Nasarawa Assembly gives AEDC 14-day ultimatum to restore electricity

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to restore electricity to communities across the state or quit.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Danladi Jatau, made the call when officials of AEDC and Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), appeared before the House on Tuesday in Lafia.

He said that the invitation extended to the AEDC and NAePA was to enable them brief the House on the power blackout and outrageous bills in the state.

“Our resolution is that AEDC is hereby given 14 days to restore normal light to communities across the State and failure to do that, we will be left with no option but to ask them to quit.

“In their place, we will invite competent hands that will give the people of the state normal light.

“Secondly, the Area Manager, PowerGen Interconnected Energy ltd., handling electrification project in Toto Local Government, is hereby directed to appear before the House on May 21st, 2024, to explain their role in power distribution in the area,” he said.

The speaker commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts at ensuring power supply in the state, especially through his efforts that ensured the full take-off of Akurba power sub-station, but expressed dismay that the Governor’s effort had been sabotaged.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to invite anybody on public issue for questioning, that is why we have invited you.

“There is power blackout and outrageous bills across the state by AEDC as our people are in pains and suffering. We cannot take it any longer,” he said.

He said that the activities of the AEDC is creating hardship and poverty to the people of the state.

“Your company is giving our people poor services. Our people have been sleeping in darkness.

“Our people are in pains because they are paying for light without enjoying the light,” he said.

All members who spoke also urged the AEDC to sit up or quit the state.

On his part, Mr Adeyemi Jonathan, the AEDC Chief Business Officer in charge of Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa, admitted that the company was not 100 per cent in replacing damaged transformers and cables among others to communities across the state.

The Chief Business Officer assured of improvement in electricity supply to the state.

“I want to assure you that we are ready to do our best in improving power supply across the state,” he said.

Also speaking, Engr. Yakubu Umar, the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), said that the agency was established to ensure adequate power supply to communities across the state.

On the allegation that he uses a transformer alone, he said that the transformer was given to him as gratification by one electricity company.

The General Manager assured of his continued determination to do his best to improve on the situation.

The reports gathered that on April 23, the House summoned the Area Manager, AEDC, to appear before it on April 30, over persistent power blackout and over billing of customers across the State.

The House also summoned the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA) to appear before it on April 30.

The House said the invitation was to enable them tell the House why there is persistent power blackout and outrageous billing in the State.

The Speaker of the House gave the ultimatum after Mr Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central), raised the issue on the matter of public importance during the House proceedings.

Nasarawa Assembly gives AEDC 14-day ultimatum to restore electricity

May Day: Nwoko backs minimum wage across board for workers

Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta), on Wednesday in Abuja expressed support for Nigerian workers’ clamour for a new minimum wage across board.

In a message to mark the international Workers Day celebration, he described Nigerian workers as valiant.

“Their ability to excel is unparalleled, especially when provided with a conducive environment to nurture their efforts and dreams.

“It is imperative that such environment is created and sustained so as to unleash the full potential of the workforce.

“I recognise the challenges the Nigerian workers face daily. I want to assure them that beyond rhetoric, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes entrepreneurship, job creation, improved working conditions and access to quality health care.

“I firmly believe that Nigerians are among the most hardworking individuals globally; their ability to excel is unparalleled, especially when provided with a conducive environment that nurtures their efforts and dreams.

“I support an increase in the minimum wage across the board, encompassing both the private and public sectors.

“Your well-being and prosperity are paramount; I am dedicated to ensuring that your voices are heard and your concerns are addressed at the highest levels of government.

“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication, resilience and hard work in driving our nation forward.

“I am deeply committed to championing policies and initiatives that support and uplift the Nigerian workforce,” he said.

May Day: Nwoko backs minimum wage across board for workers

FG approves salary increase for civil servants

The Federal Government has approved a substantial increase in salary ranging from 25% to 35% for civil servants across various consolidated salary structures.

This augmentation applies to the six remaining consolidated salary structures, namely the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS), and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

A statement released by NTA on Tuesday evening, April 30 reads;

The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25% and 35% in salary Increase for Civil Servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures

The Salary Structure is the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

It will be recalled that those in the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors had already received their increases which involved Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) for Universities.

For Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, it involved the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).

The Health Sector also benefitted through the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS).

A statement signed by the Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Emmanuel Njoku said the increases take effect from 1st January 2024.

The Federal Government has also approved increases In pension of between 20% and 28% for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme in respect to the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures with effect from 1st January 2024.

FG approves salary increase for civil servants