- CJN, 600 judges yet to get January salary
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on maritime industry stakeholders to come up with vital suggestions capable of moving the sector forward in terms of efficiency, and generating Government, at least, N500bn, this year.
The Minister made the call during a conference with Maritime Stakeholders held at Eko Hotel Lagos on Monday, February 22, 2016; and instantly ignited mixed reactions, with some wondering how such dreams could be achieved, when major shipping lines are fleeing Nigeria as a result of dwindling business prospects.
Amaechi who confessed that he had promised President Muhammadu Buhari that the sector would contribute substantially to the Nigerian Economy, said he was willing to embark on a total reform of the economy, in addition to a broad minded review of the implementation of the concession agreement, midstream discharge operations, private jetties matters and handling of oil and gas cargoes.
Indicated Amaechi : “My target to the agencies in the maritime sector is N500billion. You will see changes in the sector if that target is not met by the end of the year. The only way there won’t be reform in the maritime sector is if they give me N500billion. If we achieve it, we set for ourselves another target for next year. The only way we can achieve it is to put in place proper reforms. If they don’t achieve that target, I will ask Mr. President to allow me hire another set of heads of agencies that will give me what I want.’’
He encouraged participants to bare their minds on issues that could hinder or enhance efficient ports operations, even as directed that henceforth, no ocean going vessels should berth at private jetties, but go to Customs direct call ports; stressing immediate compliance by all private jetties owners and operators.
The government, he also hinted, was eyeing the earning of some revenues from pilotage, hence the need to urgently review on the issues of pilotage, the entire process, including the quality of revenue being generated; and directed all concessionaires who claimed their rights were being breached by some agencies to come up with document to support such claims, because their agreement must be respected.
On the concession of the Port Terminal, the Minister highlighted that the idea is to create competition on a level playing ground in a bid to stimulate efficiency and competitive pricing.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority Mallam Habib Abdullahi was quick to point out that even though there is need to review the concession program, it has led to improved ports operations and revenue.
Mallam Habib Abdullahi also noted that the concessionaires have developed the ports in terms of infrastructures.
On the dredging of the Escravors channels in Delta Ports, the Managing Director of NPA said this will soon take off as consultancy services have been commissioned.
Mr Obumnene Onuenyenwa, former General Manager , Eastern Ports , spoke on trade facilitation and wealth creation in the Maritime Industry and emphasized the need for the resuscitation and expansion of rail lines to areas where mineral Resources are available so that they can be moved and processed for exports.
However, the forum also pointed out that the percentages of Cargo Discharge at the nation’s Seaports are very low, while cargo handling equipment are grossly insufficient, an urgent need for further improvements of common user facilities at the ports, while emphasizing enhanced reliance to modernization and automation processes as introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Some of the private sector participants however cautioned Government against throwing service delivery to the winds in a vain attempt to earn it’s targeted N500bn, as prevailing economic conditions do not support this.
Identifying crashing freight rates, occasioned by a Naira in comatose, a freight forwarder noted that importers had gone on hibernation mode, slowing down all imports, as a result of which major shipping lines have abandoned route.
“I like Amaechi’s spirit. But we know that dream may not be workable. Government has not captured the full picture. Or how can anyone be talking of N500b, at a time major shipping lines are quiting the route.
“Look, as I talk with you, the NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) line is gone. The Taiwan Evergreen Line is gone. The MOL (Mitsui OSK Line) is gone. Another one is comptemplating same. These are major liners. Their major reason is shrinking cargo. Importers are not importing because the Naira in its comatose state of almost N400 per Dollar has spoilt everything! Is it not when we import that Government earns Customs duty and the ports charges and levies?” he asked, even as another participant asked whether Government has realized that the Naira value cannot be fixed by mere pronouncement or fiat!
Among the dignitaries on government side, present at the forum were Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, the Director of Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Transport, Alhaji Sani Galandanchi, Director Legal Services Federal Ministry of Transport Mrs IJ Okoro, Executive Director Marine and Operations NPA, Engineer David Omonibeke and Arc, Mohammed Saleh, NPA Executive Director Engineering and Technical Services.
In the meantime, judical officers, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, Supreme Court Justices, justices of the Court of Appeal and all Federal and state High Court judges, are yet to get their January salaries, it was learnt yesterday.
This month’s pay falls due tomorrow but the over 600 judges seem not to have any hope of getting paid.
The development has affected workers in the Judiciary in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal Federal High Court, National Industrial Court and the National Judicial Council.
Only workers in the state Judiciary in the 36 states have been lucky.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although the Judiciary is on First Line Charge, its allocation for January has not been released due to lack of funds.
It was gathered that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has made representations to the Executive to release the votes in the First Line Charge but the request was still being considered as at press time.
The 600 judges affected include Supreme Court(15), Court of Appeal(85), Federal High Court(88) and National Industrial Court(19).
Most of the judges are said to be grumbling because they cannot meet their basic needs. The law forbids them from engaging in any trade.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The CJN and over 600 judges are stranded because they have not been paid since January. The allocation due to NJC for the payment of salaries and allowances of Judicial officers is yet to be released.
“Most of the judges are unhappy but they cannot complain due to their Judicial Oath. The non-payment of salary has affected workers in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal Federal High Court, National Industrial Court and the National Judicial Council.
“We appeal to the Executive to look at this delay in payment of salary. Already, the judges are due for February pay too. The danger is that these judges can be tempted to find alternative means of survival.”
Section 81(3) provides for Direct Line Charge for the Judiciary and remedy if there is any shortfall.
The constitution says: “The amount standing to the credit of the (a) Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) (b) National Assembly, and ( c) Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation shall be paid directly to the said bodies respectively;
“in the case of the Judiciary, such amount shall be paid to the National Judicial Council for disbursement.
“If in respect of any financial year, it is found that (a) the amount appropriated by the Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient; or (b) a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by the Act, a supplementary estimate showing the sums shall be laid before each House of the National Assembly and the heads of any such expenditure shall be included in a Supplementary Appropriation Bill.”
Additional report from Nation
