[dropcap]A[/dropcap] Federal High Court sitting in Nigeria’s southern port city of Calabar, Cross River State capital, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda on Wednesday, remanded Journalist and Rights Activist, Agba Jalingo in Prison.

Mr. Jalingo is facing charges of terrorism, treasonable felony and attempt to topple the Cross River State government. The charges received widespread condemnation after they were leaked to the public.

He pleaded not guilty to the four (4) charges preferred against him.

Justice Amobeda in his ruling said that the counter affidavit by the prosecution filed in response to the motion for bail by the defendants counsel was added to the file on Wednesday morning and has not had time to look at it. He said that he perused the file on Tuesday night and did not see the counter affidavit.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Denis Terhemba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police claimed the counter affidavit was filed on September 18, 2019 but Jalingo’s counsel, Mr. Attah Ochinke said he was served shortly before the court began sitting.

However, after a brief discussion with the Clerk of the Court who whispered a few words to him, Justice Amobeda ruled that Jalingo be remanded at the Afokang Prison center in Calabar.

He adjourned the case to Thursday, September 26, 2019.

Reacting to the ruling of the court, Mr. Ochinke who described the charges as “sensational,” also averred that: “We have looked at the proof of evidence and we know that they have no base.”

“We had an application for him to be admitted in to bail; but because (of) the reaction, the counter affidavit was only brought to the attention of the Court today, the Court graciously granted us to come back tomorrow for the argument on the application of the bail. We hope that by tomorrow, the court will give a considered opinion on it and Agba will be admitted to bail,” Ochinke added, stressing that the journalist is ready to stand trial.

When pressed for what will happen if he is refused bail on Thursday, Ochinke posited that: “I will prefer that we cross that bridge when we reach it. There are legal remedies in that respect which we can explore,” adding that: “He has been in detention for about 35 days and the Police has completed their investigation and charged the matter to court so there is no reason to continue to keep him in detention.”

When reached for comments, Mr. Terhemba said he was not at liberty to discuss the matter with the press.

“The fact is that, the matter as it is, is a matter that is before the Federal High Court 2 here in Calabar. The fact and whatever transpired in Court, I cannot reveal to you unless you go to the registrar of the Court, get the details from the registrar and he will give you exactly what transpired in Court except the Court grants a leave for me to release such information which such leave has not been granted. So, you make contact with the registrar of the Court to get such details,” Terhemba said.

Jalingo was arrested in his Lagos residence on August 22, 2019 and remained in detention for 34 days before he was arraigned.

He was invited by the Police command in Cross River State over a petition that an article he wrote on the State’s Microfinance bank had affected it’s business negatively. The interview which was billed for August 19th was rescheduled for August 26th and later September 3, 2019.

Jalingo had, in the article, queried the whereabouts of the 500 million Naira approved and released by the Cross River State government for the floating of that bank.

The Spokesman to Governor Benedict Ayade, Mr. Christian Ita had claimed in an interview with Premium Times, that Jalingo’s arrest was based on his participation in the #RevolutionNow movement. He later told Love FM that the State was been fingered because it was the easiest thing to do.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has assured Nigerians that critical roads across the country, particularly those leading to fuel depots would soon be fixed in order to enhance fuel distribution and ease the usual high traffic during the ember months.

The Minister, who assured that arrangements were already being put in place to fix such roads and a number of those which conditions had deteriorated as a result of heavy rainfalls, listed such selected roads to include Suleja-Bida-Lapai-Lambata; Oyo–Ogbomosho-Ilorin; Jebba-Mokwa-Tegina; Benin-Sapele-Warri; Benin-Auchi-Okenne; Enugu-Onitsha; Awka-Amansea and Odukpani-Itu roads.

On the state of the listed roads, Fashola explained that the Suleja-Lambata-Minna Road was in a fairly good condition adding that the failed portions were slated for emergency repairs during the ember month’s programme while work is ongoing on the Bida-Lapai-Lambata Roads where the contractor handling it has already stabilized a substantial part of the road.

The Bida–Minna Road, the Minister explained, is a Niger State Government Road and is in a fairly good condition while the Suleja –Lambata –Minna Road; is a Federal Government road under SUKUK funding.

Disclosing that his Ministry had commenced discussions with the contractors handling the various road projects for the commencement of repair and rehabilitation works as soon as the rains subside, Fashola said approval has been given for the Engineering Corps of the Nigerian Army to repair the bad portions of the Bokani-Makaera-Tegina-Birnin Gwari Road in Niger and Kaduna States, which is currently under procurement, due to the security situation in that axis.

He further explained that funding has also been a challenge, adding that the Federal Government would endeavour to meet its financial obligations to the contractors handling the various road projects to ensure that they returned to the sites.

He said work on the Oyo-Ogbomosho-Ilorin Road is on-going by the contractor handling the project, which, he explained, is one of the projects that received dedicated funding under SUKUK. According to him, although the project is being challenged by the current weather situation and funding, the old alignment of the Oyo-Ogbomosho route is receiving palliative attention.

On the Ilorin –Jebba –Mokwa Road, which is under a dualization contract, Fashola explained that the project has been divided into two sections with Ilorin –Jebba in Kwara State as Section1: while Section II comprises Jebba–Mokwa–Bokani Junction in Niger State adding that it is a new project and mobilization was still being processed.

For Okene–Lokoja Road, which is in four sections and under SUKUK funding, he explained that all the contractors handling the various sections had been directed to do palliative work on the failed portions of the road.

He said while a Federal Government appointed contractor is currently working on the Enugu –Onitsha Road, the bad portions of the Awka –Amansea Road are being repaired by the Anambra State Government.

For the Odukpani –Itu Road, the Minister said the contracting firm which is handling the project, has left the site as a result of the challenges of the weather situation and funding adding that the Ministry is currently intensifying efforts to address the challenges for the company to return to site as soon as possible.

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]elta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, September 23, 2019 reaffirmed his commitment to providing road, saying such infrastructure had multiple benefits in the state’s economy.

The governor stated this while inaugurating a new office complex for the state’s command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Asaba. He said that his administration’s determination to ensure that there were good roads in the state was to boost socio-economic activities through ease in movement of people and goods.

According to him, we are committed to road construction, because if we ease the movement of people, it will be quicker to grow our economy.

Okowa assured that the state government would partner FRSC to ensure free flow of traffic across the state, especially during the yuletide.

He said that work had begun on the rehabilitation of deplorable sections of some federal roads in the state, explaining that his administration first sought approval from Federal Ministry of Works before engaging in the intervention.

“We have awarded contracts to Levant Nigeria Limited to reconstruct the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge.

“We are also intervening in the failed portions of Warri-Benin road, and there is another place from Agbor to Benin; these are the places we need to intervene urgently before the Christmas.

“We will continue to work with Federal Ministry of Works to see what can be done in the area of making the roads more motorable,” he said.

He congratulated the FRSC for the new office complex, noting that the it was a beautiful place for people to work and be more productive.

The governor thanked the FRSC for the quick provision of number plates and driver’s license in the state, assuring of his administration’s partnership with it and other federal agencies to ensure quick service delivery.

Earlier, Chairman, FRSC Board, Mallam Bukhari Bello, had in an address lauded Okowa for complementing Federal Government’s development initiative, asserting that the governor had rendered exceptional support to FRSC which other state governors should emulate.

Corps Marshal of FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, on his part, thanked the governor for his support and show of good leadership in the state.

“Since you came on board, no one has slept on top of the Niger Bridge due to your collaboration with your counterpart in Anambra.

“My focus has been on infrastructural development because good work environment enhances productivity.

“We support the government and people of Delta State, because you have made the atmosphere conducive for us to work,” Oyeyemi said.

By : Emeji Kelechi Noble

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]on. Dr. Augustine Obidi’s led Investigative  Panel of Inquiry on the Fire Outbreak at the Eke Modern Market, Ibusa  submitted their report on Monday 23rd September, 2019 in a brief, but impressive ceremony at the Chairman’s office, Oshimili North Local Government Secretariat, Akwukwu-Igbo.

The Panel of Inquiry was set up by the Council Chairman, Hon. Louis Ndukwe to investigate and determine the immediate and remote cause or causes of the fire out break which occurred on the 6th of May 2019 at the Eke Modern Market, one of the biggest markets in the Local Government area, located at Ibusa.

Receiving the report, the Oshimili North Council Boss, Hon. Louis Ndukwe, expressed delight over the report and commended members of the Panel for doing a painstaking job based on the terms of reference given to them, while assuring that the Local Government under his leadership will do everything within its powers to implement their recommendations.

“What else can I say than to express my inner gratitude to this Committee and I want to promise you that, I set up this committee and you have given you report, I give you seven days and we shall start the implementation of your recommendations,” he stated and further assured that the recommendations will be fully implemented with a view to proving to the people the local Government’s determination towards bringing sanity in the handling of public institutions that are meant for the general benefit of the people.

“If there is anyone who needs to be brought under the law, the security agencies are very much ready to effect that, “he assured and pledged in line with their suggestions, to take up the matter with the Honourable Member representing Oshimili North in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua and the Director General of Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Hon. Joan Mrakpo, affirming that a lot will be achieved working in synergy with the relevant persons for the overall benefit of the Local Government area.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Dr. Austin Obidi said that a lot of investigations were carried out on the cause of the assignment, saying that the committee met for a period of three months from 6th of May, 2019 to 29th of July, 2019.

The former council Chairman, stated that it was the discovery of the Committee that people have taken impunity to the extreme, stressing that the order now in the Local Government area is a situation where laws are taken for granted.

He therefore on behalf of the committee called on the Chairman to the do the needful by implementing the recommendations of the Panel of Inquiry.

“When sentence or punishment is not immediately executed, people are encouraged into impunity”, Dr. Obidi said and prayed for the Chairman and members of the Executive Council of the Local Government for God to Give them the needed political will to be able to execute and implement some of the recommendations of the panel.

The Panel in their report gave seventeen recommendations that included: setting up of stringent rules and guidelines to control the sale of petroleum products within the precinct of the market and the Local Government area, setting up of rules and regulations for the efficient use and management of generating set presently located in the market and opening up of discussions with the DG, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency and the Member representing Oshimili North in the State House of Assemble on the urgent need for a fire service station in Ibusa, amongst others.

Also in the report, the Panel was able to identify the immediate and remote cause of the fire incident in the market.

They reported that the storage, sales and dispensing of suspected adulterated kerosene in an unapproved, unlicensed and congested environment such as the Eke Modern Market, powered by an electricity generating set could be the immediate cause of the fire incidence.

Other members of the committee which has Hon. Hilary Nwaokolo as secretary, included, Hon. Sir Uche Esenwa, Sir Alfred Isoh, Hon. Andy Onyemeziem, Hon. Leonard Nkeaka, Mr. Phillip Ifechukwude representing the Ibusa community and Barrister Andy Ogbolu representing the Ibusa Think Tank Group as well as the representative of the Obuzor Palace.

Also at the event with the Executive Chairman, Hon. Louis Ndukwe, was the Vice-Chairman, Hon. Sir Uche Esenwa and other members of the Executive Council of the Local Government.

[dropcap] M[/dropcap]inister of Labour, Chris Ngige, has confirmed that the Federal Governemnt has resumed the payment of minimum wage to workers since last month. He, however stated that the government with started with juniors workers from levels 1 to 6. Ngige stated this while speaking in Enugu over the weekend.
The Minister’s claim was corroborated by the National President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) and a member of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council Mr. Lawrence Amaechi.
Ngige noted that the only issue at stake, was the executive cadre of Grades level 7 to 17, which required consequential adjustment that was still being negotiated.
“The major hurdle in the minimum wage issue has been crossed. We have crossed the rubicon and the rubicon was getting a new rate for the minimum wage. And the minimum wage is the lowest remuneration paid as compensation to a worker for his services and this is for the least paid worker in Nigeria.
“It is for those on lowest rung of the payment ladder. And in the public service, it is for the workers on Grade Level 1 Step 1. We moved it from N18, 000 as in the old Act to N30, 000. To me, that was the major crossing of the rubicon.
“When you do that, there is what is called consequential adjustment upstairs because you have by moving N18, 000 to N30, 000 crossed some salary grade levels and surpassed them.
“Therefore, you must get those people that you have crossed and passed to a higher level than N30, 000, which the lowest person now is earning. So, that is the history of the consequential adjustment.
“And when you also do that for the lower level, Grade Level 1 to Grade Level 6, the executive cadre, which starts from Grade Level 7 to 17, you must also give them a consequential movement, so that they will have a feel that their subordinates have moved up to make them, because some people now in Level 6 now move into old Level 10 salary structure by the new minimum wage adjustment.
“So, you see now that this is something you must do across board, consequentially. But, will the rates be the same? No. From Grade Level 1, anything you are doing there is consequential and must be done through negotiation or what we call in labour parlance, collective bargaining.
“And once you do collective bargaining and agree on something, it is what you call Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). So, it is the collective bargaining that is now done for consequential adjustment.
“Labour knows that, inconsequential adjustments and even in collective bargaining, there are cardinal principles guiding CBA and part of the principles guiding CBA is ability of employers to pay, because there is no need for employer going to agree on something he cannot pay and tomorrow, you are back to the negotiating table. So, that is what is there.
“Unfortunately for government, after the agreement was signed into law by the President on April 18, by May 29, the cabinet was dissolved. So, the committee of government, government side negotiation was cancelled.
“The members were the Ministers of Finance, Budget & National Planning; Labour, Head of Service of the Federation and the Secretary to Federal Government (SGF).
“Everybody, except the Head of Service, was dissolved by implications. So, permanent secretaries by implications moved in to fill the gaps. And they were the people who started negotiating with the Joint Negotiating Council of Labour, because we have what is called Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), that is a public service council.
“This is because what we are now talking about are workers in the public service, not workers in the private sector. The private sector workers are supposed to do their own negotiation with their employers. But, negotiation with government workers, because public service is government, is what is now going on and which is stalemated.
“I have told you that we exited as ministers and so, the former committee did not have the original colour as it should be. Now that the cabinet has been formed, and even with the exit of Head of Service, that government committee will be reconstituted and plans are on for it to be reconstituted next week, so that we can then engage JNC, Joint Negotiation Council of labour.
“We are not negotiating with the labour union executive simplicita because this does not concern every worker. It is workers in the public service, what you call public sector. So, there is a difference and that difference is what I want the public to know. This is one.
“The second leg is that, between Grade Level 1 Step 1 to Grade Level 6, there is a partial agreement already and the consequential adjustment has been worked out and the Federal Government has paid the August salary based on the minimum wage. August salary has been paid. That is the report the accountant-general gave us in a meeting.
“So, categorically, government has started partial implementation of minimum wage.
“They have started applying the minimum wage payment. So, they have paid in August. They are going to pay in September with arrears spanning from April 18 to workers in this band that I have told you. And as for workers from Grade Level 7 to 17, that their negotiation with the committee of permanent secretaries, representing us, has hit the rocks, we, as government are going to reconstitute the committee and engage them.
“So, they should not be issuing threat of strike because they know that government has not settled down. They know it. They have not seen my face in any of their negotiation because I have not gotten any briefing from those who were in the committee before us.
“They have to do us a handover of where they stopped in the negotiation. That is how government functions and then, we take it from there. They have not done a formal handover. We are going to reconstitute a committee next week and the old committee will do a handover.
“I can assure you that we’ll speedily negotiate with labour and the JNC. So, it is not good for them to say government is dragging their feet. They know the problem. They know government has not settled down. So, that is the situation,” Ngige said.
On his part, Amaechi added: “They have gone to commence the payment. They told us that they have started the payment and we have confirmed from our members that they were paid in August and have promised to pay the arrears in September.
“But negotiations have stalled for now and during our last meeting, we said that we were going to report to our principals, which we have done. We are waiting for directives from our members on what to do.
“But, we have started mobilising against them and hope that they will see reason and improve on what they are offering. The meeting had adjourned and there is no date yet for the next meeting.”

By : Emeji Kelechi Noble