Northeast
Palliative: Zulum gives NLC N2 billion soft loan to Borno workers
Palliative: Zulum gives NLC N2 billion soft loan to Borno workers
… Raises gratuity pay to N2.4 billion annually, allocates 30 buses for easy transportation
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Tuesday presented a cheque of N2 billion to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Borno State to disburse to eligible workers in the state as interest-free loans with a repayment period of 24 months to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The presentation took place after a meeting between the governor and officials of the NLC led by the labour chairman in the state, Comrade Yusuf Inuwa.
At the meeting which took place at the council chambers of the Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum asked the NLC to complete talks with state’s ministry of finance to determine the category of workers to be entitled to the loans as well as the loan recovery through monthly deductions of not more than one third of salaries.
The governor also announced 100% increase in monthly releases for payment of gratuities backlog.
The payment was increased from N100 million monthly which equals N1.2 billion annually to N200 million monthly which will amount to N2.4 billion.
The gratuities are lump sums paid workers who retired from service, even as they become entitled to monthly pensions.
For many years, retired workers in Borno State are owed gratuities for which Governor Zulum has released about N20 billion to drastically reduce the backlog even though more workers retire every year, making more of them to be owed gratuities.
Although many are owed gratuities, Zulum
has since introduced a policy of automatic migration of retired workers from salaries to pensions. Before the policy, it took retired workers months to complete documentation before getting monthly pension while they wait for gratuities which takes longer waiting time.
Also as part of outcome from his meeting with the NLC, Zulum lannounced the allocation of 30 buses to be dedicated to conveying workers in the metropolis at subsidized fares.
READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/national-chairmanship-why-apc-needs-modu-sheriff-at-the-helm-of-affairs/
The buses are to be managed by the Borno Express Transport Corporation but to be deployed at pick up points along major routes to move workers to the Musa Usman secretariat in the morning and return them by evening from the secretariat to where they were picked up in the morning.
The governor Zulum has also directed the state’s ministry of finance to clear backlogs of promotional benefits owed workers whose names where omitted during earlier payments.
The workers were those still being owed 2016, 2017 and 2018 promotional benefits after their names where omitted during payments approved by Governor Zulum in 2019.
Zulum directed that workers owed 2019 and 2020 promotional benefits should all be paid while those owed from 2021 to date are to be paid based on outcome of a recent promotional exam which they participated in.
The NLC Chairman in Borno State, Comrade Yusuf Inuwa had tabled some demands, top of which the governor approved.
He revealed that the NLC demanded loans for workers who may want to go into agriculture and other businesses or acquire some assets.
He also said the NLC demanded allocation of buses and clearing of promotional benefits.
Inuwa also said labour demanded increase in the monthly allocation for payment of pensions.
The NLC chairman thanked Governor Zulum for meeting top of their demands, hoping that labour will continue engaging the government for more demands to be addressed for the welfare of workers at the state and local government levels
Palliative: Zulum gives NLC N2 billion soft loan to Borno workers
Damaturu Flyover: Governor Buni expresses satisfaction with work
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN of Yobe State, has expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of work on the Damaturu Flyover and Underpass and Damaturu-Gambir road projects, adding that the contractors have so far lived up to expectations with strict adherence to the contractual agreements.
He revealed that “when the projects are completed, this would greatly check the problem of congestion here at the city center as well as the menace of flooding into houses along Gashua Road.”
Governor Buni started this when he paid an inspection visit to the Damaturu Flyover and Underpass and the Damaturu-Gambir road projects under construction.
The state commissioner for works, Engr. Umar Wakil Duddaye, who conducted the governor round the project, told the governor that the site engineers from the ministry have been on every stage of development on the project to ensure compliance and for the government to have value for its money.
The contractors further assured the governor that the project would be completed within the stipulated time frame.
On the Damaturu–Gambir road, the governor said the road has great economic value, as it would ease transportation of agricultural products from the benefitting communities to Damaturu, the state capital.
According to him, this road would provide a solution to the age-long difficulty faced by the community, and he is also glad the contractor has completed the earthworkand commenced the overlay.
Engr. Modu Bukar of Elegance Construction Contractors, handling the project, assured the governor that the project would be completed in the next nine weeks.
The governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana; the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Umar Wakil Duddaye; and the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Mohammed Abacha.
Others include the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Mallam Wali mni; the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Executive Director of Finance and Admin, Dr. Garba Iliya; Special Advisers on Special Duties and Religious Affairs; and other top government officials.
Damaturu Flyover: Governor Buni expresses satisfaction with work
Allied health professionals protest exclusion from CONHESS in Borno state
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The National Union of Allied Health Professionals, Borno State Chapter, has protested the exclusion of its members from the 100% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) implementation in Borno State.
The protest is coming despite the Nigerian Medical Association’s (NMA) commendation of the government of Governor Babagana Zulum for implementing the new salary structure.
The union notes that professionals like physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists were unfairly left out of the current arrangement calling for a correction of the omission.
In a statement issued recently, by Kaka Mele who is the secretary of the association, the union urged the state government to address this oversight to ensure equitable treatment and enhanced healthcare delivery.
The union appreciated the government’s efforts to improve healthcare but emphasized the crucial role allied health professionals play in the synergy within the healthcare system.
Recently, the NMA commended Governor Babagana Zulum for implementing the upgraded CONHESS salary structure for health workers in the state, stating that it would motivate the workforce and boost morale of the team.
However, the exclusion of allied health professionals has raised concerns about the alleged inclusivity of the policy.
As the state government considers the union’s request, it remains to be seen how this will impact the entire health sector in Borno State.
The union’s plea highlights the need for inclusive policies that recognizes the contributions of all healthcare workers.
Allied health professionals protest exclusion from CONHESS in Borno state
Troops intercept smuggled fuel, fertilizer in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have intercepted 21 jerricans of smuggled fuel and large consignments of urea fertilizer in Adamawa State.
Sources said that the seizure, made in the Mubi axis between Sept. 19 and 25, dealt a major blow to terrorist logistics and improvised explosive device (IED) production networks.
According to sources, the items were destined for insurgents operating in parts of Borno and Adamawa.
The military authorities assured that troops would sustain operations to disrupt terror supply chains in the region.
Troops intercept smuggled fuel, fertilizer in Adamawa
Troops, repel Boko Haram attack, launch operation to rescue kidnapped victims in Konduga
Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Gamboru Ngala, kill one terrorist
Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
