22032019- INEC holds make-up polls in 17 states, FCT tomorrow

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019 THE struggle by the Organised Labour to secure a new National Minimum Wage, NMW, scored yet another success on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 as the Senate approved the N30,000 agreed by a tripartite committee set up by the Federal Government. The House of Representatives had already okayed the NMW on January 19, 2019. After this relatively smooth and speedy sail through the National Assembly, and with the undertaking by President Muhammadu Buhari to implement it, the NMW is expected to come into effect, at least at the Federal level, within the third quarter of this year. While we congratulate the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, for its hard-won victory, there are many rivers to cross before reaching the Promised Land. Though we understand the sense of Our new minimum wage conundrum euphoria and anticipation that those on Federal payroll might be entertaining, it is important to point out that the N30,000 NMW ($83.05) is only above those of Guinea Bissau ($30), Uganda ($22) Somalia, South Sudan and Zimbabwe (none). South Africa in August 2018 approved $243 equivalent NMW for its workers, which is less than that of fellow oilproducing Gabon ($269). Compared to most African countries Nigerian workers earn slavery wages, which chiefly accounts for the rampant and endemic corruption ravaging both the public and private sectors. With this approval by the National Assembly, the battleground shifts to the states and the private sector. Up to 26 states were owing their workers months in arrears of salaries and pensions before the political campaigns took off in November 2018 while on the old N18,000 NMW. The state governors resisted the N30,000 NMW, offering instead to pay N22,500 during the negotiations. Unless there is a change of mind at that level we may be in for prolonged Labour disputes, especially with governors returning with new mandates. Retrenchment may be on the cards. The outlook in the private sector is even more uncertain because the poor state of the economy, heavy job losses and rising unemployment combine to weaken the capacity of Labour to insist on strict implementation of the NMW in private organisations. The Federal and State Governments have to explore ways of dramatically increasing their revenue bases without unduly preying on the populace through punitive taxation. Those calling for the total restructuring of the economy may have a strong point, after all, because the drive to diversify our “command and control” economy has failed to yield much result. Unless something radical is done, the poverty level among the average Nigerians will only worsen. OPINION Target points for Buhari’s second term By Carl Umegboro O whom much is given, much is ‘Texpected”is a universal maxim. The Bible in the Gospel of Luke 12:48 affirmed it. By Section 130 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which established the office of President, the first mandate given to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 expires on May 29, 2019. Since Section 135 (1); “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a person shall hold the office of President until – (a) when his successor in office takes the oath of that office”, forbids a vacuum, President Buhari having been declared the winner of the February 23- presidential poll will on May 29, once again take the oath of office for the next political dispensation lapsing in 2023. Amidst his campaign, President Buhari launched the‘Next Level’ with litany of stunning packages, principally consolidation of his ground breaking policies for evaluation. From the policy directions, ‘Change’ is deductively, necessarily a strategic precursor to Next Level. Hence, by the umpire’s verdict, the deal isimpliedly sealed. All things being equal, the people should be showering Buhari with accolades at the end of his second term. Therefore, not only will improvements be perceptively made, they should manifestly, be felt by the masses. Above all, the nation’s supposed status as the ‘Giant of Africa’ must observably be actualised. And this time; not just by numerical strength but economic empowerment, developments and significant attainments. Categorically, Buhari’s manifesto unambiguously, expansively captioned economy, education, infrastructure, health and social investment programmes, hence, their facelifts in terms of service deliverynonnegotiable. Essentially, the Executive Order 7 of 2019 recently signed for unparalleled strides in infrastructural developments should gather momentum after inauguration. Possibly, the merged ministries positioned under a minister during the economic recession may have to be unbundled, having prudently exited the economic crisis to enable more capable hands come on board. This will also reduce workloads on the minister sensing that the innovative policy will likely stimulate economic and government activities making it burdensome for a minister to effectively coordinate multiple ministries synchronously. By the strategic policy remarkably unveiled by Buhari’s administration, numerous projects foreseeingly,will simultaneously be in progress across the nation unlike the existing ‘slowmotion’ system. Before I forget, amongst major tasks that demand taking the bull by the horns is slashing of outrageous allowances in the National Assembly. It is unreasonable, imprudent and exploitative for a lawmaker to collect a monthly running cost of N13.5million amidst agonising unemployment ratio and hardships in the society. Sensibly, there’s no basis for a legislator to earn more remunerations than professors, permanent secretaries or ministers let alone the inexplicably additional monthlyrunning costs. All the electoral malpractices and violence leading to scores of deaths of citizens are traceable to excessively attractive financial benefits attached to political offices. Unconsciously, it has gotten to the point that not one person enthusiastically wants to return to primary vocation after partaking in the outrageous packages. Again, Section 14(2)(b) supra-emphatically provides that “security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. Unfortunately, the masses’ interests clearly have never been a priority in the country. Instead, masses are usually more or less like abandoned properties, only treasured during elections by the political class either for lawful franchise or thuggery. Hence, in orchestrating the ‘Next Level’ programmes, the Federal Government should encouragingly create meaningful pragmatic schemes for economic empowerment of the masses, especially youths vis-à-vis nation’s revenue generation on booster dose through It is unreasonable for a lawmaker to collect a monthly running cost of N13.5m amidst agonising unemployment in the society its commendably proactive policies. For securitisation, in fact, any poll that must necessarily gather the public at designated locations without adequate security personnel for safety of the vulnerable population is not only antediluvian but a threat to security of lives. As preventive measures on hostility and violence during general elections which is on the increase, the government should plan to migrate to digital voting system in conventionality with other countries. If not, the ugly situation may worsen in the next general elections in 2023 due to increased political interests, conceivably for pecuniary interests. To put it another way, the population is grossly excessive for manual ballot system in relation to security and financial implications. For example, INEC recorded 82,344,107 registered voters for the 2019 presidential election. But only 29,364,209 of the voters representing 35.66 per cent showed up for accreditation. Imagine what would have been the situation if about 82 million registered voters had shown up to participate in the election. Sensibly, the nation cannot effectively manage the scenario vis-à-vis the available workforce. Thus, the practicable remedy remains digital electoral system where registered voters can vote from anywhere without fear of attacks, intimidations or manipulations. With that in place, the ethnic crisis that has repeatedly ensued, particularly in Lagos between Yorubas and Igbos, will be averted as people can still be resident outside their home state and effectively participate in their home elections, except desired otherwise. On socio-economic goals, Section 16(2)(b) of the Constitution unequivocally provides that “the State shall direct its policy towards ensuring - that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good”. The subsection 2(d) states “that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens”. Regrettably, Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter 2 which extensively contains striking socioeconomic rights are non-justiciable pursuant to Section 6(6)(c) supra. Nonetheless, they profoundly and justifiably remain yardsticks for measuring progress in the court of public opinion. Convincingly, if the viable foundations spiritedly laid by Buhari’s present administrationwill be tenaciously consolidated to the latter, without doubt, the masses in no distant time will eventually feel a sense of belonging in the nation’s abundant resources. *Umegboro, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos
Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22 , 2019 — 19 Shippers’ Council targets 30% reduction in cost of clearing goods By Godwin Oritse THE Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, has said that it is working towards a 30 percent reduction in the cost of clearing goods in the Nigerian ports following an agreement to this effect with terminal operators and shipping companies operating in Nigeria. Speaking at a one day enlightenment seminar organized by the Council in collaboration with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, in Lagos yesterday, Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, said that most of the charges that are currently being paid by Nigerian importers are not tied to services. Bello stated that both SON and NSC are working hard not only to facilitate the ease of doing business but also to effect a reduction in the cost of doing business as well. He informed that by next month when the agreement would have been signed, all the charges will be published for everybody to know what to pay to which agency. Bello stated: “We have to take into consideration the cost of cargo, some costs are not justified, they are not tied to service and that is what we have been calling for, the shipping companies have been very understanding, we have gone through all the cost so that we can have a template. We are not going to control cost but we will not allow arbitrary charges in the Nigerian port industry in the course of clearing cargoes.” At the seminar themed, “Ethics and integrity in shipping trade”, Bello enjoined stakeholders to adhere to interna- CURRENCY BUYING SELLING US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL SDR DANISH RAND $94.90 0.15 2,137.00 -6.00 $12.48 -0.26 $68.20 -0.30 $60.12 -0.11 305.9 306.4 306.9 404.3386 404.9995 405.6604 347.5942 348.1623 348.7305 306.3289 306.8296 307.3303 2.743 2.7475 2.752 0.5102 0.5202 0.5302 425.7749 426.4709 427.1668 45.6831 45.7582 45.8333 81.5646 81.698 81.8313 426.394 427.091 427.7879 46.5665 46.6426 46.7187 . 21.169 21.2036 21.2382 CBN Exchange rate as at 21/03/2019 tional best practices in their conduct, noting that this will go a long way in actualizing the Council’s drive for a new port order, reduce cost and improve efficiency. He explained that the Council’s goal is to promote an efficient port system that will encourage healthy competition, enthrone transparency, facilitate trade, reduce cost of doing business and make all players aware of their duties, obligations, responsibilities and liabilities. NIMASA, stakeholders seek end to cabotage waivers By Godwin Oritse IN a bid to actualise full implementation of the Cabotage Act, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and key players in the maritime industry have set a plan to end Cabotage waivers for nonindigenous ship owners within the next five years. The waivers are aimed at promoting indigenous participation in shipping in Nigeria. The management of NIMASA and its stakeholders met earlier this week in Lagos where they agreed on the need for collaboration to facilitate optimal implementation of the He opined that with high ethical practice in place in the port system, vices such as impunity, presumptuous behaviours and ignorance with respect to adherence to procedures, rules and regulations will be minimized. From left: Head, Branch Network, Ecobank Nigeria, Titiloye Olarinde; EcobankPay Xpress agent, Abeeb Bello; Baba Oja, Amu Market, Mushin, Alhaji Yusuf Peleowo; Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan and EcobankPay Xpress agent, Mrs. Adeola Shonubi during the launch of EcobankPay zone at Amu Market, Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos CBN projects 3% GDP growth in 2019 •To retain tight monetary policy, stable exchange rate By Babajide Komolafe Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday, projected that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic (GDP) growth will rise to three percent in 2019 as against 1.93 percent recorded in 2018. In a keynote address delivered at the BusinessDay Post- Election Economic Agenda conference in Lagos, Emefiele also said the apex bank will maintain its tight monetary policy stance and stable exchange rate throughout the year. He stressed that the nation’s economic recovery has become self sustaining with the GDP expected to pick up in the first half of the current year. CBN, according to him, expects inflation rate to rise to 12 percent and moderate downward thereafter owing to productivity gains in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. He, however, noted that the CBN would adjust the Monetary Policy Rate (MPC) in line with unfolding conditions and outlooks. Just as in the previous year, he said the apex bank would continue in its drive to ensure that the MPR rate is set to balance the objectives of price stability with output stabilization. On the exchange rate policy, he said the CBN, in spite of expected pressures from the volatility in the crude oil markets, would maintain its stable exchange rate over the next year. “Gross stability is projected in the foreign exchange market, given increased oil production and contained import bill,” he noted. Expressing optimism that the country’s Balance of Payments (BoP) would remain positive in the short-term, Emefiele said that the current account balance could improve further if oil prices continued to recover. He assured that this would be “supported by improved non-oil performance as diversification efforts begin to yield results to reduce undue imports.” Cabotage law. Speaking during the meeting, Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the Agency was determined to ensure that Cabotage waivers were stopped within the next five years. Dakuku stated: “NIMASA’s mandate is all about promoting and regulating shipping in Nigeria and we have no intentions to stifle anybody’s business. Rather, we are committed to promoting, protecting and providing the enabling environment so that the local ship owners can grow and compete with their international counterparts. We are, certainly, determined to TraderMoni still in operation, says Presidency By Yinka Kolawole Contrary to speculations in some quarters, the Presidency has said that TraderMoni scheme and other micro-credit products under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), a component of the federal government’s Social Investment Programme (SIP), are still in operation. Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, disclosed this in a progress report on the GEEP micro-credit products, comprising of TraderMoni, MarketMoni, and FarmerMoni. He said: “So far, a target of 30,000 minimum beneficiaries per state has been achieved in majority of the 36 states and FCT since after the national and state polls. What the implementing agency has been doing since the last phase of disbursements is generating the balance of program funding while ramping up on the states with shortages. “Consequently, disbursements have continued to happen in the states; for instance, we have had over 28,000 disbursements across 10 states since after the elections. Our priority is ramping up these numbers in the balance of states before we move to phase two of the program after detailed reviews and structural enhancements for larger scale. Under the Next Level agenda, Trader Moni loans will target ten million petty traders, a significant ramp up from the initial target of two million beneficiaries.” On measures adopted to enhance repayments, the Vice President’s media aide said GEEP has pioneered innovative solutions to drive repayment compliance. “Working with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), we successfully piloted the concept of the BVN as digital collateral; and we saw repayment go up significantly on the MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans. work with our stakeholders.” The NIMASA boss who was represented by Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Gambo Ahmed, told the stakeholders that part of the strategy to bring an end to the issuance of waivers was to develop infrastructural capacity and human capital with respect to training of seafarers to attain global standards. He called on the stakeholders to cooperate with the Agency to realise the Cabotage implementation, saying it holds a huge potential to job creation, add to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and bring about a boom in the economy.
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22032019- INEC holds make-up polls in 17 states, FCT tomorrow

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