TUC Laments High Level Of Corruption In Nigeria, Asks Buhari To Be Ruthless

July 27, 2020

TUC President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye | Photo by Premium Times

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has lamented the high level of corruption being unearthed in recent times in the country, especially in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and called on President Muhammadu Buhari’ to be ruthless with the culprits.

In a statement today, July 27, the TUC President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, said that corrupt activities allegedly going on at government’s ministries, agencies and parastatals is disturbing.

Referring in particular, the revelations at the National Assembly during the recent probe on the activities at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the collapse of the Commission’s Managing Director, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, TUC boss asked President Buhari not to sweep the current cases under the carpet, adding: “for once, let action be taken and culprits seriously dealt with like it is done in most climes.”

He described the revelation on the NDDC as a national disgrace.

He wondered how a a region, like Niger Delta without potable water, good schools and road network could be so milked, with the operatives of the NDDC spending N122.9 million for condolences.

“Why should this happen in a region where governors are saying they do not have the financial strength to pay the new minimum wage?
“NDDC, like others, are jinxed and everyone placed in charge of them, steals from them and threatens whistleblowers. Until the government in power ceases to see appointments as political settlement, the country will not make any significant progress.”
The TUC boss expressed worry that even National Assembly members are so involved in corruption, leaving the business of making laws to pursuing contracts, awarding it to themselves, receive payment upfront but never move to site.
He called on Nigerians to learn from what is happening now and stop trading their destinies and that of their children for packs of indomie, matches and wrapper materials, arguing that the current level of corruption is far more than what the county had since independence.

Fed. Inland Revenue Plans Stamp Duty Palliatives For Tenants- Nami

Editorial staff

July 27, 2020

Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami, has assured tenants across the country that the Service is working on a stamp duty palliative package for them in view of the current economic realities occasioned by COVID-19.

Mr. Nami dropped this hint on Monday during a live appearance on the popular morning show, “Your View”, on TV Continental (TVC) via video link, according to a statement by Director, Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad.

As part of the palliatives, the Executive Chairman hinted that stamp duty will not be collected in arrears from tenants, even as he told his interviewers that “there is never a time when taxation is convenient for everybody to pay” and enjoined Nigerians to embrace tax payment “as a patriotic duty to our dear country, Nigeria.”

The Executive Chairman stated that the FIRS was aware that many taxable Nigerians and businesses in the country were going through difficulties imposed on all of us by COVID-19, hence the FIRS has consistently rolled out tax-related palliatives to relieve them of their tax liabilities since the pandemic shut down the Nigerian and global economy.

Mr. Nami stressed that contrary to some false claims in certain quarters, stamp duty was not a creation of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari or the current leadership of the FIRS.

He said: “Stamp Duty dates back to colonial times in Nigeria. It has been a form of tax in Nigeria as far back as 1939 when you and I were not yet born. It was codified in our laws in 1953, that is before independence. It was consolidated in 2002, published in 2006 andfurther reworked into the Stamp Duty Act 2004.”

He continued: “The Joint Tax Board (JTB) where states are represented consider it necessary to bring the stamp duty act to the attention of Nigerians following the recent launch of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Audit and Recovery of Back Years Stamp Duties where the new FIRS Adhesive Stamp Duty was unveiled. As chairman of the JTB, the FIRS was mandated to enlighten Nigerians on stamp duty. That’s why the FIRS published a clarification notice on the stamp duty and we shall continue to educate the public on it.

“Again, for purpose of clarity, the 6% stamp duty rate is not chargeable across board. It is only chargeable on rent or lease agreement of above 21 years. If your rent or lease is between 7 and 21 years, the stamp duty rate is 3%. And if you pay your rent monthly or yearly, that is less than 7 years, your stamp duty rate is 0.78%. The 0.78% is the rate for most tenants like you and I who live in Suleja or Minna. If your rent is N100,000 like you said, you only pay 0.78%, which is marginal. Of course those who live in Maitama who pay N10 million as rent will pay more at the same 0.78% because their rent is higher than our own in other parts of Abuja.”

Nami allayed the fear that stamp duty would lead to rent increase, saying: “Stamp duty should not make any landlord to increase his or her rent because it is not paid by the landlord. Landlords are not our collecting agents. It is the responsibility of the tenant to pay stamp duty and you don’t have to give it to your landlord. As a tenant, calculate 0.78% of your rent and pay that fraction at the FIRS office nearer to you or at your bank. You should then fix the stamp duty imprimatur on the tenancy agreement before you sign it with your landlord. It is as simple as that.”

Recall that at the weekend, Coordinating Director, Tax Operations Group, FIRS, Mr. Femi Oluwaniyi, stated that “the FIRS stamp duty on rent or lease only applies to new agreements and not to renewals. If a new agreement is drawn up at renewal, that document should be stamped, just like initial agreement. If, however, the renewal terms are already in the initial agreement such that no new document is prepared but just payment of the rent for renewal, then no stamping is required.”

Buhari Names Railway Stations After Tinubu, Ogbemudia, Others, As Saraki’s Family Appreciates

Editorial staff

July 27, 2020

Following the conclusion of some rail projects in some states the

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the naming of some railway stations that have been completed after prominent Nigerians that had impacted positively on the people of the country both in the past and the present.

The approval followed the recommendation of the minister of transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

The railway stations are located along the Lagos -Ibadan corridor and others on the Itakpe /Ajaokuta /Aladja-Warri after some deserving Nigerian citizens.

A statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations (DPPR), Eric Ojiekwe said that the deserving citizens have contributed to the progress and development of their respective communities and the nation at large.

This was even as the Saraki family described the President’s action and conferment on late Abubakar Saraki as a commendable recognition of his contribution to national development.

According to the statement, for the Lagos-Ibadan with extension to the Lagos Port Complex at Apapa railway station, the beneficiaries are, Bola Ahmed Tinubu(Apapa station), Mobolaji Johnson(Ebute Metta Station), Babatunde Raji Fashola( Agege station), Lateef Jakande( Agbado station) and Prof.Yemi Osinbajo(Kajola station).

Others are Funmilayo Ransom Kuti(Papalanto station), Prof. Wole Soyinka(Abeokuta station), Segun Osoba(Olodo station), Ladoka Akintola (Omio-Adio station) Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Ibadan station) and Chief Alex Ekwueme( Operation Control Centre).

For the Itakpe-Ajaokuta/Aladja-Warri Railway, the names are, Alhaji Adamu Attah (Itakpe station), Dr Olusola Saraki(Ajaokuta station), Admiral Augustus Aikhomu(Itogbo station), Brig. General George Innih (Agenebode station), Anthony Eromosele Enahoro(Uromi station), Chief Tom Ikimi(Ekehen station) and Brig. Gen Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia(rtd), (Igbanke station).

Others according to the statement include; Dr.Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

(Agbor station complex), Brig. General David Ejoor(Abraka station), Micheal Ibru(Opara station), Alfred Rewani(Ujevwu station) and Chief Mike Akhigbe(Railway village, Agbor).

Meanwhile, the family of late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki has expressed deep appreciation to President Muhammad Buhari for naming the Ajaokuta Train Station after our beloved father and renowned statesman.

The statement signed on behalf of the family by the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Ruquayah Saraki reads as follows:

“The people of Kwara and Kogi have for long been closely tied by history and culture. Naming the Ajaokuta Train Station after our late father is a most welcomed initiative.

“We have no doubt that the construction of the Ajaokuta Train Station by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will contribute immensely to the economic development of our beloved country, Nigeria.

“The late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki ardently dedicated his life to true service of the federation and indeed the people of old Kwara state and bestowing this honour is a recognition of his contributions in the development of Nigeria and one Kwara as a whole.

“We commend the President’s leadership and commitment to resuscitating the rail transportation in the country and we pledge the support of the family in the realisation of these laudable efforts.”

ECOWAS Goes Tough With Recalcitrant Parties In Mali, Threatens Sanctions If…

Editorial staff

July 27, 2020

President Buhari participates at a Virtual Meeting of the Extraordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in State House on 27th July 2020 | State House photo

The Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has threatened to sanction parties in the ongoing political crisis in Mali if they fail to accept recommendations aimed at restoring peace to the country.

The virtual meeting of the body held today, July 27 and attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, came up with the recommendations based on the roadmap produced by ECOWAS Special Mediator to Mali, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Heads of State and Government insisted on the need to respect the Institutions of the Republic, especially the Constitutional means of ascending to power in conformity with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

They said that the main Malian Institutions are inoperative and that it is paramount to re-establish, as quickly as possible, these sovereign Institutions necessary for the proper functioning of the State and the management of all issues raised by demonstrators.

According to a communique read by the Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, after the meeting, the session took the following decisions.

On the The Parliament, it asked all political parties to endeavour to obtain the immediate resignationvof all the 31 Members of Parliament whose election is contested.

“These resignation will pave the way for by-elections. Pending

these by-elections, the Parliament will operate with the 116 remaining Members,” the communique said.

On the Constitutional Court, the Heads of State and Government

asked all the relevant Institutions to facilitate its immediate

recomposition according to legal provisions in Mali.

The leaders said that the Parliament will propose its representatives after the resignation of the 31 members whose election is contested and the installation of the new bureau.

“In case of difficulty for the various bodies in designating their members to the Constitutional Court, the President of the Republic will use the exceptional power provided by Article 50 of the Constitution of Mali to nominate the 9 members,” they added.

On the Executive Branch, they recommended that a National Unity Government will be established rapidly in line with the recommendations of the

Mediator.

The Heads of States and Government encouraged the opposition, in particular, the M5-RFP, to participate in the National Unity Government.

They said that the main task of this National Unity Government will be to deal with the consequences of the demonstrations, and to implement all reforms and recommendations issued from the Inclusive National Dialogue and to improve governance.

“In particular the implementation of the Algiers Agreements will need to be accelerated. “Given the numerous challenges facing the country, Some members of Government will be nominated before the National Unity Government is formed. These are the ministries in charge of Defense, Justice, Foreign Affairs, National Security and Finance.”

The ECOWAS leaders also asked the relevant authorities to quickly conduct those inquiries to determine and identify those responsible for the violence that led to deaths and casualties as well as public and private properties destruction on July 10th, 11th, and 12th 2020.

They reiterated their solidarity with the Soumaila CISSE, Leader of the Opposition, abducted since March 25″ 2020 and insisted that the Malian authorities must intensify efforts for his release.

The leaders asked the ECOWAS Commission to put in place a Monitoring Committee for the implementation of all the measures, which should include representatives from Government, Parliament, the Judiciary, Civil Society, M5-RFP, women, the youth, with the participation of the local Representative of the African Union the United Nations, and chaired by ECOWAS.

They directed all stakeholders to implement all the decisions and

measures within 10 days.

“The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government request the commission to consider sanctions against all those who act contrary to the normalization process of the crisis.”

In his opening remark, President Buhari appealed to all the Malian stakeholders to consider the proposals for the reform of the constitutional court and the establishment of modalities for resolving the continuous 31 seats issue at the National Assembly.

He said that another significant thing is the need to address governance challenges, whose manifestations are at the core of restiveness across the country.

He said that to address these matters holistically, it is important that all Malians embrace the call for a government of national unity where exclusivity of participation in the affairs of governing their country will be a responsibility of each and every Mali sector.

“I wish to reiterate the imperative of compromise and concessions for a peaceful resolution of the current crisis, which will be acceptable to all parties.

“It is necessary that we realise the general fragility of our sub-region hedged in different layers of negative tendencies in the Sahel, hence the need to always for us to trade cautiously in handling the multiple challenges confronting our sub-region, especially the larger level of insecurity, which terrorism and insurgency activities represent in west Africa.

“While thanking our development partners, the European Union, France, African Union and the United Nations, I call on them to continue to support efforts for national, regional security of west Africa.”

Oshiomhole Describes Obaseki As MoU Gov That Fails Edo People

Editorial staff

July 27, 2020

Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole has described his immediate predecessor, Godwin Obaseki as MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) governor who he said had failed the people of Edo State.

“Obaseki has abused the trust of Edo people. With our permanent voter cards, we shall punish Obaseki on September 19. Ize-Iyamu will not repeat the mistakes of Obaseki. Ize-Iyamu will take Edo State to the next level.

“Obaseki pretended for almost eight years, while he did not believe in what I was doing as the governor.”

Apologising to Edo people for supporting Obaseki to become Edo State governor in 2016, Oshiomhole admitted that it was a mistake.

Oshiomhole, who spoke to APC members in Benin yesterday, July 26, also admitted that he “sold a bad product” to the state in 2016, adding: “Obaseki is MoU governor, but Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a man of God, who will ensure good governance in Edo State from November 12 this year.

“I have made my honest mistakes. Only God is perfect. I am now 68 years old. I have come to apologise for the mistake of supporting Obaseki in 2016. I am in Edo State to repair my mistakes.

“In 2007, Ize-Iyamu stepped down for me. In 2012, he was the director-general of my re-election campaign organisation and we won in all the 18 local government areas of Edo. I will work for the election of Ize-Iyamu.”

Kogi Deputy Gov, Onoja, Pays Last Respect To Ex Olamaboro Council Boss, Late Audu

Greenbarge Reporters

July 27, 2020

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja was recently at Olamaboro local government to pay his last respect to late the former Executive Chairman of the Council, Honourable David Audu Adegbe.

Late Audu died in Abuja a fortnight ago after a protracted illness at the age of 70.
While condoling with the family, the Deputy Governor remembered the great contributions the deceased had made for the development of Olamaboro local government and Kogi state.
Chief Onoja described the late David Audu Adegbe as an effective administrator and grassroot politician who lived an exemplary lifestyle worthy of emulation.
He reminded those who are privileged to be alive to emulate the good virtue of the late Council administrator, even as he advised those he left behind to learn to live a life of purpose.
The Deputy Governor, who acknowledged that late Audu impacted positively on people and community he found himself, prayed that God would assume the role of husband to his wife left behind and father to his children.
He advised the children to renew their determination to form a strong and united bond to continue to fly the flag of their deceased father.
The Deputy Governor also paid condolence visit to the family of Hon. Ayuba Nana, on the occasion of the 8-Day prayer.

We in the Greenbarge Media and Communications Limited, publisher of Greenbarge Reporters wish to register our condolence to our Director, Barrister Charles Audu, who is one of the children of the former Council boss, and in whose hand the man died.

Saudi Inaugurates Hajj Virtual Press Office, To Register 2,500 International Journalists

Editorial staff

July 25, 2020

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Media has inaugurated an advanced digital service as a platform to provide international and local journalists with access to exclusive videos, photos and comments.

Already, hundreds of local and 2,500 international journalists have been listed to be registered in the programme for the authority described as “exceptional coverage of Hajj 2020.”

In a statement today, July 25, the ministry said that the programme is designed as a paradigm shift in keeping with global digital transformation, whilst mitigating impact of current travel limitations

It said that the program meets all international and local media requirements, and ensures the best-in-class service to local and international media covering this year’s Hajj season. The service, according to the statement, will allow journalists to receive key files, materials and comments, respond to media inquiries, interview officials and stakeholders and attend and participate in live press conferences.

“The digital service, which will be available in Arabic and English under the name of Hajj Virtual Press Office, will address the challenges of information acquisition and the international transmission of media materials.

“Through the platform, local and international journalists will be able to request exclusive services, such as high-quality pictures or custom-made videos, in addition to remote access to all other available services, including hosting officials or stakeholders for exclusive interviews and obtaining comments and responses to inquiries, journalists as well as the general public will also be able to view media content intended for the wider public.

“Hundreds of Saudi-based journalists, along with more than 2,500 international journalists registered with the Communication centre’s database, will receive emails to register their names on the digital platform to benefit from the services of the Virtual Press Office , for which the Communication centre has dedicated a team of media professionals and international media relations officers to ensure that journalists have the best-in-class services.

Website: https://hajj.media.gov.sa/

Virtual Press Office: https://vpo.hajjmedia.sa”

Over 30 Armed Robbers Raid 9 Houses In Abuja Community, Residents Kick

Greenbarge Reporters

July 25, 2020

No fewer than 30 youths, armed with dangerous weapons, including cutlasses and axes, raided Chibiri extension of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The armed youths, who arrived in their numbers at about 1.15am, operated in eight houses simultaneously as the rain was pouring down unti 2.30am.
Eye witness accounts said that the youths organized themselves into five persons attacking each house all at the same time.
It was learnt that despite the about 30 vigilantes engaged by the residents for nightly patrols, the armed robbers operated with some measures of confidence without being challenged.
It was learnt that the angry residents converged at a meeting to disband the vigilantes, and resolved to take collective measures to secure the community.

Experts Harp On Taxation As New Means Of Funding Budgets

Editorial staff

July 25, 2020

Experts have asked Nigerians to accept the fact that the country can no longer rely solely on revenue accruing from its natural resources to fund the budget, hence the need to embrace taxation as the new national fiscal policy.

The experts on a webinar, organized by a firm, OTISVIP, made this submission today, July 25, with the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami, participating.

The theme of the webinar was “Stamp Duty: The New Black Gold?” It was hosted by Jake Effoduh, a Partner at Praxis & Gnosis Law.

Panelists on the online discussion were Dr. Alexander Ezenagu, an assistant professor of taxation at HBKU, Qatar; Managing Partner, Sprout Digital, Mrs. Damilola Anwo-Ade; Director, VoguePay, Malam Mohammed Jega; Managing Director, Trace Anglophone West Africa, Mr. Sam Onyemelukwe; Founder, The Alpha Reach, J.J.Omojuwa; and Director, Tax Policy, FIRS, Mathew Gbonjubola.

According to a statement by Director, Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, other management staff of the FIRS who participated in the webinar included Dr Asheikh Madugu.

Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammad Nami, set the ball rolling with a detailed clarification on the Stamp Duty Act in Nigeria, which included the types of transactions dutiable under the Act as well as the respective applicable rates.

While all panelists agreed on the need for taxation to compliment government’s revenue flow from natural resources, a debate ensued on the timing of the Stamp Duty campaign and the public debate surrounding the application of tax revenue in the nation-building processes, especially in building public infrastructure.

The panelists stressed the need for prudent management of tax revenue even as they enjoined Nigerians to embrace the fact that the tax net needs to get wider to accommodate more citizens for holistic national development.

Gbonjubola said that Nigerians must reassess the widespread notion that the country is rich, stressing: “in terms of Gross Domestic Product vis-à-vis our population, Nigeria is not a rich country when compared to a country like Botswana.”

He said that that the stamp duty is levied on the instrument of transaction and not on the payment itself.

Gbonjubola clarified that the 6% stamp duty is for tenancy above 21 years while 7 to 21 years lease or tenancy attracts 3% and less than 7-year tenancy is below 1%.

Dr. Ezenagu urged governments at all levels to focus on expanding economic activities through economic diversification, stressing that this would have the positive effect of increasing the tax base as there would be more economic activities to tax, instead of increasing taxation on the citizenry.

A citizen contributor with the username Yusuf.Nibox said: “Stamp duty is unlike other taxes: It needs rigorous drive through sectoral specialist tax monitoring. flat rates e-transactions are the low-hanging fruits but the computational ad valorem rated stamp duty on contracts, agreements etc need driving through monitoring or some sort of purity measure to compel compliance.”

Another citizen discussant with the username Cnjoku stated: “I have to disagree partly on the fact that non-stamping of documents doesn’t make it illegal. Transactions do not just occur in a vacuum. It has to be validated. For instance, if you make a land transaction, you must register it with the registry and get C of O to validate the ownership even when you have paid for it. Stamp duty on individuals is collected at state level where it is not fully enforced or even collected. I agree that the threshold on bank deposit is too low such that it affects the poor Nigerians.”

Hunters Kill 3 Suspected Kidnappers On Okene-Lokoja Road

Greenbarge Reporters

July 25, 2020

Hunters, joining in security operations to rid the society of the dangerous elements, have gunned down three suspected kidnappers who have been terrorising motorists along Okene-Lokoja road.
Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters indicated that the hunters were led into the operation by Senior Special Assistant on security in Okehi local government area to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State in the person of Abdulraheem Ohiare and his Adavi countapart, Joseph Omuya Salami
The report said that the operation, which was carried out today, July 25, followed intelligent report on the hide out of the hoodlums in the bush around Adavi local government.
It said: “the hunters who apprehended one Mr Godwin Peter a native of Ekeje in Olamaboro local Government and Sanni Habib a native of Idoji in Okene local Government at sight patrolling the road as at about 4:30 am today both confessed as spy which led to the success of the operation this morning.
“On sighting the the SSA Security of Okehi LG and Adavi, including the hunters, all were never the same as the kidnappers shot sprodically, and three of the kidnappers were gunned down by the hunters.”
The report said that three sophisticated pump action riffles, Bullets, Mask and Charms were recovered from the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the two SSA, Ohiare and Omuya have expressed appreciation to Governor Yahaya Bello for his determination in securing Kogi State.

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