News
Group berates Uzodinma over high spending on Gov’s office, neglect of key sectors
A civil society organization, Policy Alert, has criticized Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for allegedly giving precedence to his office at the expense of the state’s social sector budget implementation in the third quarter of 2023.
In a statement signed by its Programme Officer, Fiscal Reforms and Anti-Corruption, Faith Paulinus, the group expressed concern over the imbalance in expenditure, noting that the Office of the Governor received a total expenditure of N11.84bn, while all other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the state combined had only N7.37bn capital release during the quarter.
Policy Alert, which advocates for fiscal and ecological justice in the Niger Delta, conducted a review of the Imo State Third Quarter Budget Performance Report for 2023 (July – September). The organization highlighted a trend indicating consistently high priority given to the Office of the Governor, with N31.5bn already released for the last three quarters of 2023, representing 95 percent of the budgeted N33.1bn for the entire fiscal year.
The group expressed concern that if the current spending trend persists in the last quarter, there may be a risk of the state government engaging in extra-budgetary expenses for the Office of the Governor.
While acknowledging that making expenditures for the Governor’s Office is acceptable if budgeted for, Policy Alert raised alarm over the total neglect of social sectors, emphasizing that no capital release was made for sectors like Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, Health, Youth and Social Development, Women’s Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, Agriculture, and food security during the quarter.
Policy Alert urged the state government to prioritize the social sector in the last quarter of 2023, emphasizing that the negligible capital release of N4.17bn for the entire Social Services Sector across the three quarters (only 14 percent of the budgeted N29.74bn for the year) implies citizens are being deprived of essential social services.
Additionally, the organization noted that recurrent spending in the quarter amounted to N18.76bn, while capital spending was only N7.37bn, urging the Imo State government to reconsider its prioritization of recurrent expenditure over capital expenditure.
The Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has described allegations by the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, that he was inciting other governors against accepting N70,000 minimum wage as false.
Comrade Ajaero made the accusation during an interview on national TV.
In a press statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, Soludo denied that he was running an anti-workers government in Anambra, while also listing his numerous achievements for workers in the state.
According to the statement: “The state government wishes to categorically debunk these allegations.
“In fact, at no time did Governor Soludo incite or influence other state governors against paying the proposed N70,000 minimum wage.
“The government of Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo has enjoyed a smooth and cordial relationship with the labour leaders in Anambra State, even as at the time of issuing this statement, no letter of notice of industrial action has been received by the state government.”
Governor Soludo urged NLC and all workers in the state to disregard such allegations and recognise the substantial progress and numerous initiatives undertaken by his administration to enhance worker welfare and human capital development.
He said the proposed strike was unnecessary and counterproductive at this juncture, as it might seem like the NLC leadership is being politically influenced by desperate external actors to orchestrate an artificial industrial crisis in Anambra State.
CREDIT: DAILY POST
The Federal High Court in Lagos State has convicted and sentenced Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju, founder of MedContour Services, for a botched plastic surgery that led to the death of Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020. Justice Mohammed Liman sentenced her to one year in prison but offered an alternative of a ₦100,000 fine.
Babatunde Irukera, former Director-General of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), expressed his satisfaction with the verdict on his X handle. He wrote, “Today is a proud day for me as I personally prosecuted Anu Adepoju and her medical practice. Although I have left, the conviction underscores the importance of accountability for everyone in society, professionals included. This is how society should function and evolve. Anu Adepoju and her practice were convicted on all five counts charged by FCCPC. The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but perseverance is key. A good day for consumers of professional services.”
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians about the dangers of purchasing pre-registered SIM cards, emphasizing that this practice is illegal and could result in severe penalties, including imprisonment.
The NCC warned that individuals using pre-registered SIM cards might unintentionally become involved in crimes such as identity theft, financial fraud, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
Furthermore, the NCC noted that pre-registered SIM cards compromise the accuracy of consumer information and hinder efforts to track criminals effectively. Using these SIM cards undermines the reliability of data collected on consumers, making it difficult for authorities to identify and apprehend the true criminals.
The NCC’s message aims to educate the public on the risks associated with pre-registered SIM cards and to encourage adherence to legal guidelines to enhance national security.
Minimum wage: Soludo tackles Ajaero, denies inciting other governors
Lagos court jails medical doctor, Anuoluwapo Adepoju over failed plastic surgery
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