopes have been dashed (and not renewed contrary to the propaganda of the administration) as Nigeria’s economic woes have multiplied.
Giving an analysis of how he thinks Nigeria got to this sorry state, Atiku said, “In my press statement on the state of our economy, earlier this year, I expressed my concerns about the downside risks of unleashing reforms without sequencing;
“…without any ideas on how to implement them; and without any regards to their potential and real devastating consequences. Implementing policies without proper planning and a clear destination is nothing other than trial-and-error economics.
“My concerns have not diminished. I will focus on just four areas to underscore those downside risks associated with Tinubu’s reform measures and their dire consequences on Nigeria’s medium to long-term growth and development.
“First, President Tinubu’s policies do not create prosperity. Instead, they pauperize the poor and bankrupt the rich.
“They spare no one. Nigerian citizens, the majority of whom are poor, are going through the worst cost-of-living crisis since the infamous structural adjustment programme of the 1980s.
“The annual inflation rate at 33.69% is the highest in nearly 3 decades. Food prices are unbearably higher than what ordinary citizens can afford as food inflation soared to 40.53% in April, the highest in more than 15 years.”
He further said, “Nigerian citizens have to pay 114% more for a bag of rice, 107% more for a bag of flour, and 150% more in transport fares relative to May 2023. Today, in some locations, motorists are paying 305% more for a litre of fuel.
“Yet, on a minimum wage of the equivalent of US$23 per month, Nigerian workers are among the lowest wage earners in the world. Tinubu had the ‘courage’ to remove subsidy on PMS;
“…and impose additional taxes on his people but lacks the compassion to raise the minimum wage or implement a social investment programme that would reduce the levels of vulnerability, and deprivation of workers and their families.
“Second, President Tinubu’s policies create a hostile environment for businesses, big or small. The private sector is overwhelmed by Tinubu’s dismal policies and overburdened by his failure to address the policy fallouts.
“The manufacturing sector, which holds the key to higher incomes, jobs, and economic growth, has been bogged down by rising input prices, higher energy and borrowing costs, and exchange rate complexities.
“For example, since 2023, the average price of diesel has doubled to N1,600 per litre. Electricity tariff has recently been increased by 250% from N68/Kwh to N206/Kwh.
“As reported by the Guardian (13 May 2024), in Q1 of 2024, energy prices were up by 70%, costing manufacturers N290 billion.
“Since May 2023, corporate Nigeria has lost more than a dozen enterprises to other countries. Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Procter & Gamble (P&G), Sanofi-Aventi Nigeria, Bolt Food, Equinor, among others had exited Nigeria citing reasons including foreign exchange complexities, security concerns, and high operational costs.
“According to the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), nearly 20,000 jobs may have been lost due to the departure of 15 multinational companies from Nigeria.
“Those enterprises that remain are struggling to survive. Vanguard Newspaper (20 May, 2024) reported a significant rise – to nearly 30% – in unsold goods in the warehouses of manufacturers of fast-moving consumer goods, occasioned by the rising cost of living and declining purchasing power of the citizens.
“According to the Guardian, manufacturers reported in Q1 a 10% drop in capacity utilization, a 10% drop in production, a 5% drop in investment, and more than 7% drop in sales.
“The Daily Trust (1 May, 2024) quoted Dangote lamenting that nearly 97% of manufacturing concerns in Nigeria will be unable to pay dividends this year.
“In an economy with high rates of unemployment, a declining manufacturing sector cannot be an option.
“Third, President Tinubu’s foreign exchange policies have not had any positive impact on Nigeria’s foreign trade balance, contrary to policy expectations.
“In particular, the free-float and the resulting devaluation of the Naira has not resulted in an appreciable improvement in Nigeria’s trade balance.
“Devaluation has not enhanced the competitiveness of local producers and has had no positive impact on exports of goods, primary or manufactured. In Q4 of 2023, for example, while imports surged 163.1%, exports rose at a slower 99.6%, indicating a huge foreign trade deficit.
“Similarly, in Q1 of 2024, Nigeria recorded a trade deficit of $7.5 billion, with exports value of $12.7 billion and import value of US$14 billion. Overall, the trade deficit as a percentage of GDP increased by 0.83% from 0.05% in May 2023 to 0.88% in May 2024.
“Fourth, President Tinubu’s policies have failed to attract foreign investments into the country despite all the posturing and media hype by the President’s men.
“Exchange rate unification and free float of the Naira have not led to higher capital inflows (whether Foreign Direct Investment or Foreign Portfolio Investments), again contrary to policy expectations.
“ Indeed, FDI inflows declined by 26.8%, from US5.33 billion in May 2023 to US$3.9 billion in May 2024. It is not difficult to understand why: FDI is about TRUST.
“It is about the investing world trusting the leadership of a country to act and deliver on promises made. Investors come when the right policies are designed and delivered timely and efficiently by public institutions.”
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The Organised Labour has rejected a fresh minimum wage proposal by the Nigerian Government.
Channels Television reports that the Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, rejected the offer of the Federal Government to pay N60,000 as new minimum wage,.
It was also gathered that labour had shifted grounds from its N497,000 proposal to N494,000.
Channels Television said a prominent member of the Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers revealed that the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector side of the talks proposed a N60,000 monthly minimum wage as against the N57,000 they tabled last week when the committee resumed negotiations.
DAILY POST recalls that the government had initially proposed N48,000 and N54,000, which were also rejected by Organised Labour.
However, Labour had also presented N615,000 as the new minimum wage but saw reasons to drop their demand from to N497,000 last week and then to N494,000 on Tuesday.
The Tripartite Committee is yet to agree on a new minimum wage with three days to the May 31 deadline the labour unions gave to the government.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that the Nigerian economy was experiencing a positive growth rate of 2.99 per cent, surpassing the 2.3 per cent growth seen in the first quarter of 2024.
Edun made this disclosure during the presentation of his ministry’s performance, one year into the administration of President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday, May 27.
According to him, the improvement in economic growth highlights the effectiveness of President Bola Tinubu’s economic strategy.
“This growth in agriculture provides the monetary authority with the leverage needed to stabilize foreign exchange (FX) rates,” Edun explained. “By continuing on this path and intensifying our efforts, we are on track to lift many Nigerians out of poverty,” He said.
The minister, who said that revenue collection had also seen significant improvements, added that it has enabled the government to service its debts without resorting to the Central Bank’s Ways and Means advances, a practice that has previously been a cause for concern regarding fiscal discipline and inflation.
The finance minister emphasized that these positive economic indicators reflect the current administration’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and fiscal responsibility.
ECOWAS At 49: ‘Despite Our Achievements, Insecurity Threatens Our Region’ — President Touray
AFOLABI
As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commemorates its 49th anniversary on May 28, the President of the commission, Omar Touray said insecurity has continued to threaten the region despite its achievements.
Touray’s assertion was contained in a statement made available to THE WHISTLER on Tuesday, where he called on the region, to regardless,
recall some of the commission’s positive results.
“These achievements can be seen in many areas including free movement of our people, intra-community trade, regional energy, and transport infrastructure, governance as well as in peace and Security.
“ECOWAS may have realised many achievements, but the Community continues to face a number of challenges.
“As we celebrate our 49th anniversary, insecurity continues to threaten our region.
“Some of our member states are battling terrorist groups on a daily basis and a large number of our population face displacement and food insecurity.”
Touray noted that it was pertinent that the region stays united to successfully win the war against insecurity. “But it is our unity which now stands threatened,” he said.
He called on the member states to do everything to preserve the unity, even as it aligns with the theme of this year’s anniversary: ‘Strengthening regional unity, peace and security’.
The theme, according to Touray was chosen to reflect the region’s current challenges and the need to work to preserve regional unity and peace as envisioned by its founding fathers like General Yakubu Gowon who ensured the security and integrity of the region was protected.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our leaders, both past and present, members of the Community as well as the staff of all ECOWAS institutions and agencies for the sacrifices they make every day to promote our community objectives.
“I would also like to extend my gratitude to all our local and international partners for their consistent support to ECOWAS in the implementation of the various community projects and programmes.
“We are convinced that in unity, we will preserve peace and strengthen our actions for the security of our Member States and our people.
“Through unity, we will preserve regional stability and the harmonious political and socio-economic development of our community,” Touray said.
The leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, has backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration on the step taken to grant the 774 local government areas in the country full autonomy.
This was contained in a congratulatory message marking the first year anniversary of President Tinubu.
The statement was signed by Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.
Ajayi quoted Pa Fasoranti as expressing delight on some bold steps that the President has taken in the last one year aimed at repositioning Nigeria adroitly.
“Before, during and after the Presidential election that brought you into the office last year, I gave you some ideas regarding how to tackle some challenges that Nigeria faced – and still faces. We also spoke about some of these issues when I led Afenifere delegation to your office in Abuja last month.”
“I’m happy to note that, in line with your promises, you are making efforts at implementing policies that will enhance the situation of our dear country and better the lot of the people,” Pa Fasoranti stated.
The nonanegarian said that the reforms initiated by the government have the prospect of revamping the country’s economy and reducing the mutual distrust among the ethnic nationalities in the country.
According to Ajayi, the Leader particularly commended Tinubu on his government’s effort to rescue local governments from the strangulating grip of state governors.
“It’s undebatable that local government is the closest to the people. For, it is through it that the people at the grassroots can effectively feel the impact of the government.
“As the situation is presently however, the tight grip that state governors have on local governments is seriously denying the people of the benefits they should, by right, be deriving from their local governments.
“It’s in this respect that Pa Fasoranti, described the latest step taken by the Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi on behalf of the federal government as a step in the right direction”, Ajayi quoted Fasoranti who is also the Asiwaju of Yoruba, as saying.
While expressing optimism that steps being taken by the government will soon soothe the pains of Nigerians, Fasoranti called on President Tinubu to further look in the direction of infrastructure such as power and transport among others.
“Security is an important factor in any social equation. For, it’s in a situation where people are secured that they would be able to confidently engage in activities that will boost the economy and enhance inter-personal relationships.
“In order to institutionalize reforms being made, accelerate developments, enhance people’s participation in governance and engender the desired new Nigeria, there is the urgent need to restructure the country.
“Restructuring will deepen people’s participation in governance, boost the creativity of Nigerians and guarantee the future of the country”.