Fed. Revenue Service Sets New Record, Generates Over N1. 2 Trillion : N156 Billion Higher Than 2019

April 16, 2020

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is believed to have performed wonder for the first quarter of 2020, by generating a total sum of N1,203,310,372,900.34 which is

over N156 billion higher than its corresponding Q1, 2019 collection of N1,046,889,787,060.27.

This figure translates to 15 percent increase over the previous year’s first quarter collection.

A statement today, April 16, by the Director of Communications and Liaison Department of the FIRS, Dr. Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, said that the 15 percent increase in Q1, 2020 is a first in the FIRS first quarter collection history since its inception in colonial times.

“This is attributed to widespread policy reforms and institutional re-organisation initiated by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Nami, since assuming office in December, 2019.

“Traditionally, Q1 collection results have been notoriously low as a result of limited economic activities within the period, which business analysts trace to the festive hangover of the New Year celebrations, delay in budget presentation which was a New Year ritual in the country for decades under the Military, limited clarity about government policy directions after the budget had been presented and consumer spending caution and limited liquidity following lavish festivities of preceding December month and January 1 New Year celebrations.”

The statement said that the historic final performance results for Q1, 2020 are all the more remarkable as the period coincided with two adverse global developments on individuals, businesses and nations – a global fall in the price of crude oil price, which is Nigeria’s foremost cash cow and a shutdown of the global economic system by coronavirus pandemic.

It emphasized that the Q1,2020 performance result shows an astronomical increase in collection trends.

“Capital Gains Tax (CGT) recorded 568% increase to N643,935,849.06, from N96,408,740.90.

“Gas Income Tax rose by 420% from N2,977,345,332.31 in Q1,2019 to N15,489,264,736.92 in Q1,2020. Even Petroleum Income Tax (PPT) increased by 9%.

“Other taxes such as Companies Income Tax (CIT) increased by 152% – N102,610,369,777.73 in Q1, 2020 compared to N40,696,980,658.52 for the Q1, 2019; NITDEF rose by 522% – Q1, 2020 N691,206,855.85 to N111,037,797.16 for the Q1, 2019 and Stamp Duty increased by 40% from N3,386,648,663.85 in Q1, 2019 to N4,750,893,578.48 in Q1, 2020. Value Added Tax (VAT) increased by 27% at the Customs Level and 13% at the Non-Import Level.”

The statement said that the passage of Finance Act 2019 led to a drop in Withholding Tax rate from 5% to 2.5% in some sectors.

It said that the Act also tinkered with Pre-operational levy (levy paid by taxpayerstoobtain TCC), thereby resulting in a 5% collection in Q1, 2020, a drop from 7% in Q1, 2019.

“With the full take-over of PAYE and PIT in the FCT by FCT-IRS, the FIRS lost all FCT collection, which led to the fall in both Pay As You Earned (PAYE) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) for Q1, 2020.

Without a doubt, this commendable performance is a direct result of the blockage of leakages and other wide-ranging reforms launched by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Nami towards repositioning the Service for efficient service delivery.”

The spokesman recalled that since taking the mantle of leadership at the FIRS, Nami has instituted a regime of policy reforms anchored on deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to block tax leaks.

The statement said that various other measures were taken to motivate members of staff to positively change their attitude to work, adding that some of such measures are the restoration of their functions which were previously outsourced to Consultants, the introduction of Authority to Incur Expenditure (A.I.E) and the commencement of implementation of a new organizational structure, which opened up the opportunity for eligible staff to be promoted, leading to round pegs being put in round holes for efficient service delivery.

The Executive Chairman commended members of staff at the FIRS for buying into the reforms at the Service and their hard work, which led in no small measure to the impressive Q1 2020 results.

Nami, according to the statement, advised the staff to work even harder in the new quarter, saying that he, the FIRS Board and the nation expect a brighter outlook in revenue collections as on-going reforms and deployment of more ICT platforms take root in Q2 2020, against the backdrop of current economic and operational challenges.

Video: Covid-19: In The Name Of Palliative

Editorial staff

April 16, 2020

Remember Us In Distribution Of Palliative In Abuja, Hausa/Fulani Group Pleads

Editorial staff

April 16, 2020

The Hausa/Fulani Development Association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has appealed to the federal government to remember them in the distribution of the palliative package proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari, especially the one for the capital city.

In a statement today, April 16, signed by its National Coordinator and National Secretary, Alhaji Mustapha Mahmoud Danfulani and Alhaji Ahmed Danlami respectively, the group said that being the largest ethnic group in FCT, they are more prone to coronavirus if they were to be out in defiance of the stay at home order.

“It is important to know that most of our members are artisans who rely on daily work and toil to make ends meet and take care of their families, but are now forced to stay at home due to the lockdown order by the government.”

The group said that they have traditional and religious heads that stand as mentors and advisers across the six Area councils in the FCT, adding that such channels should be used to ensure that the fund is disbursed appropriately to the beneficiaries.

“We appeal to the Federal Government to include our leaders in the future

palliative measures, including recruitment of social workers.”

The association regretted that it’s members are being sidelined by the office of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as well as the office of the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory in the distribution of palliatives across FCT.

The group which pledge to continue to support the Federal Government in the fight against coronavirus, commended President Buhari for increasing household that would benefit from the palliative by one million.

The group appealed to private sector and foreign organizations that recently donated cash and materials to the federal government to extend the same assistance to its members.

President Buhari In Social Distancing Mode With Others

Greenbarge Reporters

April 16, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari in practical social distancing mode with his guests and aides at the Presidential villa, Abuja, in this era of coronavirus pandemic.

Medical Doctor Dies Of Coronavirus In Lagos

Editorial staff

April 16, 2020

A medical doctor, Chugbo Emeka has been confirmed dead of coronavirus at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The practicing medical doctor died at the isolation ward, after contracting the virus from a patient he had been managing in a private hospital.

The deceased, who was once Vice President of the National Association of Resident Doctors in LUTH, becomes the first health worker in Nigeria to die from the novel coronavirus.

Confirming the death, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Chris Bode, said that Doctor Chugbo was brought into the facility late on Monday, after showing severe symptoms.

Professor Bode said that the late doctor once worked with LUTH before going into private practice.

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has condoled with the family of the doctor and members of the medical community over the loss.

Late Doctor Emeka specialized in obstetrics and gynecology.

Civil Defence Boss Angry With His Officer Over Killing Of Driver In Aba, Orders Investigations

Editorial staff

April 15, 2020

The Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has condemned the killing of a commercial bus driver in Aba, Abia State allegedly by one of his operatives.

Abdullahi Gana has, therefore ordered a thorough investigation into the killing, saying that already the suspect had been arrested and handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

In a statement today, April 15, the Commandant General gave assurance that if after investigation the officer involved was found culpable, he would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Abdullahi Gana expressed regret over what he called unfortunate incident, condemning it in its entirety.

He sympathized with the family of the slain driver. He assured Nigerians that the Corps would continue to live above board.

“We want to say that the action of this erring officer does not represent what the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stands for.”

The Commander General had directed the officer in charge of zone E, and the Commandant of Abia State Command to carry out a full-scale investigation into the incident and ensure that the suspect is prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

“The Corps respects the sanctity of life and dignity of the human person as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. Once again, we apologise profusely for any inconvenience or embarrassment this isolated action must have caused anyone most especially at this critical period when the world are facing the pandemic of covid 19.

Gana charged all state commandants to read the rules of engagement to all armed personnel in their commands and ensure periodic screening to keep them in check.

The victim whose identity is yet to be known, was said to have been shot by Officer of the Corps while enforcing lockdown order in the state on Wednesday.

The slain driver was said to have approached the checkpoint without stopping and that in his bid to pass the checkpoint in a haste, he brushed an NSCDC personnel, where they were enforcing the lockdown order by the government before the incident occurred.

WHO To President Trump: This Is Not The Time To Play Politics

Editorial staff

April 15, 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked President Donald Trump of the United States of America to stop playing unnecessary politics with the lives of millions of people across the world with is threat to cut funding to the world health body.

According to WHO, “we regret the decision of the president” amid calls for global unity to defeat the pandemic. Now is the time for us to be united against a common struggle, a common enemy.”

The Director-General of the world health body, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who reacted to President Trump’s threat, said: “when we’re divided, the virus exploits the cracks between us.”

He had earlier this month, criticized the US President of politicizing the virus, warning him to “stop pointing fingers” unless the US wants “more body bags. It’s like playing with fire.”

The Director General said however that WHO is “assessing how its programmes will be affected” by the administration’s decision, adding that the fund suspension could result in millions of dollars in a funding shortfall, based on 2020-2021 budgets, as the organization mounts a global response to coronavirus, requiring international support.

The US President had, yesterday, April 14, announced that the US would suspend financial support for the WHO after he defected blame for the slow response to the crisis in the US following reports that he largely ignored warnings from members of his administration for several weeks.

He accused WHO of “severely mismanaging” the global response and “pushing misinformation” from China’s government. The announcement came a day after he aggressively defended the US response, including his restrictions on travel from China at the end of January, and screened a video to reporters that downplayed the outbreak’s impact, without answering whether the administration deployed any response in the entire month of February.

I Have Not Recovered From Coronavirus Yet – Gov El-Rufai Of Kaduna

Editorial staff

April 15, 2020

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, has said that he has not yet been confirmed to have recovered from coronavirus as he is still under isolation for testing positive to the virus.

Governor el-Rufai, who today, April 15, chaired a virtual meeting of the State Executive Council for the first time since he was diagnosed, said he will personally announce to the public as soon as he is cleared negative of the disease.

He advised Nigerians to ignore any report insinuating that he was cleared of the disease and assured that he would personally announce the news when he is confirmed negative.

The Governor said via his tweeter account that: “earlier Wednesday 10am -2pm, I took a few hours during isolation to chair a virtual meeting of the State Executive Council.

“I haven’t been cleared of COVID-19 yet and will personally announce when confirmed negative.

“Ignore fake news even if you like it.”

Governor el-Rufai had, on 28 March, personally announced that he tested positive for coronavirus and added that he is in self-isolation as required by the case management guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for a someone that is not showing symptoms.

80 Percent Of Coronavirus Cases In Nigeria Are Not Serious – NCDC

Editorial staff

April 15, 2020

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (BCDC) has said that 80 percent of persons discovered to be positive for the novel coronavirus are not serious cases.

“Current evidence shows that about 80% of persons with #COVID19 have the mild form of the disease and recover with minimal management.”

The NCDC medical officer, Sandra Mbah, in tweet chat, said: “our current protocol is to have all cases managed by a team of clinicians in a treatment centre to ensure we have good recovery rate.”

The commission’s medical officer said that she believed that Nigerians can practice the homecare approach to Covid-19 treatment.

According to her, cases that are classified as mild can self-isolate and be managed at home with routine checks by healthcare workers who are supported to do so.

“This has not yet taken effect in Nigeria.”

Source: The Guardian.

Ezekwesili Condemns Trump On Plan To Cut Funds To WHO, Says It Poses Danger To Africa

Editorial staff

April 15, 2020

Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has condemned the move by United States President, Donald Trump, to cut funding to the World Health Organisation.

She noted that such action would adversely affect African continent, with its weak health systems.

“Any action taken by the United States against the @WHO @WHOAFRO @WHONigeria in the midst of a deadly pandemic like COVID-19 will adversely impact African countries.

“WHO activities help to backstop the continent’s weak health systems and must be sustained.”

Ezdekwesili spoke against the background of President Trump announcement, while speaking to news men yesterday, April 14 in the Whitehouse that his government would suspend funding to WHO after accusing the organisation of aligning with China to cover up the extent of Coronavirus in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the virus emanated from.

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