City Crime
Stability in Nigeria and South Africa Is Essential for the Development of Africa
In an official statement by the vice-president of agriculture, human and social development at the African Development Bank, Jennifer Blanke, it was made clear that the growth and development of the African continent as a whole is largely dependent on the political and economical stability of Nigeria and South Africa. She brought forward multiple points regarding the situation during her interview with Business Day in Davos, Switzerland a while back.
The Last Frontier
As the vice-president explains, many companies are interested in Africa right now, with the focus being on South Africa and Nigeria. However, the fact that the two nations are always at the centre of attention when it comes to prospects in the continent has also put a tremendous amount of pressure on them to maintain political stability both internally and externally. She even goes on to add that new businesses are looking at Africa as “the exciting last frontier” now.
It should also be noted that Nigeria is one of the few countries in the continent of Africa that has the economic backbone to support legalised sports betting from huge gaming sites like freebets.co.uk | Paddy Power. It also has multiple traditional casinos of its own within the country for tourists and locals which further strengthen the position of the growing gaming industry within the nation. The website has a betting calculator.
The Depreciation
In spite of the scope for an agricultural boom, the two major economies within the continent have unfortunately shown financial depreciation in 2016, which has been cited as a major cause for concern by Blanke. The economic growth in Nigeria had actually declined by 1.51% in 2016. Considering that this has happened for the first time since the year 1991, Blanke’s concerns regarding stability in the region seem well founded. South Africa on the other hand, barely managed to avoid a recession with a GDP growth of 0.3% last year, which is another reason for alarm. Blanke explains that if SA and Nigeria fail to be the examples of success that the sub-Saharan Africa needs in order to develop and thrive, growth in the entire continent will be severely stunted. Both nations are under constant pressure as everyone is looking forward to Nigeria and South Africa for bringing progress and growth into Africa, while becoming major global markets themselves in the process.
The Agriculture
Agriculture has always been one of the major industries for Africa in general and the African Development Bank is betting on that fact by making significant investments in the sector. Jennifer Blanke specified a time period of ten years in respect to seeing Africa becoming a major agricultural supplier, thanks mainly to the natural resources in the region. This applies particularly to Nigeria, especially since The World Bank has just approved a $200 million loan to support the growth of the agricultural industry in the country. SA on the other hand, is currently dealing with a major armyworm invasion in their farm lands. However, Blanke doesn’t seem to regard the pest problem as a cause for concern. She assures that when it comes to South Africa, it’s more about high quality food processing than raw agricultural production. South Africa is expected to maintain the same standard that it has managed to reach in terms of both quality and quantity, while expanding out to explore new commercial opportunities.
As is evident from the disappointing financial decline seen last year, both South Africa and Nigeria are currently suffering from the effects of political instability in the region. Major businesses are turning towards Africa to scan and see if it’s worth making investments in the area. This is what makes right now the time to grab some of the opportunities that are presenting themselves. It is imperative that the local governments realise that fact and create a favourable condition for that to happen.
-Uchechukwu Okwum
The Rivers State Government has vowed to enforce strict compliance with approved building plans by property owners and developers in the State to guarantee safety and adherence to regulatory standards.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, in his inaugural meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Directors and staff of the Ministry, said he would ensure full implementation of the Physical Planning Development Law of the State.
He warned that the Rivers State Government will no longer condone a situation where developers make deliberate adjustment or completely deviate from approved building plan in the execution of their projects without recourse to the Ministry.
Hon. Bipi solicited the cooperation of the civil servants of the Ministry while promising to run an open door policy and be easily accessible.
He also promised to right the wrongs, make a positive impact and leave an enduring legacy in the Ministry.
He promised to enhance the physical landscape and aesthetic of Old and New GRA as well as other parts of Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Surv. Wisdom Hebron, assured the Commissioner of maximum cooperation to foster a harmonious working environment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the payment of N85,000.00 as the new minimum wage for civil servants in the employ of the Rivers State Government.
This is the agreement reached during a closed door meeting presided over by the Governor and attended by representatives of organised labour under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in the State at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, who spoke on behalf of the Government, affirmed that Governor Fubara has graciously approved a new minimum wage of N85,000.00, adding that the government will begin in November, 2024.
Dr George said, “He (Gov Fubara) has pronounced a figure that is higher than the National Minimum Wage. He pronounced a sum of N85,000.00, which is higher than the minimum wage that was prescribed nationally.
“So, as the Head of Service and a major stakeholder in the labour family, I am very happy to say that the Rivers State Civil Servants have never had it this good since the inception of this State.
“The labour union leaders and all the other major stakeholders were happy with this development,” he added.
Responding to possible payment of arrears, Dr Nwaeke, said it is yet to be determined because a technical committee has been set up to critically work out a tenable payment chart, which will cater to issues of arrears.
He clarified, “Issues of arrears will be worked out by the committee that I am going to be Deputy to the SSG. We are already going to work on it in a technical committee that will now get the nitty gritty of the payment and inform the press later.”
On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Emecheta Chuku, explained that this is their first meeting with Governor Fubara to discuss the issue of the new minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Comrade Chuku pointed to the fact that the gracious approval of N85,000.00 new minimum wage is very appeasing to the labour leaders, adding that it demonstrates love for the workers.
He explained, “For the Governor to come, against all the crisis, against all the things that he is facing and more, to say he will pay N85,000.00 minimum wage, I think our hearts are full of joy.
“Of course, we have no doubt, knowing the kind of person we have as our Governor. He is a decent man; very responsible enough; and grew through the rank and file of the system. He understands what it takes to earn a living salary; he understands the difference between gifting money and paying somebody salary that can sustain him or her from the first day to the last day of the month.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, noted that the amount approved by Governor Fubara puts Rivers State Government ahead of Lagos State as the highest minimum wage paying State to civil servants in Nigeria.
He stressed, “Why do I say that? Lagos State said N85,000.00 and Rivers State is paying N85,000.00. The IGRs of Lagos State and Rivers State are not the same. So, for the Governor to agree to pay the same rate with Lagos, that means we are at the top of it.
“We are the best, and we want to continue to commend the Governor. We assure him that, as far as this State is concerned, labour is going to stand with him. We will be with him even until the next eight years.
“I want to commend His Excellency, Executive Governor of Rivers State, our own Number One Worker in Rivers State, he has, once again, proven that the workers in Rivers State gave him an award on May Day as the Champion of Labour, as the Most Labour-Friendly Governor in Nigeria. He, again, has shown that to us today, and I want to commend him.”
He added that they were returning to the State Secretariat Complex to inform workers of the Governor’s magnanimity and benevolence towards civil servants in the State.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has felicitated Muslim faithful as they celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, urging them to show love, tolerance, perseverance, patriotism and commitment to the growth and development of the State.
Governor Fubara, in a message in Port Harcourt, the State capital, urged the Muslim Ummah to use the lessons of the 12th day of the third month of Rabi’ al-Awwal to reflect on the core teachings of the Holy Prophet, and interceed for one another as exemplified by the sacrifices He made for humanity.
The Governor charged the faithful in the State and across the country to commit to ensuring that they continue to benefit from the genuine policies and programmes of government put in place to make live easy for all living and doing business in the State, without discrimination.
He said, “I, on behalf of the government and good people of Rivers State, heartily felicitate all Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid-el-Maulud celebration, to honour the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and urge for prayers for the revival and unity of Nigeria.
“The occasion, yet again, provides an opportunity to reflect deeply on the need for greater application of the Prophet’s teachings bordering on piety, charity, patience, resilience, justice and peaceful coexistence,” he added.
Governor Fubara assured the Muslim community in Rivers State, and indeed, all residents of the resolve of his administration to sustain the tempo of providing critical projects and social services to improve the quality of life of the people.