Tuesday 24 July 2012

EFCC names suspected oil subsidy thieves, get set to prosecute them.


   From: Wilson Uwujaren-EFCC Media & Publicity Unit
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has concluded arrangements to prosecute the first batch 20 suspects implicated in the oil subsidy fraud. The suspects, comprising six oil companies and 11 individuals, will be docked in Lagos courts.
The companies involved are: Nasaman Oil Services; Eternal Oil and Gas Plc; Ontario Oil & Gas Plc; Nadabo Energy Limited; Pacific Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited and Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited.

The 11 individuals involved in the scam are: Mamman Nasir Ali; Christian Taylor; Mahmud Tukur; Ochonogor Alex; Walter Wagbatsoma; Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele; Abubakar Ali Peters; Jude Agube Abalaka,  Abdulahi Alao and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo.
Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele is director of the accounting firm, Akintola Williams Deloitte while Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer is a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulating Agency, PPPRA.

Nasaman Oil Services; Mamman Nasir and Christian Taylor are to face charges bordering on obtaining N4, 460, 130, 797. 94 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira, Ninety Four Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria under false pretence. The sum is alleged to have been fraudulently obtained as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit from SEATAC Petroleum Limited of British Virgin Islands.
In the same vein, the anti-graft agency will equally prosecute Abdulahi Alao and Axenergy Limited for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2, 640, 141, 707.75 (Two Billion, Six Hundred and Forty Million; One Hundred and Forty One Thousand; Seven Hundred and Seven Naira, Seventy Five Kobo) being payments received from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 33.3 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Others include Mahmud Tukur,  Ochonogor Alex; Abdulahi Alao and Eternal Oil And Gas Plc who will be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 899, 238, 946. 02 (One Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Six Naira, Two Kobo) from the Petroleum support Fund for a purported importation of 80.3million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Also, Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Pacific Silver Line Limited are to be prosecuted for allegedly obtaining the sum of N1, 464, 961, 978.24 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Twenty- Four Kobo ), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 19.4million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Walter Wagbatsoma; Adaoha Ugo -Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel   Olaleye Ejidele and Ontario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited will be arraigned for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 959, 377, 542, .63 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Sixty Three Kobo) from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 39.2 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Lastly, Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo are to be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N979,653,110.20 ( Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, Twenty Eight Kobo), from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 33, 627, 84 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
The 20 suspects are among the over 140 individuals and organisations involved in the on- going investigations into the subsidy payments by the EFCC. More suspects will be arraigned periodically as the investigation progresses.
This investigation is massive and extensive; and the Commission wishes to reassure Nigerians that every effort will be made to bring all those who defrauded the country in the guise of subsidy for imported fuel to book.

 

Press Statement By the NLC We Can’t Be Financially Inducedb

      July 24, 2012
                              
Our attention have been drawn to a  thoughtless statement credited to the Publicity Secretary of the Ondo State Branch of the Peoples Democratic Party alleging that Labour leaders and other prominent Nigerians  have been financially induced  by the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who is seeking re-election as governor of the state on the platform of Labour Party in the forthcoming governorship election in the state to attend his declaration events.
We are  surprised that such reckless statements can be made by an official of a political party that wields the realm of power not only at the federal  level, but overwhelmingly dominates power at other tiers  of government.  Are we to believe that the PDP has succeeded thus far through financial inducement and not principles  to gain such tremendous power in our political landscape? A party that  does not believe in the acknowledgement of performance and people-oriented programmes?       
For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Nigeria Labour Congress nor its officials will ever consider monetary benefits in the choice of who to support in our collective quest for good governance.
It is an obviously confused,  crass opportunist that will conclude that we would need to be financially induced before we openly endorse and and give support to the candidate of a party we are well known to have associated with from inception.
We supported Dr. Mimiko during his campaigns for his first term in office; we have been supporting him in the course of his ongoing first term, and we have no reasons, given his remarkable  performance so far, not to campaign for him to be re-elected.
Our support for any candidate is based on certain principles, and performance and background is very high on the list. In this particular case, Dr. Mimiko is of a political party nurtured, and sustained by Nigerian workers. It will therefore be surprising that anyone in his right senses will assume we have to be financially induced to endorse  our own candidate.
No political party should assume everyone is for sale. If anyone or organization is, we are certainly not.
We vigorously campaigned for our immediate past president, who has been re-elected Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole because it was our collective decision that he runs for that office in the first instance aside from the fact that he has proven beyond doubt  that he is well focused on running a people-driven government that has translated into massive development of the  State.
We will continue to give the same support to  Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who in less than four years has also transformed Ondo State beyond what other parties could do in eight years of maladministration.
We are not politicians, but we know who can fulfill our collective desire for good governance and accountability, and we are ready to support the candidate without descending to the pedestrian considerations of bereft and largely inept politicians such as the Publicity Secretary of the Ondo State branch of the PDP.
We will never be blackmailed out of this desire.
Nigerians know which party should be held responsible for turning them into commodities that can be purchased at will for political brigandage. Nigerians also know which persons or organisations are purchasable. We are certainly not one.

Abdulwahed Omar
President


Monday 23 July 2012

Address Delivered by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulwahed Ibrahim Omar at the Opening Ceremony of the Nigeria Labour Congress 2012 Rain School held at Workers Solidarity Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom on 23rd July, 2012




Protocols

I sincerely wish to welcome you all to the Nigeria Labour Congress 2012 Rain School. I welcome His Excellency Mr. Godswill Akpabio the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and members of the State Executive Council here present and other members of the Governor’s entourage to this opening session.

I am quite delighted that our international guests have kept to the commitment of solidarity with us by identifying with our programmes  with their presence here. I commend them for leaving their other engagements and home countries to be with us.

For me, it is once again a privilege to be here with you at this year's 2012 Rain School, the 20th in the series of NLC National Schools, with the theme; Labour, Popular Power and the Quest for a New Nigeria.

The 2012 Rain School theme is apt given the current challenges that threaten the unity of the nation. Today, rather than integrating into a cohesive community with a common sense of national identity and destiny, citizens of Nigeria are returning more to primordial affiliations for identity, loyalty and security. Instead of forging a united front and presenting a concerted effort to face the challenges of development in an increasingly competitive and globalized world, Nigerians are busy waging ethnic and religious wars, struggling for the control of resources, struggling for the control of religious territories. While the ruling class engrosses itself with obsessed struggle for primitive accumulation, the masses struggle with doses of poverty, deprivation and frustration, as well as  diverse problems of basic survival such as food, housing, water, sanitation and security.

The 2012 Rain School is aimed at providing training for the participants who are from the affiliate unions and state councils of the NLC so that they can be equipped and prepared with the necessary skills and knowledge that would empower them to be more productive in order to contribute to building a stronger economy that is capable of improving the standards of living and alleviate the poverty situation in Nigeria. The School is also focused to equip them in organising for better improvement in working conditions and to face the challenges of  national unity posed by recurring violence in the country.

It is the belief of the Congress that members of affiliates should be exposed to thorough intellectual training through education programmes and forums like the Rain School so that they can be emotionally and intellectually prepared to enable them face the challenges of building a strong economy. Conscious of the fact that no nation grows without first growing knowledge of the citizens, the NLC is making deliberate effort in making education of its members a cardinal priority and a cornerstone of its policies towards building a strong human resource base that can defend its members and also contribute immensely to building a vibrant economy for the nation where everybody can benefit.

In addition to forums like the Rain School, Congress also has another National School called Harmattan School, which holds in the northern part of the country in the month of November every year. The School provides similar training like Rain School. Congress equally runs State Level Schools which hold in the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory for ten weeks every year since its commencement in 2005. The State Level School mainly provides training for trade union leaders and union activists at the state levels. The modules of the State Level School are designed in such a way as to prepare the activists and trade union leaders at the State level with skills and knowledge in order to prepare them to face the challenges of defending their members and also to contribute to the development of their States. The Congress will not relent, but continue to carry out those programmes and training that impact positively on the working class and the society, in general.

The NLC condemns in very strong terms the continuous bombings and killings in the nation, most especially, the recent massacre that took place in Plateau State. The Congress calls on those in government and the security agencies to rise up to the occasion by defending the lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners alike. These incessant violence and general insecurity, which are engendering fear and restlessness in the citizenry is taking  a negative dimension  and is inimical to growth and development, as no nation can grow in a chaotic and anarchical  situation.

As part of its contribution to the process of peace building, the Congress intends to organise a Peace Conference sometimes in September, 2012. The Conference will create a platform for stakeholders to come together face to face and take head on the issue of the nation's security and possibly come out with suggestion that can endear lasting solutions that can bring back smiles on the faces of our dear people of Nigeria.
We recall that in the past, the Congress had held a similar conference on the Niger-Delta militancy and today the insurgency has reduced and amnesty has been granted and there is relative peace in the region. We urge all progressive organisations to add voice for the need for peace and stability in the country.
At this Rain School, we shall have the opportunity to take a hard look at the January mass protests and general strike against deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry which translated into unprecedented   increase in the price of fuel, particularly Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Throughout the eight-day strike, the gallant and unrelenting forces of the working people led by the labour movement and mass organisations rose up as one and galvanised the Nigerian people into action to check the excessiveness of a reckless and corrupt ruling class.

The outcome of that historic protest is there for all to see. There have been mindboggling revelations of theft, fraud and rapacious greed.  Thus, Congress is uncomfortable and worried at the way and manner the Federal Government is handling the report of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee that probed the Petroleum Subsidy regime, which was an attempt to sanities the oil sector. Despite the ongoing drama between the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Mr. Femi Oteloda, we reiterate our call  on the Federal Government to expedite action on the implementation of the report and  reports of other committees set up on the oil subsidy rip-off  in order to bring those found guilty  to justice.

We look with optimism the appointment of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria ( CJN), Justice Aloma Muktar. Her antecedents in the Judiciary gives us hope for a better, and improved people-driven Judicial system. With a background of fearlessness and incorruptibility, we hope the new Chief Justice will be capable of conducting credible reforms in the Judicial arm of government to the yearnings and aspiration of the Nigerian people who have been clamouring and advocating for reforms that will ensure justice and fairness to all as well as positively impact on our collective desire for a corrupt-free society.

We commend President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for appointing Justice Muktar, the first woman CJN in the history of our country. This remarkable gesture has demonstrated Mr. President's commitment to the delivery of quality governance and merit-driven justice system. 

Another issue of importance and of critical concern to the working class in Nigeria is the issue of the implementation of the new National minimum wage. We must particularly commend His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Godwin Akpabio for keeping faith with the minimum wage implementation.

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is worthy to mention at this platform that a significant high point was made in the annals of the country's history. On Saturday July 14, 2012, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the immediate past President of the NLC, despite all odds, trounced his opponents by a landslide victory to be returned elected as the Governor of Edo State. Comrade Oshiomhole did not only win the overall vote cast, but overwhelmingly won in all the Local Government Areas in Edo State.

For all those who followed the trauma and tragic events during the campaign, the victory resulted from the resoluteness of the Comrade Governor, workers and other patriotic Nigerians, as well as the determination of the good people of Edo State to ensure he continued in office as Governor. This victory is not only a triumph for the people of Edo State, but a demonstration of working peoples power, and a significant milestone for democracy in our country. A true testimony to performance, dynamism, truth and justice in governance.  

For this victory, let us commend the security agencies for not interfering in the process, but ensuring protection of lives and property of the people for them to freely express themselves at the polls.

Of course this victory will not be complete if we do not acknowledge the significant role played by President Jonathan. He did not only keep to his word of guaranteeing a free and fair election, but added voice to the "One man, One Vote" campaign slogan of Comrade Oshiomhole.
Mr. President was also among the first to congratulate Comrade Oshiomhole, a few hours after declaration of the results against the grain of his party candidate who lost at the election. This singular remarkable demonstration of statesmanship, deserves commendation.      

At the international level, the NLC is worried by the turn of events in Mali and the persistent  conflict between Sudan and Southern Sudan,  and if urgent steps are not taken by the international community to put in place measures that would curtail these crises and the proliferation of arms , a new threat is hanging on the entire continent of Africa, which is already reeling from extremist violence and organized crimes. We urge the international community to hasten and  come to the aid of Malians with sustainable support  that would bring lasting peace and democracy in that country.

Finally, I wish to sincerely thank the affiliate unions of the NLC, invited guests and our international sister labour organizations and their institutions for solidarising with us by attending our programmes. I also want to commend the National Secretariat of the NLC, and in particular, the Education Department for the efforts put into making sure that, the 2012 Rain School is a success.

Our commendation also goes to our team of Facilitators drawn from the affiliate unions for their commitment and efforts in making sure that the educational activities of Congress are sustained, improved upon and implemented.

To the Government and people of Akwa-Ibom State, we express our appreciation for playing host to the fourth Rain School to be hosted in the state, and we look forward to your continued support.

Finally, we wish to express our profound appreciation to our Partners, the Canadian Labour Congress, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, TrustFund Pensions PLC, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies and the  American Centre for International Labour Solidarity, for their support and solidarity in sustaining the School. We highly appreciate your continued partnership.


Thank you for your attention.




















































NLC LETTER OF COMMENDATION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICE ALOMA MUKTAR


NLC/NS/FGN/JAM/2.2012                              19th July, 2012                                                                                                 

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Presidential Villa,
Abuja

My Dear President Sir,

COMMENDATION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICE ALOMA MUKTAR

On behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC, I write to congratulate you on the appointment of Justice Aloma Muktar as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

 With this appointment, Mr. President has demonstrated yet another commitment to the delivery of quality governance and merit driven decisions which is exemplified in this particular appointment.

With a background of fearlessness, and incorruptibility we are convinced that Justice Muktar is capable of conducting credible reforms in the judicial arm of government to the satisfaction of majority of Nigerians who have been advocating for reforms that will ensure justice and fairness to all as well as positively impact on our collective desire for a corruption free society.

We believe Mr. President  that a sound and dependable judiciary is critical to the sustenance of democracy, and a judicial officer of Justice Muktar’s standing is what we desire for our country to deepen democratic governance where all citizens will be considered equal before the law.

Mr. President, for us we have confidence in the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Muktar, whose past gives us hope for a better, people driven judicial system.

Once again, on behalf of Nigerian workers we commend you for this historic appointment, being the first Nigerian President to appoint a female judge as CJN. This has justified our longstanding commitment to the struggle for gender balancing at all levels in our country.

We are prepared to partner with the new Chief Justice in the quest to reposition the Judiciary for justice and fairness in the sustenance of democracy in the interest of the nation.

Please, accept the renewed assurances of the consideration of our highest esteem.

Yours faithfully,


Abdulwahed Ibrahim Omar
President

Friday 20 July 2012

NLC's Press Statement on Deployment of Armed Soldiers to PHCN facilities In Nigeria


19 July 2012

PRESS STATEMENT
WITHDRAW SOLDIERS, AND RESUME DIALOGUE

On going negotiations between the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Federal Government on a number of labour issues have broken down with the  government  drafting armed soldiers to take over the facilities of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria  (PHCN).

Rather than resort to high handed methods, we believe that there is still room for further dialogue to break the logjam. More so when the Chief Negotiator, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, the pioneer President of the NLC and the Secretary of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity ( OATUU) is yet to submit  his report to government.

We note that the current stalemate, among other issues, has been engendered by disagreement over pension and gratuity. While the union had demanded for 25 percent, which hitherto had been deducted from workers salary for pension and gratuity, the government had insisted on paying 25 percent up till 2004, and 15 per cent from 2005 to date.

The union had further argued that pension and gratuity is part of the condition of service of all PHCN workers and their employers have been deducting the 25 per cent to date. That the Pension Act, which government is hinging the payment of 15 per cent  ostensibly on when the Act came into being was not tenable.

We note that no where in the Pension Act was gratuity abrogated, particularly when this is part of the condition of service of employees. Of much concern is that the workers are being denied this benefit when they have collectively contributed to it over the years.  It is expected that total deductions of workers should be paid to them.

It is instructive that negotiations between the union and government had dragged on for so long due to the inability to agree on basic issues in line with the condition of service of employment.

This resort to strong arm tactics in an industrial relations dispute is condemnable, as it might escalate the crisis in the power sector.

We call on government to withdraw soldiers from PHCN facilities, and resume meaningful dialogue with the union with a view to resolving the  stalemate. Both parties are urged to avoid unfair labour practices to allow negotiations to hold sway.

Also, the Chief Negotiator has not submitted his team’s report for implementation, which implies possibility of further dialogue with the workers.

Abdulwahed Omar
President

Monday 16 July 2012

THE FULL RESULT OF THE EDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION


ADAMS ALIYU OSHIOMHOLE DECLARED WINNER BY INEC



S/N
CANDIDATE
PARTY
VOTES
1
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN);
477,478
2
Solomon Edebiri JP (MON),
All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP);
3,642
3
Izevbuwa Roland
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC);
2,793
4
Andrew A. Igwemoh,
Labour Party (LP);
604
5
Mr. Paul Orumwense,
National Conscience Party (NCP);
540
6
Charles E. Airhiarvbere, Maj. Gen. (rtd),
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP);
144,244
7
Prince Frank Ukonga,
Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP).
807

THE FULL RESULT OF THE EDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION


ADAMS ALIYU OSHIOMHOLE DECLARED WINNER BY INEC



S/N
CANDIDATE
PARTY
VOTES
1
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN);
477,478
2
Solomon Edebiri JP (MON),
All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP);
3,642
3
Izevbuwa Roland
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC);
2,793
4
Andrew A. Igwemoh,
Labour Party (LP);
604
5
Mr. Paul Orumwense,
National Conscience Party (NCP);
540
6
Charles E. Airhiarvbere, Maj. Gen. (rtd),
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP);
144,244
7
Prince Frank Ukonga,
Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP).
807

THE FULL RESULT OF THE EDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION


ADAMS ALIYU OSHIOMHOLE DECLARED WINNER BY INEC



S/N
CANDIDATE
PARTY
VOTES
1
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN);
477,478
2
Solomon Edebiri JP (MON),
All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP);
3,642
3
Izevbuwa Roland
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC);
2,793
4
Andrew A. Igwemoh,
Labour Party (LP);
604
5
Mr. Paul Orumwense,
National Conscience Party (NCP);
540
6
Charles E. Airhiarvbere, Maj. Gen. (rtd),
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP);
144,244
7
Prince Frank Ukonga,
Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP).
807