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NSPMC Faces Scrutiny: Senate Exposes N14 Billion Salary Increase Without Approval

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On Monday, the Senate revealed that the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc reportedly granted a salary increase of N14 billion to its staff without obtaining approval from the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission.

 

In a session at the Red Chamber in Abuja, Senator Ahmed Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, revealed the findings during a meeting with the NSPMC management, discussing the 2019 report of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

 

The Auditor-General’s report disclosed that from 2016 to 2019, the NSPMC’s Board of Directors sanctioned N14 billion for salaries and allowances without securing approval from the salaries and wages regulatory body.

 

According to Article 3 of the NSIWC Act, 1990, the commission is mandated to advise the Federal Government on national income policy, recommend proportions for wage increases, and inform the government about wage trends, proposing guidelines for wage increments, among other responsibilities.

 

In his written submission, NSPMC’s Managing Director, Ahmed Halilu, asserted that the company, registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, didn’t require approval from the salaries and wages regulatory body.

 

Yet, during the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, he later acknowledged that it was an oversight not to seek approval from the NSIWC before implementing the salary and allowances increase.

 

Halilu further said, “It has come to our notice that we must obtain approval before salaries increase. It is salaries paid over three years. On this ground, it was not misappropriated considering the volume of works done by thousands of staff over this period.”

 

Members of the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the unauthorized payment, highlighting the expenditure of public funds without proper procedures.

 

Senator Nwebonyi Onyeka, Deputy Whip of the Senate, emphasized that government funds were utilized without due process and called for the reimbursement of the misappropriated funds.

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NEWS

Lagos Market On Fire As Hoodlums Clash [Video]

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Numerous individuals sustained injuries following a confrontation between rival groups in the Ile-Epo vicinity of Lagos State.

According to reports, the altercation erupted within the local market on Wednesday night and persisted into Thursday morning.

During the clash, several shops were set ablaze, and merchandise was vandalized. Despite efforts by law enforcement, the intervention was hindered by the aggressors.

This morning, a fire service truck attempting to enter the market was compelled to retreat after being bombarded with stones by unidentified assailants.

See video below:

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NGX Group Releases Stellar Q1 ’24 Numbers

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NGX: Transactions maintain bearish trend with 0.0% loss

The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) has unveiled stellar Q1 2024 results, signaling a promising trajectory for the company.

Biztellers reports that this is coming shortly after the company’s 63rd Annual General Meeting (AGM).

From the results made available on Thursday, the Group reported an impressive N2 billion in Profit before Tax (PBT), bolstered by robust growth in operating margins and operational efficiencies.

From the results, Profit After Tax (PAT) rose to N1.3 billion, marking a remarkable 332% increase from the N310 million recorded in Q1 2023.

The NGX claims that “This exceptional performance underscores the group’s unwavering commitment to excellence and strategic growth initiatives”.

Recall that at the AGM, the NGX Group announced plans to capitalize on digital distribution for the upcoming recapitalization exercises mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Additionally, the group disclosed a strategic acquisition of a stake in the Ethiopian Stock Exchange, securing a seat on the bourse’s board.

These decisive moves align with the group’s overarching strategy to expand its business operations and solidify its position in the regional market.

In a bid to secure long-term sustainability and drive growth, the NGX Group implemented a strategic optimization initiative. This comprehensive plan encompasses a strategic reduction in workforce size, accompanied by significant salary increases for retained staff.

The initiative aims to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and optimize resources, fostering a more competitive and agile organization.

The exercise follows a thorough review of the group’s operations, which revealed opportunities for optimization and improved competitiveness. The NGX Group remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and building a resilient organization poised for sustainable growth.

The recent approval by shareholders of a N10 billion capital raise underscores investor confidence in the NGX Group’s strategic direction and its unwavering commitment to driving sustainable growth and value creation.

The NGX Group remains dedicated to serving its customers, partners, and stakeholders, confident that these strategic measures will pave the way for future success. The company’s focus remains on innovation, customer satisfaction, and building a resilient organization poised for growth.

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Premium 86-Room-Under-Bridge Apartment Uncovered At Ikoyi, Lagos

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The Lagos State government has uncovered an 86-room under bridge apartment in the Ikoyi Area of the state, where tenants pay as much as N250,000 annually as rent, per room.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Tokunbo Wahab, made the disclosure in text and video clips on his verified X handle on Wednesday.

He revealed that the apartment is under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, and has 86 partitioned rooms, sized “10×10 and 12×10”.

According to Wahab the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

He wrote, “A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

A Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, shed more light on the matter.

He gave kudos to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as KAI for the feat, who cleared up the mess on Tuesday, arresting some of people in the process.

Rotimi-Akodu, who also shared text and video clips of the development, wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).

“These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. 23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.”

He also confirmed that the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10 with squatters paying an average rent of N250,000 per annum.

“Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested. It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants used gas cylinders, and some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster,” he added.

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