Daily Watch – Petrol marketers make threats over debt, Mali clinches IMF deal

The Federal Government has approved 25% and 35% salary increases for civil servants on the six Consolidated Salary Structures. The salary increase is, however, separate from that being discussed at the ongoing negotiation between the government and labour unions following the removal of fuel subsidy. Emmanuel Njoku, Head of Press at the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), announced a salary increase and approved pension hikes ranging from 20% to 28% for pensioners under the Defined Benefits Scheme. These adjustments align with Section 173(3) of the Nigerian Constitution and cover six consolidated salary structures. Njoku noted that employees in the tertiary education and health sectors have already received their increases. Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, confirmed that the new minimum wage will come into effect on May 1, 2024.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to shut down all their marketing outlets nationwide over more than ₦200 billion owed to them by the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) since 2022, despite directives given by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, since 20 February to clear the debt within 40 days. The IPMAN Chairman, Depot Forum, expressed dismay that only ₦13 billion has been disbursed. Aba Depot’s unit Chairman, Oliver Okolo, highlighted that these funds were deducted from their members by the agency over the past two years and are currently held by NMDPRA. They are urging for the return of these funds. Additionally, fuel marketers attribute the ongoing fuel scarcity to actions by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, contradicting allegations of product hoarding by marketers.

Ghana’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has released GHS170,775,035.07 to various healthcare providers nationwide to settle outstanding claims. In a statement released by the NHIA, the authority said the payment covers the majority of claims from January and February 2024 for lower-tier healthcare facilities, which represent the largest group of providers. For upper-tier facilities, the payment covers claims up to November 2023. In the statement signed by the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, the Authority said this payment is part of the NHIA’s mission to provide high-quality healthcare services to all citizens in Ghana.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said it had reached a staff-level agreement with Mali for about $120 million in emergency financing, as the West African country is struggling with rising food insecurity. Import costs for essential goods such as food and fertilisers in Mali have risen due to a regional funding squeeze and recent geopolitical shocks, the IMF said in a statement. Upon approval by the IMF Management and Executive Board, Mali would receive a disbursement expected to cover food provision costs, provide access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and shelter for displaced people. The Fund also said that the country’s near-term outlook was uncertain due to severe electricity outages, security concerns, lower projected gold production and an election delay. The IMF said Mali’s economy grew by 4.4% last year, adding that it expects real GDP growth to slow to 3.8% in 2024.