News Politics

E-Parliament Platform: Osun Assembly Signs MoU with Private Organisation

By Web News 1096

Osun State House of Assembly on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a private organisation to upgrade its website to an e-parliament platform.

This would facilitate widely and readily available information to the citizens, aimed at increasing accountability, transparency and openness by creating a high-powered web portal.

The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye stated this during the event held in Osogbo.

Mr Owoeye who urged parliamentarians to explore the opportunity of E-Parliament stressed that ICT provides efficient and modernized service.

He commended the organisation for its impact since the commencement of the 7th Assembly.

In his speech, the House, Clerk of the House, Mr Simeon Amusan said all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of the E-parliament platform.

Earlier in an opening remark, the Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Bukola Idowu commended members of the 7th Assembly for their dedication to Transparency and accountability as well as willingness to embrace innovations aimed at improving the governance of the people of Osun State.

Mr Idowu who explained that the benefit of ICT can make democratic process more efficient, transparent, accessible and accountable also expressed the hope that the programme would be launched by June this year.

Present at the event are honourable members of the state house of Assembly amongst other distinguished personalities.

Mojisola Oladele

Economy

Ekiti Government Slashes Salaries of Political Appointees, Workers

By Web News 640

Ekiti State Government has again slashed the salaries of political office holders and accounting officers for three months as a result of shortfall in the federal allocation to the state.

Also government has suspended the payment of consequential adjustment for workers from Grade level 7 and above which commenced in January 2021 for same three months.

This followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on the agreement reached between representatives of government and labour leaders’ state administrative council on the state finances.

Under the M.O.U, running grant to government offices on monthly basis has been reduced while the economic review committee would henceforth meet monthly to keep labour abreast of the financial position of the state.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the signing of the document, the Ekiti State Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, commended the labour leaders for their sacrifice and expressed optimism that the state would successfully navigate through the period of financial challenges.

She promised that government would adhere strictly to the terms of the agreement reached with the labour leaders to ensure industrial harmony in the state.

The Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Mr. Kayode Fatomiluyi, appreciated government for reducing the salaries of appointees and its efforts that would not lead to retrenchment of workers.

Mr. Fatomiluyi noted that the unfortunate situation has directly affected the living standard of workers hence the need for government to keep to its promise.

The chairman, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Mr Sola Adigun who read the M.O.U said it was agreed that government would not downsize the workforce as a result of financial challenges facing the state.

He added: “The labour leadership believes in dialogue and subjecting itself to arguments logically and scientifically and bowing to superior argument. We urge the government to adhere strictly to this agreement.”

Governor Kayode Fayemi had approved the reduction in salaries of political office holders in April 2020 at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to ensure continuous payment of workers’ salaries amidst economic challenges posed by the public health situation.

Tope Bamidele

Economy

Ogun Workers to End Strike, Sign MOU with Government

By Web News 668

The Organized Labour in Ogun State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government towards resolving the lingering industrial crisis in the State.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two parties, the payment of new minimum wage is to commence from October this year among other agreements.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on behalf of the government side by the Secretary to the state government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Shuaib Salis and the Head of Service, Mrs Selimat Otun.

Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Emmanuel Bankole, Vice chairman Trade Union Congress, Comrade Akeem Lasisi and the Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council Comrade Oanrewaju Folorunso signed on behalf of the labour movement in Ogun state. 

The labour leaders are expected to call off the strike soon.

Olawale Oluokun. 

Economy

Oyo Govt Signs MoU on 5 Billion naira Real Estate Investments

By Web News 1643

Oyo State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four private investors in Nigeria towards the development of real estate in the state through concessional agreement.

Five billion naira is to be injected into the real estate sector of the state’s economy aimed at ameliorating the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, among other steps evolved by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The projects include the design, construction, commissioning and management of Bodija Recreation Center by Refcon Ltd and construction of about 360 units of medium and low-cost housing estate by Remax Realtors.

Others are the development of eleven units of premium 5-bedroom units by Wood et al Ltd and the development of forty-five units of premium 5-bedroom townhouse by Project Scope Ltd.

Speaking at the signing held in Ibadan, the Director-General, Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership, Mr Segun Ogunwuyi said the concessional agreement on the injection of 5 billion naira into the state’s economy would be felt in youths’ employment and improved commercial atmosphere.

Mr Ogunwuyi said the present administration in Oyo State, under the leadership of Engineer Seyi Makinde was doing everything possible to turn around the fortune of the state for the better.

The projects include construction of 360 units of medium and low-cost housing units on 13 hectares at Ajoda New Town and development of eleven units of premium 5 bedroom terrace house with all necessary infrastructures on a vacant land at Oba Awosika Street at Bodija.

Iyabo Adebisi

Technology

Ekiti Government Moves to Boost Internet Access across the State

By Web News 1006

The Ekiti State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with a private organization, the Oodua Infraco Resources Limited, with a view towards providing internet facility in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

The State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi while signing the documents said that the step would open a lot of opportunities for the state in terms of job creation.

Dr. Fayemi also observed that the Internet facility would cover all the tertiary institutions, schools, security outfits and health institution in order to engage meaningfully with their counterparts in the world on best ways of doing things.

He stressed that the facility would go a long way to drive and achieve more on the state’s knowledge economy.

The governor explained that the Executive Order 007 which reduced the right of way charges from four thousand, five hundred naira to one hundred and forty five naira per kilometre, had begun to yield positive result as many Internet Providers shown interest to invest in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mr Bamidele Faparusi who said the project would be completed within fourteen months, maintained that all the streets in Ekiti would have internet fibers in the interest of younger generation.

Contributing, the Chief Executive Officer, Odua Resources Infraco Limited, Mr Sammy Adigun said the project would cost five billion naira, while Federal government would contribute over one billion naira and Ekiti State Government would ensure the completion of the project.

Mr Adigun explained that the six hundred and six kilometres internet Wi-Fi construction would commence on October this year.

While appreciating the government’s giant steps, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mr Olumide Ajayi pointed out that the project would impart meaningfully on the society after completion.

Oriola Afolabi