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Stakeholders Chart Path To Effective LG Administration

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Stakeholder at the local government areas have called for an all-inclusive, transparent and efficient management of resources and personnel at the grassroot level.
Making their views public during the public hearing of the Rivers State Local Government Bill 2018 (HA9) last Friday, some of the stakeholders say there was need to adopt a transparent accounting system driven by modern information technology.
Presenting his Memoranda on the bill, Auditor-General of the Local Government Councils, Mr Bema Friday said a major challenge in running local government council stems from poor accounting system that is obsolete.
Besides, he recommended, “each local government should have powers to establish a business entity and regulate it”.
The Local Government Council Auditor-General further sought for a consolidated salary scheme for Heads of Local Government Administration, that he said would improve job security and accountability at the councils.
President of National Union of Local Government Employees Union (NULGE), Comrade Franklin Ajunwo, submitted that since the inception of democracy in 1999, most laws of the local councils have not been reviewed and lauded the State Assembly for the initiative.
The Rivers NULGE President however frowned at the huge deductions on the allocation of councils, as he expressed fears that if such deductions continue, it would be difficult to pay council workers.
A representative of the non-governmental organisations from the Citizens Voice Initiative, Sebastian Kpalab argued that since local councils are close to the grassroot, ti is important to ensure there is no vacuum in administration and leadership.
Kpalab pointed out that a situation where elected council tenure elapses and allows for caretaker committees creates room for sit-tight leadership and disjoint in the pursuit of development at the grassroot.
The Citizens Voice Initiative spokesman added: “In Section 9 (3) and in order not to create a vacuum let local government elections be conducted before the expiration of the 3 year tenure, so that there will not be a vacuum”.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Physically Challenged Persons, Tekena Altraide advocated the need to include those with challenges in local council administration.
The SSA opined that there are lots of educated and enlightened physically challenged persons who are ready to offer services and contribute to grassroot development.
Chairman of Rivers State Local Government Service Commission Hon Azubuike Nmerukini said the new bill will provide for a unified law for local councils for efficient administration.
Hon Nmerukini explained that since society is dynamic, laws are expected to reflect new developments in order to engender effectiveness.
Meanwhile, House Committee Chairman on Local Government Affairs, Hon Kelechi Nwogu has summoned the Caretaker Committee Chairman to appear before it since many failed to participate in the public hearing last Friday.
Hon Nwogu who represents Omuma State Constituency at the Assembly expressed displeasure that despite invitation sent to the various CTC Chairman, many failed to participate and make contributions to a bill which he said affects them.
“We need to know why the CTC chairman are not here. Their contributions are important, so they will have to appear before the Committee”, he stated.

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Reps Urge FG To Pay ASUU, NASU’s Withheld Salaries

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The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to pay the withheld salaries of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU).
This followed the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance by Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) during plenary on Wednesday.
Presenting the motion, Fulata said that the government must accede to the unions’ demands because they were genuine.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the President to direct the relevant bodies to come up with modalities for negotiation with both ASUU and NASU.
The House said this would enable them to come up with workable, implementable and final agreement to be signed by both parties.
The House urged the president to direct the Ministry of Finance, to ensure full implementation.
The House mandated its Committees on University Education, Polytechnic Education, Federal Colleges of Education, Labour and Productivity, Finance, Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

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Bill To Prescribe Salaries, Allowances Of Judicial Officers Pass 2nd Reading

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The bill seeking to prescribe salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of Judicial office holders in Nigeria has passed second reading at the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) at plenary on Thursday.
Presenting the bill, Ashiru said the bill, an executive bill, was forwarded to the two Chambers of the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, in accordance with provisions of Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
He said the bill, in a nutshell, seeks to prescribe salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for judicial officers in order to nip in the bud, the prolonged stagnation in their remuneration.
This, he said was to reflect the contemporary socio-economic realities of the time.
Ashiru said the bill intends to unify the salary structure, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial officers holders both in the Federal and at the State levels.
“This proposed legal framework, undoubtedly, will bring about significant improvement in the welfare, capacity and independence of the Judiciary, which have been contentious issues of public discourse over the years.”
He said that the intent of the bill was in conformity with the current administration’s resolve to strengthen the country’s Judiciary and the criminal justice system .
This, he said was to ensure its independence in the performance of its constitutional role, as the arbiter of the temple of justice.
He urged the senators to support the expeditious passage of the bill in view of its importance to the socio-economic and political development of this country.
Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), who seconded the motion said it was necessary to ensure adequate remuneration of Judicial officers was in line with the current economic reality.
He said that there was the need to provide an adequate remuneration that would prevent judicial officials from being tempted for corruption.
Sen. Orji Kalu (APC- Abia ) commended the executive for presenting the bill to prescribe a remuneration for the judicial arm of government, saying that no right thinking Nigerian would want to oppose it.
He urged the officials to ensure that justice is dispensed rightly to Nigerians.
He also urged the government to improve remuneration of other sectors given the economic reality.
Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jubrin (APC-Kano) said the President has done creditably well by presenting the bill for remuneration of the judicial officials.
He said the judicial officials had suffered in silence for as they were not disposed to speaking up on the issues, just like the labour unions.
He said it was cheery and commendable for President Tinubu to have brought the bill, which was designed to enhance the salary and welfare of the judicial officials.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpiabio said presentation of the bill was a right step in the right direction by President Tinubu.
Akpabio, referred the bill to the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative inputs and to return back to plenary in four weeks, after the bill was read for the second time.

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Court To Hear Suit Against Ganduje’s Suspension, May 28

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Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, has fixed May 28 for hearing in the substantive application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Dr Ganduje is challenging his suspension from the party by factional ward executives led by one Basiru Nuhu Isa.
He was first suspended by APC Ganduje Ward executives led by one Haladu Gwanjo on April 15. Another faction emerged and also announced suspension of Dr Ganduje on April 20.
The Tide source reports that the secretary of the party in Kano, Zakari Sarina, said the suspension by the faction was another case of impersonation.
Dr Ganduje is seeking a declaration that his suspension from the party without giving him opportunity to defend himself amounts to violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing.
He is also seeking a declaration that his suspension by the faction was unlawful, null and void.
Counsel for the embattled APC chairman, Hadiza Ahmad, applied for service on the respondents by substituted means which the court granted.
Justice Liman adjourned to May 28 for hearing in the matter.

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