Occupational, Health Safety Bill Ready for Presidential Assent

Senate President, Senator David Mark

By Dele Ogbodo

The Senate President, Senator David Mark, Thursday assured Nigerians on the passage of the bill on Occupational Safety and Health.

Mark said the senate thoroughly debated the report which sought some amendments to the Act establishing it.

Speaking after the bill was unanimously passed into law, Mark said since the lower legislative chamber had equally passed the bill,  a conference committee would soon be inaugurated to harmonise the bill after which it would be sent for the  President’s  assent.

While presenting the  report of the Joint Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Health Establishment and Public Service,  Senator Chris Anyanwu, representing Imo East Senatorial District, also sought to make comprehensive provisions for securing the safety, health and welfare of persons at work and also to protect persons against risks to safety.

She also sought for the establishment of a national council for occupational safety to repeal and re-enact the Factory Act 2004.

The bill states: “That any employer who fails to ensure safety and health of all employees at workplace commits an and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or to a fine of not less than N500,000 or both imprisonment and fine in the case of an individual and a fine of less than N2 million for both body corporate.

“And in addition each director, manager or officer of the body corporate shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not less than one year or to a fine of not less than N500,000.”

It added:  “An employer shall after being notified by a female employee that she is pregnant, adopt the working conditions of the female employee in such manner as to prevent occupational exposure to ensure that the embryo or the foetus is afforded the same broad level of protection as required for members of the public and the employer shall not consider the notification of pregnancy as a reason to exclude the female employee from work.”

This Day

“There are a lot of opportunities for new investors in Nigeria” – President Jonathan

In an attempt to woo Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, President Goodluck Jonathan, in the midst of a group of foreign investors, claimed that his administration is tackling the dearth of infrastructure and the dire security challenges in the country.
Speaking at a dinner organised in his honour in New York, by the Corporate Council on Africa, and attended by the United States Assistant Secretary of State, Johnnie Carson, the president tried to douse the fears of investing in Nigeria.
He told the guests at the dinner that safety nets have been established to protect all foreign investors in Nigeria.
Such measures, he said, include the establishment and strengthening of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, and the Bureau of Public Procurement.
“We have some security challenges now, but let me assure you that the Nigerian Government is on top of it. We are dealing with the issue decisively; it will soon be a thing of the past,” the president said, in an attempt to gain the investors’ confidence.
“Opportunities abound for would-be investors with capital and technical know-how in key areas of Nigeria’s economy with a high rate of return on investment. I invite our friends in the United States to take advantage of existing incentives and invest more in Nigeria.
“I am confident that by the year 2015, Nigeria would have witnessed transformation in all sectors to the benefit of not only its citizens, but also those who have an interest in Nigeria,” Mr. Jonathan said.
Nigeria’s new focus
Attracting foreign direct investment is now the focal point of Nigeria’s foreign policy, the president said.
Mr. Jonathan said this decision is to accelerate domestic growth and create more jobs for unemployed Nigerians. He said his administration is wholly committed to promoting the development of a knowledge-economy that will enhance the security of lives and property, thereby accelerating growth, providing employment opportunities and reducing youth restiveness.
The President told the gathering of leading American businessmen and investors that attracting foreign investment to support the realization of the Federal Government’s Agenda for National Transformation is now the topmost priority of Nigeria’s diplomacy abroad.
“Let me restate here that Nigeria’s foreign policy is now anchored on the realisation of this Transformation Agenda through the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment.
“Under the new policy thrust, our Diplomatic Missions abroad have been directed to focus more on attracting investment to support the domestic programmes of government with a view to achieving not only our Vision 20: 2020, but to bequeathing an enduring legacy of economic prosperity,” he said.
In his welcome address, Mr. Carson pledged the Obama administration’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to attract greater foreign investment.
He said Nigeria is already a very important destination for American companies and the second highest recipient of American direct private sector investment in Africa. Mr. Carson said that he is very optimistic that Nigeria can become a great economic success over the next decade.
The Assistant Secretary of State announced that the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission which has been established as a primary platform for the promotion of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries will meet again in Nigeria next month.
Meetings
President Jonathan’s other engagements in New York on Wednesday included meetings with President Sauli Ministo of Finland, and the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mrs. Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf.
The President had earlier met with President Francois Hollande of France, the Emir of Qatar, and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. He also received representatives of the over 200 Nigerians who currently work for the United Nations and its agencies.
President Jonathan and Prime-Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, with whom he serves as Co-Chairperson of the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children, also participated at an event to promote its work. Guests at the event included former American President, Bill Clinton.
 BusinessNews

Blame high price of cement on bad roads and fuel subsidy removal – CMAN

Cement Ready for Sales

Cement production capacity has improved over the last year and local production is likely to hit 17 million tons before the end of this year. Chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association (CMAN), Mr Joseph Makoju in his address yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital stated that, the production of cement has increased from 2 million tons in 2002 to 13 million last year.

Makoju said their primary focus now is beyond producing enough cement for consumers in Nigeria but to build human capacity in the industry as well as develop the export market in the nearest future.
He said, “Very soon Nigeria will soon be exporting cement to neighbouring countries, just as it is doing with crude oil.

“For the first time in Nigerian history there has been no cement import since the beginning of the year, because the local cement companies have been able to rise up to the challenge hence there has been no scarcity. “As at today, daily production of cement is even in excess of sales and they are in the process of formalizing the exportation cement to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and neighbouring countries,” he added.

The Chairman however, ascribed the high price of cement produce in some areas of the country to bad state of the nation’s roads. He advised consumers to be patient irrespective of the price as CMAN was talking to government about spending more on road and rail network as the focal point of the association is making cement available and affordable.

The Chairman stated that they are proposing the establishment of Cement Technological Institute that will help in the area of human capital expansion.
In conclusion, he called on the government to subsidize fuel for greater efficiency in the production and distribution chain. That because their plants are not close to gas pipelines, they choose fuel against gas, which is cheaper; they resort to fuel, which is more expensive.
BusinessNews

“We will surprise Nigerians after October 10″ – Bakassi traditional ruler

Paramount ruler of Bakassi Local Government Area and Chairman of the Cross River State traditional rulers’ council, Dr Edet Okon Etim, has warned that Nigerians should expect shocker after October 10, which is the 10th anniversary of the ceding of the region to Cameroun by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The monarch said, “I am very sure that something significant will happen on or before the 10th of October” Etim, who was reacting to a comment by President Goodluck Jonathan, where he was quoted to have said that there was no need to appeal, affirmed
“If truly the Federal Government refuses to appeal the judgment, then no one should be surprised by what will happen in Nigeria after October 10.”
The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Treaties and agreements, Yacoob Bush-Alebiosu who visited the area two months ago said that, “President Jonathan should send an appeal to the ICJ immediately otherwise, from what we have gathered, after October this year, we may have another problem on our hands. We pray that it does not happen, because if it starts, I can assure you that the disintegration of this country will start from there. The people of Bakassi are very sad and I believe government must do something,” he said
Speaking further, the monarch affirmed that they are tired of being treated as second class citizens in their own country. He said: ‘We want to leave but the law continued to hinder us because the law pretends that we are Nigerians but we cannot be Nigerians with having a foot hold on our land or concede our land to Cameroon. We have said it clearly that before Nigeria and Cameroon, there was Bakassi, we don’t need Nigeria to define and determine our existence, but one point is clear, today it may be Bakassi and tomorrow it may be Otueke. If we are used as sacrificial lamb today, it may be another group tomorrow”

DailyPost

Deputy governorship aspirants sell programmes in Ondo, Mimiko’s running mate shuns debate

The debate for October 20 governorship election in Ondo state entered its second lap yesterday with six deputy governorship candidates highlighting the programmes of their various political parties.
The debate which was organized by Nigeria Elections Debate Group(NEDG) was attended by the Deputy candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Saka Lawal, Moses Losha of People for Democratic Change (PDC), Alonge Ahmed of the PPA, Babatunde Bidemi , Change Advocacy Party (CAP) and Cornelius Adefila of the National Solidarity Democratic Party( NSDP) as well as Paul Akintelure of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) deputy governorship candidate Alhaji Ali Olanusi shunned the event.
According to the ACN candidate, Dr. Paul Akintelure the present government had abandoned its people for too long and the people must be delivered from visionless administration.
He assured that people in rural communities that they would benefit from ACN government that is people- oriented.
The Medical practitioner said the citizenry would taste real dividends of democracy in contrast to the ongoing situation in the state where people are living in abject poverty.
Akintelure who cited examples of other ACN controlled neighboring states like Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Edo states said the citizenry in the sunshine state would start enjoying the benefits of progressive government with effect from February 13, 2013.
The PDP candidate, Saka Lawal said he would bring positive change to governance. This policy programme, he said would bring the much-expected economic rebirth for the people of Ondo state if elected.
He said that the PDP government would provide quality jobs through economic policies that will be targeted at the youth of the state, while all the moribund industries all over the state would be resuscitated.
On education, Lawal said rather than promoting the idea of mega schools that actually meant to siphon the state resources, the PDP government will improve on various infrastructures put in place by Agagu’s administration between 2003 and 2009.
The candidates of PPA, PDC, and CAP were not left out in dishing out their agenda for the State particularly on employment generation, adequate security, qualitative education, as well as solid infrastructures.
The Akeredolu Campaign organization (ACO) has described the refusal of LP deputy governorship candidate, Alhaji Ali Olanusi to show up at the debate as not only a sign of contempt for the people of the State but showed that the ruling Party has nothing to show for the three years of governance in the State.
A statement by its spokesman, Idowu Ajanaku said the debate had the ACN Deputy Governorship Candidate, Paul Akintelure, PDP Saka Lawal, PPA, ACPN and others afforded the parties’ flag bearers to expatiate on their vision and programmes for the people of Ondo State.
It was said that “Indeed, Dr. Akintelure came tops, but with the absence of Olanusi, LP was robbed of the golden opportunity to roll out its achievements and convince the people of Ondo State on why they should vote for the party”

DailyPost

CBN Moves to eradicate E-Payment Fraud

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued out a communiqué to banks as well as other financial institutions to put all hands on deck to combat cybercrimes as well as electronic payment fraud, to sanitize the financial system.
CBN, made this call through Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Chris Chukwu, at the September version of the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NEFF) in Lagos.
Represented by Mr. Sebastine Barde, Chukwu said, “A common problem associated with e-payments platforms is their use by cyber criminals who take advantage of inadequate controls in the payment platforms.”
“We noted that Automated Teller Machines were introduced in 1993 without adequate guidelines and embedded security controls. The machines were using magnetic strife cards, which were susceptible to cloning hence the myriad complaints of illegal withdrawals from customers’ accounts by cyber criminals.”
He stated that before 2011 complaints were very alarming but following the migration of Euro Master Visa card last year, even though complaints have reduced now considerably; “we intend to leave no stones unturned.”
However, with the migration of in February 2011, such complaints have dropped substantially in 2012.”
“E-payments are consequently globally favoured and rapidly pursued by nations because they are efficient, convenient, cost effective, transparent, secured, fast, and accurate, reduce corruption by minimizing interaction of government’s officials with contractors and leaving trails, provide better visibility into an entity’s spending, afford ability to leverage financial incentives on transactions, as well as advanced fraud protection.” He said.
“It is therefore no exaggeration to say that e-transactions have comparative advantages over cash-based transactions. The cost of currency management is usually a high figure in the accounts of any central bank of a cash-based economy.”
According to Chukwu, e-payments were designed to automate, integrate, and simplify the payment process.
BusinessNews

Sanusi Breaks Silence on N5000 Note Suspension, Calls for CBN Autonomy

CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi; and Deputy Governor, Tunde Lemo

“Do not temper with CBN autonomy,” This was contained in a in a message issued out yesterday to the National Assembly by the CBN boss, Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and former Information Minister, Frank Nweke (Jr) .
Speaking at the 2012 Annual Public Lecture organised by the law firm of J-K Gadzama & Partners LLP, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, said if politicians are allowed agile control of the CBN, it would not efficiently accomplish its regulatory directive.

“Politicians and even the executive think short term. The CBN thinks long term. If you allow politicians to control the CBN, we will not achieve anything. Politicians will never allow us to manage inflation, interest rate simply because they want to win election.”

As the Chairman of the event, Sanusi was represented by Alhaji Suleiman Barau, the CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Alhaji Suleiman Barau.

The lecture was titled “Nigeria in the Year 2012: The Vision of a Cashless Economy,” and was presented by Nweke.

Reacting to former Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Senator Nkechi Nwogwu’s comments that some CBN guiding principles must be subjected to legislative authorization, first, arguing that while CBN should have total autonomy in its regulatory tasks, some of its guidelines, such as the then anticipated introduction of the N5000 banknote should be subjected to legislative examination.

“I don’t think the Senate has ever said the independence of the CBN should be curtailed. We never said so. The intervention of the CBN in distressed banks and the like is within its purview,” She said

“But there’s no agency that is an Island. We are saying that there are some of its projects, which need democratic review. Certain monetary policies must be brought before the legislature for a review. That is what we are concerned about. We are not at loggerheads with CBN at all. All we’re saying is that they should consider the opinions of Nigerians.”

Senator Nwogwu, also moved against the banknote policy, saying it says the opposite to the ‘cash-less’ plan “because in my handbag I can carry N20million.” Although Sanusi, had a different view of that, while defending the initiative through constructive arguments he later presented.
BusinessNews