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Presidency Clarifies Tax Reform Bills, Denies Plans to Scrap Key Agencies

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The State House has issued a statement clarifying the contents of the transformative tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly, denying claims that the bills recommend scrapping key agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The statement, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, emphasized that no provision in the bills would impoverish the North.

The statement addressed the misinformation and deliberate attempts to mislead the public by various political actors and commentators. “Unfortunately, most reactions are not grounded in facts, reality, or sufficient knowledge of the bills,” Onanuga stated. He criticized those who have polarized the country and incited people against lawmakers.

Onanuga clarified that the tax reform bills aim to enhance the quality of life for Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged, and will not make Lagos or Rivers more affluent at the expense of other parts of the country. “The bills will not destroy the economy of any section of the country,” he asserted.

Contrary to the lies being peddled, the statement emphasized that NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA will not cease to exist in 2029 after the passage of the bills. “Government agencies, such as NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA, are funded through budgetary provisions with company income tax and other taxes paid by the same businesses that are being overburdened with the special taxes,” Onanuga explained.

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President Bola Tinubu’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms aim to streamline tax administration in Nigeria and create a conducive environment for businesses. “For decades, businesses, investors, and private sector players in Nigeria have complained of being overburdened by a myriad of taxes and levies,” the statement noted. The multiple taxes have made Nigeria uncompetitive for investment and have forced some companies to relocate to other countries.

The proposal in section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill seeks to consolidate some of the earmarked taxes imposed on companies and replace them with a single tax to be shared with key agencies as beneficiaries in a phased manner until 2030. This time frame offers ample opportunity for the affected agencies to explore other funding sources in addition to budgetary allocations.

Onanuga stressed that changing an agency’s funding source does not amount to scrapping it. “None of the countries leading globally in education, science, engineering, or information technology have similar earmarked taxes,” he pointed out. The tax bill seeks to address the problem of overburdening businesses with multiple taxes.

The statement called on relevant stakeholders and public analysts to educate themselves about the bills’ contents and avoid misleading the public. “We may be entitled to our opinions, but such views must be informed and based on facts, not emotions targeted at inflaming passions,” Onanuga urged.

President Tinubu welcomed the public interest in the bills and encouraged leaders across the country to participate in the Public Hearings organized by the National Assembly to present their views on tax and fiscal reforms. “What is never in doubt is the imperative of changing the existing tax laws and administration that have become obsolete and unhelpful in achieving the growth and development we desire for our country,” the statement concluded.

 

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Police Officers Suspended For Stealing Over 43 Million Naira

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The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday announced the suspension of four officers implicated in the theft of ₦43.16 million from a total of ₦74.95 million recovered during an unauthorised arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode were found guilty of conspiring to tamper with exhibits, abuse of office, and other acts of misconduct.

According to Adejobi, the officers, led by Inspector Okafor under DSP Ejike’s directive, arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting the cash on behalf of clients in August 2023.

The officers were alleged to have reported only ₦31.79 million as the recovered amount, concealing the remaining ₦43.16 million. Following a petition by the owners of the money, the case was escalated to the IGP Monitoring Unit.

Adejobi said investigations revealed that the officers conspired to steal part of the cash and attempted to hide their tracks by claiming technical issues with evidence and spreading false narratives.

He said, “Upon being contacted by the alleged owners of the money, the officers claimed that the sum they had recovered from the arrested suspect was N31,790,000, and requested a percentage of the money to jeopardise investigation and suppress the case. Outraged by their actions, the money owners petitioned the Force Headquarters, Abuja and the matter was directed to the IGP Monitoring Unit for investigation.

During the process, the cash sum of N31,790,000 was recovered from the officers, who claimed that it was the total money recovered from Andrew Ejah during his arrest.

“After intense investigations and a series of trials, before duly constituted disciplinary panels, it was discovered that the officers took photographs of the suspect and the sacks of monies at the point of arrest but claimed the phone they used was damaged and subsequently lost, in an attempt to conceal their misconduct.

He added that they resorted to several tricks and gimmicks to cover their tracks, including the spread of false narratives and misinformation to several online blogs and newspaper platforms.

“These officers have been suspended, being found culpable of serious misconduct, tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, corrupt practice, illegal duty, and acts unbecoming of a police officer,” the statement added.

Adejobi condemned what it described as a “sponsored misinformation campaign” aimed at implicating the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the scandal.

He also dismissed allegations suggesting that the IGP is shielding a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

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Akpabio, Nasarawa Senator Clash Over Port Harcourt Refinery Operations

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Godswill Akpabio ,Senate President

 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West) engaged in a heated exchange during Tuesday’s plenary session over the controversial operations of the Port Harcourt refinery.

Following the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s announcement last week that the refinery had commenced operations, doubts have been raised, with many questioning its actual functionality, including some industry experts.

During the plenary, Akpabio revealed plans to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the status of the refinery, a move that sparked further debate.

Senator Wadada took the floor, citing concerns over “technical issues” surrounding the refinery’s operations, and requested the Senate’s involvement to clarify the matter.

Akpabio countered, asserting that the government had already received praise for the refinery’s launch and suggested that Wadada present his concerns formally through a motion rather than via social media.

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Wadada, visibly frustrated, responded, saying, “With all due respect, do not associate me with social media issues.”

The Nasarawa senator also criticized Akpabio for not addressing a revenue tax concern he raised months ago, which had not been acted upon.

In his defense, Akpabio responded, saying he had reviewed the document but reiterated that Wadada should formally present it during a plenary session.

Finally, Akpabio reaffirmed that the Senate would set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the refinery’s operational status, with findings to be discussed in a future session.

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House of Reps Orders President Tinubu to Unfreeze NSIPA’s Accounts

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The House of Representatives has issued a directive to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to mandate the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to unfreeze all accounts belonging to the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) within a 72-hour timeframe.

The resolution was reached following the adoption of a motion sponsored by the deputy speaker and 20 other lawmakers on Tuesday.

Lawmakers voiced their displeasure, arguing that despite the programmes of NSIPA being vital for poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, and economic inclusivity in Nigeria, the agency’s functionality has been hindered due to administrative bottlenecks, insufficient funding, and frozen accounts.

The president had ordered a halt of the programmes of NSIPA following allegations of financial mismanagement by overseers of the programmes.

The suspension also led to the freezing of the agency’s accounts.

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