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Interior Minister Grilled Over N1.195bn Expatriate Quotas

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The National Assembly’s joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Interior Grilled the Ministry of Interior concerning expatriate quotas.

They expressed concern that these quotas might be leading to job opportunities being taken from Nigerians by expatriates within the country.

At the budget defense session on Wednesday, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo discussed the pros and cons of granting expatriate quotas permits to deserving foreign companies which took center stage during the committee meeting.

The ministry announced that it exceeded its projected revenue of N600 million from expatriate quotas in the 2023 fiscal year, generating N1.195 billion from January to October.

The minister highlighted that the ministry surpassed its revenue targets not only from expatriate quotas but also from marriage-related income.

He emphasized to the committee that although the target for revenue from expatriate quotas in 2023 was N600 million, as of October 31, 2023, the generated revenue stood at N1.195 billion from the issuance of expatriate quotas to deserving foreign firms in the country.

Tunji-Ojo said, “Aside from the projected revenue from expatriate quotas that had been surpassed by about N600 million extra, the N380 million projected revenue from marriage, has also been surpassed by over N500 million with N892.774 million realised as of October 31, 2023.”

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North), the Chairman of the joint committee, commended the minister for exceeding revenue targets through expatriate quotas.

However, he expressed concerns that the policy might inadvertently enable expatriates to take away job opportunities meant for Nigerians within the country.

Oshiomole said, ” Your ministry needs to regulate the issuance of the quotas very well as I have on good authority that prisoners from foreign land are working in Nigeria as construction workers.

“This is even different from the age-long fraud the oil companies have been carrying out in the country through the policy of expatriate quotas by making our qualified engineers work under foreign technicians.

“Many non-Nigerians are in the country, some of them live inside containers. I even believe and dare say that there are foreign prisoners who are working in Nigeria. They were shipped to our country to serve their prison terms.”

The committee chairman further stated “They were being paid according to their country’s minimum wage by the construction industry that brought them. I don’t want to mention the company’s name but if I am provoked, I will mention it.

“Honourable Minister, this is a serious issue. Prisoners are not expected to work in their countries if the product or whatever they engage in is meant to be exported,” the senator added.

In response, the minister reassured the committee that the ministry had implemented a project geared towards safeguarding Nigerian jobs.

He highlighted the Expatriate Employee Network as a key initiative designed to protect local jobs from being taken by expatriates.

Additionally, this project aims to prevent expatriate workers from evading tax payments in Nigeria.

 

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Tragic Building Collapse In R/State Leaves One Dead, Several Injured

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A tragic building collapse in Rivers State has left a middle-aged contractor, identified as Udeme, feared dead after a two-storey structure under construction caved in at the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

This incident comes just one week after a three-storey building collapsed at the Iriebe axis of the same local government, though that incident fortunately recorded no casualties.

READ MORE: Fire Ravages Ajah Market In Lagos, Goods Worth Millions Lost

The latest collapse occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m., with construction workers on site when the structure gave way.

According to eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey, the building’s second floor suddenly buckled, trapping Udeme beneath the rubble, while another worker managed to escape with serious injuries.

Obey, who attempted to rescue the trapped contractor, suspected negligence, saying, “We couldn’t reach him despite our efforts. An inspection revealed substandard materials had been used, with the foundation only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is insufficient. The rebar was of poor quality, and essential supports, such as a center beam, were absent.”

The Rivers State Government has since sealed off the property and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted for questioning.

Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the site and expressed his dismay, attributing the collapse to gross negligence.

“This tragedy was preventable,” Bipi stated. “The developer failed to obtain an approved building plan and used inferior materials. The government will ensure accountability and take severe action.”

Bipi extended his condolences to the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro Community, affirming that the government will facilitate the family’s recovery of their loved one’s remains. “We sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community,” he added.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, also condemned the developer’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed when profit is prioritized over safety. “This loss is a direct consequence of unethical practices,” he said.

The government has committed to a thorough investigation and tighter regulatory enforcement to prevent further tragedies in Rivers State.

 

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JUST IN: Justice Adeyeye, Ekiti State’s CJ Passes On

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The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye has passed on.

The news of his passing was leaked by a reliable source under the condition of anonymity.

The sad incident, according to the source, happened in Ado Ekiti in the early hours of Tuesday.

His death is being traced to a sickness which came upon him following the injury he sustained when a section of the Ekiti State High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti wall collapsed in July 12, 2023.

ALSO READ: #EndBadGovernance Protests: Tinubu Orders Release Of Detained Minors

The late Justice Adeyeye was at the office when the building collapse happened and sustained injuries.

While the state and his family were yet to issue statements on his demise, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) has sent condolences to the family.

The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.

“May He find rest with his maker.

“I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.

Adieu great one.”

Justice Adeyeye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.

He started his career as a State Counsel in the civil service of the then Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judiciary Service Commission shortly after the state was created in 1996.

He was promoted to the position of a judge in the state’s high court in 2002 and has served at different occasions in the election petition tribunal.

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BREAKING: Court Drops Charges Against 76 #EndBadGovernance Protesters

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all charges against 76 individuals accused of participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

The ruling came after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, moved to discontinue the case under orders from President Bola Tinubu.

READ MORE: N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the matter, struck out the charges after hearing a motion from the AGF’s representative, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Mohammed Abubakar.

Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, the AGF formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police, then requested to drop all charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors.

The judge granted the AGF’s application without objection from defense counsel, ordering the immediate release of the accused, who were not present in court.

This decision follows a directive issued on Monday by President Tinubu, instructing the AGF to withdraw charges against the protesters.

 

 

 

 

More to follow………. 

 

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