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Senate Accelerates Minimum Wage Bill Passage …Okays 1st, 2nd Readings Same Day …Says FG Approves Only N27,000 In Bill
Nigerian Senate yesterday suspended its standing rule 79 and set aside all legislative communication protocols to accelerate legislative actions on the controversial N27,000 Minimum Wage Bill, hence, the bill scaled through first and second reading st a single sitting .
This upper legislative chamber also set up an eight-man ad hoc committee representing the six geo-political zones to fine-tune the final passage of the Bill into law for the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The members of the Senate ad hoc committee on Minimum Wage are Olushola Adayeye, who is the Chairman, Abu Ibrahim, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Binta Marsi, representing North East, Shehu Sani, North West, Francis Alimekina, South South, Sam Egwu, South East, Solomon Adokwe, North Central, and Solomon Adeola, South West.
Following a very thorough debate on the bill by the law makers , the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, clarified that contrary to the media reports, there is only a single Bill from the executive to the Senate which he said has a recommendation of N27,000 for both federal and state workers.
Recall that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was reported to have said that in the recommendation of the Council of State, the federal government will pay its workers N30,000 while the state governments will pay their workers N27,000 as minimum wage.
To this end, he also said the recommendation in the Bill that the new national minimum wage be applied to all companies with up to twenty five workers may not be necessary because many low income workers may not be captured, pointing out that national minimum wage is for everybody.
Members of the House of Representatives, yesterday, faulted the Council of State for approving N27,000 as the new minimum wage when the agreement reached by the government, organised labour and the private sector was N30,000.
The lawmakers, therefore, expressed their readiness to adopt the amount proposed by the tripartite committee, whose report was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari.
At the plenary, yesterday, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, read a letter by Buhari to the legislature, seeking an amendment to the Minimum Wage Act 1981, to reflect a new minimum wage of N27,000.
The President said the amount was proposed by the tripartite committee and ratified by the Council of State.
The letter read, “The purpose of this letter is to forward to you for legislative action a new Minimum Wage BiII to further amend the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2011).
“In order to give a new National Minimum Wage of N27,000 per month to the lowest paid Nigerian worker from the current N18,000 per month. Thus, new bill and the amendments contained therein were arrived at after consultations by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, which was constituted by me in November 2017 to consider, make recommendations, and advise the government on this issue.
“The Tripartite Committee comprised representatives of the Federal Government, (Nigerian) Governor’s Forum, Organised Private Sector and the Organised Federations of Trade Unions in Nigeria.
“The Federal Executive Council, National Economic Council, and the National Council of State have all noted and approved these recommended amendments.”
Buhari added, “Other highlights of the amendments include: (i) Exemptions for establishments employing less than 25 persons, (ii) five years review period of the Act in consonance with the Constitutional Review for Pensions, (iii) alterations in the amount of fines payable by defaulters on the prosecution.
“Bearing in mind that issue of prescribing a National Minimum Wage for the Federation or any part thereof is within the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and listed as item No. 34 of Part 1 of the Second Schedule, it is my pleasure to forward this Bill for expeditious action.”
After reading the letter, Dogara pointed out that the N30,000, which was proposed by the tripartite committee, and which Federal Government said it would pay its workers in the lower cadre, was not reflected in the letter.
Ekwerremmadu noted that there must be conscious efforts to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in the country, calling on the governors to improve their revenues by expanding all collectible taxes to finance the new minimum wage.
Earlier leading debate on the Bill, the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan pointed out that the Bill is an executive communication, which Rule 79 of the Senate Order Book requires must pass through three readings, different days before being passed for executive assent.
However, he said “This is a very critical bill and I therefore, feel that the Senate should give it a very expeditious passage; and that requires suspension of Order 79, so that we take the first and second reading immediately and refer it to the relevant committee.
His words “This is one bill that enjoys the support of every political party in Nigeria. The public and civil servants require motivation; they need incentives, they need to be cared for. It is my desire and I am sure it is the position of all the senators that this bill be given expeditious passage so that it takes effect immediately in 2019.
“We will work on the Appropriation Bill 2019. We have to reflect the financial implication of this bill. Moving from the current N18,000 minimum wage is certainly a major increase; it may not be what our civil servants hoped for and wanted, but it is still an improved situation”,.
Meanwhile, in their respective contributions, most of the senators canvassed that Senate increase the Minimum wage from N27,000 as recommended by the executive to N30,000, saying that Nigerian workers deserve more, which they all agreed that the nation can offer if the waste in governance will be reduced.
Senator Barau Jibril in his contribution said , the economy of the country is such that there is no doubt that the N18,000 is no longer acceptable for minimum wage. He said governors have to look inwards to generate more revenue to be able to pay the new minimum wage, likewise the private sector.
Emmanuel Paulker, in his remarks, observed that Nigerian workers now live in financial stress to meet their daily needs, punting out that there are still backlog of salaries owed by some state governors. He warned that the senate will not take a situation where when the Bill is passed, some governors will not pay, as that will make a mess of the whole efforts.
Senator Anyanwu Samuel, i pointed out that the wage Bill is still not yet enough compared to other economies, noting that it is not something to celebrate. According to him, though the Council of State has recommended N27,000, the senate can make it better by jerking it to N30,000 so that the labour union does not go on strike again.
Senator Shehu Sani also canvassed that the senate increase the minimum wage to N30,000, just as senator Solomon Adokwe, in his argument said the salary increase should not be fifty per cent across board as being championed in some quarters.
He said this will overbloat the wage Bill of the state governments, but explained that if extra nine thousand extra is added to the salary of every worker as the increase in minimum wage, then, the financial burden will be such that government can bear.
Senator Barnabas Gemade, also said that Nigeria can do better as the nation is not as poor as being made to look, but due to mismanagement of resources by those incharge.
He said governors are facing billions of naira charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yet they still claim they don’t have money to pay their workers, warning that government should do more to ensure better life for the workers.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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