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New Minimum Wage: PH Residents Berate Minister

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7 years ago

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Some residents of Rivers State have expressed disappointment in the statement credited to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, stating that the proposed New National Minimum Wage, would not be implemented by the September deadline.
They fear that if the Federal Government goes back on its word over the September implementation date, individuals in both private and public sectors would have difficulty meeting their families needs, adding that it would also portray government in bad light.
Rivers State Chairman of Nigeria Institute of Town Planning, Tete Inamite, in his response, hinted that, it would amount to double standards on the part of government and it would be seen as not to be trusted, “not only by the workers, traders and investors too would not take the government serious.”
He added: “investors have made plans towards that September deadline, bearing in mind that the purchasing power of individuals would increase with the implementation of the new minimum wage.”
A civil servant, in the State who pleaded anonymity, stated that she was not surprised that government was tactically going back on its words, explaining that from the onset, the parameters with which the new minimum wage were to be implemented was vague.
Another respondent, who is also the new chairman of the United Creek Road Market Traders Union, Victoria Kingoli, said non-implementation of the new minimum wage would have a rippling effect, which would also affect traders.
According to her, “Civil servants are the ones that keep our markets going, when they are well paid we feel it because they increase their purchases”, and appealed to the government to reconsider their decision and ensure that the new minimum wage is implemented come September.
Recall that the Labour Minister, Chris Ngige had on May 29, 2018, announced that the September deadline was only a date for the committee to conclude negotiations and send the report to the government for deliberation and approval, after which an executive bill would now be sent before the National Assembly.
Acting chairperson, Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Rivers Chapter, Uche Agbam, in her comment stated that the position of the Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Nigege is an after-thought and described it as not right.
Agbam noted that the Minister had posited that the new minimum wage could not be implemented earlier because it was not captured in the 2018 budget , but stated categorically that come September it would be implemented.
She quoted the NLC National President as saying that, it would not be condoned”, stressing that it would not be accepted and added that it further exposes The government’s insensitivity to the plight of the Nigerian workers.

 

Tonye Nria-Dappa

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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7 days ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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