A SPEECH TO COMMEMORATION THE WORKERS DAY EVENT AT EAGLES SQUARE ABUJA ON THE IST OF MAY 2017: DR. CHRIS NGIGE THE MINISTER OF LABOR IN NIGERIA BEING THE RESPONDENT TO THE ISSUES OF THE EVENT

To respond to some of the Issue in the Eagle square on Monday 1^ST MAY 2017 during commemoration of WORKERS DAY is the minister of labor and employment DR. CHRIS NGIGE and A CORRESPONDENT (Who poses the question):

CORRESPONDENT: How would you describe the incident between the government and the Labor Union in the Eagle Square?

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: We can see it as way of demonstrating that the workers are not happy over their welfare, though it was mild issue because it is something one can get from the labor Union which is common. Government is trying their best but whenever one is doing something according to rules; the other party might say that you are not fast. This is why when things involve many partners; we have to really take it courteously. And this is best level federal government I have seen, I worked as a civil servant in the federal ministry of Health for eighteen years and I have been a state governor and had managed workers, I have also been a legislator.

CORRESPONDENT: Now, when many parties are involved what happens?

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: This is where one treads very courteously and make sure as to International Labor Organization (ILO) convention which is the gathering convention for all works both for employer and employee. So you have to carry everyone along.

CORRESPONDENT: one of the things about the workers was that there was adequate representation of government in terms of such magnitude of the identity of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria present there with His Vice president?

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: But that is not the major Issue, we have representation of government from number three man in the country. The Senate president was there, number four man in the country in person of the Speaker house of representative was there and I am the minister of the Federal Republic representing Mr. President. If for other reasons could be clone, the president and vice president were not there, and the Senate President and Speaker are there. Also at three ministers were there and the head of Civil service was there.

CORRESPONDENT: But the workers were waiting for an announcement said we got an increase in salaries?

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: But I am telling you that this is what we call tripartite negotiation; the issue of minimum wage which is the centre of the matter, and as a result we must do this tripartite negotiation because the issue of minimum wage is in Nigerian constitution which is found in the exclusive legislative list. (Second schedule of the constitution Item 34), issues of Labor matters and issues of the minimum wage of the federation or any part thereof; so this law is a national law and will bind the federal government, the state and local government, not only will it involve only government because government has one leg of tripartite; it also involve the employers represented by the Nigerian Employers Constitution Assembly (NECA) and that is the recognized employers Association for Nigeria; it also involves federation of Labor Unions because Nigeria is a federation. In Nigeria, we are Federation and Federation we recognized in Nigeria today is Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), but it will not make for International Labor Organization ILOs that are not even affiliated Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) and should not be involved in this negotiation. And if you still go to employers, you will involve the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria as well as NASINA and small and medium enterprises scales owners of Nigeria. So these are people that are being captured in these big net, before you can now do the tripartite plus, because you are not doing it to the three partners rather it is now tripartite plus; other people are now involved and you also are involved because you are an employer example when I come to your house now I will see a house maid in your house.

CORRESPONDENT: But there should not be nonchalant attitudes towards government implementation

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: No, we have finished the technical frame work and I have now done this composition which I am telling you, and what government is now doing is at the last laugh of putting things like square pegs in a square hole; we want to bring in people who know about labor administration, about work, about finance, about monument.

CORRESPONDENT: How do you see the delight of the day?

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: No, they know we held a meeting last week with them and we now finish this composition, so we are transiting to government. Government will now do the announcement, the pick of the requisite persons; government experience must be there and pick on that person.

CORRESPONDENT: Are we looking as at two weeks, three weeks, and one month so that we hear about it?

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: I will not give you a time frame because it is not an executive council; it is from the Federal Executive council that the announcement will now be made and the people who are going to complete the procedure will start work. And do not forget that it is in legislation that we have what we call in a labor parlance “A Collective Bargaining Agreement” (CBA), where everybody must agree that we are going to pay this, the state governors will be represented because they are the states. The NASINA and others will be represented because they are now going to pay and the people will pay. Everybody will now start the negotiation and finish the crystallization as we send it to National Assembly. Then, the national assembly will now enact it into as a bill, and they will debate it even before public hearing and from there it comes back to begin assent. The national Minimum wage is a National Law, it is not a federal government Law as well as not a law that binds only the federal government. If it is a law that binds only federal government, we have no problem, we would have gone ahead.

CORRESPONDENT: Nigerians had been mourning and groaning about the hardship that is experienced in the country especially with the increase in the pump price of fuel; they had expected government to immediately take drastic measures to increase salaries of workers because of the astronomical increase in the prices of commodities, what will you tell them?

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: This is a government that came and just went into recession because of economic pillages and looting that happened in the past. I tell you the workers are protesting about non pay of promotion, salaries, arrears, retirement benefits, death benefits, relocation allowances, and this our relocation allowances they had not been paid since 2008; in the last nine years, out of the cumulative amount that being talked about today which runs into Billions about 63 Billion and our own government can only knowing about 15% of it. The other remaining percentage were accumulated by the previous administrative government and government is a continue process. And that is why also government had put in place the bailout fund, so that workers can be happy. As government bailout from one, two, three etc until we are done and that is why we will like you to participate on the fund and that also we did not retrench any worker, we did not cut or shade any weight. If government had labor issues the first thing they will do is to shade weight, do retrenchment and there is a provision for that in the Labor Law according to Constitution of the federation as they do what is called redundancy. But the government did not do all these, I think they are very friendly government and let the workers relax and were thinking for them as well as taking care for them. They form a large cross A vocal-vocal group in the country and they were taken care of because any money that flows into the hand of a worker goes into the hand of so many people like children school fees, food, Driver’s salary etc. so we have multiplied effect.

CORRESPONDENT: Thank so much DR. CHRIS NGIGE for participating on this workers day commemoration event

DR. CHRIS NGIGE: Thank you my Dear.

NEWS REPORTER: ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

CONTACT: +2348186388641

THE COMMEMORATION OF WORKERS DAY IN ENUGU STATE NIGERIA

The Chairman Trade Union Council in Enugu State council COMRADE CHUKWUMA IGBOKWE said public and civil servant across the country will not relent upon their demand for salary increase, especially now that the citizens are going through hardship. COMRADE CHUKWUMA IGBOKWE stated this in Enugu on occasion of international workers day.

According to the news correspondent on this incident said that the International workers day also known as May Day or Labor Day was designated to laborers or working class personnel who had contributed immensely to National development. The date MAY 1^ST was chosen by the second international Pam National Organization of the Socialist and Communist Political parties to commemorate the ill national Massacre in CHICAGO as Nigeria joined the Global communities to commemorate the day; what is the fate of Nigerian workers after much agitation for improved remuneration and welfare packages. The Chairman Trade Union Congress of Nigeria Enugu Council COMRADE CHUKWUMA IGBOKWE noted that before the recession, Civil servant had been agitating increased salary structure to enable Nigeria worker to maintain accountable and secured future. According to COMRADE CHUKWUMA IGBOKWE who said recession or no recession government are buying more expensive vehicle for their offices. And he had not seen any governor cutting down on number of his entourage. He also added that workers should not be slaughtered every time on the altar of economic hardship. He said that workers in this country deserve better remuneration to the fact that the most vital factor of production is labor.

COMRADE CHUKWUMA IGBOKWE while highlighting the relevant of this year’s theme: “FIGHTING INEQUALITY”, on the focus of workers right described government action towards the plight of workers as a nonchalant attitude capable of reducing efficiency and productivity in the civil service. According to Him, he also said that workers are not well remunerated in comparison to wages of the politicians. For instance, the minister in a ministry can be about 10 or 15 senior staff and other allowances; that show very high level of Inequality as he said.

Also the Chairman Nigeria Labor Congress Enugu State Council COMRADE VIRGINUS NWOBODO observed that the workers who are the Pillars of every government had been relegated to the background. According to Council COMRADE VIRGINUS NWOBODO he said that the workers are not actually been given attention in this country. He added that when agreements for workers are being signed, some workers will begin to play part in delay in implementation and in this way the workers are being discouraged.

Across section of Nigerian civil servants expressed their expectation, according to one of them who said that they need government to look into their affairs and she said workers had to be looked at in this country because everybody owns this country and it is not meant for the politicians alone. While another expressed his view by saying for one to say he is being paid a minimum wage of N18,000.00, how much is a bag of a rice? How much is NEPA Bill? And he said that they are begging government to be humane enough towards Civil servant remuneration. As Nigerian celebrate today, it is the views of the respondent assert workers as partners in progress.

NEWS REPORTER: ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

CONTACT: +2348186388641

THE DISTRIBUTION OF 200 RICE MILLING MACHINES TO STATES OF NIGERIA FEDERATION

The Federal Government is to distribute 200 Rice milling machine to farmers across the country, according to the News correspondent who said that: The National Council on Agriculture, the Highest Decision making Body responsible for the formulation of policies at developing the Agric sector. The minister for Agriculture and rural development SHIBA GBOKWI who practically proved to the gathering that farmers will this year benefit from policies and programs in the Agricultural sector; he said that one of the policies was the distribution of the Rice Milling Machine and other Agricultural Equipment to Farmers. According to the SHIBA GBOKWI who said that there were about three hundred equipment to distribute; every state will receive some , he said that some will receive Rice Milling Machine while others  insecticides at 63%.

SHIBA GBOKWI could identified lack of access to credit facilities as one of the major problems facing farmers and gave assurance that modalities are being put in place to address the problem. According Him, he said that the Bank of Agric is not being reviewed; in view to be able to lend money to farmers under military as the law wants to do it.

Also the Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture CHIEF CHUDO ORJI, gave an illustration on the way Nigerians can embrace farming; according to CHIEF CHUDO ORJI who said weather one of the governor of Abia State exist , there is higher man still  there; the minister can tell local farmer throw away out my office and when I asked Him Chief “How do you feel about farming?” he said, you may know me very well, I am not a graduate, but I have been a local farmer all along and   through local farming all my children are graduates, I feed myself comfortable; I have three upstairs in Umuahaia and I have one very close to Michael Okpara University of Agric, Abia State. Through Local farming I have a Sapphire Chiefs and this is a testimony of a migrant celebrity.

For the governor of River State ISOM GBUKE and OGBU AND TAKE to take agriculture to a greater height, according to the governor who said that as of yesterday Nigerians operated on Nigerian Economy and things were a lot better and it could mean what they ate and earn foreign exchange for exporting various cash crops as oil farm, cocoa, Rubber, Timber, Cotton and Groundnut that all might change well figuring of the most staying of the economy with Agriculture and Mining we also relocated the background of our economy.

The minister of state for Agriculture and Rural Development SENATOR HENEIKENE IKPOBE told the Delegates that the federal government will judiciously implement green of the panicking policy designed for 2016 to 2020 to guarantee security.

NEWS REPORTER: ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

CONTACT: +2348186388641

1ST MAY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The new office on Drugs and Crimes UNADC says stakeholders in justice sectorin Nigeria should work together to tackle corruption, terrorism and other forms of crimes in the country. The country representative of the UNADC MISS CHRISTIANA ABETTING stated this at the end of the three days network meeting of the justice Sector Reform Team conference in Kaduna Nigeria. She commended government effort and the National Assembly for passing the Administration of Comrade Justice Acts (ACJA) in to Law. MISS ABETTING said that the law will help in tackling most of the challenges that the law lead to delay in justice delivery in the country.

In addition is the distribution of about two hundred rice milling machine to all state of the federation has commenced this week; also the federal government of Nigeria has also began process to ensure that farmers have access loans as a single digit interest rate; these was one of the issues highlighted at the 42^nd National Council on Agriculture held in Port Harcourt River State Nigeria.

The United State had demands additional FORTY MILLION US DOLLARS ($40,000,000.00) to support the people of North – East Nigeria where the years of insurgency had created dial humanitarian crises. A statement from the United State Embassy indicates that the main funding will support the United Nation World Food program in Nigeria which is providing critical for system in nutrition support. A state of existence will also help the communities return to their Agricultural livelihoods. According to the statement the additional funding brought its 20 humanitarian’s contribution in Nigeria to more than TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS since October 2015. It adds that united state remains committed to work with the government of Nigeria and other journals to provide humanitarian assistant in order to avoid famine and support valuable communities

Also The Nigerian Defense Headquarter had given assurance that no insurgent of the Insurgency in the North –East of Nigeria; that in spites the attacks and suicide bombers in the area. The director of Defense and Information MAJOR GENERAL JOHNNY MECHE stated this in Abuja at the monthly update of the security situation nationwide. MAJOR GENERAL JOHNNY MECHE said that the military particularly the Nigerian Army had been strategized to do with bruise attacks; he also noted that some of the terrorist were willing to give up themselves for bound that the dial hard amongst them will soon meet up with its waterloo. MAJOR GENERAL JOHNNY MECHE also said under rural of mines from the North – East, the United Nation had indicated interest to assist the country of a call from the Chief of the Army Staff LIEUTENANT GENERAL TUKUR BRUTAI for assistant.

The presidential committee in the North – East initiative: PC and I is to partner Nigerian Army Engineers in AFRICA DEVELOPMENT BANK to compute the abandoned Chibok School in the Boronu State. To this end, ONE HUNDRED MILLION US DOLLARS had already been committed by the AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB). The Vice Chairman of the PC and I ALHJI TIJANI TIMSA made this known at a Chibok stakeholder’s representative forum in Maidugri Nigeria. ALHJI TIMSA explained that the reasons for the meeting seventy –four are to share ideas between the government and the Chibok leaders to prioritize areas survey intervention. The state commissioner for reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation PROFESSOR BABAGANA ZOLU, also briefed the meeting on the efforts of the state government which will benefit the Chibok community and empowered unemployed women and youths. A participant called on the government of all levels to hasting the completion of the Chibok Mbalala Federal Roads and Fibo Roads in the fifteen villages around the Chibok headquarters.

NEWS REPORTER: ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

CONTACT: +2348186388641