…As FG approves salary increase for civil servants 

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has assured workers that his administration will not delay in implementing the new minimum wage.

Makinde gave the assurance on Wednesday in his address at the 2024 May Day celebrations, held at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Ibadan.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal, said notwithstanding the new minimum wage, his government will not fail in its promise of ensuring payment of salaries and pensions on or before the 25th of every month.

He said that his administration had been responsive to the welfare of workers, adding that it had also put people at the heart of its policies and programmes.

Acknowledging the importance of labour in the policies, programmes and projects aimed at ensuring the development of the state, Makinde commended the workers for ensuring an atmosphere devoid of incessant industrial actions.

He noted that the cooperation between his government and labour had contributed immensely to the existing development and peaceful atmosphere in the state.

He urged the workers to reciprocate his administration’s good gesture by being more dedicated and committed.

The governor also enjoined them to work ‘tirelessly and vigorously’ for their future.

 The Federal Government has approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent of salary increases for civil servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures.

The Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Mr Emmanuel Njoku, said this on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25 per cent and 35 per cent in salary increase for Civil Servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures.

” They include Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS) and Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS).

“Others are Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS).
Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

“The increases will take effect from January 1,” he said.

According to Njoku, the Federal Government has also approved increases in pension of between 20 per cent and 28 per cent for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme.

He said this was in respect of the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures and would also take effect from January 1.

He said the move was in line with the provisions of Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The official recalled that those in the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors had already received their increases.

“This involves Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) for universities.

“For Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, it involves the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).

” The Health Sector also benefitted through the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS),” Njoku said.

…Insist Estimated billing is an extortion and a daylight robbery against Nigerians

The  Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC),  have appealed to the  Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Power Sector operators,  to reverse the increase in electricity tariff within one week.

President of the unions, Mr Joe Ajaero and Mr Fetus Osifo made the call on Wednesday in a joint speech to mark the  2024 Workers’ Day in Abuja.

The duo expressed dissatisfaction over the epileptic power situation in the country which is affecting the economic growth of the country.

According to them, it’s imperative that any nation incapable of effectively and efficiently managing its energy resources faces certain ruin.

“One of the pivotal factors constraining our nation is our glaring incompetence in managing this sector for the collective welfare of our citizens.

“Power, regardless of its source, remains paramount in Kickstarting any economy, while oil and gas are indispensable for robust energy success in every country. “

They said it was absolutely critical for the government to collaborate with the people to establish frameworks that ensure energy works for all Nigerians.

According to the duo, the plight of the power sector remains unchanged over a decade after the privatisation of the sector.

“The reasons are glaringly evident. As long as those who sold the companies remain the buyers, Nigerians will continue to face formidable challenges in the power sector.

” It is unethical to force Nigerians to pay higher tariffs for non-existent electricity.

“Estimated billing is an extortion and a daylight robbery against Nigerians, ” the duo said.

The Naira on Tuesday closed the month of April on a good footing as it gained N28.15 at the official market, trading at N1,390.96 to the dollar.

Data from the official trading platform of the FMDQ Exchange, a platform that oversees the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), revealed that the gain represented a 1.98 per cent appreciation for Naira.

The percentage increase is significant when compared to the previous trading date on Monday, April 29.

The local currency experienced about two weeks of steady fall by exchanging at N1,419 to a dollar.

The success story was replicated in the volume of currency traded, as the total daily turnover increased.

The daily turnover stood at 225.36 million dollars on Tuesday up from 147.83 million dollars recorded on Monday.

Meanwhile, at the Investor’s and Exporter’s (I&E) window, the Naira traded between N1,450 and N1,200 against the dollar.