Politics
Minimum Wage: Committee Wants Periodic Review
The House of Representatives Committee on Labour and the
leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have advocated periodic review
of the National Minimum Wage Act to allow for increase in wages.
This is contained in a communiqué issued on Thursday in Uyo
at the end of a two-day retreat, organised for the leadership of the NLC and
the House of Representatives Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity.
The Tide’s source reports that the retreat had the theme:
“Improving Legislative Engagements between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the
National Assembly.”
The communique was jointly signed by the House Committee
Chairman on Labour, Mr Essien Ayi and the deputy president of the NLC.
It recommended that minimum wage and labour issues should be
allowed to remain under the exclusive legislative list.
The communiqué also recommended that the Pension Act should
be made dynamic to ensure inclusion of periodic upward reviews just as the
minimum wage.
The retreat called on the Federal Government to implement a
comprehensive social protection policy for its citizens as a mark of good
governance in addition to tackling inequality and insecurity in the country.
The communiqué urged the National Assembly to review laws on
Occupational Safety and Health to make them conform with the conventions of the
International Labour Organisation (ILO).
It further called on government to accelerate the process of
domesticating ILO Conventions on best practices in labour and employment
relations in Nigeria.
The retreat frowned at the prevalence of casual and contract
labour in Nigeria, urging the National Assembly and labour to enforce the
implementation of the Labour Act on decent and secured jobs.
The communiqué recommended a review of the bill on HIV/AIDS
and demanded that no provision should subject employees to test as requirement
for employment.
The meeting urged the House Committee on Labour to get the
leadership of the House of Representatives to organise a national retreat on
constitutional review for labour unions and civil society organisations.
It called for the inclusion of the Nigerian parliament and
labour in the recently established Nigeria-German Bi-national Commission to
strengthen democratic and development process in both countries.
The retreat, which was facilitated by a German-based
organisation, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, had in attendance a member of the
German National Assembly, Mr Klaus Brandner.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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