News
Workers Panic As Lagos Waterworks Sacks 450

Employees of the Lagos State Water Corporation are currently in a state of anxiety as the state government sacked 450 casual workers last week Thursday.
The PUNCH learnt on Thursday that the affected staff members were shocked when they were served with sack letters on Tuesday and given an ultimatum to surrender all the government property in their care.
It was learnt that the decision to sack the workers jolted some of the staff members who were not affected by the exercise.
Some of the workers who spoke with our correspondent who visited one of the state waterworks on Thursday expressed fear that they might suffer a similar fate.
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Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a staff member told PUNCH Metro that many of the laid-off staff members had spent several years working with the corporation.
She said, “Nobody knew this was going to happen. We were all shocked that a large number of people could be sacked in a day. Currently, these waterworks no longer have casual workers.
“One of my friends was affected by the decision. She has a family she is taking care of. She doesn’t even know where to start. She left the office weeping last week. Even if they are going to sack anyone, they should have given people more time to find alternatives.”
Meanwhile, The PUNCH further probe showed that the workers were laid off due to a claim that the state government wanted to undergo restructuring despite the current shortage of staff.
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“We don’t have enough staff. As big as this place is, only one person is left to clean it. There were many of us at the maintenance units before. But now there are just the three of us left,” one employee said on condition of anonymity.
“They said they are restructuring, but how many staff will need to be sacked before this is accomplished?” another source queried in a separate interview with The PUNCH.
However, when contacted for his reaction, the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Water Corporation, Kehinde Fashola, confirmed some workers were laid off because they breached the contract of agreement.
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“The government found out that the Lagos Water management contract staff members have not been in accordance with the contract appointment law. Some of them have been contract staff for 10 years and some for five years, which is not in accordance with the country’s labour law.
“The normal time is two years. So, the government is trying to correct any abnormality without any bias,” she said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
News
Edo Expresses Commitment To Ease Of Doing Business

The Edo State government has expressed commitment to providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, gave the assurance after a closed door meeting with representatives of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited, NewCross Exploration and Production Limited in Benin.
The deputy governor, who served as chairman of the state boundary committee, noted that this is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Idahosa, who said “it is part of the state’s strategy to create employment opportunities,” pointed out that it is in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo economic drive to turn the state into an investor friendly one.
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He also emphasised meed to resolve the lingering disputes, saying the boundary committee is proactively looking into and settling areas of concern regarding the issue.
“All communities that are in the boundary line between Edo and Delta States where there are communal disputes, we want to assure them that we are doing everything within our power, using diplomatic and democratic means to make sure this is resolved amicably,” he assured.
The deputy governor noted that under the SHINE Agenda of this administration, much has been done in the area of infrastructural development.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s One Year Performance Outshines Some governors’ 8 Yrs, Says Idahosa
“This has made it possible to access roads to major companies, communities, and, ensuring the security of life and properties across the state by investing aggressively in security,” he stated.
On the outcome of the robust interface with the oil workers, Idahosa said through deliberations at the meeting, both parties successfully forged a headway.
He said this has resorted to the invitation of the Edo State Boundary Committee for an on the spot inspection of operation sites in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.
He called on investors and multinational companies operating in Edo State to go about their businesses with ease as the Okpebholo led administration is investment friendly.
News
Imansuangbon Donates To Benin IDPs, Charges Wealthy Nigerians To Advance Humanity

Politician and philanthropist, Barr. Kenneth Imansuangbon on Wednesday charged political office holders and well-to-do Nigerians to use their position and wealth to advance humanity.
Imansuangbon gave the charge when he visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)housed by Home for the Needy Foundation, Benin, where he donated food items, drinks, cash, toiletries, etc to the children and women as part of his Christmas gifts to them.
Recall that last month the IDPs lamented hardship caused by the economic situation of the country, saying due to the economic hardship, a single meal where they used to cook 15 bags of rice has been reduced to 5.
Rising to the occasion, the philanthropist said his love for humanity and in accordance with the teaching of the Holy Book drove him to give to the needy annually, adding that he has been doing it for the past 20 years.

READ ALSO:Tragedy For Borno IDPs As Fire Guts 200 Houses
Imansuangbon, who expressed displeasure over the current happenings in the country, said: “If the country is really working we will not find ourselves in this kind of situation. This is an embarrassment to the giant of Africa.”
“If we teach ourselves love and humanity, then the country will be safer and better for everyone
“We are just a tool in the hand of God Almighty. Anywhere God has placed you, use it to advance humanity. You are in government? Get it at the back of your mind that you are not the first person to occupy the position, and you are not going to be the last.
“The way our country is today, I am not satisfied, this goes beyond Mr. President or the Senators, it is about realising that We all need to save our country. If the country is really working, we will not find ourselves in this kind of situation. This is an embarrassment to the giant of Africa.”

READ ALSO:Imansuangbon Donates Food Items IDP In Edo, Sues For Honour For Humanitarian Workers
Imansuangbon, who is the proprietor of Pacesetter School, Abuja, expressed gratitude to students, staff members and parents of the school, saying the donations were from them.
“I’m here in Benin with the half of their donation. The children donated ₦1.5m cash, and I am here with the money. You can see these 70 bags of rice, 100 bags of noodles, bags of cane drinks, water, toiletry, etc, are from them. I am grateful to them for doing this for the past 20 years.”
He, therefore, appealed to Governor Monday Okpehbolo to extend the hand of fellowship to the IDPs particularly on Christmas day.
Responding, coordinator of the camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, while appreciating the donor, said: “He does this regularly not because he is a politician but because of his love for humanity. He is one of the few that comes here anytime, not an electioneering period alone, but anytime we are in need. He has been showing his love for the children for years, so I thank him.”
Folorunsho used the occasion to appeal to well-to-do Nigerians to come and assist the IDPs, stressing that until Imansuangbon came they (IDPs) had nothing to “eat for today.”
News
27-year-old Man Dies Inside Deep Well In Ogbomoso

The corpse of a 27-year-old man identified as Alagbe Gbemisoye has been recovered from a deep well at Ire-Akari, Adeniran area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
His body was retrieved by officials of the Oyo State Fire Service after passersby alerted them to the incident.
The circumstances that led to the deceased falling into the well were still unclear as of the time of filing this report.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reforms and Chairman, Fire Services, Moroof Akinwande, said his men were alerted by a running caller and Mr Ajayi Olayemi.
READ ALSO:Oyo: Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Ravages Residential Buildings
“Fire personnel led by CFM Oladejo promptly deployed to the scene. On arrival, it was discovered that a man of about 27 years old, named Alagbe Gbemisoye, had fallen into a deep well. His body was recovered and handed over to the DPO, Owode Police Station,” he said.
Akinwande urged the public to always observe safety precautions in their daily activities and emphasised the importance of having fire extinguishers in their homes to prevent fire incidents.
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