The BREAKING NEWS contains, Lagos govt paying N1.3 Billion to another set of retirees, WAEC to release SSCE results Today, FG threatens to stop 720 civil servants’ salaries and lots more.

The Lagos State Government has paid, more than N1 billion into the Retirement Savings Account (RSA’s) of 246 retirees in the state’s public service for October.

Mr Babalola Obilana, Director General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

“A total of one billion, three million, three hundred and seventy-four thousand, three hundred and seventy-two Naira, sixty-eight kobo was paid,” Obilana said.

He explained that the beneficiaries included employees from the mainstream service, Local Government Service, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and other parastatals of the state government.

According to him, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently paid the monthly entitlements of retirees and backlog of some unpaid pension inherited from previous administrations.

The director-general congratulated all the retirees for rendering meritorious service to the state.

Obilana said that in spite of the state of the nation and aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the state government in line with the vision of a greater Lagos and its commitment to financial freedom for the state’s retirees ensured the payment of pension entitlements.

“This shows the commitment of Gov. Sanwo-Olu to the welfare of the pensioners in the state,” he said.

The director-general enlightened the retirees on the two payment options available for accessing their monthly pension entitlements which is the Programme Withdrawal and Life Annuity.

He urged the retirees to understand the details of the two options and choose the most appropriate option suitable for their situation.

The Federal Government has threatened to stop the salaries of 720 civil servants who it said currently have “insufficient records” on the government’s centralised payroll system, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

The threat was contained in a circular signed on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, by the Director, IPPIS-Service Wide Department, Mrs A. I. Attah.

Our correspondent, on Sunday, obtained a copy of the circular dated October 28, 2020, and marked HCSF/PS/CMO/IPPIS/1289/Vol. I.

The circular, which was addressed to all permanent secretaries, Directors of Human Resources Management and all the affected officers, was titled: ‘Suspension of salary of employees with insufficient IPPIS Human Resource records’.

According to the circular, the 720 affected civil servants were given the grace of between October 30 and November 6, 2020, to perfect their records or have their salaries suspended with immediate effect.

The affected officers were directed to present documents such as their personal files at the point of entry into service and original copies of their credentials for final clearance of issues surrounding their dates of birth and dates of first appointment.

The circular read in part, “Respective MDAs are required to confirm the identity of the affected officers from their ministries through letters duly endorsed by the Director (HRM), otherwise they would not be attended to.

“You are cordially requested to inform the affected officers to note that after the affected the expiration of the period, the salaries of non-compliant officers would be suspended on the IPPIS’ platform with immediate effect.

“Please bring the content of this circular to the attention of the affected officers.”

Analysis of the attached list of 720 affected officers showed that the Ministry of Works and Housing has the highest figure with 118 affected officers in the Works component of the ministry and 108 officers in the Housing component.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has 75 affected officers; Ministry of Health, 65; Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, 62; while the Ministry of Information and Culture has 60.

The Ogun Police Command says it has arrested five suspected members of a dreaded cult group for allegedly unleashing terror on the people of Ifo town in the early hours of Sunday.

The Spokesman of the command, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday.

Oyeyemi, who said that the suspected cultists, whose age ranged between 18 and 22, were apprehended following a distressed call received by the Divisional Police Officer in Ifo, Adeniyi Adekunle, that members of the cult group were on rampage around Ifo market.

He said that the suspected cultists were attacking people with dangerous weapons and dispossessing them of their valuables.

“Upon the distress call, the DPO, Ifo division, Adeniyi Adekunle, quickly mobilised his men and moved to the scene.

“On getting there, they met a 25-year-old man, who was later identified simply as Sunday, in the pool of his own blood as a result of several injuries inflicted on his body.

“The policemen chased the suspects and got five of them arrested within the area. The victim was, thereafter, taken to the General Hospital in Ifo, where he was confirmed dead.

Over 15 persons have reportedly died in mysterious circumstances in Ute Okpu, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the deceased, who were said to be in the age bracket of 18 to 25, died a few days apart.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, who led a team of public health officials to the community on Sunday, expressed concern over the mysterious deaths.

Ononye assured the communities that the government would do everything possible to get to the root of the disease, adding that there was no cause for alarm.

He said, “The Delta State Government has received information on seemingly mysterious deaths in Ute Okpu and Idumesa communities of the Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state.

“The governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, directed us to immediately investigate these deaths, identify the cause(s) and effect containment measures to unravel the mysterious disease that has claimed the lives of over 15 persons within 18 to 25 years age bracket in the state.

“Based on that, the governor has given a directive to upgrade the Comprehensive Health Centre in Ute-Okpu to a full-fledged hospital.”

The commissioner called on members of the community and residents of the state to observe good hygiene as the dry season approaches by properly covering their food, cutting grasses around their surroundings, eliminating rodents from their houses and observing COVID-19 safety guidelines, especially washing their hands with soap under running water.

In his remark, the traditional ruler of Ute-Okpu, Obi Solomon Chukwuka I, thanked the governor for giving the directive for the health centre in his domain to be upgraded.

He expressed relief that the government’s intervention had brought hope to the residents and assurance that the disease that had ravaged the community in the past five days would be curbed.

The state epidemiologist, Dr Richard Ikwuogu, stated that samples had been collected and the outcome of the test would give clear information on the disease and the next line of action.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has said the Federal Government is working hard to bring out-of-school children back to the classroom.

Orelope-Adefulire said this on Saturday at the 2020 Arise Women Conference in Lagos. The programme’s theme was ‘Deeply Rooted, #Staying Alive’.

The former Lagos State deputy governor said the Federal Government was not happy with the number of out-of-school children.

She said, “By next year, we will be able to give you good news about the number of children that are back in school. My office has carried out research and we have submitted the report to the three presidential ministerial committees. Very soon, the report will be taken to the executive for the steering committee that will be set up by the President to work on it.

“We are not happy having those numbers outside. We are constructing more schools and my office is working on curriculum improvement for the entire nation.”

The acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, advised women not to be afraid to make mistakes.

She said, “I want to encourage women; you do not have to be perfect to start something; please do start something; make your mistakes, forgive yourselves and keep moving.

“I was the first female Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. It was through an election and those who know me know that I’m pretty shy; I do not go about telling people this is what I’ve done, this is not what I’ve done but I found a way, I remained true to who I am. One of the ways for me to go round was to, first of all, send a message ahead to say ‘I’m coming to see you and we will be discussing the problems of the college. This gave me the courage.

“Why I’m saying all this is that you will need courage. So, it took me time to get up and go; don’t be afraid; you will be afraid, but what is important is to have the courage, knowing that God is behind you. It is not by your might, but by God’s might.”

The Lagos State Government has insurance cover for its assets and properties, The Nation has learnt.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu while speaking on the massive destruction of public assets by hoodlums and arsonists following the #EndSARS protests last week, had estimated that properties destroyed were about N1 trillion.

Executive Secretary, National Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Fatai Adegbenro , affirmed that Lagos insured its assets and the state has overtime been paying insurance premiums, thus it has valid policy in place.

Chairman, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Ganiyu Musa in a telephone conversation with The Nation said the damage from the protests fall under riots and civil disturbance, assuring that insurance companies have the capacity to pay all valid claims.

He however noted that claims can only be paid on insurance covers that extend to riot and civil disturbance.

A source said the state would seek compensation for the lost properties as it has begun collation of the list of properties, items and valuables of affected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The collation, according to the source, would enable the government to receive compensation from insurance companies.

A source said the state government had diligently insured its assets as part of its risk management measures, saying operators have commenced the inspection of the affected properties so as to be able to undertake adequate assessment of the facilities.

Initial but unverified estimates of public assets destroyed in the state include 89 new buses of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) burnt down in Oyingbo and Berger parks, the multi-million naira forensic and DNA Centre, Igbosere High Court, local government secretariat buildings and hundreds of vehicles, other public buildings scattered across the state and street lights among others.

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture has begun oil production from the Anyala West field in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 83 & 85. OMLs 83 & 85 in the shallow waters offshore Bayelsa State. FIRST E&P is the operator of the two blocks on behalf of the NNPC/FIRST E&P Joint Venture.

The Anyala – Madu field development project objective is to develop 142 million barrels of oil and 98 billion standard cubic feet of gas from the fields in Phase 1, utilising the Abigail-Joseph Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), a 274 metres long converted Suezmax trading tanker with a storage capacity of 700,000 barrel, oil processing capacity of 60,000 barrels of oil per day, produce water treatment of 20,000 barrels per day and a gas handling capacity of 39 million standard cubic feet per day.

The project at its peak production will produce about 60,000 barrels of oil per day, unlock over 300 million barrels of crude oil recoverable reserves and create value of over $8b for the Federal Government over the total lifespan of all phases of the project.

A total of seven development wells have been planned in Phase 1 and approved by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in the Anyala West field (OML 83) which will be developed along with the nearby Madu field in (OML 85) to be jointly produced in the Abigail-Joseph FPSO. Each field is being developed with an unmanned conductor supported platform (CSP), a novel drilling and development technology deployed in the Niger Delta.

The FPSO underwent upgrade, refurbishment and life extension works in Keppel Shipyard, Singapore, to meet specified standards and specifications and the excellent partnership between NNPC, FIRST E&P, Yinson and Keppel Shipyard, helped to ensure these critical pre-deployment activities for the FPSO were completed in record time. A team of young Nigerian professionals including seven NNPC workers were part of the successful extension works in the Keppel Shipyard and they will form an integral part of the FPSO operations team in the production phase.

AS the Federal Government / Discos Mass Metering programme (NMMP) kicked-off at the weekend, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), has announced that it will commence its distribution of smart electricity meters to customers at a simultaneous launch event of the scheme in Kano, Kaduna, Ikeja and the Eko Distribution Companies franchise areas.

EKEDC’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Godwin Idemudia, said the distribution will begin in the Surulere axis of Lagos State. He explained that the NMMP is in fulfilment of the Federal Government’s and the Discos commitment to close the metering gap in the country and enhance the revenue collection of DisCos.

He said that under the new arrangement DisCos are expected to go from location to location with their respective Meter Asset Providers to provide and install meters for their customers. Eko Electricity, he revealed, will roll-out over 100,000 meters in the first phase of the programme from the locally manufactured companies such as Mojec International Limited and Momas Meter manufacturing company.

Idemudia disclosed that the NMMP will increase Nigeria’s metering rate, eliminate estimated billing and strengthen the local meter value chain by increasing local meter manufacturing, assembly and deployment capacity.

He added that the initiative will also reduce collection losses, increase financial flows to achieve 100 percent market remittance obligations of the Discos and support the country’s economic recovery by creating jobs in the local meter value chain whilst also ensuring customers only pay the exact value for their energy consumption.

The NNMP is expected to roll out six million meters for all connection points on grid without meters over the next 18 to 24 months and estimated to impact over 30 million consumers nationwide.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that the results for the 2020 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will be released Today, Monday, November 2, 2020.

The exam body broke the news on its Twitter page on Sunday night.

It added that the results will be released at 10:30am.

“This is to inform candidates that sat West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2020 that the results of that exam will be released by WAEC tomorrow, Monday, November 2, 2020 by 10:30am,” it wrote.

WAEC had on September 14 disclosed that it would release candidates’ results in the next 45 days.

On October 28, the exam body, however, postponed the release date due to the curfew introduced in some states amid the unrests trailing the #EndSARS protest — as of then.

Several states across the country had imposed curfews of different durations to contain the crisis that broke out in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest.

The Nigerian Medical Association on Sunday said Nigerians must be vigilant to avoid rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.

The NMA President, Prof Innocent Ujah, who gave the advice in an interview with The PUNCH, said the country could not afford an upsurge in coronavirus cases.

Ujah stated this as the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, warned Nigerians against non-adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, saying the country was still at the risk of coronavirus

Our correspondents across the country on Sunday reported that there had been laxity in the adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.

In Lagos for example, unlike three months ago, motorists were no more observing social distancing as they fully loaded their buses.

Also, most passengers discarded the use of face masks which was made compulsory three months ago when COVID-19 infections were at their peak

An Oshodi-bound, passenger, Idayat Aderibigbe, who boarded a fully-loaded 18-seater bus at Sango, Ogun State, said she stopped wearing face masks last month.

“When drivers insisted that we must wear it, I considered it as  inconvenience, but nobody cares now. God is our protector. Coronavirus has gone,” she said.

In Enugu State, a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Raymond Chidinma, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said, “I don’t take my face masks around again as I used to do.”

A resident of Enugu, the state capital, Stella Omaba, who works at the Nigerian Correctional Service, told The PUNCH that she wore the facemask and observed other NCDC protocol only when she was at work.

A resident of Kano, Musa Lawan, said he had before been observing the protocol when the pandemic was at its peak in the state, but later stopped due to the reduction in the number of cases in the state.

“I don’t know when last I used face mask or used sanitiser because the number of cases has drastically reduced if compared with the time the pandemic broke out between February and March 2020,” he said.

As of Saturday, 2020, a total of 62,853 cases had been recorded in Nigeria, while 1,144 people had died of the virus. No fewer than 58,675 recoveries had also been recorded as of October 31.

On the contrary, there has been an upsurge in coronavirus infections in Europe and the United States.

For instance, as of Saturday, the United Kingdom had confirmed over one million COVID-19 cases, out of which almost 47,000 deaths had been recorded.

The country’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, on Saturday announced a four-week national lockdown as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

He had said, “Now is the time to take action because there is no alternative. From Thursday until the start of December, you must stay at home.”

In the US, a total of 9,402,590 cases had been recorded as of Saturday according to worldometers.info. No fewer than 36,072 deaths have been recorded..

Commenting on the increasing COVID-19 cases in Europe and the US, the NMA president, Ujah, said, “The cases have been rising in Europe and America, we also have had our fair share but not as terrible as their own. We must remain vigilant because our health system cannot contain what countries in Europe and America have been able to contain. We do not want anything that will worsen the bad situation.”

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