All Posts in "Day: January 30, 2024"

Meteorology plays major role in solid minerals development in Nigeria…NiMet DG/CEO 

CAPTION:
L – Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Prof. Charles Anosike, DG/CEO, NiMet, Mr Frank Aigbogun, Publisher, Business Times Newspaper at the at the one-day ‘Solid Minerals Conference’ organized by Business Day newspaper in Abuja today.
By Favour Nnabugwu
Meteorological sciences plays a big role in improving operational safety in the mining sector across the country
This formed part of the paper titled, ‘Intersection Between Climate Change Concerns And The Mining Industry- The Role Of NiMet’, presented by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, at the one-day ‘Solid Minerals Conference’ organized by Business Day newspaper in Abuja today
According to Prof. Anosike, mines and all the activities related to mining are some of the most weather- vulnerable industries in the world; as the mines are often 
located in geographically and climatically challenging locations.
He said that weather can and does affect mining operations, posing risks that can compromise workers’ safety and lead to delays and disruption in 
productivity.
“As the climate changes, extreme weather events are growing in frequency and bringing challenges to mining safety, productivity and profitability. It is however interesting to note that the federal government is already taking some actions in this regard.
According to the Minister of 
Solid Mineral Development, Dr Dele Alake, as quoted in a ThisDay newspaper story of October 2023, the Federal Government is pursuing diversification from hydrocarbons to make the minerals sector a major 
revenue contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as its 
contribution to mitigate climate change impact.
Continuing, Prof. Anosike said; “Real-time weather forecasts, warnings, and 
information on climatic conditions are essential for ensuring the safety of operations especially where 
weather conditions can significantly impact safety.
‘Accurate meteorological data‭ ‬helps in assessing and mitigating risks associated with extreme weather events such as storms, floods etc. This is critical in minimizing potential damages to 
infrastructure and ensure the safety of personnel”.
While speaking on climate change and its sectorial impact, Professor Anosike said that some of the most significant effects of climate change that are notable in Nigeria include increase in uncertainties of the onset of rainy season (false onset), shifts in rainfall onset and cessation periods.
 “Nigerians have experienced sea level rise, overwhelming heat, and extreme weather events in recent years. However, with adequate weather and climate information, there is increase in climate actions and resilience”.
He said that NiMet’s new Establishment Act 2022 gives the agency the impetus as a regulator of all aspects of meteorology in Nigeria to commercialize meteorological data by partnering the private sector.
“We are looking forward to engaging the private sector on how NiMet can provide customised weather and climate data for their organisations. Meteorological information‭ ‬supports effective 
planning and optimization of mining and other activities, including scheduling operations based on favourable weather conditions and managing 
inventory efficiently”.
Prof. Anosike also informed the audience of the public presentation of NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), which is scheduled for Tuesday, 20th February, 2024 at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja.
The SCP is an early warning tool that provides information to all sectors of the Nigerian economy to respond to climate extremities over the next one year.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake and several industry experts were part of the conference.
Patoma Admin by — January 30, 2024 in Aviation 0
President Tinubu to tripartite National Minimum Wage C’ttee with emphasis on social justice, equity

By Favour Nnabugwu 

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on has  inaugurated a Tripartite committee of the National Minimum Wage, with a directive to its members to ensure their decisions are firmly rooted in social justice and equity.

In order to guarantee sustainability in all tiers of government, the President said the committee must pay attention to the ability of all parties to pay the new wage, just as he asked the committee members to ensure timely completion of of their assignment.

The President, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, stated this while inaugurating the tripartite committee at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Our objective should be to surpass the basic Social Protection Floor for all Nigerian workers, considering the sustainable payment capacity of each tier of government and other employers or businesses.

“I express this viewpoint because the minimum wage represents the least amount of compensation an employee should receive for their labor, and as such, it should be rooted in social justice and equity. I hope that the results of your deliberations will be consensual and acceptable to all parties involved,” the President told members of the committee.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s promise to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers and, by extension, the entire nation, saying “the labour force stands as the cornerstone of the progress of every nation, and ours has been the enduring engine of our pursuit of development.”

Underscoring the significance of the assignment as reflected in the composition of the tripartite committee, the President urged all members to take their new task with all seriousness, even as he directed the committee to employ the principles of full consultation with social partners in all of its deliberations.

Accordingly, he directed that state Governors, Ministers and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation who are members must personally attend the committee meetings, and in the event where they are unavoidably absent, their deputies, commissioners and Permanent Secretaries should represent them.

“Recognizing the significance of this initiative and to ensure a substantial engagement, I hereby direct that Ministers and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation should personally attend the meeting. In their unavoidable absence, their Permanent Secretaries should represent them.

“Similarly, Governors are expected to attend in person or be represented by their deputies or commissioners where necessary. I urge you to consider the issue of a National Minimum Wage and all related matters with thoroughness and concern, keeping in mind not only the welfare of our workforce but also the impact on the country’s economy,” Tinubu stated.

On the prompt completion of their assignment, President Tinubu noted that “timely submission is crucial to initiate the necessary processes for implementing a new National Minimum Wage.”

He further stressed that “government’s decision, following the consideration of your final recommendation, will be presented as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly.

“This bill, enriched by the contributions of state governments and private sector employers, will undergo thorough legislative scrutiny before being passed into law,” he added.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, urged the committee to give its best, noting that the task before it carries the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerian workers.

He said the inauguration of the committee to come up with a new national minimum wage is in fulfilment of the promise of the Tinubu administration to embark on a comprehensive review of the minimum wage for the average Nigerian worker.

On his part, Chairman of the Tripartite Committee, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, assured the President that the committee will do justice to the task assigned to it.

“We shall, by God’s grace, carry out extensive consultations with key stakeholders to arrive at a new minimum wage that is fair, practical and implementable,” Aji, a former Head of Service of the Federation, noted.

The 37-man tripartite committee has six Governors, some cabinet Ministers, representatives of the organised labour and the private sector among its members.

The Governors include Mohammed Bago of Niger State, representing the North Central; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, representing the North East; Dikko Radda of Katsina State, representing the North West; Charles Soludo of Anambra State, representing the South East; Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, representing the South-West, and Otu Bassey of Cross River State, representing the South-South.

The Ministers are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs) Yemi Esan, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

#StateHousePressRelease

Patoma Admin by — January 30, 2024 in News 0