Noise Pollution: We Have Power To Prosecute Churches, Mosques – Environmental Agency

June 27, 2021

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has said that it has the power to prosecute for noise pollution, churches and mosques that use loud speakers without control while worshipping.

The Director-General of NESREA, Professor Aliyu Jauro, in a chat with newsmen today, June 27 in Abuja, said that noise is one of the serious environmental pollutants.

According to him, a noisy place affects plants, animals and humans.

“Once they are subjected to the noise, it leads to a lot of health problems ranging from hypertension and other diseases. So, as an agency, we have a specific regulation on noise control.

“What we do as an agency is that we go out to ensure compliance. There is a lot of activities people engage that affect the environment and individuals. We receive complaints from a lot of people.

“For instance, places like churches, mosques, even industries are causing a lot of noise which we receive complaints from people, so we do visit such areas, sensitising them about the problem people are facing.

“We also advise them on how they can go about their activities without polluting the environment by the noise. We carry out enforcement when the need arises.”

Professor Aliyu Jauro called for effective sensitisation

by relevant environmental stakeholders to curb environmental pollution in Nigeria.

He said that the sensitisation would help the public to understand the havoc pollution was causing both to humans, animals, plants, as well as the environment.

“Sensitisation is the key, people don’t even know the impact of this noise pollution so we always try to sensitise the public.

“There is need to sensitise and educate the public on environmental issues so that everybody will key-in to support NESREA so that we will have a cleaner and healthier environment.”

He also called on Nigerians to ensure that they complied with environmental rules and regulations, adding that there should be a noise limit in worship centres, industries and social gatherings, among others.

Professor Aliyu Jauro said that the agency had the mandate and power to prosecute any organisation or individual who refuses to abide by environmental rules and regulations.

“All these provisions are there in our regulations, there is a provision for fine first, when we receive a complaint we go there and look at the complaint.

“Then, we go back and serve another compliance notice. We will do that about two times, the third one, we can take either the facility or individual to the court of law.

“But most of the time, we try to see that we resolve the matter amicably with those responsible.

“We do make sure we resolve those disputes, but if they persist, yes, we can sanction the offenders, and also take them to court of law and some of them can be judged.”

Nigeria Dusts Legal Books, To Tax Global Tech, Digital Companies Operating In The Country

Editorial staff

June 27, 2021

Nigeria is set to utilize its legal provisions that empower the Federal Government to collect taxes on profits made in the country by global technology and digital firms not based in the country, but with significant economic presence here.
A statement today, June 27 from the Presidency said that while the Federal Government will not be raising tax rates at this time, based on the Finance Act 2019, it is already empowered to widen the tax net, including by collecting taxes on the Nigerian income of global tech giants with significant economic presence here, even if they have not established an office or permanent establishment and are currently not paying taxes in Nigeria.
The statement from a presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande said that Section 4 of the Finance Act 2019, provides that “the Minister (Finance) may by order (of the President) determine what constitutes the significant economic presence of a company other than a Nigerian company.”
Akande quoted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as having dropped this hint at an interaction with a delegation of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, led by its President, Mr Adesina Adedayo who visited him at the Presidential Villa on Friday.
According to Professor Osinbajo: “we have had severe economic downturns which of course implies that we may not be able to collect taxes with the aggressiveness that would ordinarily be expected.
“I think the most important thing is that we must widen our tax net so that more people who are eligible to pay tax are paying. Several efforts have been made, and I am sure you are aware of the initiatives including the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) which was also an attempt to bring more people into the tax net, including those who have foreign assets.
“We have also recently taken a step with respect to a lot of the technology companies that are not represented here but who do huge volumes of business here.
“The Finance Act has shown that we are very prepared to ensure that these big technology companies do not escape without paying their fair share of taxation in Nigeria. Many of them do incredible volumes here in Nigeria and in several other parts of the region.
“We have drawn up the regulations and we are prepared to go, and I think that we are at least in a good place to tap into some of the tax resources we can get from some of these companies.”
Indeed, besides the FG, a recent Bloomberg news article reported that “Governments around the world are grappling with how to modernize their legal frameworks to account for the global reach of the digital economy, reshaping how policymakers think about issues as varied as monopoly power, taxation and workers’ rights.”

The statement said that international talks are currently ongoing in Paris on global standard rules for governments to receive taxes from such digital and technology firms with significant economic presence in foreign countries.
It said that in Nigeria, according to the Finance Act 2019, a company will pay taxes if it “transmits, emits or receives signals, sounds, messages, images or data of any kind by cable, radio, electromagnetic systems, or any other electronic or wireless apparatus to Nigeria in respect of any activity, including electronic commerce, application store, high-frequency trading, electronic data storage, online adverts, participative network platform, online payments and so on, to the extent that the company has significant economic presence in Nigeria and profit can be attributable to such activity.
“If the trade or business comprises the furnishing of technical, management, consultancy or professional services outside of Nigeria to a person resident in Nigeria to the extent that the company has significant economic presence in Nigeria”

It said that Professor Osinbajo noted that while the Federal Government has no plans to raise taxes now, there are those who argue that “our tax rates are too low, comparing us to other places in the region where the rates are much higher.

“So we have had to balance all of these issues because clearly, higher tax rates can be a disincentive to businesses and investments. In terms of domestic resource mobilization, we are trying to do the best we can given the present circumstances and I believe that there is room for improvement.”
Actually, under the Finance Act 2019, the Buhari administration has reduced taxes for small companies – companies with less than N25 million in annual turnover are charged Zero Company Income Tax, CIT. Also CIT for Companies with revenues between N25 and N100m (described in the Act as “medium-sized” companies) has been reduced from 30% to 20%. Besides, Nigerians making minimum wage income are not to pay tax at all.
Under the 2020 Finance Act there is also an exemption of small companies from payment of education tax under the Tertiary Education Trust fund (TETFUND)-meaning companies with less than N25m turnover are eligible
Similarly, there is a 50% per cent reduction in montage tax; from 0.5 per cent to 0.25 per cent for gross turnover for financial years ending between January 1st, 2020 and December 31st, 2021.

Niger Delta Avengers’ Threat To Resume Bombing Of Oil, Gas Installations Is Curious – Presidency

Editorial staff

June 27, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari met with leaders of Niger Delta region in Aso Rock Presidential Villa

The Presidency has described as curious, the threat by the Niger Delta Avengers to soon resume economic sabotage in the region through bombing of critical oil and gas installations unless certain demands, including development of the Niger Delta, and restructuring of the Federation are met as curious.

The President said: “it is curious that the threat was coming less than 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC), at the Presidential Villa, and the germane issues had been responded to, especially call for restructuring of the Federation, and the inauguration of a Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Femi Adesina, a spokesman to the President, reproduced verbatim, full text of the speech by President Buhari on Friday, June 25, 2021, which renders any sabre-rattling rather unnecessary thus:

“I warmly welcome all the Elders of the Niger Delta and particularly the National Executive of the Ijaw National Congress, under the leadership of Professor Benjamin Okaba. I thank you for paying this courtesy visit not too long after your election in April, and swearing-in last May.

“I also want to congratulate you all for your election and to add that a lot of responsibility is placed on your shoulders, especially coming from the fact that the Ijaw National Congress was almost without leadership for some time.

“As the symbol of the collective voice of the Ijaw people, which is one of Nigeria’s main ethnic groups, the existence of a focused and people oriented leadership would go a long way in articulating the demands of the Ijaw people and making sure these demands are made part of the national discourse.

“I particularly note your ten point demand to the Federal Government in your inaugural speech and assure you that this administration is frontally addressing them.

“I am equally concerned about the rate of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and as you are aware the HydroCarbon Pollution Remediation Project has started work with remediation efforts in Ogoni land and I have directed the Minister of Environment to ensure that the projects are implemented with a high percentage of local content and inclusion of the surrounding communities.

“Similarly, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, under the same ministry of Environment is working to make sure that oil spills are reduced and new ones prevented. As you are also aware, all the responsible agencies of government have been directed to ensure that they enforce compliance by the International Oil Companies to international best practices.

“In addressing your call for immediate restructuring, the National Assembly whose responsibility it is to ensure that our constitution responds to the call for a restructured Nigeria, has already concluded regional consultations and as soon as they finalise the process, necessary action would not be delayed on my part.

“In the same vein, your call for creation of two additional states and more local government areas for the Ijaw people is a legislative matter, which should naturally be handled by the National Assembly and seeking concurrence at the state levels.

“I completely agree with your call to allocate operational licenses for marginal fields to Ijaw people. However, like you know, the process of granting licenses is guided by laid down rules and regulations, most of which even favour local content and local contractors. I see no reason why they should not be granted such licenses if they qualify.

“On the issue of fair and balanced appointments to reflect federal character principles, I re-affirm that this has always been my focus and would continue to be because I have always seen Nigeria as a country where everyone should be given equal opportunities.

“A contentious issue that has been a subject of discourse amongst the Ijaw people of recent has been the need for the Niger Delta Development Commission to live up to its billing by delivering the required succour to the people of the region. Based on the mismanagement that had previously be-devilled the NDDC, a forensic audit was set up and the result is expected by the end of July, 2021.

“I want to assure you that as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted, the NDDC Board would be inaugurated. However, I would like to implore you that the Ijaw National Congress should play a more active role in making sure that the mismanagement that occurred in the past is not repeated.

“I am particularly happy to note your call for promoting ownership of modular refineries by the Ijaw people and I will urge you to interphase with your sons who are involved in the processes of establishing these refineries, especially the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources to actualize this quest.

“Like you well know, completion of the East-West Road is top on my infrastructure agenda and I will look to its speedy conclusion. Again, the occasional disturbance by youths in some communities along the route to construction work would require your close attention and guidance.

“Furthermore, we have made considerable progress with the construction of the Bonny to Port Harcourt Bridge.

“I am very happy with the recent affirmation of your belief in a United Nigeria and while I thank you for standing with me, I will also implore you to use your leverage in making sure that we keep working together to keep this country a united, indivisible entity, so that we can tackle our problems together and overcome our challenges together.

“I would like now to commend Professor Okaba for your emphasis on supporting the fight against insecurity by developing internal control mechanisms as well as working with other institutions in the country to address our current security challenges.

“While I thank you once more for this visit and I will continue to count on your support as we work towards resolving our current challenges.

“God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Family Urges Police To Go Beyond Chidinma’s Arrest In Ataga’s Murder

Editorial staff

June 27, 2021

The family of late Michael Usifo Ataga has issued a statement calling for an in-depth investigation of the murder of Usifo Ataga and urged the police to go beyond the arrest of the suspect to get to the bottom of the case.

In a statement entitled: Libelous Publications In Respect of Murder Of Michael Usifo Ataga: Demand For Restraint By Social Media Practitioners/Persons, by Rickey Tarfa and Co, solicitor to the family, on Saturday night, urged those behind the malicious social media publications to refrain from publishing falsehood that impinges negatively on the integrity of the deceased, wife and children or face lawsuits.

The statement signed by Olusegun Jolaawo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on behalf of the law firm, urged Nigerians to allow the police to conduct its investigations without any distraction or interference.

“We hereby admonish the publishers of these stories to employ whatever shreds of decency and decorum they can find in themselves to desist from their false and misleading stories and let the investigating authorities carry out effective investigation in the hope of apprehending the perpetrators of this heinous crime and their accomplices. Yes we know that Chidinma Adaora Ojukwu has been arrested and yes we know that investigation is continuing. Our client is however convinced that there is much more to this than is already apparent from the police investigation,” Jolaawo said in the statement.

He said “It has become apparent even to the most undiscerning reader that from the variety and inherent malice in most of the said publications that they are planted to embarrass and malign Usifo Ataga, Brenda Ataga and the family, and to serve as a smokescreen to enable the perpetrators of the heinous crime cover their tracks.

“Our client appreciates the efforts of the law enforcement agencies in their investigations thus far, and will not descend into particulars with respect to any of the said false narratives so as not to inadvertently aid the perpetrators of the murder in covering their tracks.”

The lawyer lamented that the tragic incident of the cold blooded murder of late Michael Ataga has inundated all strata of the media with inconceivable stories being peddled on all sorts of platforms about the incident and therefore called for restraints from the publishers of the unfounded stories.

“Our client at this juncture requests

that the well-meaning public allow the family to mourn their departed son, father and husband with some privacy and decency. Our client also feels very strongly about the unbridled activities of bloggers on the social media space with respect to this incident and firmly demand that the said bloggers cease and desist from peddling falsehood aimed at maligning the deceased, wife and children.

“The family will not be intimidated by these bloggers’ activities and insist that the police be allowed to do their work,” Jolaawo said in the statement.

“Our client hereby demand that the false publications and the several ordinarily unrelated stories and pictures of late Michael Usifo Ataga and Brenda Ataga be pulled down with immediate effect failing which our client shall take prompt and appropriate action to seek redress for the apparent instances of libel and slander as appropriate.”

Tinubu Will Make A Good President, Olubadan Says

Editorial staff

June 27, 2021

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has endorsed the idea of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu, vying for the Nigerian Presidency in 2023.

The Olubadan expressed his support while receiving members of the Tinubu Vanguard, a support group for Tinubu’s presidency project in Ibadan.

Director-General of Tinubu Vanguard, Dr. Johnny Benjamin, quoted the Olubadan as having made the statement yesterday, June 26.

Olubadan described Tinubu as a good man whose stewardship as president would consolidate on the progressive agenda of the APC and propel Nigeria to the path of economic prosperity and sustainable development.

“Tinubu is a good man and I will do everything within my power to support his candidacy for the 2023 presidential poll.”

The director-general said that representatives of Tinubu Vanguard were at the palace to intimate the Ibadan paramount ruler of their intention to deliver a Tinubu presidency in 2023, and to solicit his royal blessings.

Benjamin added that the group is committed to ensuring that the Tinubu presidential mandate was actualised in the interest of national unity and cohesion.

Army Chief Gives Marching Order To Soldiers To Destroy Boko Haram, ISWAP

Editorial staff

June 27, 2021

The Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Faruk Yahaya has given a marching order to soldiers of Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation, HADIN KAI, to destroy all Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists enclaves in their various locations.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement yesterday, June 6, said that General Yahaya gave the charge while addressing troops in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The army chief was quoted as commending the troops for the successful conduct of various operations, which include Operation Ayiso Tamunoma, Katana Jimlan, Fire Ball and Operation Tura Takaibango among others.

He enjoined them to use their experiences from the series of operations to destroy the remnants of the marauding terrorists within their area of responsibility.

General Yahaya assured them of improved welfare and a new reward system for troops who performed gallantly in any operation.

According to the statement, the Commander Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Adamu Nura, had earlier briefed the army chief on the operational engagements and challenges in the sector.

Turkish President, Erdogan, Gives Nigerian Ambassador Assignment

Greenbarge Reporters

June 26, 2021

The President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked the Ambassador of Nigeria to that country, Ismail Yusuf Abba to arrange a meeting between relevant officials from Nigeria and Turkey to work out possible areas of cooperation between the two countries.
President Tayyip Erdogan, who received letters of Credence from Ambassador Ismail Yusuf Abba on June 16 at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, offered to assist Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
He said that the meeting of top officials of the two countries will fashion out the best modalities to achieve the objective.
This was even as the Ambassador pledged to constructively engage with the Turkish government to promote Nigeria’s interest and further strengthen the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
He conveyed greetings from President Buhari to President Erdogan, expressing gratitude to Turkey’s unflinching support to the nation and her people.
The presentation of letters of credence marked the formal accreditation of Ambassador Yusuf, who was recently appointed along with other Ambassadors by President Muhammadu Buhari, and subsequently deployed to various countries.
Ambassador Yusuf, a career diplomat, brings to his new post three decades of diplomatic experience.

Woman Journalist, Gladys Nweke, Emerges Council Vice Chairman In Rivers

Greenbarge Reporters

June 26, 2021

A female journalist and active member of Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Rivers State chapter, Gladys Nweke, has taken an oath of office as an elected vice chairman of Etche Local Government Council in River State, alongside the Council chairman, Obinna Anyanwu.

Speaking today, June 26, at the Thanksgiving service held at Seventh Days Adventist Church Umuomara Okehi 2 in Etche, Gladys Nweke acknowledged God Almighty for His blessings and upliftment in her Life.

She said: “Amazing Grace found me. God brought me from nothing to something, from nobody to somebody and am very grateful and will everly remain grateful to God.”

Nweke, who promised not to fail the church and Etche people, appealed to the congregation to always pray for her on the daunting task ahead, so as to serve her people diligently and in humility.

She acknowledged Hon. Chief Allwell Onyesoh, whom she described as a leader per excellence for finding her worthy to lead and serve the people of Etche in this capacity, while urging that the church and good people of Etche keep praying for him to live long to witness a better Etche he so desired.

The new vice chairman, who writes for Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hard copy magazine, thanked the Chairman of ELGA, Hon. Obinna Anyanwu for accepting her to work with him, promising to work with him diligently as to return the lost glory and make Etche people glad.

Chairperson of NAWOJ, Rivers State Chapter, Comrade Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, thanked God Almighty for blessing one of their colleagues to lead her people in the political capacity.

Comrade Nwikhana described Gladys Nweke as “a goal-getter, a dogged journalist, whose yes is yes and no is no, one who is friendly, lovely, intelligent, hardworking and goal-oriented lady with vision, whose lifestyle is worthy of emulation.”

She acknowledged that Nweke has never failed in her professional duty assigned to her, while appealing to the members of the church and Etche people to always pray for her so that her reign makes positive impact in their lives that would in turn make them proud of her.

Comrade Nwikhana thanked the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for finding women worthy in leadership positions across the 23 local government area of the state, praying for God’s protection upon him and his household.

Also speaking, the Deputy Youth Leader, Alfred Nwafor on behalf of Chief Allwell Onyesoh, thanked the Church for the massive turnout of members and love shown towards their daughter, described Hon Nweke as one who is humble, dedicated, God-fearing and a mother who never disappoint in any activity giving to her.

Nwafor Acknowledged that she will definitely make Etche people proud, saying: “Chief Allwell is a father who’s children are always known for quality representation.”

He urged her to always remember her days of little beginning so as not to fail Etche people, who supported and made it possiple for her to be on the top.

On her part, the Etche Women Leader, Mrs. Charity Njoku, stated that while praying saw that the journey is going to be tough, and prayed for God’s wisdom upon her to lead her people, while assuring her of their full support any day and anytime, as to make Etche women proud.

We’ve Built Many Schools Closer To Students In Abuja – Minister

Editorial staff

June 25, 2021

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has said that schools have been built closer to students in accordance to the recommend of the UNESCO.

The minister, who made this known during a visit by the UN Deputy Secretary, Amina J. Mohammed to Government Secondary School Kabusa in FCT as part of activities to mark her 60th birthday, said that as part of efforts to ensure that children have access to quality education as contained in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the FCTA has in the last three years, established 25 new secondary schools.

He said that this is in keeping with UNESCO’s recommendation that no child should walk more than two kilometers to school.

“Here in the FCT, we share your passion for education as the tool for personal and national growth. We have also placed a premium on education for the girl child as we have five fully functional boarding schools for girls, spread across the Territory.”

The minister, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Malam Bashir Mai Borno, said that entrepreneurial and vocational education are also being prioritized in the FCT with the intention that, upon graduation, students will become self-employed.

He described Amina Mohammed as an inspiration and a role model to millions of young Nigerians.

Musa Bello said that the visit of Amina Mohammed to the school will further encourage the students to realize their fullest potentials through hard work and determination.

While wishing her a happy birthday, the Minister said: “We are particularly delighted that you will be spending some time in our schools in Kabusa and interacting with the pupils and their teachers. This will really gladden them and we thank you for this.”

The Deputy Secretary General, who was visibly touched by the reception accorded her by the students, urged them to focus on their studies as they can be whatever they wish to be with education on their side. “Education is the foundation of any great nation and the first building blocks of your lives is education.”

In an interactive session with teachers of the school, Mrs. Amina Mohammed urged the teachers to continue to put in their best in the moulding the students under their care while assuring that the UN will continue to support the FCTA in every way possible to ensure that students in the territory get the best education they can have and the teachers get the enabling environment to impact knowledge.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Secondary Education Board, Yahaya Musa Muhammad congratulated Amina Mohammed on her reappointment as the Deputy Secretary General of the UN and urged her to use her global position to impact positively on the Nigerian education system.

Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of gift items to students of the schools by the Deputy Secretary General and the rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ song by the students to the delight of the celebrant and guests at the event.

Present at the event were the Acting Secretary, Education Secretariat, Alhaji Abdulrazak Leramoh, Acting Chairman of Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Mallam Hassan Sule and other senior staff of the FCTA.

Contract’ll Soon Be Awarded To Address Leaking Roof Of National Assembly: FCDA

Editorial staff

June 25, 2021

The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), which is responsible for the maintenance of the National Assembly complex has said that contract will soon be awarded to address the recent leaking of the roof of the complex, leading to flooding around its pavement.

Head of Public Relations and Information of the FCDA, Richard A. Nduul, in a statement today, June 25, said that the contract is currently undergoing procurement process in line with the Procurement Act of 2007 “and will therefore be awarded as soon as it is concluded in conformity with the requirements of the Act and also considering all other relevant parameters.”

He confirmed that the Management of the National Assembly did approach the FCDA in 2019 for a total rehabilitation and upgrading of the NASS Complex to bring it in tune with Parliamentary Buildings around the world.

Nduul said that the recent leakages are traceable to blockages of drainages leading to seepage of water through expansion joints in the roof slab.

“Full waterproofing of the roof of the White House building is a major aspect of the proposed renovation of the National Assembly Complex.”

The spokesman assured that the project on the complex will be executed meticulously in order to ensure that the Nation gets value for the funds that will be expended.

According to him, this has been the tradition with every other assignment which the Authority has undertaken.

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