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COVID-19 Omicron Variant: UK should review decision on Nigeria’s inclusion on red list – Lai Mohammed

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2 years ago

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The Nigerian Government has reacted to the decision of the United Kingdom, UK, to put Nigeria on its red list over the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, expressed the hope that the UK government would immediately review and rescind its decision.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Mohammed said the UK government’s decision was unjust, unfair, punitive, indefensible, and discriminatory.

The minister said the decision was not driven by science.

According to Mohammed: “As you are aware, Britain has put Nigeria on its red list and banned foreign travels from our country. This is as a result of the discovery of COVID-19 cases, the Omicron variant, in Nigeria. Britain now joins other countries, including Canada, which have taken similar action against Nigeria over Omicron.

“Let me say straight away that it’s up to the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) to respond to this action by the British Government and others, and I have no doubt that the committee will respond appropriately.

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“However, as the spokesman for the Federal Government, I can say, without mincing words, that the decision by the British Government to put Nigeria on the red list, just because of less than two dozen cases of Omicron which, by the way, did not originate in Nigeria, is unjust, unfair, punitive, indefensible and discriminatory. The decision is also not driven by science.

“How do you slam this kind of discriminatory action on a country of 200 million people, just because of less than two dozen cases? Whereas British citizens and residents are allowed to come in from Nigeria, non-residents from the same country are banned. The two groups are coming from the same country, but being subjected to different conditions. Why won’t Britain allow people in both categories to come in, and be subjected to the same conditions of testing and quarantine? This is why this decision to ban travelers from Nigeria, who are neither citizens nor residents, is grossly discriminatory and punitive.

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“Gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to highlight the fact that travel ban, the type that has been slammed on some African countries, is a knee-jerk reaction that can only be detrimental to our quest to most conclusively tackle this pandemic. Instead of these reflex responses that are driven by fear, rather than science, why can’t the world take a serious look at the issue of access to vaccines, and ensure that it is based on the principles grounded in the right of every human to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, political belief, economic or any other social condition.

“Many developed countries have used the advantage of their enormous resources or relationship to sign agreements with manufacturers to supply their countries with vaccines ahead of making them available for use by other countries. Even before the clinical trials were completed, millions of doses of the most promising vaccines have been bought by Britain, US, Japan and the EU. Some of these countries bought doses five times the size of their population, while others, mostly in Africa, have little or no access to vaccines. This is the real issue to address, instead of choosing the easy path of travel bans, which the UN Secretary General called Travel Apartheid. Let the world know that no one is safe until everyone is safe.

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“We sincerely hope the British Government will immediately review the decision to put Nigeria on its red list and rescind it immediately. Nigeria has handled the Covid-19 pandemic with utmost responsibility and based on science, and has rightly earned global accolades for its efforts. Nigeria does not belong on any country’s red list.”

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Labour gives FG May 31 deadline for new minimum wage

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1 hour ago

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May 2, 2024

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given the federal government a deadline of May 31 to come up with a new national minimum wage for workers.

 

The ultimatum was given despite the decision of the federal government to increase the salaries of civil servants by 35 percent.

 

The Federal Government also approved an increase in pension of between 20 percent and 28 percent for pensioners on the defined benefits scheme, with respect to the six consolidated salary structures.

 

The implementation of the new salary structure was backdated to January 1, 2024.

 

Labour has since said it wants the sum of ₦615,000 as the new minimum wage.

 

Speaking during the Workers Day Celebration in Abuja, Joe Ajaero, president of NLC, said they might not guarantee the industrial harmony of the country if the new minimum wage is not implemented.

 

“The NLC and the TUC have made it clear and emphatically that should the minimum wage negotiation continue and linger till the end of May, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in this country,” Ajaero said.

Also speaking, Festus Osifo, TUC president, said the N30,000 current minimum wage is insufficient for Nigerian workers due to the current economic realities.

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Osifo implored the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power distribution companies to immediately reverse the current increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers.

 

“The NLC and TUC hereby advise NERC and power sector operators to reverse the last increase in electricity tariff within the next one week,” the TUC president said.

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Claims of inciting Igbos against FG baseless, Obi replies Umahi

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4 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has responded to the allegation that he is inciting people of the south-east against the federal government.

 

The former governor of Anambra said the allegation is a “baseless distraction” designed to tarnish his character.

 

He averred that his “focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics”.

Obi said he would not reduce himself to the level of those who wallow in ethnic politics.

 

“Regarding allegations of incitement against the government, I firmly reject these unfounded accusations aimed at tarnishing my character,” Obi wrote on X.

 

“My focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics.

 

“Claims of incitement are baseless distractions. I have always advocated for unity and advancement, refusing to partake in reactionary divisive politics.

 

“Worse still, I have never and can never descend so low as to base my political aspirations on any sectional or ethnic interest.”

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THE INCITEMENT ALLEGATION

David Umahi, minister of works, on Wednesday accused Obi of inciting people of the south-east against the federal government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Umahi said Obi implemented the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was governor of Anambra.

 

The minister condemned Obi for criticising the federal government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.

 

Obi has repeatedly criticised the federal government for the construction, describing the project as a misplaced priority.

 

The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.

 

Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.

 

The project has elicited controversy over funding, and the businesses that would be affected during construction.

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RESPONSE ON DEMOLITIONS AS ANAMBRA GOVERNOR

Responding to Umahi on demolition of structures, Obi said while he was governor, he clearly stated that all structures obstructing existing roads and lacking approval would be removed.

 

The former Anambra governor challenged anyone to show evidence on whether the “demolished structures on existing roads or ongoing businesses were not encroaching on the road and built without government approval”.

 

He added that it amounts to false equivalence to compare his actions as governor with the current Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

 

Obi said he “never proposed creating a new road that would disrupt existing structures”.

 

“My actions were strategic, aiming to prioritise the repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure over projects that risked disruption and destruction,” Obi added.

“This approach aimed to safeguard the livelihoods of Nigerians and ensure the efficient use of resources.”

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Coastal highway: Umahi slams Obi, says he’s inciting south-east people against FG

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10 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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David Umahi, minister of works, says Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, is inciting people of the south-east against the Federal Government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Umahi spoke in Lagos on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the road project.

 

Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.

The project has generated controversy and concerns about funding and the businesses that would be affected during construction.

 

On Tuesday, Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, criticised the federal government over the project, describing it as a misplaced priority.

 

The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.

 

UMAHI REPLIES OBI

Responding to the comment, Umahi said Obi supported the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was the governor of Anambra.

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The minister condemned Obi for criticising the Federal Government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.

“When you condemn people you bring judgment upon yourself and that is what he has done,” Umahi said.

 

“I think he is inciting some of the south-east people that are not well informed.

“He is inciting and getting them into trouble and he does not go to fight for them.

“Wisdom is a defence. It gives light to those that practice it. I want our people to have wisdom because I’m involved.”

Umahi added that the federal government did not destroy the facilities of Landmark Beach, noting that only shanties on the right of way were removed.

 

He said the owners of Landmark Beach were not unfairly treated in the construction of the project.

 

The minister accused Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of politicising the issues arising from the project.

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