Business

Wales to press ahead with Covid pass plans despite calls to re-run vote

The Welsh government will press ahead with the introduction of a Covid pass for nightclubs and big sporting events despite only getting its policy through the Senedd because a technical issue meant an opponent could not cast his vote.

The Conservative member Gareth Davies was trying to vote remotely against the scheme but failed to connect to the debating chamber in Cardiff via Zoom, allowing the Labour-led government to win the vote 28-27.

Representatives of clubs and bars are calling for the vote to be re-run but the government said the new law, which will make holding a Covid pass compulsory for people to get into venues including nightclubs and major sporting events, would come into force.

The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, said the vote was an “extraordinary” moment, but added: “The way the vote is conducted is not for the government, that is for the parliament. It is members’ responsibilities to make sure they are in the chamber or on Zoom.”

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “What was really extraordinary was the fact that opposition parties were not prepared to support this simple measure which will help to keep people safe from coronavirus.”

The Welsh government says the measure, due to come into force on Monday, is needed because of rising Covid rates, especially among young people.

The opposition parties in the Senedd, the Tories, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats, voted against the pass on Tuesday evening. It looked as if the vote was heading for a tie, which would have meant the law being blocked.

Seconds before voting time, one of the Tories in the chamber could be heard telling the Llywydd – the presiding officer – Elin Jones, that a colleague could not vote. She replied that every opportunity had been given to him to be present remotely to vote, including giving him her own personal phone number. The vote went ahead without him.

In a statement, she said: “A member was not present for the vote on proposals for Covid passes. I gave every opportunity for the member to be present … but the member was unable to be contacted.

“For members to vote in the Senedd, they must be present, either in the chamber or on Zoom. It is a member’s responsibility to give themselves sufficient time to secure their Zoom connection in time for voting, just as it is for any member travelling to the Senedd to vote.”

On Wednesday, Davies said: “I’m deeply upset, frustrated and angry at last night’s events and my inability to cast a vote against vaccine passports. IT challenges meant that I was unable to access the voting system. I was working and representing the group at the Conservative party conference and I would have been able to vote remotely if I’d have been able to access the remote voting tools. Concerns have been raised with the Senedd’s ICT department.”

None of the opposition parties have said they feel the vote ought to be re-run.

Business

Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price to N825 per litre

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol to N825 per litre from N835 per litre as competition continues in the domestic market.

Recall that last month, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery reduced the gantry price of petrol to N835 per litre from N865 per litre.

The latest adjustment is targeted at giving customers more value, as well as consolidating its leadership position in the domestic market.

Business

NIMC hikes NIN service fees, increases date of birth correction to N28,574

Federal Govt Launches NIN Diaspora Enrolment Centre In UAE

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced a revised price list for National Identification Number (NIN) issuance and other related services.

On May 1, the NIMC announced a review of the pricing structure for all its services.

In its report on Saturday, the commission said the cost of correcting the date of birth on a NIMC slip has increased to N28,574, reflecting a 74.87 percent rise from the previous fee of N16,340.

According to the new price list, modifying other details such as name or address now costs N2,000 per transaction, up by 31.41 percent from the earlier fee of N1,522.

While initial NIN enrolment and issuance of slips remain free, NIMC said the reissuance of lost or damaged NIN slips now costs N600, an increase from N500.

Premium enrollment services offered at licensed lounges, visa centres, and pre-booked VIP services now cost N20,000, and VIP reissuance of NIN slips is priced at N3,500.

Additionally, the commission said the fee for retrieving a NIN via USSD services has risen to N50 from N20.

For Nigerians in the diaspora, NIMC said adult enrollment at regular service points in African countries now costs $50, enrollment for children is $30, and reissuance of NIN slips abroad is priced at $6.

According to NIMC, in African countries, the commission said correcting a date of birth now costs $55, and modifying other fields costs $10.

In non-African countries, the commission said name corrections are priced at $60, while other changes cost $20.

In its executive summary of the revised price list, NIMC explained that the adjustments considered the current inflation rate of 32.70 percent, saying most services were increased by at least 20 percent, with certain exceptions based on the nature of the service.

Business

NCAA sanctions Kenya Airways over passenger complaints

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has sanctioned Kenya Airways for several consumer-related violations involving three passengers, including one Gloria Omisore.

This is contained in a statement on Friday by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Achimugu stated the NCAA issued a sanction letter on Wednesday to Kenya Airways regarding the passengers’ complaints

“The infractions include failure to provide care, lack of transparency in carriage terms, poor communication with the Authority, and mishandling refunds and baggage.

“In accordance with the NCAA Regulations 2023, Kenya Airways must pay fines and compensate each affected passenger with 1,000 special drawing rights.

“The airline has seven days to comply. Failure to do so will result in more severe penalties,” Achimugu said