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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

NEWS

Retirees to Jonathan: pay our arrears before May 29

UNDREDS of pensioners poured into the secretariat of the Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, yesterday protesting alleged 10 months pension arrears owed them by the Federal Government. The retirees, who protested on the platform of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to

CTIVITIES in Abuja came to a halt yesterday, as President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned and inspected some projects. The exercise caused gridlock on major roads in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Residents and commuters had to wait in heavy traffic for almost an hour because of the road blockage by security operators as the president inspected and commissioned Lugbe roads and tested the train at the Abuja light rail terminus. Other multi-billion naira projects inspected include the Abuja Light Rail project, the Abuja Airport Road and Kubwa Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Jonathan said the projects have improved Abuja tremendously, expressing confidence that the incoming administration of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari would continue with government’s efforts at reviving and expanding the nation’s railway network. Jonathan said he would brief the President-elect on the issue before May 29 handover date. He harped on the need for a robust railway network to ease and reduce the cost of transportation in Nigeria.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

prevail on PENCOM to settle their arrears before he leaves government on May 29. They lamented that the non-payment of the arrears was affecting their survival, adding that over 20 of their members died from hunger and health challenges. The union’s National

Chairman, Samuel Kajusola, who spoke on behalf of the members, said they have noticed some aspects of the Pension Reform Act 2014, which the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) failed to implement. Kajusola, who expressed suspicion that their arrears might have been used to fund 2015 polls’ campaign, said such areas include computation and compilation of retirement benefits, review

of pension and non-payment of retirement benefits. According to him, pensioners across the country, who retired under the contributory pension scheme since August 2014 till date, were yet to have their “lump sum or monthly payment settled by PENCOM”. He said: “What do they want the retirees to be eating after serving Federal Government of Nigeria for 35 years meritoriously? We

•Road contractors owed N15b

•Jonathan (extreme left) and other officials test-riding a train during inspection of Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project...yesterday. From Augustine Ehikioya, Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike, Abuja

The President thanked the FCT authorities and the Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) for bringing the project to fruition. He also congratulated Abuja residents who will enjoy the facility. He said: “I emphasise the need to develop an effective mass transit system in the

country. We cannot talk about mass transit using taxis, small cars and small buses even the luxury buses.” “It will be too expensive, until our rail system works; that is why we are emphasising on inter-city rail and intra city light rail systems.” “Of course, this government is leaving on May 29, but definitely, the incoming government will have to continue. This is a noble project; it

will benefit Nigerians , especially residents of the FCT.” Before the President and his entourage embarked on a train ride to Idu terminus, Minister for FCT, Bala Mohammed, said the entire stretch of the rail line will be completed in August. He said: “This project is driven by your grace with a robust financial plan that you bonded N150 billion for the project and that is why the time

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

that the Buhari’s administration should fight corruption headlong. Eze Obiefule, who is also the traditional ruler of Umudioka kingdom in Orlu Council Area of Imo State, observed that “when Buhari became the Head of State in 1984, the naira was at par with the dollar”. “In that respect, we are believing that his administration will better the economy of the state and put an end to corruption,” the traditional ruler said. He added that Jonathan’s administration was ruined by sycophants and aides with questionable backgrounds,

line has been easy to comply with and we have been able to take it to 98 per cent.” “The only remaining portion that is not completed is the bridge behind the Aso Villa. Otherwise, everything has been delivered and we are trying to look at the challenges of financing because we are owing the contractors about N10 to N15 billion on the two roads.” The President promised

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

He, however, urged him to, in the same spirit, take steps immediately to address all the 15-point demands of the Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU), which he had agreed to. Faniran said if their demands were not met, they might be forced to resume the suspended strike. The NUAHP President said they were determined to establish consultancy status for the union’s members as well as pursue the post of chief executive

that government would fulfils its obligations on the debts. “These projects have improved the face of Abuja tremendously and people who come to Abuja are full of praises because the roads are really making Abuja to look like a real modern city. “We are quite pleased with the progress of work; we will do our best to see that the commitments of government are met,” he assured.

I-G sets up Judges Protection Units (JPUs)

noting:”If Buhari wants to succeed, he should do away with sycophants and praise-singers and concentrate in rebuilding the nation so as not to disappoint millions of Nigerians that stood for change”. According to him, “after our emergency meeting, we have congratulated the President-elect and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, especially Ogbonnaya Onu, John Sagaya and Babagana Kingibe, among others, and we urge Nigerians to rally round the incoming administration for effective results. “We are disturbed by the alarming rate of corruption in the country. It is simply unac-

ceptable to us that as an oil producing nation, we still import oil products while our refineries lie in ruins. We want the Buhari administration to address the rot in the oil sector and the power sector. The monarch, however, called for specific roles for traditional rulers in the constitution.

officers of Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals for them. He said the union would pursue court cases, agitation and negotiations to get what its members want. “The hopes of many allied health professionals, which had been dampened before now, are being resuscitated. “Attempts are now being made to establish consultancy status for our members, payment of specialist allowance and participation in the post of chief executive officers of our tertiary hospitals are being

pursued vigorously,” he said. Faniran, however, regretted that National Health Act did not mention the existing registered traded unions or recognising their roles in the healthcare services. According to him, the Act did not also provide for composition of Federal Ministry of Health despite the union’s strong position on the matter. He asked that the Federal Ministry of Health to reflect the various healthcare professional groups in the health sector with creation of directorates.

•Buhari

HE Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has directed Command Commissioners of Police to immediately establish “Judges Protection Units (JPU)” for the protection of judges and courts in their respective areas of jurisdiction. This is contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, yesterday in Abuja. The statement said the units were to ensure that the judiciary had adequate security to carry out their duties. It also said that the I-G had directed the commissioners to assign Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of Training and Development to conduct training and orientation for personnel designated for the JPUs. The statement emphasised that personnel for the assignment must exhibit high sense of professionalism, courage, integrity, discipline and respect for human rights.

FRSC to provide additional 71 drivers’ licence centres From Bukola Amusan and Kehinde Ore, Abuja

T Health workers may resume suspended strike over demands T

HE Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has threatened to resume their suspended strike nationwide unless the Federal Government look into their 15-point demand and implement them. In his welcome address yesterday in Uyo during the opening of its 6th Triennial Delegates Conference, NUAHP National President, Felix Olukayode Faniran, appreciated President Goodluck Jonathan for taking steps to ensure the stability of the nation, even at a cost to his personal ambition.

“Pension Reform Act 2004 section (4) stipulated that retirees will ha v e n o t l e s s than 50 per cent of their last pay as monthly pension as at the date of their retirement. “None of the retirees enjoy this amount since the inception of the Act till date. Unfortunately, the portion has been expunged from the new Pension Reform Act 2014. What have we done to deserve this ugly treatment?”

Jonathan inspects rail, other projects in Abuja

Traditional rulers urge Buhari to probe missing $20b NNPC fund RADITIONAL rulers, under the aegis of the Association of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, have called on the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to investigate the missing $20 billion Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) fund to ensure that those behind the shady deal were brought to book. Its National President, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Thomas Obiefule, who addressed reporters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, noted that the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was not firm in the fight against corruption, advising

suspect that our money with PENCOM has been used for 2015 election campaign. “Retirees have been complaining seriously on meagre amount paid as monthly pension, either as monthly withdrawal or annuity. Contributory pensioners received only 20-25 per cent of their last pay as monthly pension, while a pensioner in the old pension scheme receives 80 per cent of his last pay as monthly pension.

HE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) yesterday said it will soon create additional 71 centres for drivers’ licence to increase them to 200. The move, according to the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, will assist in tackling some of the challenges encountered by people waiting to be captured. Oyeyemi, who spoke at a sensitisation programme organised in partnership with Cleen Foundation on the drivers licence application and renewal procedure, said the corps has renewed its commitment to the reform in the licensing system by investing more in workers’ capacity and development He, however, stated low uploading of data, racketeering and slow collection of printed original drivers licence cards as some of the challenges affecting the efficiency of the system. He, however, said the corps is also taking measures to address the isssues. “In tackling some of the observed challenges within the system, especially in the area of congestion of people waiting to be captured, we are creating additional 71 centres across the country to the existing 129,” he said. The Corps Marshal added that a more efficient distribution system is being put in place in other to ensure that printed permanent licences did not remain at the motor licensing offices without their owners promptly claiming them.