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News_Naija

E-hailing Drivers Plan Strike Over Anti-labour Practices

E-hailing drivers comprising Bolt, Uber, Indrive, among other app-based drivers in Lagos, have threatened to halt operations by May 1, 2025, in protest against what they described as poor working conditions and anti-labour practices. This was made known through a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, Steven Iwindoye, on Tuesday. The drivers threatened to stay off the app on International Workers’ Day to demand fair compensation, safer working conditions, and respect for their rights. AUATON and the app companies have been at loggerheads over various issues concerning respect for labour laws, poor wages, sudden and unjust deactivations, insecurity, and unsafe working environments. among others. Drivers are also challenging excessive commission charges, the absence of proper rider identification, mandatory facial recognition systems, and other policies they describe as exploitative. The statement read, “The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, is planning a 24-hour protest on May Day over alleged anti-labour practices by app-based companies, including Uber, Bolt. “Our members would be staying off the apps, refusing to work, and demanding that their rights be respected. “We are protesting against poor wages, unjust deactivations, insecurity, and unsafe working conditions. Others are excessive commissions taken by app companies, lack of proper rider profiles, mandatory facial recognition systems, and harmful and exploitative work policies.”

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Futbol

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News_Naija

Enugu Airport Concession 70% Completed Govt

The Enugu State Government has announced that the concession process for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is over 70 per cent completed and should be concluded by the second quarter of 2025. This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Obi Ozor, during a television interview on Enugu Kwenu, a programme aired on Afia TV. The commissioner stated that the process is being led by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Aviation in collaboration with private investors. The Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had recently countered allegations that the concession process had been concluded, adding that the ongoing process would be made transparent, devoid of any questionable actions or characters. Both the minister and the commissioner held that once finalised, concessionaires will commence critical upgrades on the airport. Ozor added that the upgrades would include the completion of the international terminal, cargo terminal, maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, aircraft hangars, and runway extension. He also said the Enugu State Government is finalising preparations for the launch of Enugu Air, a state-backed airline scheduled to begin operations in May 2025. “The Federal Government has been supportive of the state. Some private investors are working tirelessly with the Federal Ministry of Aviation to conclude the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, and of course, the immediate rehabilitation and operationalization of that airport. “And we know that they have gone more than 70 per cent of the way in terms of the process, and we are hoping that the remaining 30 per cent should hopefully be completed in the second quarter of 2025. “And that should allow them to be able to move in and get that international wing of the airport completed, including the cargo terminal, the maintenance, repair, overhaul, and other ancillary works that need to be done at the airport, such as extension of the runway and hangar,” he stated.

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News_Naija

Currency In Circulation Drops To N5tn Report

The total amount of naira in circulation decreased to N5tn as of March 2025, marking a decline from N5.04tn recorded in February 2025. This represents a further reduction from N5.24tn in January 2025, according to the latest money and credit statistics on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Naira in circulation is the total amount of physical currency circulating in the economy, representing money that is available for daily transactions, investments, and savings. A decrease in currency in circulation can be part of efforts to reduce inflationary pressures and manage economic stability. In addition to the naira in circulation, the CBN’s bank reserves have increased to N28.52bn in March 2025, up from N27.57bn in February 2025. In January 2025, the reserves stood at N27.43bn. Meanwhile, the special intervention reserves remained unchanged at N284.36m during the three-month period. Bank reserves refer to the funds held by the Central Bank and commercial banks to ensure liquidity and financial stability within the banking sector. The steady rise in bank reserves is an indication of the CBN’s efforts to maintain financial security and stability in the economy. As of the same period last year, The PUNCH reported that the value of Nigeria’s currency in circulation had risen to N3.87tn by the end of March 2024. This marked an increase from N3.69tn in February and N3.65tn in January. In addition, the currency outside of banks also saw a steady rise throughout the first quarter, growing from N3.28tn in January to N3.41tn in February, and reaching N3.63tn in March. Also, Nigeria’s money supply recorded its first decline in 2025, falling to N110.32tn in February from N110.94tn in January, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed. The 0.56 per cent month-on-month drop comes amid continued efforts by the apex bank to manage liquidity in the system, following earlier signals of monetary tightening and foreign exchange adjustments.