News
FG hints at salary increase for civil servants, uncovers ‘5,000’ ghost workers
The federal government says the present administration is working towards possible salary increase for civil servants.
President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Mohammed Bello, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), said this on Thursday at the inauguration of the cultural change video and federal civil service strategy and implementation plan (FCSSIP) in Abuja.
Buhari said a committee has been set up to harmonise salaries as part of measures at improving “the value proposition of the civil service”.
“In spite of the difficult economic situation the country is passing through at the moment, you have continued to support the government in our efforts to bring dividends of democracy to the populace,” he said.
“Accordingly, it is my hope that the outcome of the committee’s work will provide the impetus for an upward review of the salaries of deserving civil servants, having recently increased the duty tour allowance (DTA) of all civil servants as a starting point.
“As this process is still going on, I want to encourage you to be patient with us as you continue to give your best services to enable us to sustain the good working relationship between the political office holders and the civil servants.
“With sustained understanding and cooperation, we will together contribute our quota to the development of our country, and our efforts will not be in vain.”
Meanwhile, Folasade Yemi-Esan, head of the civil service, says 5,000 ghost workers have been uncovered in the ministry of information.
She added that the director of human resources at the ministry of labour has been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after “1,000 fake workers” were discovered at the ministry.
According to her, the exercise has brought down the payroll to 74,000 workers from over 100,000 workers that were earning salaries illegally.
Yemi-Esan also said many of the “fake workers” were detected through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform.
“You will be surprised at the number that did not have certificates and have been earning salaries for 10 to 20 years,” she said at a meeting with journalists.
News
Reps consider raising retirement age of health workers to 65
A bill seeking to raise the retirement age of health workers has scaled the second reading at the house of representatives.
Adewale Hammed, the lawmaker representing the Agege federal constituency of Lagos state, sponsored the bill to raise the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 and from 35 to 40 years in service.
Leading the debate on the bill during the plenary on Thursday, the lawmaker argued that the law will enable experienced healthcare workers will continue to contribute their expertise to the sector until they reach the age of 65.
“Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors,” Hammed said.
“Firstly, a substantial number of health workers are migrating abroad in search of the proverbial golden fleece — a trend difficult to stop given the fundamental human rights of the individuals concerned.
“Secondly, the compulsory retirement age of 60 and the mandatory 35 years of service, as stipulated in the public service rules, are contributing to the exodus of experienced professionals.
“While we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age, which will be achieved by this bill.”
The lawmaker said the retirement age of judges, lecturers, and teachers has been raised, noting that health workers should not be left out.
Mark Esset, a lawmaker from Akwa, opposed the bill, contending that opportunities should be given to many well-trained Nigerians who are searching for jobs rather than extending the service years of those who are due for retirement.
Nwaeke Felix from Rivers also spoke against the bill, backing Esset’s argument.
However, Ahmed Jaha from Borno spoke in favour of the bill, noting that it will not stop the recruitment of new graduates.
Lawmakers voted in support of the bill when Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house, subjected it to a voice vote.
News
Realtor goes missing after being called to check property in Lagos
A 43-year-old man identified as Jimi Folarin, a realtor, has gone missing after being called by a client to inspect properties in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
According to his sister, Iremide Omowunmi, Folarin left the house at exactly 4 PM on Wednesday for the property inspection and has not answered his phone since.
She stated, “At about 4 PM, my brother called me to say that the clients he was waiting for had contacted him to come and inspect the properties. This was exactly at 4 PM.
“My brother is a real estate agent who sells land and assists people in buying land. Around 5 PM, I tried calling him to see if he had arrived, but although the phone rang, he did not pick up. I thought maybe he was busy with the clients, so I stopped calling. It wasn’t until 10 PM that I tried reaching him again, but he still didn’t respond. I then texted him on WhatsApp, but he didn’t reply either, which is unlike him.
“While I was calling him, my brother’s friend was also trying to reach him. After a while, a strange number called my brother’s friend, asking who he wanted to speak to. When my brother’s friend questioned the caller, they immediately hung up.
“This morning, I called that strange number, and the person answered. But when I asked for Folarin, my brother, they abruptly ended the call. I have reported the case to the Gbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu,” she added.
News
NSIB locates wreckage of crashed helicopter in Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says its search and recovery teams have successfully located the wreckage of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter that crash-landed in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
In a statement on Thursday, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIB’s director of public affairs and family assistance, said the wreckage was identified during recovery dives conducted on Wednesday night.
The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation and carrying eight individuals, had crash-landed off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean on October 24.
The ministry of aviation and aerospace development confirmed that three bodies were recovered, while search and rescue operations continued in a bid to locate the remaining passengers.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had said it hired the helicopter to its floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base in Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the accident on October 25, President Bola Tinubu directed military officers involved in various operations in Port Harcourt to join the search for passengers of the ill-fated aircraft.
Tinubu asked the military officers to provide the necessary support needed by the NSIB, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other relevant agencies.
In a statement yesterday, the NSIB said a fifth body was recovered from the site of the crash in Rivers, adding that the body recovered required specialised handling due to its decomposed state.
Giving updates on the search mission, Oladeji said preparations are ongoing for the helicopter’s recovery to support further investigation.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announces that the allied team and partners leading the charge for the search and recovery efforts of the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, have located its wreckage,” the statement reads.
“The wreckage was identified during last night’s recovery dives, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon. It was located at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates registered at Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E.
“Preparations are currently underway for the helicopter’s recovery to support further investigation.”
Alex Badeh, the director-general of NSIB, commended the allied team and partners leading the search and recovery efforts.
“Locating the wreckage is a critical milestone in our efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident,” Badeh said.
“The dedication and cooperation shown by all involved parties have been exceptional, and we are determined to conduct a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected.”
Badeh reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to working closely with national and international partners to carry out the recovery and investigative process, in line with its mandate to enhance transportation safety in Nigeria.
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