N241.2bn security votes: SERAP sues Buhari, NASS

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwibjSI80uMrsYh3AjBa3EExKC9snvPS9Z4kCasIp95IGnttVxBknJgi9pzflYVZAlcgvrcPEB2uxsay3dypzYIq8yz5DEU1sKpe5_uyZFmslN0BtUwqqfy4IhbaUW01W6fssgFy1Bcek/s1600/bUHARI-NATIONAL-BROADCAST-750x430+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwibjSI80uMrsYh3AjBa3EExKC9snvPS9Z4kCasIp95IGnttVxBknJgi9pzflYVZAlcgvrcPEB2uxsay3dypzYIq8yz5DEU1sKpe5_uyZFmslN0BtUwqqfy4IhbaUW01W6fssgFy1Bcek/s400/bUHARI-NATIONAL-BROADCAST-750x430+%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit in the Federal High Court, Abuja “seeking leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate president Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to disclose details of allocations, disbursement and spending of security votes by the Federal Government, 36 state governors and 774 local governments between 1999 and 2019.”<br /> <br /> The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1369/2019 and filed last Friday followed SERAP’s Freedom of Information requests and “the respondents’ failure to account for some N241.2 billion of public funds allocated, disbursed and spent yearly as security votes, and the corresponding lack of effective protection of the rights to security and welfare, life and physical integrity of millions of Nigerians.”<br /> <br /> Others joined as parties in the suit are: Mr Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Ahmed Idris, Accountant General of the Federation and Mr Anthony Ayine, Auditor General for the Federation.<br /> <br /> According to SERAP: “Nigerians have the constitutional and international human right to know details of the exact amounts that have been spent as security votes and specific areas and projects covered by the allocations, disbursement and spending. There is overriding public interest in Nigerians having access to these details, and the respondents have legal obligations to facilitate public access to such information.”<br /> <br /> SERAP also argued that: “Constitutional provisions requiring governments to ensure the security and welfare of the people are intended to protect the security and safety of citizens and not the security of a few individuals in government. Without transparency and accountability, the mismanagement and corruption in the allocation, disbursement and spending of security votes will continue with devastating consequences.”<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The suit filed by SERAP’s lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi read in part: “The respondents have a legal duty to proactively record, keep and disclose information in respect of allocation, disbursement and spending of security votes without waiting for SERAP to request for such information. They are also required to maintain and publish documents containing information relating to the receipt or expenditure of public funds.”<br /> <br /> “Public officials receiving and spending security votes ought to come clean with Nigerians on how exactly these public funds are spent. Unless the reliefs sought are granted, Nigerians would continue to see the appropriation of public funds as security votes as a tool for self-enrichment.”<br /> <br /> “The suit is seeking to offer governments at all levels an important opportunity to be transparent and accountable with the exercise of their discretionary powers in the allocation, disbursement and spending of security votes. The public interest in the disclosure of these details outweighs any private interest the respondents may be seeking to protect.”<br /> <br /> “The right to know allows Nigerians to gain access to information essential to the fight against corruption, which is entirely consistent with the government’s own anti-corruption strategy to encourage citizens’ involvement in the fight against corruption. Access to information on details of security votes will ultimately foster security, sustainable peace, and development of democratic institutions across the country.”<br /> <br /> “Public officers are mere custodians of public records. The citizens are entitled to know how their commonwealth is being utilized, managed and administered in a democratic setting, as this positively influences the feeling of belonging in the society.”<br /> <br /> “The huge financial resources budgeted for security votes by successive governments have not matched the security realities in the country, especially given the level of insecurity, violence, kidnappings and killings in many parts of the country, which seem to suggest massive political use, mismanagement or stealing of security votes by many governments.”<br /> <br /> “As revealed by a 2018 report by Transparency International (TI), most of the funds appropriated as security votes are spent on political activities, mismanaged or simply stolen. It is estimated that security votes add up to over N241.2 billion every year. On top of appropriated security votes, governments also receive millions of dollars yearly as international security assistance.”<br /> <br /> SERAP is, therefore, seeking the following reliefs:<br /> <br /> A DECLARATION that the failure of the Respondents to provide the Applicant with specific information on details of the expenditure, non-planned extra-budgetary spending on “Security” (otherwise referred to as ‘Security Votes’) allocated and disbursed to the Federal Government of Nigeria, 36 States of the Federation and 774 local governments in Nigeria for the periods covering between 1999 and 2019 is illegal and constitutes a breach of the Applicant’s rights under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.<br /> <br /> AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS directing and/or compelling the Respondents to urgently compile and provide the Applicant with specific information on details of the expenditure, non-planned extra-budgetary spending on “Security” (otherwise referred to as ‘Security Votes’) by the Federal Government of Nigeria, 36 States of the Federation and 774 local governments in Nigeria for the periods covering between 1999 and 2019.<br /> <br /> And for such further order(s) this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.<br /> <br /> No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Latest-News N241.2bn security votes: SERAP sues Buhari, NASS

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit in the Federal High Court, Abuja “seeking leave to apply for ...

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Davido, Chioma hold naming ceremony for their son, Ifeanyi Adeleke

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcv6ZtvVIGcnmTJGUWRBXyfqTYZlMQAJSb9xatABpFb-vNbxB4oUfP7hQMAxreYPQ-fi6DluGkshqikBE_r3r0CgQbf0QgjDJv_7AZlYFNS7ysLmdqtTKLIybjcfNeRYhl4lXwxvkkCQM/s1600/Davido-Chioma4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="565" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcv6ZtvVIGcnmTJGUWRBXyfqTYZlMQAJSb9xatABpFb-vNbxB4oUfP7hQMAxreYPQ-fi6DluGkshqikBE_r3r0CgQbf0QgjDJv_7AZlYFNS7ysLmdqtTKLIybjcfNeRYhl4lXwxvkkCQM/s400/Davido-Chioma4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Nigerian Singer, Davido and his betrothed, Chioma Avril have officially held the naming ceremony for their son, Ifeanyi Adeleke.<br /> <br /> Davido’s relationship with Chioma came to light after she celebrated her 23rd birthday in 2018. The music star went on to release a song titled ‘Assurance’ and gave her a Porsche car valued at N35million.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a viral video, the singer who welcomed the child with his fiancee, Chioma, was filmed praying for his son at his christening ceremony which took place on Saturday (Nov.9).

Latest-News Davido, Chioma hold naming ceremony for their son, Ifeanyi Adeleke

Nigerian Singer, Davido and his betrothed, Chioma Avril have officially held the naming ceremony for their son, Ifeanyi Adeleke. Davido’...

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Drama as Akpabio wins appeal, court orders rerun in LG

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGkvF_6CpFuXGfj6-BGZJ6E-RKFv3NIMCK-rwIQCP4YSN_RikpkpOK-qNMFaEE8UDZvlBsv6ABdb8c7M8mn4uEuWo9FGfo3v-84JWr1qgSIFO_bu3OeUtJuvhVAG8LVZPaTS5W6s539SK/s1600/gov_akpabio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="495" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGkvF_6CpFuXGfj6-BGZJ6E-RKFv3NIMCK-rwIQCP4YSN_RikpkpOK-qNMFaEE8UDZvlBsv6ABdb8c7M8mn4uEuWo9FGfo3v-84JWr1qgSIFO_bu3OeUtJuvhVAG8LVZPaTS5W6s539SK/s400/gov_akpabio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar has ordered a rerun in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State where Senator Godswill Akpabio lost to Senator Christopher Ekpenyong in the February 23, 2019 senatorial election in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Akpabio, who is currently the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the election, had gone to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the election petition tribunal to declare the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ekpenyong, winner<br /> <br /> In the judgment read on Saturday evening by a three-man panel led by Justice S. Tanko Hussein, the court declared as invalid, the declaration of Christopher Ekpenyong as winner of the said election and the senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.<br /> <br /> It ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election in Essien Udim Local Government Area within 90 days.<br /> <br /> It held that “there was proof of irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act” in the conduct of the election in the affected local government area and so, no one should have been declared winner.<br /> <br /> It said the rightful thing to be done was to conduct fresh election in the disputed area.<br /> <br /> The court, however, noted that in Obot Akara Local Government Area in the Central Senatorial District, the appellant could not prove the allegation of over voting and irregularities.<br /> <br /> Akpabio had asked the election petition tribunal to nullify Ekpenyong’s victory owing to alleged irregularities during the election. But the Justice Akanbi-led tribunal dismissed Akpabio’s petition, saying it lacked merit and that there was no convincing evidence of non-compliance with the electoral act as he alleged in his petition, thus compelling the minister to go on appeal.

Latest-News Drama as Akpabio wins appeal, court orders rerun in LG

The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar has ordered a rerun in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State where Senator Godswill ...

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Deadline to reduce the cost of data in Nigeria extended

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2BJE_-nGMwJdisId1cygx52BNLjMfVoMaJLCJ-VUj4j-5ie06JEPEZYKXNr045PjIrainZ-lHDrQG-T-4aFR6SsdkGa8cPZNNmWzme6342Jz7mb5i1QV0Th937sUlXfqQ0Q4iYrcJKzy/s1600/mtn+etisalat+airtel+glo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="574" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2BJE_-nGMwJdisId1cygx52BNLjMfVoMaJLCJ-VUj4j-5ie06JEPEZYKXNr045PjIrainZ-lHDrQG-T-4aFR6SsdkGa8cPZNNmWzme6342Jz7mb5i1QV0Th937sUlXfqQ0Q4iYrcJKzy/s320/mtn+etisalat+airtel+glo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, on Saturday extended the deadline given to the Nigeria Communications Commission to reduce the cost of data, and stop illegal deductions from subscribers by service providers.<br /> <br /> The minister on Tuesday directed the commission to act on the directives within five working days.<br /> <br /> A statement by the minister’s spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, on Saturday explained that NCC sought the extension of the deadline in a letter forwarded to Pantami on Friday.<br /> <br /> In the letter, according to the statement, NCC informed the minister that it had started taking steps to comply with the directive.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The statement did not specify the time-frame given to the commission to act on the minister’s orders, but it stated that the issues should be resolved “within the shortest time possible.”<br /> <br /> The NCC intends to impose considerable financial sanctions on operators engage in illegal deductions.<br /> <br /> Also, customers are to get refunds in established cases of illegal deductions.<br /> <br /> The statement read in part, “Following the five-day ultimatum issued by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to the Nigeria Communications Commission on November 5, 2019, to resolve the challenges of illegal data deductions and review the cost of data downward, the commission has risen up to the task and efforts are in top gear to carry out the minister’s directives.<br /> <br /> “In a letter from the Executive Vice Chairman, received by the office of the minister on November 8, 2019, the telecommunications regulator intimated Pantami of the strategies being taken to stem the tide of short-changing subscribers by mobile network operators.<br /> <br /> “In its earlier attempts to tackle the challenges, the commission informed the minister that it had issued a directive to all MNOs on the attendant penalties associated with Automatic Renewal and Forceful Subscription to Data and Value Added Services.<br /> <br /> “The penalties include considerable financial sanctions on the erring operator.”<br /> <br /> The letter sent to the minister by the NCC further stated that, in response to the directives, the commission had reviewed the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, on its rule-making powers and process.<br /> <br /> “The commission is in the process of carrying out a study on the End-of-Session Notification for Data Services and depending on the outcome, may issue a direction in accordance with the Act.<br /> <br /> “Furthermore, in a bid to protect consumers, the commission also notified the minister of their regulation of the initial directive to include refunds to the consumer in established cases of unauthorised subscription,” the statement added.<br /> <br /> The NCC, in the letter, assured the minister that it was working round the clock to enforce the directives and requested an extension of the deadline to enable it properly re-strategise and fully implement long-term solutions to the challenges, as directed.<br /> <br /> The statement said, “Pantami has graciously granted an extension with the understanding that the commission will resolve these issues within the shortest time possible.<br /> <br /> “The minister assures the general public that the current administration will neither tolerate acts of injustice nor the short-changing of its citizens as it is working tirelessly to ensure that subscribers get full value for their money,” the statement said.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the telecommunication companies have insisted that they are not guilty of illegal deductions, adding that the rates they charge for data in the country was informed by the cost of production.

Latest-News Deadline to reduce the cost of data in Nigeria extended

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, on Saturday extended the deadline given to the Nigeria Communications...

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Nigerian governors reply Miyetti Allah: You cant’s force us to donate land to Fulani herdsmen

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="412" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP4cMb44bPDZwLDm113ey1i3d-679pVsSIohchm_b7MiQkEszLGxH35k3v9UHYHG6Qe_Cd1JHlA4FlgugZ2ccTY2V4x_c2CGHlOUU-KPN8Mz8m5CZO9aOkcXwGz4o3HfgHQ9pfKCYjO7l/s640/Fulani-gun+herdsmen.gif" width="640" /></div> <br /> Governors from the South-West, South-South, South-East and the Middle Belt have vowed they will not donate lands in their regions for herdsmen settlements despite the latest threat by herdsmen under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.<br /> <br /> The National President of the herdsmen group, Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, in a statement last weekend said governors who wanted peace in their states must establish herdsmen settlements.<br /> <br /> “You are a governor and you want to enjoy peace in your state, you don’t need any long meeting, just create a particular area for the Fulani and equip them with modern facilities,” Bodejo said.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> However, former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a swift reaction on Monday said it was a mistake on the part of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore to tie the existence of peace in the states of the federation to the establishment of settlements for herdsmen.<br /> <br /> But governors from the four geopolitical zones of the country who spoke with newsmen lambasted the herdsmen group and said no amount of threat would force them to donate lands for settlements in their regions.<br /> <br /> The governors who spoke through statements by their media aides said neither Ruga nor any other forms of herdsmen settlement would be allowed in their domains despite the threat.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Middle Belt governors kick</b><br /> <br /> In the Middle Belt, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Darius Ishaku of Taraba State said Miyetti Allah was only trying in vain, saying nothing would make the region give land for herdsmen settlements.<br /> <br /> Reacting to the threat by Miyetti Allah last week that “no Ruga, no peace,” the Senior Special Assistant to Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Mr Bala Dan-Abu, said Miyetti Allah’s threat was unacceptable.<br /> <br /> According to him, the Taraba State government’s stand against Ruga remains unchanged.<br /> <br /> He said, “Our stand against Ruga settlement remains unchanged. We have a law in place prohibiting open grazing and establishment of ranches.<br /> <br /> “This is the best practice in the world today. We are going to cooperate with all groups in the state in our quest for peace, so we call on Miyetti Allah to stop issuing threats. It is not acceptable for us in Taraba.”<br /> <br /> Ortom, in his reaction, dared Bodejo to bring his herds of cattle to Benue and wait to see the consequences of flouting the state’s anti-open grazing law.<br /> <br /> The governor said no part of Benue would be ceded to Ruga or cattle colony.<br /> <br /> He said, “Recently, I heard someone who calls himself the chairman of Kautal Hore saying the governor would not know peace except they get cattle colony or Ruga.<br /> <br /> “We have no query over his outburst if other states decide to cede their land to Ruga or cattle colony; we are in a democratic society.<br /> <br /> “But let it be known to him that he is not part of Benue State, he cannot decide for us what we want in the state. We are in a federation but the federating units have the right to make laws for their states and Benue State has made law and anybody who trespasses will be decisively dealt with.<br /> <br /> “Let him (Bodejo) come here (Benue) himself and bring his cattle; he will see what will happen to him. I will personally arrest him and the law will take its course.”<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Nothing will change our mind on Ruga — S’South Governors</b><br /> <br /> Delta, Cross River and Rivers states said no amount of threats by Miyetti Allah would make them change their positions on Ruga.<br /> <br /> The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Mr Christian Ita, said no external interference could influence the state government’s policy on Ruga.<br /> <br /> He said, “There is no way external interference can influence the policies of the state government. We do not have plans for Ruga here.<br /> <br /> “We are governed by the interests of the people of the state. Our policies in Cross River are never influenced by external influence or pressure.”<br /> <br /> Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, who spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, also said the state did not have land for Ruga settlement.<br /> <br /> He said, “We have made our position known on Ruga and we stand by it. We do not have land for it or cattle colony and you are aware that part of our land is covered by water, so where are we going to get the land? You cannot give what you do not have.”<br /> <br /> In Rivers State, a top official in one of the ministries, said the state had not changed its stance on Ruga.<br /> <br /> The state government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Paulinus Nsirim, in July said Rivers had no land for the implementation of such a policy.<br /> <br /> It noted that the state governor, Nyesom Wike, had prioritised commercial agriculture, hence all available arable land in the state would be needed to achieve food production and employment for Rivers youth.<br /> <br /> The top official said, “We have made our stand known on this matter. If there is a change of position on Ruga, you will know. The Rivers State Government has not changed its position.”<br /> <b><br /></b><b>We won’t allow Ruga — South West Governors</b><br /> <br /> In the South-West, governors of Ekiti and Ondo states said they would not rescind their decisions on not having Ruga.<br /> <br /> The state Commissioner for Information, Muyiwa Olumilua, said “In Ekiti State, Governor Kayode Fayemi has said categorically that he is not embracing Ruga.<br /> <br /> “Whatever Miyetti Allah said cannot change what the governor has said. He has said we are not accepting Ruga, we are not giving out land for Ruga.<br /> <br /> No. We are not going to backtrack. That is what we have said and it is not going to change.”<br /> <br /> The Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, also said the state did not have any land to donate for Ruga.<br /> <br /> “First, the position of the state in respect of Ruga remains. The state is not donating land for Ruga. More importantly, Ruga as an idea has long been jettisoned by the Federal Government,” he said.<br /> <br /> Miyetti Allah’s threat won’t change our stand — S’East govs<br /> <br /> In the South-East, the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Mr Chidi Aroh, said the state government was still standing on the resolution of the South-East governors that there was no land for Ruga in the zone.<br /> <br /> The South-East Governors’ Forum had in a resolution issued at the end of its meeting in Enugu declared that the zone had no land to donate for Ruga or for the National Livestock Transformation Plan.<br /> <br /> It went further to ban the movement of cattle by foot in the region, describing it as the point of conflict of herders with the farmers and natives.<br /> <br /> The Chairman of the forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, who read the position of the governors to journalists, said, “The fact remains that no South-East governor has donated any land or intends to donate any land for any of the two programmes for lack of enough land in the entire South-East.”<br /> <br /> Speaking to newsmen, Aroh said Miyetti Allah had not issued any threats to Enugu State and others in the zone.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned Kautal Hore’s president’s comments, describing it as capable of destroying Nigeria.<br /> <br /> Ohanaeze described Miyetti Allah as a terrorist organisation and urged the Federal Government to deal with the body for peace to reign in the country.<br /> <br /> The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who spoke to one of our correspondents, said, “Miyetti Allah is used to inciting, and unlawful comments but they have not been arrested. They are not questioned.<br /> <br /> “They fight farmers, kidnap them, destroy their farms, take over their farms and occupy them. Nobody cares. They import foreigners into Nigeria, secure registration for them in our national identity scheme. Nobody cares about it.<br /> <br /> “But my own children said they wanted Biafra and they declared them a terrorist organisation. There is one law for the goose, one law for the gander.”<br /> <br /> But the spokesperson for the Indigenous People of Biafra, Emma Powerful, in a statement said the group was ready for the herdsmen.<br /> <br /> Also, the Chairman, Delta State Forum of Kingdoms President General, Prince Igwe Nzekwe, condemned Bodejo’s comments, saying they could cause chaos and divide the country.

Latest-News Nigerian governors reply Miyetti Allah: You cant’s force us to donate land to Fulani herdsmen

Governors from the South-West, South-South, South-East and the Middle Belt have vowed they will not donate lands in their regions for herd...

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Nigerian Senators threaten showdown over FG’s plan to hike VAT

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59vX05aoxRaDol6Sk1AlxThqyu0XkCM8UisLPczPVud1zbWkTRiFJ1u5bZjZC7kDbOyHPx2uz3Wy-V8IKtmzh2u8ewyPCCVgFg4VBkxQr_wJE_faZRvVfc0L9lR8EY4f0QCzLtnTv_LJT/s1600/Senate-1024x683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59vX05aoxRaDol6Sk1AlxThqyu0XkCM8UisLPczPVud1zbWkTRiFJ1u5bZjZC7kDbOyHPx2uz3Wy-V8IKtmzh2u8ewyPCCVgFg4VBkxQr_wJE_faZRvVfc0L9lR8EY4f0QCzLtnTv_LJT/s640/Senate-1024x683.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The Finance Act (amendment) Bill seeking incremental changes to Nigeria’s tax and fiscal law, which passed second reading on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, may not be plain sailing to become a law as some senators have vowed to shoot down the bill.<br /> <br /> Specifically, they said they would mobilise stakeholders to reject the bill during public hearing.<br /> <br /> The majority of the legislators, who spoke on Friday, said the proposed tax hike would worsen Nigerians’ plight.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> During plenary on Wednesday some senators raised points of objection to the bill, saying they were not given copies of the bill.<br /> <br /> Unlike the usual legislative practice, copies of the lead debate read by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, were distributed to the lawmakers, but the details of the proposed bill were not attached to the document.<br /> <br /> Attempts by senators to prevent the Leader of the Senate from going ahead with the lead debate pending the details attachment were frustrated by the Senate President Ahmad Lawan.<br /> <br /> Using his power of the gavel, Lawan insisted that the general principles of the bill should be discussed without the details of the document.<br /> <br /> This was despite their vehement protests that such action would not enable them to make informed contributions, which the second reading was meant to achieve.<br /> <br /> Senators Yaroe Binus (Adamawa South) and Betty Apiafi (Rivers West) raised separate points of order to draw Lawan’s attention to the anomaly.<br /> <br /> They argued that non-attachment of the amendments to the bill would not enable their colleagues to speak from an informed point of view.<br /> <br /> The President of the Senate ruled both of them out of order, saying the details of the bill would only be made available, only to members of the Finance Committee.<br /> <br /> Abdullahi led the debate following the insistence of Lawan that the bill should be considered even though the details were not made available.<br /> <br /> According to him, the bill seeks to promote fiscal equity by mitigating instances of regressive taxation, reforming domestic laws to align with global best practices and introducing tax incentives for investments in infrastructure and capital markets.<br /> <br /> He also said the bill would support small businesses in line with ongoing ease of doing business reform.<br /> <br /> He said it would raise revenues for the government by various fiscal measures, including a proposal to increase the rate of Value Added Tax from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Senators kick</b><br /> <br /> Senator Patrick Akinyelure, from Ondo Central, also noted that hike in VAT would not be necessary if the revenue collection agencies were effective in their operations.<br /> <br /> He said, “There may not be a need for the review of the tax law seeking to increase VAT to 7.5 per cent if the revenue collection agencies are effectively discharging their functions.”<br /> <br /> Speaking with our correspondent on the issue, a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, said he would never support any hike in VAT.<br /> <br /> Ndume said the Communication Service Tax Bill, which has passed first reading, was aimed at replacing the proposed VAT hike.<br /> <br /> He insisted that the majority of his colleagues in the Senate were not in favour of VAT increment.<br /> <br /> He said, “Nobody wants any increment in VAT. Our people are already rejecting it claiming that it would lead to inflation and increase their burdens.<br /> <br /> “They are saying the prices of goods and services will also increase.<br /> <br /> “That is why I’m also opposed to it as a representative of my people, and decided to come up with legislation that will increase the revenue base of the country without much impact on the masses.<br /> <br /> “The Communication Service Tax Bill is the alternative we are proposing and it’s better than VAT increment.”<br /> <br /> Other senators, who spoke to newsmen vowed to ensure that the bill did not see the light of day.<br /> <br /> A Peoples Democratic Party Senator from the South-South, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the bill would seriously affect Nigerians.<br /> <br /> He said, “The Buhari administration knows what it is doing, that’s why they did not include the details of the bill.<br /> <br /> “They know that the Nigerian Television Authority usually air the proceedings of the Senate live on Wednesday and they know what would happen if we make contributions based on the specific objectives of the bill.<br /> <br /> “VAT increase will lead to hyperinflation and kill small and medium enterprises.”<br /> <br /> Another South-South Senator, who also spoke on anonymity, promised to vote against the passage of the bill.<br /> <br /> He also promised to lead a protest against it during the public hearing.<br /> <br /> He said, “The bill stipulates that we are amending seven Acts but we don’t have the details of the amendments.<br /> <br /> “The only one they told us is that it seeks to increase VAT from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent. Who knows if it contains other provisions that are worse than that.<br /> <br /> “I will attend the public hearing and I will rally stakeholders to reject the bill, because I did not seek the votes of my people to come and support legislation that will make their life more miserable.”<br /> <br /> Senator George Sekibo from Rivers East gave some indication that the bill would not get the required support of many lawmakers and warned his colleagues to be careful about the legislation.<br /> <br /> He also insisted that the copies of the bill should be made available to senators.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Nigerians really suffering, FG should be sensitive, says Abaribe</b><br /> <br /> The Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, cautioned his colleagues to listen to the yearnings of Nigerians before taking any steps that could affect them.<br /> <br /> Abaribe, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday, however said his colleagues holding the same opinion with him on the proposed VAT increase would do the needful at the right time.<br /> <br /> He said, “Nigerians are really suffering under great difficulties and I believe that the government should be sensitive to the plight of the people.<br /> <br /> “We believe that what the government should do is to expand the tax net and not to over tax those that are already paying. There are too many things that the government can do to expand the tax net.<br /> <br /> Asked to explain if the bill would be rejected, Abaribe said, “When we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”<br /> <br /> Provisions contains in Finance Bill not acceptable — Apiafi<br /> <br /> A senator from Rivers State, Betty Apiafi, told our correspondent on Friday that the provisions in the controversial bill were not acceptable to her.<br /> <br /> She said, “The lead debate didn’t contain detailed information of what we are amending. We don’t know the provisions of the bill as of the time we were debating on its general principles.<br /> <br /> “The details were unfortunately provided after the bill had passed second reading. The provisions are not acceptable, we want it to go for public hearing and get the response of Nigerians so that we would know how to deal with it.”<br /> <br /> Provisions in Finance Bill, anti-investment, says Senator<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the provisions in the Finance Bill could drive away investors and kill small and medium scale enterprises.<br /> <br /> The senator said apart from reducing the purchasing power of the people, the bill would lead to high cost of production and raise inflation.<br /> <br /> He said, “The Finance Bill contains six different parts of requiring various amendments and we didn’t get the details before the Senate President called for debate on its general principles.<br /> <br /> “I can’t even call what the Senate Leader read a lead debate, because it (lead debate) usually contains the details of what we want to talk about.<br /> <br /> “The Finance Bill contains amendment to Personal Income Tax, Company Income tax, Value Added Tax, Customs and Excise tariffs, Capital Gain Tax, and the Petroleum Profit Tax.<br /> <br /> “Some people don’t understand why we are opposing the bill. Some of our colleagues just want us to do something that will excite the executive but they will understand one day.<br /> <br /> “In trying to raise tax, we should not use it to discourage medium and small enterprises and even the multinational investors. In one breath, we are encouraging young Nigerians to start SMEs, in another breath, we are discouraging them with taxes.

Latest-News Nigerian Senators threaten showdown over FG’s plan to hike VAT

The Finance Act (amendment) Bill seeking incremental changes to Nigeria’s tax and fiscal law, which passed second reading on the floor of ...

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Lagos trade fair to relocate to permanent site — Sanwo-Olu

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsY3aimX5mZj-0a9Vv3mmpKHwbJugJcQhR1qbzJM4FRg7NenpkVQ552xYG0yG8s_Ix-jH0r_6pBbDKE0xcyOMUDVbreTe2mBOJzqlVE9DpwALJozNRH54jKKp8d1epKnAL2EdwFYD9uZY/s1600/sanwo-olu-700x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="700" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsY3aimX5mZj-0a9Vv3mmpKHwbJugJcQhR1qbzJM4FRg7NenpkVQ552xYG0yG8s_Ix-jH0r_6pBbDKE0xcyOMUDVbreTe2mBOJzqlVE9DpwALJozNRH54jKKp8d1epKnAL2EdwFYD9uZY/s400/sanwo-olu-700x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said the Lagos International Trade Fair would soon be relocated to a permanent site.<br /> <br /> Sanwo-Olu said the move would help curb the operational challenges faced by the organisers of the fair annually. He added that the permanent site would be standard as other international exhibitions across the globe.<br /> <br /> The Governor said this during his visit to the ongoing 2019 Lagos International Trade Fair, taking place at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.<br /> <br /> Over two thousand foreign and local exhibitors are participating in the 33rd Edition of the fair which has the theme: “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value.”<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Governor, who was led on the tour by Mr. Babatunde Ruwase, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the fair was an avenue for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products to the world.<br /> <br /> He said: “I am here on an on the spot assessment and going round few of the pavilions at the trade fair. As you can see, I have to come in here to encourage our MSMEs that are on display.<br /> <br /> “This is a real governance and collaborative initiative. This is an annual event, but we need to upscale it” he added.<br /> <br /> Sanwo-Olu commended the LCCI for keeping faith with MSMEs, adding that it shows the can-do spirit of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> The 10-day fair, which opened on Nov. 1, will come to an end on Nov. 10.

Latest-News Lagos trade fair to relocate to permanent site — Sanwo-Olu

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said the Lagos International Trade Fair would soon be relocated to a perman...

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